♥하루 118 - Food Review: O'Viet by Du Viet (Sunway Pyramid)

 Hey everyone! One day when I asked chi yan what to update next,

"you like lah. *pause* but don't update about food anymore lah!!!!!!"

Paiseh ah but I'm obliged to write about this. I NEED TO. 

you will know why! 

The very night on the same weekend, I went to sunway with le sister Joyce to have a welcome home + farewell dinner for our sister-from-a-different-mother Shing Yi, who recently came here from east malaysia for her PHD conference and will be going back shortly. (she's one of the smarrrtest and funniest person I know! depressed that she will be leaving us so soon ☹). We were also there to look for new flats to wear cause ours are dirty and old (and stinky). 

Joyce felt a fever coming and she's got an enormous ulcer somewhere under her tongue so I couldn't satisfy my thai or indon food cravings. However! I'm soooo glad we decided to check out this restaurant - O'viet, directly above the skating rink, neighbour to Dragon-i and Esprit (thanks to sunway GPS Mr Ryan Wong)

Throughout 18 years of my life, in my countless visits to Sunway Pyramid (That night was the second time in 3 days), I've never thought of entering this restaurant and always, always end up dining at Sushi Zanmai or Nando's. I don't know, probably because its location and interior from the outside seemed too pricey, plus I rarely head to that area of the mall. The only time I would ever go there is for Dragon-i to fulfill lao sar pao cravings, or get some sensual spicy szechuan noodles!

It's a good thing Joyce was feeling sick I'm happy that we stumbled upon it yesterday, and I realized all that dilemma "WHAT TO EAT?????" will never have to occur ever again. Ok maybe not. But it's definitely a no-brainer! Vietnamese food is healthy and nobody could resist the wholesome yummy pho (pronounced as fuh) or banh trang cuon (pronounced as beng jang kuon)!

The exteriors actually looked very forbidding with its black walls and red double doors, but surprisingly the interior was more homey and less classy than I expected (in a good way). It is comfortably set with blue walls behind the counter and a red-brick wall on the other side; while the lime green chairs and bright ornaments are lightly illuminated by the warm glow of incandescent lights. 

I love the clusters of beautiful lanterns made of wood and rice paper; so simple yet brings a soft luminous light to the theme! 

real red brick walls this time hahaha (inside joke: view here to know why)

when we entered the restaurant, a waiter who's all smiles guided us towards a 8 seater table (there were only 3 of us). Even though the restaurant was pretty empty but it's still not quite right to have such a huge table I hate distances at dining tables. So I glanced around and saw there was a quiet zone at one side, closed off by some screens. 

"oh can we sit there???"

"yes yes ofcourse you can, anything you like!" 

I was quite surprised by their friendliness! Usually at sushi zanmai they'd be "no it's probably reserved please sit here thanks" (but I do understand sushi zanmai is always overflowing with customers) while they swiftly guide us to a table in the secluded area where it is decorated intricately with bamboo ceilings and  a variety of Vietnamese table settings on wall shelves. 

Upon being seated, we checked out a worn out wooden handicraft box used to place silverwares. It reminds me of the kemahiran hidup wood project I did my dad did for me in form 2. Hah.

I've already had my mind set to get the dish considered most significant of Vietnamese cuisine - pho. In my opinion that's the most ideal dish to judge a Vietnamese restaurant! aghhhh the wonderful aroma of clear, tasty broth infused with the sweetness of herbs and tender meat with chewy rice noodles. oh and ofcourse, don't forget the fresh rolls too! (already drooling now ack)

Joyce got a haircut! I've been calling her match stick since then wahaha she's so long and thin and her head is so small now wahahahaha - but she's still pretty! /narrowly escapes death punch/

Fresh Summer Rolls (New Saigon) | Rm 9.9

choice of prawn/ chicken/ beef/ vegetarian 

First up! arrived in 5 minutes, a plus plus point to the experience! Light and healthy summer rolls wrapped with shrimps, rice noodles, a dash of lime and plenty of fresh herbs and vegetables for flavour and crunch. These are served with a side of peanut sauce. The rice paper was chewy and the fillings incredibly fresh and generous but just right for a mouthful. Peanut sauce and fresh summer rolls are made for each other, macam pinang dibelah dua! yumms!

Hue-Style Beef Noodles (Central Vietnamese) "Bun Bo Hue" | Rm 14.9

Imported tenderloin beef fillet and stewed beef brisket in mildly spicy soup, served with vermicelli and banana blossom garnishing

"What's banana blossom ah?"

(if you don't know, 

A. continue reading 

B. is also A)

This too arrived when we have not even gotten halfway through the rolls. "good things comes to those who wait" well this does not apply when it comes to a hungry person. and Vietnamese food. also, super glad that the staff at o'viet provides maximum efficient service! 

Ok anyway back to this bowl of goodness - bursting with the amazing aroma of beef broth and cilantro leaves, which some also call by coriander, 香菜, Yim sai; or to some, 臭菜. Do request to leave that out if you could not stand the flavour of that amaaaazing herb I love soooo  much. It always add a sparkle to whichever dish it is in, may it be steamed fish, congee or soups. 

Served with a side of basil leaves, bean sprouts, mint, lime, fried banana flower shreds and sambal. The soup on its own is not as spicy as expected but all in all, warm and heartily piquant. After getting an original taste I threw them all in without hesitation! (pluck mint leaves off its stem first). It was fantastic. Bean sprouts adds the bit of raw crunch and helps to fend off the spiciness. Every single mouthful is an explosion of potent flavours coming off herbs, beef simmered with lemongrass broth and a shot of warmth to my heart.

did I mention that the beef slices with thin layer of fats melts completely in your mouth. there were chewing-gum ones too but let's focus on those that melts. completely. in. my. mouth. yumm!

Traditional Mixed Beef Noodles (Pho Bo Dac Biet) | Rm 15.9

Imported tenderloin beef fillet, stewed beef brisket, balls and tripe in clear beef soup

Bun bo Hue and Pho bo are two completely different Vietnamese cuisines, though many people tend to relate them some way or other, most of the time as "Vietnamese beef noodle soup". Their differences range from origins, spices used, stock for broth, meats used until dipping sauces. The most significant dissimilarity are the noodles, Bun bo Hue using Bun (vietnamese round rice noodles) whereas Pho bo using Banh Pho (vietnamese flat rice noodles).   

"aiyo mee hoon and kuay teow la"

I wanted to get this initially but got distracted by Bun Bo Hue "Mildly Spicy Soup" and "Banana Blossom Garnishing". I asked Joyce what's a banana blossom so she said,

I see. This makes sense. Hahahahahaha

(JOYCE: EDIT: NO I DID NOT)
(GRACE: EDIT: YES SHE DID. SHE GOT DISTRACTED BY BUN BO HUE BEFORE SHE FINISHED HER EXPLANATION.)
(EDIT: QAO SHAUN SAYS BANANA BLOSSOM IS THE FRIED BANANA FLOWERS THAT LOOK LIKE ONIONS ON THE SIDES.)


gosh this is confusing.
may it be onions or banana flowers it still tastes good!

First words coming out from Shing Yi after the first taste was, “哇, 汤真的是很甜!” then “YIM SAIIII!!!!” and from Joyce “mhmm this is comfort food”. Nevertheless, Pho Bo was much calmer than the Bun bo Hue, served at the side with a different chilli and no onions. However, being less tangy with a clear broth, it is special in its own way - very aromatic and pleasant to taste. MHHM.

Vietnamese cendol | Rm 8.9

Cendol, jelly, mung beans and jack fruit with coconut milk and gula melaka

Shing Yi thought this was similiar to an unforgettable dessert she had at Vietnam not long ago, so we ordered and gave it a try! Alas, it wasn't close to the one she had but still there was a few points to be given a thumbs up! The presentation was pretty unappealing, I prefer cendol in a bowl. However, I was surprised to taste cempedak amongst the classic cendol items. I thought it was strange but astonished that they blended quite well. The fusion was very satisfying, as gula melaka taste good with almost anything.

full and happy kids! 

RATINGS (out of 5)

Food:  ★ ★ ★ ★  

Pricing: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Service: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atmosphere: ★ ★ ★ 

Verdict: Can't believe I have been so blind all these years, never noticing this splendid place that serve such to-die-for food. It is not only delicious but healthy and light (and affordable! +1) too! definitely an enjoyable experience. ;)

O'Viet by Du Viet (03- 7492 0018)

Address: Lot G1.45,Ground Floor,

Sunway Pyramid,

No. 3, Jalan PJS 11/15,

Bandar Sunway,

46150, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Fax: 03- 7492 0019

chi yan is probably "what??? I still don't know why lo!" now hahahahaha

Anywayyyyyy.

Afterwards when we went shopping for new flats and I saw this pig sticker omgggg so adorable but I didn't want to splurge on this with my hard earned angpao money gah humans are so ironic and anyhoo I can always hand-draw pigs why should I pay this sum to have this piece of sticker I'm unwilling to use cause its too cute. Ok. At least I got a pair of pretty flats (not without a dilemma ugh).

Oooh drama time!

goodbye.

xx

♥하루 105 - At empire with Joyceet

HAAAAIIIII. I'm so sorry.. how long has it been since I last updated? ☹ Gah. Howeverrr I'm pretty sure that it will remain this way till december, the month when I'm finally (FINALLY) free from the locks and torture of SPM. ugh. I've hereby made a very solemn promise to myself that this holiday will mark the end of my extreme procrastination, slacking and laziness which has been counting since.. 17 years ago or so. "haha you joking ah?!" NO. Honestly! I even promised Jenny that I'll complete the notes in my physics 2 and.. buy a new book for physics 3. (￣^￣)  <-- serious face. I've also missed weeks of classes for mssd and msss so its time I put on some boost engine or something. Especially for add math. Freaking. Add. Math.  (╬ﾟдﾟ)

Anyway this was on sukkie choo's (aka siew yok) birthday! she was quarantined due to chicken pox and that's like one of the saddest thing to happen to a person (next to failing exams. or dropping your ice-cream.) So Joyceet and me decided to surprise her by delivering her a proper lunch and coconut supply after church. (ﾟ´▽`ﾟ) 

Also on her birthday eve, chi yan and me hid behind the seats in their car when we went to fetch her from home for dinner after cell group. When we were almost reaching the restaurant, both of us stretched out and poked our heads next to her then started belting out the happy birthday song!! HAHAHAHA. we thought our plan was quite a success cause she will never suspect us to celebrate her birthday on the strike of midnight but it turned out that she guessed there was people behind the car. This girl never everrr cooperates when she gets suspicious. (happened when we wanted to give her the cake on the following sunday!!) -.- do you even like surprises sukkie choo?! But surprises make me happy so okay. (￣^￣)  

Anyway the baking gang made a no-bake oreo cheesecake with strawberry toppings. IT TASTED AAAAAMAZING. but it's super thin. Big bro thinks that it should be called oreo cheesepizza. ಠ_ಠ

Left sukkie's place about evening after a very hilarious movie time of pitch perfect (and listening to daniel reciting all the scripts/songs LOL). Joyce and me went to empire after cause she wants to check out their cotton on for the dress she has been looking for and also, dinner. We decided on Bangkok Beat Bistro!

Hmm, this restaurant has caught my attention several times whenever I visit empire and it always reminds me of nicolette, who has a huge thing for tom yam. After 2 hour of satisfying shopping and a stroll in Jaya grocer, Joyce and me is literally starrrrvinggggg for food so it was a quick decision. The sweet and spicy flavour of thai cuisines sounds good enough anyway, so we gave it a try. ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)ﾉ彡

Raw brick walls painted white with splashes of colour added by hanging frames of hippy and retro images with relevant info about bangkok (obviously). Their deco and ambiance is not as extravagant as restaurants like ole-ole bali but it's a really comfortable place plus the lighting is good for photos. ╭(╯ε╰)╮

Been weeks I'm trying to take a potential profile photo for her HAHAHA but my photography skills are incomparable and lousy so yeah. T^T

Panels and stencils on the walls. Yess, elephants are the Thai's symbol of nation! Elephants have always played an integral role in Thai culture and history. All Thai kings had a stable of white elephants and the animals are once decorated with the national flag and currency. Elephants are also used as war weapons centuries ago. Yay, learned something new? HAHA

To this day there's plenty of elephant camps in Thailand which are part of a main tourist attraction (I myself went to one and witnessed an elephant pee. yeah the camp was coincidentally closed so we didn't see anything LOL) e.g Maesa Elephant Camp, Chiang mai which my dad and sisters recently visited last year and it was so cool! But I'm not exactly supportive of these elephant camps cause we can't be sure what they do to those poor animals.. Just guessing but yeah I'm VERY VERY VERY against animal abusing. Ugh. They've feelings just like us too!! -.-

I think this is like their signature interior deco or something.. (those ceiling lamps and clocks and wooden cubical shelves) cause I've seen it at their fahrenheit 88 branch too! 

Really packed sunday night! All the tables are occupied, we're lucky to have went earlier. 

more Joyceet! ㅎㅅㅎ HAHAHA

After a long while trying to decide what to order (also because the host was really busy considering how packed the restaurant has gotten but he was really nice to us) we were so hungry everything just look super delicious arrrghh. Tbh I'm like the king of food-deciding-dilemma and nomatter how patient is someone, they'd go berserk at my level of indecisiveness when it comes to choosing food..

I MEAN, WHAT'S IT FOR IF THE FOOD YOU'RE PAYING FOR IS NOT GOOD AND WORTHED THE PRICE?! MUST CONSIDER IS THOROUGHLY RIGHT??!! 

Joyceet ordered the Soft shell-crab in Mellow Yellow Curry. It does not come with rice so you've to order separately. It's rm 1 for a pretty good sized bowl of rice. I've always loved soft shell crabs (tempura anyone? ♥) but now I realized that eating these crabs in a slightly larger than japanese-serving portion is extremely menjelatkan (sickening). I'd recommend more mellow yellow curry gravy to start with, and also the spicy level of it is like.. 2 of out 10? Which could be a good or bad thing, depending on personal preferences. Crabs are fresh and fried to perfection! (Y)

p/s There isn't really a species of crab with soft shells (then what is the point of having shells -.-). Fresh soft-shell crabs are a wonderful delicacy but are only really available for about six weeks of the year, when they shed their old shells and hide under rocks until their new ones firm up. -Quoted from Jamie's America. (Reading his book and now I have serious cravings for cajun cuisines oh no)

I had Thai olive fried rice cause they've this "yummy" sticker next to it on the menu! Hahaha ok usually when I couldn't decide I would minimize the range of choices to the recommended/ best sellers. SEE. I'm trying! This dilemma problem is terribly annoying.  (́≖◞౪◟≖‵)

 I couldn't say that the rice REALLY good cause I don't seem to remember tasting the slightest flavour of olives (I'm thinking about the taste of extra virgin olive oil I had to drink during liver detox program) but I would recommend it thou cause it's very aromatic. Paiseh, the memory of it is in a blur, it has been awhile already. T^T plus I love cashew nuts! and nothing would taste really bad for me. Hmm

Anyway I would  suggest you to order different main courses dishes/soup and everyone have their individual plate of rice. I feel like it's more economic and fun if you did that plus you can have a try of everything! You can always substitute plain white rice with their variety of fried rice or pad thai too. (but ofcourse, with an additional price) I find the portion of my fried rice is enough even for two people, if you are not that hungry OR too hungry until stomach shrink liao. (￣^￣) Fyi, their lunch deals are really worthed it! But it's only available on weekdays. ☹ However the prices are generally quite affordable, soup starts from Rm11.9 whilst price range of main courses are from Rm 16 - Rm42.

Now, how can we call it a perfect meal without the finishing touches of a plate-lickin' good dessert? I'm quite sure that alot of you have come across this small, queer cafe famous for their rows of delicious cakes that cover the counter and drooled over pictures of their majestic red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. (◉◞౪◟◉) Welcome to Whisk! That's not only it, they have a handful of savoury items on the menu and also a variety of good coffee (Whisk uses beans from Oriole, a Singapore-based coffee company). I've also recently heard about Whisk's barista Suren, who made it into the final top 6 at the 4th Malaysia Barista Championship on 23rd of march. P/S The Last Polka ice-cream is sold here too, along with rows of colourful, irresistible macaroons.  (´･ω･`)  

I've fallen in love the first time I stepped into this cafe, which is very small (half a shop) but does not lessen the customer flow that visits them everyday for their lovely desserts. We can see people from all age levels, from old, retired couples to groups of  noisy youngsters and families, enjoying a delightful treat. ◠‿◠

They also have these long horizontal mirrors lined up on the walls with interesting, creative quotes and new best sellers written on them in artistic fonts.

Hah! here comes the important part we're all looking forward to hohoho ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)ﾉ彡Their mouth-watering variety of cakes on display! You only have to walk up to the counter and choose your preferred flavour (trust me, this is NOT easy). The workers there are really friendly and helpful too, always keeping a smile on their faces. ☺

The red velvet is good, but it's too sweet to my liking. Joyce thinks that their hummingbird cake is yummy so I gave it a try! In case you didn't know, a Hummingbird cake is moist and flavourful cake with mashed ripe bananas, crushed pineapples, chopped pecans and also spiced with cinnamon. It's frosted with cream cheese icing, the icing is slightly different in that it has a nice caramel flavour, thanks to the addition of finely chopped pecans. ♪♬

"CAN WE EAT NOOWWWW. -.-"

❝Rumor has it, this crowd-pleasing cake got its name because every bite makes you hum with delight. ❞

Tbh its my first time tasting a hummingbird cake, despite the number of times I've come across this recipe. I've always guessed that it's main ingredient would be honey since hummingbird and nectar.. you know. but I was wrong! ㅎㅅㅎ The cake is moist and rich without being heavy and though they'd cut us a fat slice, it disappeared effortlessly. Mhmm, satisfaction!  (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

 Whisk is actually shortlisted in the Best for Coffee category of the  Time Out KL Food Awards 2011 & 2012 (voted by public) and also, I learned that their signature, Granny's cake is extremely popular among customers. "A light, tiered apple cake sandwiched with layers of cream cheese icing and butterscotch and flecked with tiny chips of apple" I'd also recommend Hazelnut latte, even haven't being able to give it a try myself, the description was heavenly enough. Weeelllll, can't wait to the next time we visit empire!  (ﾟ´▽`ﾟ)

It was a great night (duh) and I must express my sincere appreciation to my sister who is probably the besttttt sibling in the whole, wide world! *spreads arm out* (Ok except certain times like when she terrorized the seal) but anyhooo, thank you joyshit!! I LOVE YOU! ♥♥♥ I cannot thank God enough for giving me such an awesome family, placing these amazing people in my life! Hohoho. p/s Javen has grown up to be a fine, long, handsome baby now! He's officially four months old! ╰（￣▽￣）╭ Promise to show you picture next time! hee. Btw guys,

The long-awaited Easter Celebration Party by E-youth is finally here! ヽ(*⌒∇⌒*)ﾉ  Needless to say, everyone (yes, you!) is invited and absolutely welcomed to attend! The special event game-- The Balloon Kingdom will be one unforgettable experience ok, you won't want to miss it. Trust me. Hahaha plus, this is the best part, everyone gets a free regular set of mcD's! ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)ﾉ彡Who can resist free food pls. HAHA. Please confirm and make your order by clicking here. (Register under group Amos!! Btw order form deadline's on 4/4/13 so hurry up!) It's very simple, really. If you need help or info, feel free to facebook/tweet/leave a comment to me! Hope to see you there! ♪♬

goodbye.

xx