After months of teasing, The Gardens Hotel & Residences have finally unveiled Ri Yakitori, which joins The Spread and Sage as the final piece of a dining triumvirate.
Physically, Ri Yakitori is reminiscent of Sage in subtle ways, but it's more spartan and less imposing. Service is as warm and efficient as can be expected. The last call for orders is 11.30 pm, so you can still head here after the shops shut at Mid Valley.
The menu includes a vast range of yakitori (skewered chicken meat and organs). Portions are small but prices are very reasonable _ many of the basic skewers cost only RM5 nett.
Complimentary appetisers of grated radish, minced chicken and carrot sticks.
The salad of white radish, mizuna and tomatoes provided a healthy counterpoise to the relatively oily, salty yakitori. Dieters and cholesterol-watchers beware: the rest of this entry is filled with the most evil temptations.
Kampung chicken egg with leek and chilli oil. Addictively yummy.
Chicken liver and gizzard. We're big fans of liver, so this was a real treat.
Foie gras with strawberries. We've had foie gras in so many other preparations, but never in yakitori. This was heavenly; the strawberries were a welcome change from the apples, pears and other fruits that typically accompany foie gras.
Chicken trachea (chewy but surprisingly flavourful) and Wagyu beef.
From top: chicken liver; two skewers of chicken tail; tomatoes.
The best of the rest: Maitake mushrooms, green chillies, chicken skin, knee soft bone, heart skin, kidney and heart. Great for snacking.
Green tea and hot sake with fugu fin (strangely mesmerising).
Also worth hitting: Sumi-Ka, a hidden hangout in Subang that serves a lot of skewers - pork, chicken, beef, you name it.
Ri Yakitori,
The Gardens Hotel.
Tel: 2268-1188
Sumi-Ka
19 1st Floor, Jalan SS15/ 4, Subang Jaya
Tel: 5632-9312
This restaurant is available for bookings under TABLEAPP, which enables customers to make instant reservations at Malaysia's top restaurants, while saving time and money in the process. Reserve your table at this restaurant by clicking here.
