Friday, November 28, 2014

HOOFED @TTDI - BEST RESTAURANT IN KL 2014*

[Disclaimer: Category:Non-halal, it is as Porkilicious and Alcoholic as it can get.]

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HAVE FOUND YOU *THE* PLACE FOR A GASTRONOMIC DINING PLEASURE! (now don't complain "where to eat, what to eat" ah! hey, they close on Sundays though...)

*in my humble opinion okayyy. With brief yet intense period of time in the F&B line (hint: Taman Desa and Changkat respectively)...I would say my opinion matters lol cheh wah. No lah, basically as a typical young marketeer, foodie and kepohchi, my observations are fair and I would definitely root for Hoofed as Best Restaurant in KL 2014 given the hidden-sememangnya-underrated qualities, high potential and recent word-of-mouth marketing efforts (with results!) and other variables as well. Hoofed @TTDI is now my favourite underdog, if I could politically-correctly say so. Anyhoofed, allow my review to justify right here, right now:


WELKAM TO HOOFED @TTDI!

Arrived just in time for early dinner. Alright lah, let's do this!!! *Sleeves up*

Before anything, for those who have not heard of Hoofed, you are confirmed a lot more familiar with its sister company, TDH (Tom, Dick & Harry's) right? Same here. BUT! I have been seated outside TDH over the years, sober and tipsy, sometimes holding a pork knuckle in my hand. And I have eyed on the chalkboard (right) for a long...time. I was curious. I've always wanted to visit on a personal note but doesn't help when I am a procrastinator, and Mr.Kevin Koh (Outlet Manager), I am eternally grateful to you for inviting me to review. I'm so lucky. People who frequent #moumantai place, please take note: Hoofed is just upstairs for proper casual dining experience if you are looking for a lil more privacy and less noise! Oh! and little did we know (besides bloggers of course lol), Hoofed and TDH are also from the producers of The Royal Flush (Chinese restaurant); Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock (Kopitiam concept) and Crazy Crabs (Seafood restaurant), all situated amidst the beautiful Oasis Square @Ara Damansara. But we're here in TTDI for Hoofed, so yeah.


COME ON IN!

Interior all the way, baby!

Reached upstairs and mmm me likey! The impression was very cosy yet refreshing and alive! Only 7pm and it was already pretty crowded, often times with kaki lang and regulars. I was advised to come for a review before peak hours so that Kevin has time to entertain me. Hmm looks like I had to be quite independent with this one.
I was also told that the idea behind this is dining in an underground wine cellar, interesting!

Kevin was beeing around to see to his customers (man, he's really good with people) while I was busy photographing. So much so, the food was already served, and cold! Lol nvm lah. We finally managed to have a quick chat about what's new and what's good ol' tradition around here. I have to admit, I was still checking the place out cos the ID of this restaurant is the shiznit! I still think photographs can't do much justice. You HAVE to physically be here to be part of the ambience with soothing mainstream 90s music playing in the back (my jam). So Kevin told me that the whole idea behind this is dining in an underground wine cellar. I couldn't help but immediately ask, "but we're upstairs". Sometimes, I do ask stupid questions. Concept, Cherry....concept!!! Lol I have also heard that the owner had put the tile pieces together with his own bare hands, tirelessly. Wow, no wonder this place looks so precious! 


THE FOOD & DRINKS!


Menu tonight, prepared by low-profile yet meticulous and experienced chef who had been a cook since age 15, can you feel the passion already???: 
Braised Lamb Shank - decently prepared.
The signature Bacon Fried Rice - RECOMMENDED!RM20 only. BIG portion. Must-try! Aromatic, tasty, what a great idea, it doesn't always have to be with Lap Cheong right? And goes well with ANY alcohol! And I mean ANY - then voila! Orgasmic combo! :P
The ultimate signature Roast Pork Belly. Very German when mixed with Mustard. Crackling sound guaranteed!

After meal sexy cocktails, so glad I had them all to myself! - (L-R: G&T Herbs; Cucumber Cooler; and Hoofed Sangria - RECOMMENDED! RM 32 only. Sangria is a concoction of Morse Cord Syrah, Courvoisier VSOP, Bols Triple Sec, Strawberry Puree and Orange. It is sweet, sensational, refreshing, soulful, refined, flavourful - very power lah!


With 120+ labels being stored in the outlet, popular label would be from The Shinas Estate Winery (Australian) with names inspired by owner cum ex-judge - RED: The Guilty, The Executioner; WHITE: The Innocent (Viognier) omg the chilled White Wine was so balanced and pleasant to drink!!! - RECOMMENDED! RM160++ per bottle was the very special promo price during my visit. Please approach staff for current retail price. It's gonna be so worth it! 


MY VERDICT!!!

Easy! Just refer to red label "RECOMMENDED" as per my food review! Besides that, there are much more offered in the menu that was tried at my personal accord eg: Lam Yee Fried Pork Belly and Hokkien Mee as well as the MGH Tower. This place undoubtedly already has what it takes (existing concept, regular customers, tools and ingredients to beat the many restaurant chains in PJ and KL) provided they keep up to the operations consistency and branding/marketing initiatives. If they do plan to expand, they can always grow the wine label range and spice up the menu a little bit. For now, it is as promising and always improving with creative events. They as a group, have done well with the recent #moumantai charity run too.

The food is memang sedap, at times decent and sometimes, at a standard level (rooms for improvement, shouldn't be a problem). But frankly, I have a liking to the drinks there. The wine and cocktails are magical. As mentioned, the whole atmosphere overshadowed any (if any) mishap. I guess with a relaxing environment and good company and since I love the drinks, I was not particularly scrutinizing the food taste and depth hence the emphasis on overall experience. 

Not to be biased, the only reason I came up with the idea of personally awarding (if there's such a thing?!) Hoofed as the Best Restaurant in KL 2014 not only for all the obvious reasons but the surprising buzz it carries. Since the review, I have admittedly become busy with other parts of my life for a while. However, from a slow start of a comeback with the appointment of a new outlet manager, suddenly I somehow find someone I know going to Hoofed on a weekly basis and now, I hear of a daily basis. Four years since its existence, up and coming again, with a little bit more of aggression, Hoofed is sooo gonna be the bomb! Wishing them all the best! I'm a fan! :)

EVENTS!


Indeed, I have become a return customer weeks after the review. Currently I am now in Financial PR and sometimes, I have a habit of linking people and places. Then came a request for a Financial Talk. Hoofed is private yet spacious and I thought, why not. This place is so tastefully done that it will certainly impress those clients of High Net Worth individuals. I have recently organised a Wine Dinner-Wine Tasting-Investment Talk at Hoofed. Honestly, it was tough to find a venue like Hoofed. The clients - they loved it. The food, the wine, the talk. Everything. It was a success. Phew. So yes, also highly recommended to run events here. Serious!
Edward Quah, GM of Dionysus Asia (distributor) enlightening guests with The Innocent.


I felt kinda bad lah, during the event, many walk-in customers had to reroute as the dining area was closed due to this private event. Thank God to make up to it, got a bit of upselling lah hehe. You know the place, food, drinks and company is so damn good that nobody wants to leave right after the event! Quite surprised not many wanna cabut, haha you know right, Malaysians after sponsored dinner. I was happy to know that the clients (from the talk) stayed back, ordered more food and even bought additional wine bottles for personal consumption/collection. I think the White Wine especially was sold out! I was told business was exceptionally good that night. 


YES I'VE BEEN HOOFED! AND I AM GLAD I HAVE.



HOOFED RESTAURANT, TTDI
18A, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI)

60000, Kuala Lumpur
Opens from 4pm until late night.
Reservation/Events : 603-7728 8567 / 6017-658 1837 [Kevin Koh, Outlet Manager]
Email: kevinkohhoofed@hotmail.com 
And...click here for >> Hoofed's Facebook Page!  NOW! NOW!! NOW!!! :P 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

PRAYERS ♥

The 29 February gives us a bonus of 24 more hours. This is what I'd do with it. I wish these prayers (in general, you can be in ANY religion/belief) would help you just as much. :)

Prayer for Awareness

Today, Creator of the Universe , we ask that you open our heart and open our eyes so we can enjoy all of your creations and live in eternal love with you. Help us to see you in everything we perceive with our eyes, with our ears, with our heart, with all our senses. Let us perceive with our eyes of love so we can find you wherever we go and see you in everything you create. Let us see you in every cell of our body, in every emotion of our mind, in every dream, in every flower, in every person we meet. You cannot hide from us because you are everywhere, and we are one with you. Let us be aware of this truth.

Let us be aware of our power to create a dream of heaven where everything is possible. Help us to use our imagination to guide the dream of our life, the magic of our creation, so we can live without fear, without anger, without jealousy, without envy. Give us a light to follow, and let today be the day that our search for love and happiness is over. Today let something extraordinary happen that will change our life forever. Let everything we do and say be an expression of the beauty in our heart, always based on love.

Help us to be the way you are, to love the way you love, to share the way you share, to create a masterpiece of beauty and love, the same way that all of your creations are masterpieces of beauty and love. Beginning today and gradually over time, help us to increase the power of our love so that we may create a masterpiece of art -- our own life. Today, Creator, we give you all of our gratitude and love because you have given us Life.
Text extracted from:
'The Mastery of Love -- A Toltec Wisdom Book' by Don Miguel Ruiz

Friday, October 29, 2010

Useful for UK mates: "Largest Car Website in Malaysia"

Time doesn't fly! It vanishes into thin air I believe. Felt like as if it was just yesterday I sat down here, NOT at my PC, officially canceling my UK Study trip 2010 via email.

Here I am today, welcoming my UK mates back (it's been like, what? 5 months!!) with a website I stumbled upon, that can be really helpful to them, especially with the job hunting, most of them already ready to commit to a car, so even car hunting should be involved in the phase of our early adulthood.

I still don't have a car, nor do I drive. But I'm able to drive a manual back and forth without banging into a tree. I wonder, at the age of 22, when I buy a car, who will I buy it from, how do I even weigh options when I don't even know where to begin. I know of many friends like family who are into car business. Okay, out of power relationship, word of mouth, people could pull some strings. However it's also best to do my own homework to be well equipped with reasonably good knowledge of the market price, etc.

Just like how I was into CariBilik to rent a place for myself, this platform is just as accessible as that!

Hover over to this website to search for Used and/or New Malaysia cars, let me know if you find it useful!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Oh! How Cherry Loves Her Mamee Sllrrp! :) - September Provision Mission

With me constantly eating in, I've decided I'm converting to the Mamee Sllrrp spirit - seriously. It's finishing fast!



By far, my favourite and it's not an ordinary curry.


SEPTEMBER PROVISION MISSION - HERE I COME!

Packing you along, lil one! ;)


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Oh! How Cherry Loves Her Mamee Sllrrp! :) - Come to Mamee!

There's this whole buzz and fuzz about the new Mamee Sllrrrp, I really always wanted to give it a go since I'm already bored with regular brands like Maggi which still tastes a lil too curry powder-ish. I've always been a fan of Mamee either the keropok or the initial editions when they call it "pejal" but being quality instant noodles it was rather expensive. This time 'round I'm so happy it's at least at a promo price. I know it says RM 3.99 but I got it less than that, from EconSave, Cheras =p




Forgive sloppiness whatsoever!


I like it customised - Mamee Sllrrp Bolognoise with Curry Soup still 'around it -AWESOME tak main berapi lagi!!

Honestly, by far the best instant noodles there is. The texture of the noodle especially, turns me ON!

Contributes to my busy nights with assignments and hey, zen time too! :)