Category Archives: ~ Food review / alcohol pairing ~

Tasting-out Glenmorangie

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Scotland’s best-selling single malt had a tasting session recently, which i totally enjoyed. Mainly coz i’ve never sat in one spot and tried the range that the award-winning Glenmorangie offers. Now i’ve got new good buddies.

Set

It went down at The Hill, and pre-dinner drinks were Glenmorangie of course, which i had on the rocks. The fine whiskies were accompanied with pretty fine food as well.

I find Glenmorangie to be pretty experimental with their aging techniques, giving their whiskies different and more subtle flavours compared with other singles. In the ’60s they began using ex-bourbon casks when others were using sherry casks, and in 1996, they introduced their wood-finished range, utilizing port wood casks and wine barriques as final aging vessels. These styles are now used by many distilleries.

The first of three whiskies on the list was the Glenmorangie Original, the backbone of the range, aged 10 in American white oak bourbon casks. I liked this. It gives a floral-spice nose, while in the mouth, it has a short spiciness, a lil sweet, with a mild finish. There’s no tongue-bite, and has a hint of smokiness. Very good balance, to me at least.

A sit-down session

The Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or exhibits whiffs of vanilla. Taste-wise, it’s light caramel, woody, and creamier than the Original. There’s a persistency in the finish. But you wouldnt think that it weighs in at a fine 46%.

The Nectar is aged 12, with 10 years in American bourbon oak followed by time in Sauternes wine casks from France. This final aging is what gives this Scotch its distinct flavour.

Hot stuff

My first whiff of the Glenmorangie 18 Year Old somehow gave me flashbacks of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Damn. Must be some sort of craving that needs to be quenched. Hmmm.. (*hint hint* to Charles. Paging Charles Wright.)

It gives out sweetish and pleasant toffee notes. It tastes extremely smooth, sweet-sour and multi-layered. It finishes just as silky. It kinda reminds me of a very good aged rum, with a nutty tease.

Slowly matured for 15 years in the finest ex-bourbon oak casks, a proportion is transferred to Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for the final three years of maturation. Excellent.

I like. All three

I sure have renewed interest in Glenmorangie when it comes to drinking Scotch. Will certainly look forward to our next meeting!

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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Es Para Ti

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Es Para Ti (7713-3615) is a Mediterranean/Spanish restaurant-bar in Damansara Perdana, PJ (Emerald Plaza East). It’s been open a few months, and i checked it out recently. (Same block as Friendscino: map, or refer to website)

It’s got a classic and cozy feel, with the use of bricks and wood adding to the ambience.

Spacious

To warm-up, a pint of Franziskaner was in order. This is probably my fave beer at the mo, a German wheat beer. Unlike Hoegaarden (Belgium), this one has similar flavours, but more body, and less fruity.

There are loads of beers on tap here – eleven varieties, with stuff u normally cant get on tap.

Starters

Erdinger white and dunkel (dark), Franziskaner white and dunkel, Leffe Blonde and Brune, Stella Artois, Blackthorn, Hoegaarden, Connors and Carlsberg. Plus 23 types in bottles.

Erdinger is a light-tasting wheat beer, lighter than Hoegaarden. Extremely easy-drinking, with a low finish – an easy intro to beer for anyone.

Dammit. Salivating

I also had the Franziskner dunkel draft. A more toasty and aromatic wheat beer.  Any pint of Franz/Erdinger costs $27 nett during happy hours (5-8) and $32 after.

Food. There was  a buffet goin on, and the joint was full. With more than 20 varieties lined-up at only 35 bucks per person, its unsurprising. Takes place every Fri/Sat, booked up till next month!

Tap-filled island bar

Had a peep – there was stuff like pizza, white wine mussels, lamb cuts, pork schnitzel, paella, Italian meatballs, pork sausages, and even pork knuckle! We sampled some – all were good, especially the calamari rings – fresh, tender, with a crispy outer.

Stuff-your-face buffet

Anyway, started our meal with a Seafood Paella ($60 net for two). This was a hit, and the crew couldn’t stop havin a go. Loaded with seafood like large prawns, plus spicy Chorizo (sausages). Just the right amount of greasiness and goo-iness, and well-balanced with spices and herbs.

The Spaghetti en Papillote ($68) rocked as well. This is oven-baked, sealed with foil, and inside are squid, prawns, mussels, clams, anchovy fillets, capers, olives and assorted veg. The pasta’s consistency was perfect al dente, and the loads of garlic chips just sealed da deal.

For two pax

Then came the Little Piggy. Danny of Es Para Ti brings out a suckling pig. Looked kinda alive. I tickled his ears but he didnt react. The quarter hog ($55) was done just right, still juicy. The clincher was the volcanic chili that comes with it! Insane.

The guys gave approving nods while they munched into all the bites. From others’ feedback, i hear the roast duck and steaks are good too.

If ur interested in the buffet, call and enquire, as its kinda popular, and walk-ins might not get it.

Look at dat shine. U need a blusher man

Portions are generous. All prices at Es Para Ti are nett, which is cool.

Standard liquors are between $280 and $300, and there’s a good range of single malts.

There’re shitloads of hot and cold tapas. Hours are noon till ‘very late’ daily, and the kitchen’s open till 12am, but snacks are available till much later.

Wide choices of wines

One of three private lounges

I almost charged into the 'cellar'

Unfortunately, after dinner, we got so stuffed that there was a leftover, which Homey swallowed:

Yo, dont HOG it niga

.

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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Feasting @ Brussels Beer Cafe

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Raided Brussels Beer Cafe (03-6205-2999, Soho KL), my first time there. They got a new menu out. It was on invitation – To shred a 12-course dinner!

Even seven-courses tend to kill me. Anyway, tried to focus on ale more than the food, but failed!

Some of the options

BBC’s menu features traditional Belgian favourites, and many of ’em have beer in the food. Nice. The menu is extensive.

The first section of the menu says “Beer Food”. Cool.

More than beer

Salivate

The welcome drink (and my next 8 drinks) was a Konig Ludwig (abv 5.5%), one of my favourite beers. This is a Bavarian German wheatbeer. And now…. they got it on tap, only at Brussels.

Wheatbeers are one of the oldest styles of beers around, from way back in Babylonian times. Konig (meaning King) is brewed using traditional methods. It makes a lively, refreshing ale of contrasts – a little bitter and fruity at the same time, but also creamy and dry. Kinda great with every meal.

The ales kept coming, and i kept guzzlin. Then the food started to appear.

The bread was good too

The prawn bisque arrived (a bisque is a creamy, highly-seasoned soup of French origin). This is quite a salt-infused offering, and the bread is also very dry-shrimpy, well-neutralized by good gulps of the Konig.

Belgium is famous for its mussels, so we had some. The Moules Hoegaarden ($56.60 net)  is cooked with beer, coriander, lemon and celery.Great stuff – tangy and creamy.

Tryin to get out are yall? Well, too late

Moules Mariniere is steamed with white wine rather than ale, garlic, celery and onion, and has distinctively bolder flavours.

The Blind Finches ($16) aint blind at all. It’s a portion of minced pork balls, wrapped in thin bacon, slow-braised in some Belgian ale – a Leffe Blond onion sauce. Mmm mmm mmh! Possibly my favourite item.

What i liked most – the thick, malty, groovy sauce that the meat is sunk in. I could drink a mug of it!

Put it in a glass!

Dead baby

The Baby Beef Ribs ($25.30) are high-quality cuts, that are simply bbq-ed. A lil chewy, but tender as well. And juicy.

We also had Roast Pork ($23). If u dunno what that is, quit.

Guess

Then came some major firepower. A fuckin bucket-sized mug of Hoegaarden, followed by a boot-sized glass of Paulaner Dunkel. Thankfully there were other drinkers to work on it too.

O shit, did i say “thankfully”??

The dunkel (dark) wheatbeers are one of my favourite varieties, as it provides a cool blend of wheat and roast. Perfect.

The Dunkel, next to a tall pint glass

Suckerzz

The showcase of the dinner soon appeared. It was an elephant’s dick-sized sausage. Am dead serious. Called The Big One! ($70.80).

Longer than the average arm

Basically, a mega meal. Great to share, as its actually cut-up and served skewered with large toothpicks. The two-pounds of meat is really…. meaty. The sausage is very-compact, thus more filling than normal ones. I’d say five people could snack on it.

The less hungry can opt for the Pork bacon Cheesy Burger ($21.80), pork patty with bacon strips and… melted cheeeeese.

After about 90 minutes, sobriety and civil behaviour began to seriously go downhill, fast. Of course, it was thanks to us drinkin from Bigfoot’s mug.

Couldnt make it to d toilet on time, so improvized

Savagely stuffed, i bailed.

Heavy session

All i could think of wuz chillin. Horizontal chillin. With a bed and a movie.

Beer prices (lagers and ales) are above average to high, with Hoegaarden at $27.80 (happy hour), and $32.50, while the Ludwig is $30.20 and $34.80. There’re lots of bottled beers too.

Quite a few on the pipes

I gotta say food is generally impressive. With the variety of ales on tap, a good meal and drinks are always possible.

Will have to starve myself 24-hours beforehand if i’m invited there again.

.

Brain damage: 8/10

Quite a few on the pipes

Beer prices (lagers and ales) are above average to high, with Hoegaarden at $27.80 (happy hour), and $32.50, while the Ludwig is $30.20 and $34.80. There’re lots of bottled beers too.

Besides Soho KL (map), there’re outlets in Jaya One, Ampang and Hap Seng.

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Brunch at Brotzeit

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A German joint has taken root at Megamall in Midvalley. Brotzeit (2287-5516), originating in Singapore, is a restaurant-bar with an interesting menu and a variety of beers.

I checked it out with food junkie Bangsar-bAbE, as we’ve decided to pair up as a tag team for reviews – she’s d food specialist, me d booze. I like both food n drinks, so its a sweet deal!

A long bar as u enter

Drafts

We started brunch with some ales, since i’ve kinda eased back on lagers. I went for one on tap, Paulaner Hefe Weissbier, a wheat beer (5.5%). As with all wheat beers, its pleasant n easy-drinking.

Some of the German brew available (click to enlarge). Note that prices are not nett

Mango mix

Sue Lynn decided to try for a beer cocktail. She had an affensaft – weissbier with mango. Turned out good. Fruity, and importantly, very palatable, so u drink fast. The banana mix didnt turn out so well.

To start d munchies, we had a spicy bacon pizza, a crispy one with roasted bacon bits, onions, cherry tomatoes & chilies. The base is crunchy, so its more like a bacon biscuit. A good combi of tastes, with a spicy buzz to go with that beer. As its bacon, there was a scary layer of oil under the pizza.

Starter

Sip sip

Dunkel

I moved on to a dark wheat beer, Dunkel Heffe Weissbier, which was perfect timing as a shitload of pork ribs appeared.

It was great stuff. Still moist, with a well-marinated outer. Fortunately the meat doesnt fall off the bone, coz dats for toothless sissies. The Brotzeit guy with us wasn’t certain, but i reckon it’s roasted. At $102, its steep, but enough for a few people.

Meat fest

Würstelplatte

More meat in the Wursterplatte ($89.70), a combi of garlic sausages, spicy chicken, pork, and mini pork-cheese. And sauerkraut of course. The garlic one was d most interesting, as it had a distinct twang compared to same ol sausage flavours.

Macaroni?

What i thought was macaroni was Käsespätzle ($39), homemade egg dough with cheese, a Bavarian thing. Rich n cheesy! Kinda milky too. Best if shared, coz tough to finish.

The massive pig-out ended with Apfelstrudel = apple strudel ($25.30). Any dessert with ice-cream has my vote, and this one is good stuff, with juicy apples inside, and a flaky outer, combined with almond-topped vanilla ice-cream.

Closure

Platters

Got well-stuffed. We hardly made a dent in the menu.

Only tried two beers, so hopefully will swing by someday to test more.

.

Brain damage: 6/10

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