The Return of Rationale, Saifon Thai

Rationale, how I've missed you! I have been hiding in my nostalgic soft-focus cloak of despair while you, my friend, have escaped me in harsh, functional reality.

So having finally come to grips with the fact that I had been oblivious to some jarringly bad elements of a gig turned sour, preferring instead to assume foetal position of idealized despair, I now seek you out, face to face, beyond my comfort zone.

Welcome to Pandan Indah!

We had been disillusioned for a while with the Thai offerings in our neighbouring areas so Toto gamely suggested we did what any reasonable tomyam-deprived fellow would do - venture elsewhere. We hit up Pandan Indah, a fairly foreign expanse and thanks to his competent use of Garmin, we found ourselves in this bustling, but not particularly sexy neighbourhood.

We had read plenty about Baan Nok seated above the Thai mini-market and when we sought out the staff manning the noodle stall and BBQ pit outside the minimart, we were informed that Baan Nok had, in fact, moved next door to spanking new premises and renamed Saifon Thai.

Now we had made this journey for tomyam so imagine our collective anguish when we entered the air-conditioned and empty new space and then told there was NO tomyam served at lunch! Wait staff informed it was "too early, tomyam only from 3PM." Of course, there was the option of leaving and heading somewhere else with tomyam but we concurred with logic - it was 1PM, we were starving and also curious about the commotion going on outside.

The BBQ pit was a perfectly rational Plan B - an array of pre-marinated meats beckoned, including pork and that's always a start to wonderful things. We grabbed a pork cutlet and a minced pork skewer and the grill master brought us halfway back to Siam. Not the best I've had - felt the pork was too tough and could've sat in the marinade a while longer.

On the other hand, the BBQ chicken thigh delivered redemption. Transported us back to the side streets of Bangkok where the beer flowed free and the meat proudly basted in dignity.

The rice noodles in soup reminded us of happier times, stumbling drunk down Rambutri, all caution thrown to the wind and seeking the warmth and nourishment of a bowl or two before hitting the sheets. It tasted just as good, if not better, lucid and sober.

The Som Tam was decent too and I liked that they used Thai Eggplant (Makuea Praow) here. The level of spice and zest was a sensible balance. They could've sliced the vegetables a wee bit thinner though - I felt like a goat chomping on these fibrous chunks!

We left the chicken wings to the end when were stuffed and had to contend with our friend Rationale once again. Took them away, so Toto had the privilege of enjoying this while watching some football match or another.

We would have to come back for the tomyam and the rest of the interesting items on the menu. Despite the bizarre tomyam serving times, Saifon Thai turned out to be a perfectly sensible choice, a paragon in the heart of alien surroundings for a clear-headed reunion with rhyme and reason.

Saifon Thai
43A, Jalan Pandan Indah 4/6B
Pandan Indah
55100 Kuala Lumpur

A sizzling, sozzled soiree

Simple does it - that was the mantra agreed, when three of us gathered to spend some time together to while away a humid Saturday evening amidst brewing romance and drama.

Our first glass of sauvignon blanc overlooking the lovely green backyard. The table is set for some simple DIY sizzle, courtesy of Tefal's Excelio Comfort grill & griddle, which promises smokeless grilling!

Arf Arf, goes excited Zigsar, the resident canine.

I contributed some homemade salsa to provide some semblance of balance to the meal - this one had diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, red chillies, a handful of chopped toasted cashew and almond nuts, cilantro, lemon and lime juice and macadamia oil. Well-received, thank you thank you!

To stave off hunger pangs, we crunched on store-bought organic corn chips dipped in zesty aioli.

MS had ordered a modest selection of goodies from Painia, apparently Penang's favourite BBQ marinated meat stockist. I learned for the first time that Painia, which operates out of a residential home in Minden Heights, has been around for eons. And that one would be hard-pressed to encounter Penang folks who have not at least enjoyed some of Painia's sausages, ham, minces, burger patties, marinated BBQ meat or meatloaf growing up. Unless I'd been suffering from retrograde amnesia, it appears my childhood was not as blessed as I had been led to believe.

For those interested to find out more about Painia, feel free to contact me directly!

BBQ chicken wings with Painia's signature marinade and sausages galore... the absence of smoke made this a very pleasant outdoor grilling experience but took longer than usual. All the better for us to open our second and third bottles of white while waiting.

Fresh salmon steaks, grilled plain and served with plenty of lemon juice. The insides came out just seared, which rounded off this salmon encounter perfectly.

Finally, after we got into the thick of our wine buzz, the chicken wings called out to us, browned, crisp and juicy. These were simply splendid!

Sausage symphony! I missed out on a pix of the fat cheese-stuffed sausages which just made my evening. I only wish we hadn't started on the red wine that sent me tumbling into a semi-conscious state without having consumed more, incapacitated but gloriously happy.

At this point, other guests turned up and attacked the leftover food while those fed frolicked barefoot in the gardens, danced to Paris (please don't judge!) and finally at midnight, laid serenely supine, quite, quite still on the couch.

Simplicity, how we embrace thee!

Sizzling Korean at Daorae Korean BBQ, Desa Sri Hartamas

There's something particularly comforting about the prospect of sizzling meat on a rainy Friday night after the working week. It was this anticipation that drove us to seek out Daorae Korean BBQ at Desa Sri Hartamas.

Upon entry to the dining area of the restaurant on the first floor, I was struck by how busy the place seemed. Obviously, the comfort factor of Korean BBQ at the end of the working week applied to many others. The place was also hosting a big group of extremely gregarious Korean students, fuelled steadily by bottles and bottles of soju. There was an inordinate number of staff on the floor, who moved in uniform swift proficiency. Service was obviously taken seriously around here.

We ordered two servings of meat, which granted us unlimited flow of panchan dishes. I believe we had 9 dishes that night, a few of which we topped up.

Assortment of kimchi and bean sprouts...

... more fibrous vegies...
... freaky pink salad dressing which I avoided, long beans and my very favourite, Korean hot pickled green chillies! I could pop this in my mouth all day, perfect for working through weekend movie marathons!

Ssamjang (mix of gochujang and soybean paste) - customary Korean BBQ accompaniment and indicator of the rest of the fare.

One order of Hanbang Dweji Wang Galbi - hand-filetted pork ribs in Korean ginseng, sweet soy sauce and herb extract (RM35). The marinade really worked wonders; this was tender and flavour-packed, and quite quite splendid.

One order of Dak Gal Bi - chicken in hot chilli sauce (RM27). Definitely one of the best ways to consume poultry!

We also ordered Dolsot Bibim Bab (RM18) - this was taken after the efficient wait staff had mixed everything in, including a handsome amount of gochujang. While I'm completely bowled over by the energy of the place and the BBQ dishes, the Bibimbab was definitely veering to the mediocre. I suppose this is a BBQ joint after all, so it would be silly to come here and just fill up on carbs!

After we struggled to finish all that meat, rice and beer, we got some help to pull us out of our stupor, in the form of complimentary fruit. Those weren't just any old grapes, they were bona fide fresh blackcurrants! We really enjoyed these, although I hadn't expected the flesh to turn out so... glutinous.

The restaurant is well-ventilated, and they are unstinting in mid-meal grill plate changes - two key must-haves at Korean BBQ joints. I'd definitely tag this as the go-to place if I'm after a good, wholesome, meaty affair. The restaurant is located in Plaza Crystalville, on the same row as Maybank. They also have other outlets around the Klang Valley as well.