Assalamualaikum wbt,
After one of Ummi's doctor's appointments at HKL, spent half of the day there, so I decided to treat Ummi and I with a delish lunch, hopefully. I craved to try Ben's at Suria KLCC. Not a new eating place, I know it belongs to Benjamin Yong, the former owner of DELIcious, and I always heard that Ben's is like DELIcious only DELIcious has the more feminine interior design while Ben's offers a more masculine interior design.
Ben's Kitchen Sdn Bhd,
Lot 140, 1st Floor,
Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
Since I love business, so I did my reading. You may read further or if you just want to focus on the food at Ben's you may skip the few paragraphs below. =) Benjamin Yong, the son of owner of Ms. Read's clothing apparel for the plus size boutiques, graduated in some mentioned Graphic Design some mentioned Architecture in Australia. Although he did not specialize in Culinary, but he was always into the F&B field. He started to sell Carrot Cakes with minimum cost, but doubled or tripled to profit selling it to a friend's family cafe. When he was a student in Australia he worked at a restaurant where he learnt the basics of restaurant operation. He always dreamt of having Aussie-like eateries at Malaysia, where the Western food are amazing while the ambience are more laid-back and relaxed, a lifestyle concept restaurant where people go to enjoy great food and relax with friends.
So he borrowed RM 300,000 from family and friends (lucky him) and he initiated DELIcious. Does not feeling embarrassed, humble Ben confessed that he, who lacked In 2 years span only, he managed to make sales of RM 2 million. Then the infamous E&O company bought some shares in DELIcious at RM 3 million, and later bought the entire ownership of DELIcious at another RM 8 million. Intelligent person he is, Ben, although it was hard for him to leave his baby DELIcious, but with the massive capital he has now, this only 30 something year old man founded the BIG Group where he initiated more conceptual eateries such as Ben's, Plan B, Journal by Plan B, Canoodling and some other eateries which I cannot recall their names, which are mostly scattered at Publika, Solaris Dutamas and Bangsar. Not only that he opened this very not Malaysian-like supermarket, BIG (Ben's Independent Grocer) at Publika which is like a way bigger version of the DELI groceries stores where you can find halal and non halal imported groceries products. Usually my family and I always go to Hock Choon, Jalan Ampang which is closer to home to buy imported groceries products, especially much cheaper Salmon there, but BIG of course offers a greater variety with a more modern ambience.
One thing about Benjamin's restaurants, I noticed that although they do not obtain the JAKIM halal status (would be better if they do but I think that is impossible since they sell alcohol at all their restaurants) but I appreciate the fact that he is sensitive about the Muslims customers when most of his staff especially the chefs and cooks in the kitchen are Muslims. When he was questioned aren't he afraid of having numerous chain of eateries and stores now simultaneously, he confessed that before this when he started DELIcious, he saw it as his own business, but with the growth of his business which flourished greatly, he now sees it as a huge responsibility for his hundreds of staff, where he realizes that the continuity of his business means the continuance of his ability to pay the salary of his staff, which feeds their family's livelihood. (awwwww~) =)
Ok so yes Benjamin Yong is one Malaysian I am proud of, and one of my business idols. I hope to be as BIG as him in business insha Allah.
Ok now coming back to eating at Ben's, I read that Benjamin always wanted to have different atmosphere for his customers regardless they are eating at Ben's which offers the same menu, but different branches have different interior design. As for Ben's KLCC, the interior design is inspired by the concept of a Manhattan apartment of loft, so customers would feel comfortable as though enjoying good food at home. Oh yes the classic looking bicycle parked at the front of the restaurant would be the first thing you see upon entering.
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| A table with decor which is at the front of the restaurant you see once you entered it. Since it was lunch hour, it was full house. I noticed that most of the customers are Caucasians more than the locals, which is a good sign that they serve good Western food. |
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| See Ummi here always checking her phone. |
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| And here is a card on top of every table which asks us to "TALK. STOP LOOKING AT YOUR PHONE AND GIVE YOUR FINGERS A BREAK." LOL. |
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| A bunch of Table Topics. Some are pretty deep while some are pretty random. |
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| The Menu. Inspired by great memories shared over meals, we believe in building relationships through food thus "To eat is to love" See how much they want customers to enjoy great food while bond at the same time. |
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| Printed in handwritten cursive letters, same like the previous DELIcious menu where no photos of the food are available. E&O now put photos in the DELIcious menu. I don't know, perhaps the idea is for customers to actually be adventurous to try the dishes offered maybe. |
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| Oh by the way, I read a few blog entries on Ben's most of them recommend any dish that has Duck because the Duck is good here. Also I noticed the prices are increased RM 3 for each food (drinks excluded I think) from the prices in 2011. RM 3 increment per meal is pretty high I opine, but I don't know maybe it has to do with their rental maybe but it is still pretty high. 10 meals and they make extra RM 30. |
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| A waiter. Our waiter worked fast, not smiling, although most of their staff always smiled (even the workers at BIG the grocers are always smiley, helpful and seemed so happy to work), but I understand perhaps due to the huge number of customers at that time and there is traffic in the kitchen. However he worked efficiently. |
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| We start with our drinks. I ordered Root Beer Float (RM 7.90) while Ummi ordered Iced Lemon Tea (RM 8.90) The Iced Lemon Tea was served chilled without added sugar, so you may add the warm sugar water that they provide according to your liking. As for my Root Beer Float, very satisfying especially on a hot day like this. The glasses are tall too, so you won't finish it in one to two sips only, just the way I like it. |
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| As for the appetizer, we shared Chunky Mushroom Soup (RM 14.90) With Truffle Oil and Garlic Toast. Once it arrived on my table, I can straight away sniffed the strong aroma of truffle oil. I did not notice that it had truffle oil, I thought it was Olive Oil but it was Truffle Oil. I had this terrible experience with Truffles where it caused me terrible, terrible dizziness at dinner till I could not drive my car. Malays say Mabuk Cnedawan so Truffles are bad for me. Luckily this time, it did not make me dizzy at all. Phew. |
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| The Garlic Toast is huge and taste great. Cruncy and moist at the same time. The Mushroom Soup, tad too thick and too strong for Ummi & I. Felt good at first few sips, but later we did not enjoy it as much. |
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| Ummi's main course was Wild Mushroom Spaghettini with Mascarpone (RM 25.90) With Lemon Zest and Truffle Oil. If you like creamy, Carbonara styled Spaghetti then this is for you. This dish is DECADENT! Loaded with different types of mushrooms, and the sauce is uber thick and delicious. Of course any creamy sauce spaghetti will fill you up fast. |
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| Here, as Malaysians, must always add up Chili Flakes, which add more kick and made it taste better. |
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| As for mine, I ordered Wagyu Beef Pie (RM 25.90) With carrots, onions and bay leaves. I felt so happy I ordered this. Reall great meal. |
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| Let me start with the salad, masha Allah, I am not a fan of veggies, but this salad was amazing. The salad, carrots, tomatoes and whatever peanuts they put on top made it an amazing dish of itself. Crunchy and simply yummy. Love, love, love the salad. |
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| Now check out the Pie. The entire pie was served hot, and the pastry was so flaky, crispy and tender at the same time. The filling, oozes with huge chunks of Wagyu Beef, Carrots and Onions. Love this dish. |
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| Now check out, as good as they taste, the portions at Ben's are huge. As Malaysians, meant for sharing. So I asked the waiter to pack all our left-overs (including the soup) because just see the amount of our left-overs, and yet we felt totally full. So twice the good food is always good. =) |
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| Our total bill : RM 96.85 Inclusive of Government Tax & Service Charges. |
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| Oh yes, I read that their cakes and dessert are to die for as well. However we were too full to try any. Next time insha Allah. They do look tempting and lovely. |
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| Next : Lemon Meringue Tart insha Allah. Hopefully when I crave for something smooth and sweet. =) Thanks for reading! =) XOXO, Sue |
