One of Section 17's most popular new eateries of 2017, Tujoh has become a magnet for its laid-back neighbourhood charm and unmistakably distinctive setting with a skylight centrepiece. If you've visited this year for brunch, it's time to return for dinner - Tujoh's new chef Iman has introduced a new menu this month that's fuelled by thoughtful touches and tempting twists.
The Italian selection might best represent Tujoh's evolution from a basic cafe to an ambitious restaurant - the kitchen works with fresh, wholesome produce as much as possible, making its own potato gnocchi, pillowy-soft and supple, a hot, comfort-food pleasure with beef bacon, mushrooms and cream (RM22).
Prices remain reasonable for recipes like these - ravioli is deconstructed for a contemporary remake, layered with seafood for oceanic flavours, made a little earthy with brown butter and blanched cress (RM24), while risotto is piled with beef and tomatoes in pomodoro sauce for a sweet-savoury surprise, enhanced with shaved parmesan and truffle oil (RM28).
Main courses make for hearty meals here. While other venues offer all-day brunches, Tujoh does all-day dinners, elaborate and elegantly balanced. A hefty, irreproachably cooked slab of salmon proves to be succulent nourishment, well-partnered with the brininess of a rich black olive duxelle and balsamic reduction, perked up with creamy ratatouille (RM28).
The Australian rib-eye emerges with intriguing accompaniments, most notably a dark chocolate demi glace that adds a different dimension to the meat, juxtaposed against the additional natural sweetness of a carrot and potato puree, plus plenty of vegetables for a filling platter (RM39). Other options include braised lamb and fried chicken dishes that both sound tasty.
Salads, soups and snacks come recommended for lighter eaters - we like the slow-roasted pumpkin, mingling with sunflower seeds and rocket leaves in balsamic syrup for a fuss-free, meatless-Monday possibility (RM18). The seafood chowder could also easily stand on its own for lunch, brimming with prawns, clams and fish chunks in a thick corn-and-lentil puree (RM20). And for customers hunting for unique options, the coffee-dusted soft shell crab could prove irresistible, with subtly extra depth in flavour, good to nibble on its own even without the minty yogurt sauce on the side (RM19).
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Brunch is still a firm attraction, of course, offered everyday through 5pm. Servings are substantial, from the Portobello Benedict (RM22; cider-poached eggs with wild portobello, beef bacon and hollandaise sauce on farmer's bread) to the super-fluffy whipped Spanish omelette with sauteed mushrooms, bell pepper ragout and parmesan croutons in a hot pan (RM18) and salted salmon mousse with buttered baby asparagus on toast with a sunny-side-up (RM22).
Tujoh's efforts extend to cakes and coffee - the first is sourced from independent home bakers, with the top temptation being the marjolaine, a praline buttercream creation layered with almond and hazelnut meringue and chocolate ganache for quite an indulgence (RM13.50). Complete your Tujoh experience with a genuinely refreshing pandan iced latte (RM12; blended with Tujoh's own-boiled pandan syrup), a perky peppermint hot chocolate (RM13), and a marble latte (RM12; an exemplary combination of coffee and chocolate in a glass).
Many thanks to the Tujoh team for having us here.
Tujoh
617 Jalan 17/10, Section 17, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Mon-Thurs, 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-12am; Sun, 11am-10pm. Tel: 03-7932-3611
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