Food Review – Amethyst at Publika, and The LEGO Movie

[Food & Beverage]

The Amethyst is a semi-precious gem stone is believed to bear great powers, which includes healing, peace, love, protection, and happiness.

When I first got the invite for the launch of Amethyst I thought it was a new jewelry store. Only by taking a second look at the invite did I realise that it was actually a restaurant. Well as the name sounded interesting and with its location in the F&B hub of Publika, I decided to head over for the launch on 16 January 2014.

Two pretty girls usherers were on hand to welcome us

A view of the interior of the restaurant. There's also an al-fresco section if you'd like some fresh air. — A view of the interior of the restaurant. There’s also an al-fresco section if you’d like some fresh air.

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Unlike typical launched where you cut the ribbon or press a button or something, this launch decided to play on the gem stone’s association with love and happiness and featured radio personality Hani Hatim (a.k.a Hunny Madu) being presented with an amethyst ring to celebrate her marriage with her husband of over three years, Khairul Azhar Abdul Wahid.

Founder of Amethyst, Arash Farahmandi, shared, “We know Malaysia’s favourite pastime is to eat and most would go to the ends of the earth in search of great food. Celebrating our undying love for food, we also wanted to highlight this special moment with a beautiful love story – that is the celebration of commitment between a lovely couple that Malaysians have grown fond of”.

Amethsyt can comfortably seat 60 people at any one time, and serves a mixture of western-Italian food. Signature dishes include the ratatouille steak with saffron rice, Crispy Skin Salmon, Barbequed Chicken Wings, which is marinated in a secret sauce; a variety of vegetarian pastas; special Greece mix fillet sandwich; and more. The familiar dishes are given a little twist and enhanced with a dash of home-made sauces and creative cooking methods to bring out unique flavours and textures.

Then it was time for us to try the food!

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Chicken Tortilla Soup - eat this one quickly before the tortillas become too soft! Definitely not your ordinary boring soup! — Chicken Tortilla Soup – eat this one quickly before the tortillas become too soft! Definitely not your ordinary boring soup!

Grilled Pita Bread Salad - for those of you who are more health conscious. I prefer my salads with a little more dressing (unlike my regular partner in crime for food reviews in 2013 who always requests for the dressing to be separate). — Grilled Pita Bread Salad – for those of you who are more health conscious. I prefer my salads with a little more dressing (unlike my regular partner in crime for food reviews in 2013 who always requests for the dressing to be separate).

Linguine Alfredo - the girls thought this was a tad too creamy but I quite liked it. Probably can't finish a whole plate on my own without getting the "jelat" feeling though so I'd suggest you share this one. — Linguine Alfredo – the girls thought this was a tad too creamy but I quite liked it. Probably can’t finish a whole plate on my own without getting the “jelat” feeling though so I’d suggest you share this one.

Simple Summer Pasta - a vegetarian pasta dish tossed in olive oil. Nicely seasoned and quite flavourful though. — Simple Summer Pasta – a vegetarian pasta dish tossed in olive oil. Nicely seasoned and quite flavourful though.

1782103_10152554561070278_799212227_n — Gourmet (beef) Burger on the left, and the Chicken Burger on the right. I liked the juicy meat patties!

Amethyst - Signature Ratatouille Steak — Signature Ratatouille Steak – tender and flavourful although I personally thought it didn’t need the pesto sauce. Oh well you could always request for it to be separate.

Unfortunately I had to leave for the German beer launch at SOP (you can read about that here – https://timchew.net/2014/01/29/german-beer-launch-at-sop/) so I didn’t get to try these dishes so I can’t say anything about them.

1620678_10152554563410278_958380663_n — Amethyst Blueberry

1898091_10152554563390278_1829904282_n — Carrot Cake

A couple of days later I was in Publika and decided to pop by and try out some of the dishes that I didn’t try on the review night.

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1506792_10152554567990278_1627853380_n — My steak which I requested to be cooked medium rare was cooked to tender and juicy perfection which is not very common in KL! I was really impressed!

tomcat says – I think Amethyst is a reasonably priced restaurant (the food ranges from RM16.00 to RM52.00) serving decent food, and is a breath of fresh air from the over-priced eateries in Publika.

Amethyst is located at

Located at A4-G2-06, Publika,

No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1,

50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Operating Hours: Amethyst is open on weekdays from 10.00am-11.00pm, while on the weekends and public holidays from 10.00am-1.00am.

Telephone: 603-6206 5797

For more info, head over to http://www.facebook.com/amethyst.restaurant

*Amethyst does not serve alcohol

Photo credits: Amethyst Restaurant, and author’s own

[Movie]

The Lego Movie

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“The LEGO® Movie,” the first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO® adventure, and is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“21 Jump Street,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”), starring Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman while Shaquille O’Neal, Cobie Smulders and Channing Tatum also lent their voices to the movie.

Official Synopsis

The original 3D computer animated story follows Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

tomcat says – if you (like me) grew up in the 80’s and played with LEGO you’d certainly like this movie quite a bit. Look out for the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars together with Han Solo, Chewbacca and C360 making an appearance.

The LEGO Movie opens in Malaysian cinemas on 7 February 2014.

[Hotel Happenings]

Valentine’s Day Special Menu at Grill 582

Grill 582 in the Best Western Premier Dua Sentral has a special menu this Valentine’s Day to help you show that special someone how much you love them this Valentine’s Day.

The restaurant has a very romantic ambience and you can read about my previous visit to Grill 582 here – https://timchew.net/2013/12/18/food-review-christmas-menu-at-grill-582-best-western-premier-dua-sentral/

Chef Siti Arini Darsom’s five-course gourmet menu includes:

The Journey of Love Begins

Pimento Goat Cheese Croquettes, Strawberry and Passion Fruit Dressing

The Hot Moment

Seafood Broth, Blue Swimmer Crab Wonton, Ginseng Essence

Frozen in Time

Australian Beetroot Sorbet

Share the Adventure

Grilled Short Rib, Horseradish Mousseline, Smoked Barbecue Sauce

And

Baked Tasmanian Ocean Trout in Parcel Asian Salsa and Daikon Chips

The Never Ending Story of the Sweetness

Rich Chocolate Pudding the Pure of White Chocolate Ice Cream

A Truly Magical Pop ‘Love Candy’

Coffee and Tea

The Valentine’s Day set menu is priced at RM180.00++ per person (food only) and RM250.00++ per person with champagne cocktail for each course available on 14 February 2014, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm.

Grill 582 is located in:

BEST WESTERN PREMIER Dua Sentral

8, Jalan Tun Sambanthan,

50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Phone : +603 2272 8888

Email : duasentral@bestwestern.com.my or fb2sentral@bestwestern.com.my

More info at https://www.facebook.com/bwp2sentral or http://www.bestwesternmalaysia.com/hotels/dua-sentral-2