Eat Drink KL: Merienda de Eva

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Merienda de Eva

One of KL's few outlets that offer Filipino fare. It's a cozy cafe with fairly priced food, though its pork-free tenet prevents it from serving non-halal recipes.

Pancit Canton (stir-fried egg noodles with cubed chicken, shrimp & mixed veggies). Surprisingly addictive, even though it tasted Chinese; the noodles were piping-hot and perfectly prepared, with a pleasant chewiness that went so well with the thick, flavorsome gravy.

Relleneng Manok (deboned minced chicken, steamed then roasted to lock in the flavor). Another bona fide hit; the meat was chunky, tender and fresh-tasting, nicely seasoned and stuffed with cheese, turkey ham & herbs.

We had mixed feelings about the desserts. The Buko Salad, featuring young coconut, fruits & cream, was hard, clumpy and frosty, like it had been in the freezer for hours.

The Halaya pudding proved better, with a creamy texture and mild, milky taste. Basically violet yam, grated and boiled with coconut milk & sugar, then served chilled.

Custard-like Maja Blanca _ coconut milk pudding with corn kernels.

Cassava pudding (tapioca cooked with shredded young coconut & nata de coco). I loathed this, but my companion loved it. Tasted like something regurgitated, I'd say.

Similar to how Cagayan at Centrepoint in Bandar Utama serves not only Filipino food but Japanese dishes too, Merienda de Eva has many non-Filipino options on its menu, including Salisbury steak and grilled salmon.

Merienda de Eva,
50-G Medan Setia 2,
Plaza Damansara, Bukit Damansara,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2092-2072
Closed Sundays. Last orders at around 8 p.m.