step into another world
Dining around Pavilion is getting kinda boring, hence we decided to check out Starhill Gallery instead. Packed with people - we decided on Luk Yu Teahouse. A famous name in Hong Kong, the outlet in Starhill Gallery, is right next to the escalator, encased in a kinda jewel boxlike walls made with glass and metal.
The hustle and bustle of the kitchen right next to you
Business must be very good, as they even have tables outside now, but believe me the action is right inside. Right in the middle, is the kitchen and it is such fun to see what goes on inside. You'll see and hear all the action, right next to your table. Hear the large whoosh of gas being turned up, while tall flames lick the wok. Only the guy who is designated the chef (the one with the tall white hat), gets to do the wok action. Others are just helpers in their black bandannas - chopping vegetables, steaming dim sum in bamboo steamers and etc. I liked how they place vegetables in those ornate looking cupboards. Kinda unexpected, since you picture Chinese antiques inside vs a Chinese cabbage!
start with some braised peanuts
One must give them the thumbs up, as despite the small space, service is excellent and very efficient. I liked the antique long chairs we sat on - cool and comforting but I didn't quite love the plates with their blue and white fish motif, as they didn't match the decor of the place.
whet your appetite with one peanut each time
My favourite appetizer at the moment is these braised peanuts. These were excellent - huge and not too overcooked. Looked home made since it had bits of black tealeaves mingling with the peanuts. Usually, most restaurants use the canned ones to serve.
fluffy char xiu baos (RM9++)
Since it was a light lunch, we ordered only a few items. The essentials of course, were top on the list - fluffy steamed buns filled with chicken char siu. I know the taste is definitely not comparable to the real stuff, but Luk Yu does a very decent version.
crunchy har kaus (RM13.50++)
Another must-have when doing the dim sum on Sunday - har kau, prawn dumplings. These were not bad, but I felt the skin was a little too thick.
scallop chee cheong fun (RM12) a change from prawn
Wanting to be unusual, I went for the scallop chee cheong fun instead of prawns. The chee cheong fun was smooth and the fresh scallops nice and sweet. Borderline bland though unless you add loads of soy sauce.
crunchy yam puffs (RM5++)
A must for us when we eat dim sum - deep fried yam puffs. With the same filling as the char xiu baos, this was good as the deep fried yam was light and crunchy.
Prawn with chicken floss (RM52++)
Aside from dim sum, we also ordered a specialty of theirs - prawns deep fried and coated with mayonnaise and chicken floss. Very nice, enormous and fresh prawns that tasted good with the meat floss.
Mango sago (RM8.50++)
The classic cold dim sum dessert made popular in Hong Kong - creamy mango soup with pink pomelo sacs and sago. I would have preferred more texture in this as it was too diluted. Chunks of mangoes would also have been nice.
Ginger tea with black sesame tong yuen (RM8.50++)
Another classic but this time a hot version. I liked the ginger tea - spicy with some kick. The dumplings were not too bad, but would have preferred a thinner skin encasing the black sesame filling.
Overall, a nice place to dine and relax. I love the atmosphere of this place, since I get to see the cook and his people in action. Tastewise, not everything is fantastic especially the desserts, which I felt was quite mediocre.
Luk Yu Teahouse
Feast Village
Starhill Gallery
Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2782 3850
(Pork free. Open from 10am to midnight daily. Dim sum is available the whole day.)
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from the restaurant for writing this review.
Tagged with: Dim Sum+ Feast Village
Other reviews:
17 comments:
Wow. So nice! Price also reasonable. Totally going there tomorrow.
reasonable? Hmm, won't second that. :)
the desserts are attractive though.
the Wu Kok look pretty dainty to offer sufficient bite, arent they?
well i suppose the entertainment of the cooking chef comes at a price..
great shots of the dimsum! I agree that pavillion is getting a little boring. Lot 10 has just gotten a facelift, inside and outside.. including that Roof Top hangout. I wonder if there are any new places to eat there, at Lot 10... must go check it out :)
i've always wanted to check it out but somehow, the price just turns me off. ok, perhap's i'll just order the recommended dishes..hehe
boo, you changed your camera? the pics look very dslr"ish" leh? ;)
They open early mornings?
we were there once in Starhill Gallery, unfortunately it was packed. not able to spare a table too... :(
I have passed by the place a few times but never ventured in. Prices are very-Starhill, hehe!
heard there's some pretty decent dim sum items here but the price is a put-off. the one in hk is better, though i dun think they're connected in any way except the similarity in names.
When I walked by, I can always smell the fragrant from the steaming bao, so appetizing.
yummy pictures.. as always..!
the cabbage are so high in the cabinet... are they for display only ?
I have always wanted to try the one in HK but no chance to do so yet. Hmm..maybe give this KL outlet a try instead.
wow!! The food look nice. love the Mango sago. nice or not?
khyrel - some items are on the higher side though, but you pay for the ambience.
j2kfm - can't beat Ipoh on their dim sum but the place is ok, if you want a change.
Joe - of course, why do u think there is they coined the celebrity chef word???
cumi & ciki - there will be new places in Lot 10, but yet to be done. Guess it will be the next starhill gallery, since the same designer is doing the revamp.
Nic - I often walk past and it is packed to the brim, hence we decided to check it out. Hmmm, very sharp of you, we're still testing out the camera though, so you will see a variety of shots.
tummythoz - from 10am onwards, not very early?
new kid - yeah, the place was super packed. Amazing.
pureglutton - yeah, Starhill tends to be a bit pricey vs other places.
Jun - I think they are connected, kinda like the Pak Loh Chiu Chow which is also from HK and has an outlet in Starhill.
Simon Seow - not surprising, since it is the kitchen you are passing by!
mamabok - hope it satisfies yr cravings for dim sum
ling239 - LOL, I guess they use a stool? Doubt it is for display as that place is just above the preparation station.
precious pea - go try the HK one, it sounds interesting and so old school.
shuttertalk - ok only the mango sago, I've eaten better. Very watery I felt, like drinking soup.
i've always loved the decor ler. and braised peanuts!
I used to be able to recommend this place without hesitation. We ate their regularly. Then we noticed a sharp decline in the quality. Last time I ate there...well, the place had gone from packed to deserted and I was so disappointed with the quality of what I was served that I vowed not to eat there again. I think they must have changed owners and not just chefs. Even all the staff had changed. Such a shame. It was my favourite pork-free dim sum spot in town.
Post a Comment