GRaB has a few interesting ideas, though this suburban burger outpost can't completely be extolled as a champion of originality. Still, it's probably worth checking out for enthusiasts in Petaling Jaya.
The big attraction here: Braised beef rib burgers, made distinctive with tender chunks of meat still on the bone. The flavoursome flesh falls off with ease; it's a fun alternative to processed-patty burgers.
Price-wise, it's more reasonable than expected: A rib burger with a moreish Indonesian-style sambal sauce costs RM16 before taxes (add RM3 for hand-cut fries & a side salad).
Also very hearty: "Lamb Bizkit" (RM16), with a lamb patty that's perhaps overwhelmed by toppings of onion rings, a hash brown, cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms, gherkin pickles & minted mayo (phew!).
For vegetarians: A falafel burger with garlic mayo sauce. The patty's pretty dense, for better or worse.
The remainder of the menu feels derivative; there's a been-there, gobbled-that quality to something like this "Bull Going Nuts" ...
... its beef patty (nondescript-tasting) partnered with peanut butter & jelly, beef bacon & onion rings. At this point, newcomers to the hipster-burger party really need to raise the bar & make their flavours stand out better.
Service is polite but somewhat sluggish here: The wait for "Egg Crush" (panko-fried chicken, portobello mushroom, sunny-side-up egg, caramelised onions & smoked BBQ sauce) can take more than 15 minutes even when the cafe is nearly empty. On the bright side, the ingredients taste respectably fresh. This one is overkill though; far too hefty to comfortably fit into the mouth.
Parting shot: Another vegetarian burger, pairing portobello mushroom with hash brown. Patrons can also customise their burgers, using components like wild arugula, Japanese cucumbers & guacamole (note: not all ingredients are always available).
The fries? Well, it would be churlish to totally dismiss them, but they're not unmissable.
GRaB Gourmet Ribs & Burgers
7 Jalan SS22/11 Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya
Lunch & dinner, except Mondays
7 Jalan SS22/11 Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya
Lunch & dinner, except Mondays
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As a separate initiative, the latest edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites for January-March 2014 is now online, featuring 100 pretty nice eateries, including more than 20 new entries for this quarter. This eBook of restaurant recommendations is available for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones at this link: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Jan-March-2014 (This link expires March 31, 2014; see blog entries after that date for new link).