Category: Eating Out


May
2013

House + Co – Bangsar Shopping Center $$ 14/20

categories: Eating Out, Restaurant Reviews

I love the set up here. It’s a breath of fresh air, literally, in a very mall-like mall. Green and airy. Local food and Western food, and some fusion dishes. Health conscious menu, high quality ingredients, and excellent presentation.

However, staff are not very informed on allergies at all and chef declined to come out. After much questioning of waitstaff and their going back and forth between me and the kitchen, we decided on a nasi lemak–the likeliest to be gluten-free.

They used all fresh ingredients and said that they did not cross contaminate with other gluten-containing ingredients. The recipe itself is ingenious. A green rice (basil? pandan?), several nuanced sambals, crispy fried fresh (and large!) anchovies, and a delicious rendang. I felt fine afterwards. However, they really need to train their staff to answer allergy-related questions knowledgeably.

Nasi Lemak at House + Co. Beautifully presented. Unique recipe. But yes, staff are fairly clueless about gluten issues.
Nasi Lemak at House + Co. Beautifully presented. Unique recipe. But yes, staff are fairly clueless about gluten issues.

Allergy friendly: ** Waitstaff were only reasonably informed. Chef refused to come out.
Taste: **** Delicious. Presentation par excellence.
Cost: $$ Around $20 – 30 per person for a main course.
Atmosphere: **** Cozy, airy, green, no stifling airconditioning.
Service: *** Waitstaff who try their best and are friendly.

Peace,

Daisy


May
2013

Daisy boosts “Boost” for excellent allergy information!

categories: Eating Out, Food Allergy Tips, Gluten-Free Products

What is certainly a noticeable trend is that health-focused stores in Malaysia are taking the lead on developing an allergy-minded culture here. I was pleasantly surprised to see the following pamphlet at the counter of Boost Juice, a fruit juice chain that originated from the UK, in Midvalley Mall. The pamphlet provided information on nutrition and allergens in Boost’s main offerings. Thankfully for us gluten-phobes, most of their menu is gluten-free, with the exception of some of their chocolate- and granola-based smoothies and their wheatgrass shooter.

Boost is a leader in providing allergy and nutrition information to consumers here in Malaysia.
Boost is a leader in providing allergy and nutrition information to consumers here in Malaysia.

Here’s a list of their offerings with gluten:

  • King William Chocolate Low Fat Smoothie
  • Raspberry Ripe Low Fat Smoothie
  • Cookies ‘n Creame Low Fat Smoothie
  • Brekkie to Gogo Super Smoothie
  • Gym Junkie Super Smoothie
  • Wheatgrass Shooter

 

 

Yay that for once, the “yes” list is longer than the “no-no’s!” Boost Juice is available at virtually every large mall in Malaysia. Don’t forget to ask them to wash out the blender before making yours.

Peace,

Daisy