Occupying the land where the Aluminium Company of Malaysia Berhad or better known to Petaling Jaya (PJ) folks as Alcom, the Jaya One project has certainly revitalised Section 13. Owned and developed by Tetap Tiara Sdn Bhd, the 10.3 acre land now boasts office blocks around its perimeter and several retail zones.While the highly visible front row is occupied by banks and dedicated branded showrooms, its inner hub incorporates "Wai Sek Kai" – a casual food street that caters to franchised dining, fast food outlets and convenience retail. Adding to the overall hubbub is Palm Square where the wide variety of food and beverage (F&B), retail and entertainment options including PJ Live Arts, a community arts centre and 300-seat theatre leave PJ folks spoilt for choice on what to eat, do, see and experience here.

PJ’S LIFESTYLE HAVENJaya One is fast establishing itself as Petaling Jaya’s newest lifestyle haven thanks to its strategic

location and well-planned concept that includes offices, retail, entertainment and dining.

If you’re an avid baker who dreams of giving your cakes a professional finishing touch, then you’d be enthralled with Cake Connection’s vast array of imported baking and premier cake decorating accessories. Run by two enterprising ladies, Nancy Tan and Shyamala Devaraj, this speciality shop sells exquisitely hand-made sugar paste flowers for wedding and other special occasion cakes, whimsical cake toppers, edible sprinkles and sugar crystals in all shapes, sizes and colours. In addition, classes on cake decorating, chocolate and fondant modelling, and baking for adults and children are conducted here.

More Than Icing On The Cake

20 June 2009

CAKE CONNECTION D-11-1 Block D, Jaya One72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7965 4450

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFER10% off all retail items (except baking ingredients)

Named after a beautiful half-bird half-woman creature in Thai mythical lore, Kinnaree specialises in contemporary Thai specialities just like its Bangkok-based flagship outlet. The restaurant’s modern yet unmistakably Thai interior that features rich earth-red and gold tones, and lush motifs of the lotus leaf and flower, sets the stage for you to savour a plethora of traditional and inventive specialities from the Land of Smiles.

Some of its signature dishes that bowled us over include Crying Tiger (grilled rib eye with spicy Thai sauce), Paper Prawns (deep-fried rice paper parcels of shrimp and minced chicken served with plum sauce), Yam Som O (spicy pomelo salad with shrimps, chicken and coconut flakes), Gaeng Phed Ped Yang Lyce (roast duck red curry with lychees) and Fish Two Ocean (fish cooked in two styles: steamed with spicy lime sauce and deep-fried with a topping of sweet and spicy tamarind sauce). The most irresistible dish here has to be the Glutinous Rice with Mango dessert. Try topping it off with a scoop of the house-made Durian Ice-cream for a truly heavenly treat!

Mythical Thai

KINNAREE THAI RESTAURANT (pork-free)12-1 Palm Square, Jaya One72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7957 3910Fax: (03) 7957 3920

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFEROne FREE dessert of Thai Sticky Rice with Durian Ice-cream for every RM50 spent

Reviewed by:Alice Yong-Ching

Where do expats who work in the Mexican and U.S. embassies go when they yearn for some authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes? Frontera, that’s where.

The head honcho here is Texan Larry H Martin, whose passion knows no bounds when it comes to ensuring his outlet specialities stay true to their original flavours. For instance, only premium Don Julio and Patron tequilas that are produced 100% from the blue agave plant are used to concoct his house margaritas. The difference is indeed telling after the first sip; the drink tastes unbelievably smooth and leaves your palate with a long, lingering finish.

Food-wise, the Chicken Nachos (crisp wedges of corn tortillas topped with minced chicken, melted cheese and sliced jalapeno pepper), Chilli Con Carne (minced beef simmered with dried chilli, herbs and spices), Taquitos de Pollo (flash-fried corn tortilla rolls with shredded chicken filling served with salsa verde – a thick sauce made from tomatillos, green chilli and sour cream), signature BBQ Beef Ribs and Key Lime Pie are definitely worth writing home about.

Tex-Mex Temptations

FRONTERA BAR & GRILL (pork-free)18-8-2, Block L, Palm Square, Jaya One72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7958 8515Fax: (03) 7958 8125

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFER• 15% off total bill with minimum spend of RM100 • Complimentary slice of Mexican Tres Leches cake for every main course ordered

It was his determination to break away from convention that led restaurateur Ang Teong Hoe to name his outlet Cubes. However, in spite of its eccentric name and austere ambience, this one-of-a-kind restaurant is justifiably proud of its classic offerings like Tung Por Yoke (braised belly pork in special sauce) and Hum Yue Fah Lum Poh (braised streaky belly pork slices in black soya sauce and salted fish). Former London-based chef, Michael Chin is likely to win you over with his intrepid culinary creations such as Perrins Ribs, London Aromatic Duck, Tea-Smoked Chicken, Prawns with Puffed Rice Crackers and Fried Cheong Fun with Chives, Dried Prawn and Beansprouts.

Ang also stressed that he and his partner, Monica Chin, are uncompromising as far as the quality of ingredients is concerned.

“We try our best to reduce the amount of salt, sugar and oil in our cooking where possible as whatever we eat will have a direct effect on our health,” he says. “That’s why we produce our own fruit enzymes so that we can share its healthful benefits with diners.”

He continues, “Cubes is out to prove that it’s possible to create new and innovative Chinese dishes without losing out on the cuisine’s core essence completely. The chef has to be competent enough to strike that balance and our outlet has managed to do just that based on the encouraging response we’ve had so far.”

Defying Convention

CUBES RESTAURANT (non-halal)Block L, Level 1,72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7958 6616Fax: (03) 7957 6929

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFER• 15% off total bill• Complimentary Enzyme Fruit Juice

Reviewed by:Alice Yong-Ching

If Kimchi Haru has its way, food lovers would be eating kimchi (pickled vegetables) everyday. Since the owners are firm believers that the customary Korean delight is rich in vitamins and high in dietary fibre, they chose to name their maiden outlet, Kimchi Haru which means ‘kimchi everyday’ in the Korean language.

Unlike other Korean eateries that are typically outfitted with traditional cultural elements, Kimchi Haru’s setting is sleekly modernist and uncluttered. Its biggest selling point is the traditional fruit and vegetable-based broth that forms the main basis for the outlet’s unpretentiously hearty Korean specialities.

Prepared with much love and care, the dishes here are probably close to Korean home-style cooking. Some noteworthy options include Bo-ssam (steamed pork belly slices in traditional Korean bean paste and herbs), Jellyfish Salad (strips of crunchy jellyfish in a zesty-tangy dressing accompanied by strips of omelette, cucumber, crabstick and pear), Kimchi Jigae (spicy pork belly and kimchi broth with rice and Korean side dishes) and Bibim-bab (hot stone bowl rice with assorted vegetables and egg).

Another plus point going for Kimchi Haru is its reasonable pricing which should go down well with the scores of youthful and adventurous diners who patronise this bustling hub.

Kimchi Everyday

KIMCHI HARU (non-halal)13-LG1, Block D, Jaya One,72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7629 8020

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFERFREE 2 Korean teas and Kimchi Nokdu-Jeon (side dishes) with every 2 main dishes purchased

It was his frequent holiday jaunts to Ibiza in Spain that convinced F&B consultant, Jo Vin Lee that PJ could do with a similar party hotspot akin to those found throughout the Spanish coastal town.

“Café Chulo actually means cool café in Spanish,” he says. “Modelled after the many casual café bars in Ibiza, it’s a place where patrons can meet for drinks and conversation while those who want to dance the night away can do so at our roof-top garden.”

Easy-to-eat Spanish-style tapas or bar snacks, Italian-style pastas and light finger food to complement the outlet’s wide selection of drinks dominate the menu here. The most popular items are Lamb Macaroni and Grilled Butter Fish with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce and Watercress Salad; both turned out to be surprisingly tasty and fared way better than the usual pub grub one is likely to encounter at similar joints.

Cool Hangout

CAFÉ CHULO (pork-free)Unit 20, Level 1, Block L, Jaya One,72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7956 2277

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFER• 10% off all food items• 10% off Happy Hour prices (for Tiger beer only; all night long)

Reviewed by:Alice Yong-Ching

It is easy to tell from Brisik’s colourful, artistic yet homely confines that the proprietress, Nusmawati Yunus is one creative soul. Putting the experience from her 10-year old eatery in Pusat Bandar Damansara to good use, Nusmawati admitted that she wanted Brisik to showcase her inimitable Thai, Indonesian and Malay lineage through its interior décor and culinary repertoire.

“I’ve been dabbling in interior design over the years but most of the projects are for friends and family,” she said. “The bigger space at Brisik gives me ample room to display my creativity and collection of travel memorabilia from all over the world.”

Since opening, Brisik has garnered its own following who come for their fill of Gado-gado (Indonesian-style salad served on fried crackers), Satay Ayam Serai (minced chicken wrapped around lemongrass stalks), Nasi Penyet (rice served with two types of sambal or ground chilli paste, grilled chicken and local vegetable salads), Kerabu Mango (tangy shredded mango salad with fried anchovies) and Sago Gula Melaka (boiled sago pearl pudding with palm sugar syrup and coconut milk). Unique thirst quenchers that top the list include Wedang Jahe (boiled candied ginger juice served with palm sugar syrup) and Air Brisik (rose-flavoured syrup with nata de coco, lychee, longan, black herbal jelly and lime juice).

Designed To Please

BRISIK (halal)Lot M3-1, Palm Square, Jaya One,72A, Jalan Universiti,Petaling Jaya, SelangorTel: (03) 7958 6681

CITIBANK CARDMEMBERS OFFER15% off total bill with minimum spend of RM100

Reviewed by:Alice Yong-Ching