Food Review – Monte’s by Lyn in Bangsar Shopping Centre

[Food & Beverage]

10295124_10153282319860278_4346185842658452261_o

Monte’s in Bangsar Shopping Centre has existed for more than a decade now serving up good, hearty meals in a comfortable environment where tables are spaced nicely apart and the music is not too loud so that you can actually have a decent conversation. In fact, some of my earliest memories of Monte’s are the family birthday dinners that we used to have with my late grandfather so it really brings back fond memories.

You might be asking, why am I doing a review on a restaurant that has been in the market for so long? Well that’s because Monte’s is now under new management and has been rebranded “Monte’s by Lyn”. Monte’s by Lyn retains the menu and charms of the existing establishment, and is a family friendly restaurant that can cater to any budget and occasion with customized set menus.

I actually timed this review to coincide with my birthday and Monte’s by Lyn was kind enough to oblige but what I didn’t know was that they actually prepared lots of props including a backdrop, balloons, hats, bunny ears and a menu featuring my Facebook profile pic to ensure that my birthday dinner was a truly memorable one!

Now on to the food!

Fresh Oxtail Soup - Thick, savory, hot & spicy to whet your appetite - RM18.00 What a heartwarming start to the meal! Delicious and tender chucks of oxtail in a flavourful broth! This has to be my all time favourite soup at Monte's! — Fresh Oxtail Soup – Thick, savory, hot & spicy to whet your appetite – RM18.00
What a heartwarming start to the meal! Delicious and tender chucks of oxtail in a flavourful broth! This has to be my all time favourite soup at Monte’s!

Carrot & Pumpkin Soup - Fresh creamy soup with carrot & pumpkin - RM11.00 I always like a good pumpkin soup and it's pretty rare in KL so I appreciate any restaurant that does a decent one. The carrots in the soup lent their distinct flavour to cut through the richness of the pumpkin ensuring that you could finish the entire bowl without feeling too overwhelmed by the richness. — Carrot & Pumpkin Soup – Fresh creamy soup with carrot & pumpkin – RM11.00
I always like a good pumpkin soup and it’s pretty rare in KL so I appreciate any restaurant that does a decent one. The carrots in the soup lent their distinct flavour to cut through the richness of the pumpkin ensuring that you could finish the entire bowl without feeling too overwhelmed by the richness.

Mushroom Soup - Creamy with selected mushrooms - RM11.00 — Mushroom Soup – Creamy with selected mushrooms – RM11.00

Nachos - A choice of chicken or vegetarian with cheddar cheese on crispy corn tortilla chips - RM19.00 Accompanied with guacamole and sour cream, and perfect for sharing! Love the jalapeno chillis on top too! — Nachos – A choice of chicken or vegetarian with cheddar cheese on crispy corn tortilla chips – RM19.00
Accompanied with guacamole and sour cream, and perfect for sharing! Love the jalapeno peppers on top too!

Juicy Seared Sea Scallops - Sweet potato puree, tarragon butter (1/2 dozen) - RM39.00 We couldn't get enough of this one! Perfectly cooked scallops that were firm and juicy! Don't share this one among too many people. — Juicy Seared Sea Scallops – Sweet potato puree, tarragon butter (1/2 dozen) – RM39.00
We couldn’t get enough of this one! Perfectly cooked scallops that were firm and juicy! Don’t share this one among too many people.

Seafood Salad - A mix of mini octopus, prawns, smoked salmon & caviar on a bed of fresh garden greens - RM29.00 This could be a meal in itself for light eaters! The smoked salmon and caviar added a decadent touch! — Seafood Salad – A mix of mini octopus, prawns, smoked salmon & caviar on a bed of fresh garden greens – RM29.00
This could be a meal in itself for light eaters! The smoked salmon and caviar added a decadent touch!

Smoked Duck Salad - Tossed salad with sundried tomato and basil - RM28.00 Deliciously tender and flavourful slices of smoked duck breast atop some greens! — Smoked Duck Salad – Tossed salad with sun-dried tomato and basil – RM28.00
Deliciously tender and flavourful slices of smoked duck breast atop some greens!

Cod - Grilled cod fillet served with sauteed potatoes, salad, lemon soy sauce - RM56.00 — Cod – Grilled cod fillet served with sautéed potatoes, salad, lemon soy sauce – RM56.00

Braised Lamb Shank - Served with mashed potato & stewed mushrooms - RM35.00 — Braised Lamb Shank – Served with mashed potato & stewed mushrooms – RM35.00

Ribeye - Prepared in Monte's way to retain its taste, simply grilled and served with seasonal vegetables - RM63.00 — Ribeye – Prepared in Monte’s way to retain its taste, simply grilled and served with seasonal vegetables – RM63.00

Beautifully cooked to medium rare (that's how I like my steaks) retaining the juice of the meat while being tender! You can select a sauce (black pepper, brown sauce, mushroom) to accompany this dish but it's good enough to be eaten on its own (for you purists out there). — Beautifully cooked to medium rare (that’s how I like my steaks) retaining the juice of the meat while being tender! You can select a sauce (black pepper, brown sauce, mushroom) to accompany this dish but it’s good enough to be eaten on its own (for you purists out there).

We were so stuffed after the mains that we really didn't have space to try any desserts but we did have my birthday banana split - a really giant banana split that is! — We were so stuffed after the mains that we really didn’t have space to try any desserts but we did have my birthday banana split – a really giant banana split that is!

1658632_10153282321160278_3233187409078494277_o

10485336_10153282319845278_2578968030227108691_o

10484769_10153282319660278_3720546094852730618_o

10679654_10153282319665278_6261046660402303546_o

10548067_10153282320510278_6661963958874940803_o

Monte’s by Lyn also has a good selection of non-alcoholic (juices, soft drinks, coffee, teas, etc. etc.), and alcoholic drinks (wines, draught beers, champagne, etc. etc.) to go along with your meal. Monte’s by Lyn is pork-free but serves alcohol.

The management informs me that you’ll see some new additions to the menu at Monte’s by Lyn in the coming months. Also look out for some special seasonal promotions that will ensure that this outlet will remain one of the mainstays of Bangsar Shopping Centre for a long time to come! If you’re up for some good food, hearty portions, and reasonable prices (by BSC standards of course) housed in a comfortable ambience then do try out the (new) Monte’s by Lyn in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Monte’s by Lyn is located at:

Lot F 112, Level 1, Bangsar Shopping Center

Jalan Maarof,

59000 Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia.

Telephone: (603) 2094 1112/3

Operating Hours: 11.30am to 11.00pm daily

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/montesbylyn

Website: http://www.montesrestaurant.com.my/

Photo credit: Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) using the Sony Alpha 6000