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