The Fajitastic Five at Chili's Grill & Bar

Three strips of ribeye steak, two dollops of corn salsa, one piece of warm flour tortilla-- That's how simple yet delicious a fajita can be. Chili's Grill & Bar's Fajita Fiesta happening this August - October 2016 is bringing our Tex-Mex indulgence to the next level....let's see what it has to offer!

With a global presence of more than 1,600 restaurants across 31 countries, I am sure that Chili's Grill & Bar requires no further introduction. I remembered my first experience enjoying the bottomless Tostada Chips (They still have it now!) at Chili's and I fell in love with it since then.

APPETIZER

Beef Chorizo Meatballs @ RM29.95

From time to time, it introduces new appetizer and this time we have the latest creation on the promotional menu: A plate of soft, tender beef chorizo meatballs in honey-chipotle sauce. Nice to have this for communal sharing to keep our conversation going while waiting for the mains. 

Southwestern-inspired, classic American and Mexican dishes are aplenty here but what you shouldn't miss from 29th August 2016 to 23rd October 2016 are the 5 types of newly-introduced fajita-- a modern interpretation of traditional Mexican dish served as a taco on a tortilla. 

LATEST ON THE MENU - FAJITAS

Roasted Prawn Fajitas @ RM43.95

As far as I could remember, sizzling fajitas here have always been well-portioned and I really like how it is served on a hot plate, keeping it warm and fresh till the end of the meal.

If you love seafood with spicy kick, I'm sure you can't resist this combination: Succulent prawns, beef chorizo and pineapple pico de gallo served on a bed of cooked red onion rings and garlic tomatoes. It is the citrus chile sauce that gives the refreshing tang and spiciness to the overall oceanic flavours.

Take a bit of everything and wrap in a warm tortilla.

It's so irresistibly good, especially when you eat with your hands.

Smoked Buffalo Chicken Fajitas @ RM36.95

My dining partner prefers the chicken fajita instead, for the extra smoky edge it gives, especially when it is complemented with Chili's classic spicy wing sauce. Plus, weight watchers would appreciate the lean chicken meat used in this generously-portioned sizzling dish. 

Some may wrap it on a tortilla with the cooked red onion rings, bleu cheese crumbles, fresh cilantro and roasted jalapeño. But seriously the marinade is so divine that I could eat the chicken by itself!

Poultry fans may also love to try the crispy Tortilla-crusted Chicken Fajitas (RM37.95) or mildly sweet Honey-Chipotle Chicken Fajitas (RM37.95).

Ribeye Fajitas with Queso Fundido @ RM64.95

As much as we love the chicken and prawn fajitas, we must admit that the winner of the day is the tender sliced ribeye steak fajitas smothered in warm garlic queso fundido. We are pretty familiar with the kicky citrus chile sauce, fresh cilantro and roasted jalapeño by now, as introduced to us in the previous dishes.

But there is more here! Queso fundido translates to "molten cheese", something that melts perfectly in the mouth and keeps me going for more. 

Rice and Black Beans Boat - Cilantro rice, black beans, corn salsa and crumbled feta cheese.

The good thing here is, all Chili's sizzling fajitas are served with warm flour tortillas and a choice between Avocado Boat or Rice and Black Beans Boat. If you are feeling famished, the latter may be a better choice. 

Well, I'm being a lil' greedy with my tortilla filling here. Nevertheless, everything goes together in a snap and receives the biggest applause from the crowd.

Avocado Boat - Sliced avocado with house-made pico de gallo,

corn salsa, beef bacon bits sprinkled with fresh cilantro. 

DRINKS AND DESSERT

Watermelon Lemonade @ RM14.95

Refreshing flavor of lemonade combined with fresh watermelon purée.

Our tex-mex affair does not just end here. We wash down the sumptuous meal with refreshing sips of fresh watermelon with lemonade, while saving some space in the stomach for the new dessert, 

Chocolate Bread Pudding @ RM24.95

Two huge chunks of warm Mexican chocolate bread pudding, is topped with fresh sliced strawberries, rich chocolate ganache and vanilla ice-cream; then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. The resulting taste? So soft, so rich, and melts perfectly well in the mouth.

Let's bring some sizzle to your meal! Delicious, fresh-from-the-kitchen Tex-mex food coupled with fun and energetic atmosphere at Chili's complete our dining experience here.

If you have kids below 12 years old, they can dine in for FREE if they are accompanied by an adult with a purchase of a main course menu such as fajitas, pastas, burgers, and more. 

Chili's Fajita Fiesta
Check out the full Fajita Fiesta menu here: http://bdj.bz/FajitaFiesta

Available at all Chili's outlets in Malaysia

Available from 29th August to 23rd October 2016.

Available for dine-in and take-away orders.

Valid for online delivery orders via Foodpanda (Klang Valley) and DeliverEat (Penang).

All prices are subject to 10% service charge and 6% GST.
Free Kids Meal applicable (for dine-in only).

Chili's Malaysia Outlets:
G9, Bangsar Shopping Centre (+603-20922023)
346B, Level 3, Suria KLCC (+603-21641400)
G(E)-12, Mid Valley Megamall (+603-22876788)
S311, 2nd Floor, High Street, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (+603-77257277)
G-17, Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang (+603-56318825)
G-01 & G-02, Ground Floor, Citta Mall (+603-78322298)
GB01, Paradigm Mall (+603-78873298)
G-19, Jaya Shopping Centre (+603-79315719)
G-05, G Hotel Penang (+604-2101111)

Website: www.chilis.com.my
Facebook: fb.com/ChilisMalaysia
Instagram: @ChilisMy
Sign up for Chili's mailing list: http://bit.ly/1TX8h6v

TGI Fridays @ IOI Mall, Puchong

T.G.I.Friday's. A restaurant that I believe, needs no further introduction. Do you know that its first outlet in Malaysia is as old as me! Approaching 20 years in existence, now TGIFridays restaurant is standing prominently at almost every major shopping mall in Malaysia.

The casual American cuisine at TGIF just can't go wrong. With over 1,000 restaurants in 58 countries, TGIF takes pride of its fresh food and mouthwatering American classics, from appetizers perfect for sharing, to memorable burgers and delicious desserts. 

I remembered there was once I celebrated birthday for a friend at TGIF, and the fun and friendly waiters and waitresses insisted the birthday girl to stand onto the table and sing a song! Hahaha, if you're looking for a distinctive and different celebration, TGIF is your ultimate destination :)

Families grow, but some things never change in TGIF since 20 years ago--- It's their ever exciting menu that you'd surely find something you love in it! You can celebrate the end of the week every day at TGIF, anytime when you're in the mood for great food and good time. 

Glancing through the menu, it boasts an extensive selection of appetizers, salad, grilled items, steak, burger, pasta, Mexican dishes and desserts. Not forgetting to mention the wide array of beers, mocktails and juices in the house. 

STARTER

#1 Chicken Fajita Nachos @ RM30.90 (Party Portion- 12 pieces)

First to arrive onto our table was the Mexican starter. Definitely a favourite, the crisp tortilla chips piled high with marinated, charbroiled chicken breast, then topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and sliced jalapenos. The crispy base, when topped with soft meat and creamy dips, makes it a perfect combination of texture, taste and flavours! 

Taking the center stage of the dish was the trio combination of dips--- The white Sourcream,
bright green Guacamole (Avocado-based dip) and red Pico de gallo (Fresh tomato salsa).

#2 BBQ Chicken Salad @ RM28.90

How about having some salad tonight? Sitting elegantly on a bed of mixed greens with tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and Monterey Jack cheese, the smoky barbecue-glazed chicken retained the rich taste of its succulent white flesh, and was an excellent pick-me-up if you were looking for something healthy to nibble on. 

Served with house specialty tangy Barbecue Vinaigrette, the salad was definitely tempting your palate.

MAIN COURSES

For mains, we only picked our old favourites for poultry and fish, because we don't take beef and lamb.

#3 Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp @ RM34.90

Fresh from the sizzling plate, we had the sauteed garlic-marinated chicken breast and plump shrimp tossed with zesty roma tomato-basil salsa, onions and peppers. The meaty portion revealed tender juicy goodness, but it was the melting layer of Colby and Jack cheeses that had me on cloud nine!

The sideline at TGIF was noteworthy too. The house Cheddar cheese gave the mashed potatoes an interesting flavour and distinctive character on its own. Must order! 

#4 Championship BBQ Chicken @ RM32.90

Beyond the beautiful presentation of perfectly grilled half chicken, its special Championship BBQ sauce was amazingly aromatic and robust in smokiness that further enhanced the flavour of well-marinated meat. The crispy onion rings and Cheddar cheese mashed potatoes were lovely accompaniments to the fragrant tender meat. 

This main course was a complete and well-thought through dish because it embodied all the flavours and aromas of classic America without overwhelming the senses. Highly recommended! 

#5 Sizzling Chicken Fajitas @ RM36.90

If you feel like going Mexican tonight, why not try the tantalizing chicken fajitas? Spread with dips and eaten together with fresh vegetables and grilled meat, tucking into the rustic hot flour tortillas was a hearty experience itself.

Besides chicken, it comes in other variations such as beef, vegetarian and combo,
served on a skillet of roasted onions, red and green peppers.

#6 Snapper Vera Cruz @ RM33.90

Moving on to something closer to oriental flavours, we had the grilled snapper fish fillets simmered with tomatoes, sweet and spicy peppers, capers and olives. While the citrus zingy sauce was added, the fragrance did not mask the essence of the fish. Served with herb rice, it was simple yet comforting.

#7 Key West Whitefish @ RM32.90

Drizzled with a mildly sweet, sparkling citrus sauce, the roasted mild whitefish maintained its juicy, healthy flavour. Served on a bed of herb rice with seasonal vegetables, it was simply filling.

DESSERT

In conjunction to Mother's Day, TGIF was treating every mother a complimentary mocha mud pie upon spending above RM80. Putting an endnote to our scrumptious dinner, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the waiter added a large scoop of vanilla ice cream onto our mocha mud pie. 

#8 Mocha Mud Pie (Complimentary) 

Each spoonful of the chef's signature mud pie sent an aromatic coffee and chocolate sensation through the senses. Topped with hot fudge sauce and almond, it was one of the rich, decadent desserts that you just couldn't say no to. The verdict? A rich and exotic masterpiece. 

The total damage of the evening for 6 pax was RM268.35, which was a good deal considering the large portion and high quality ingredients. Last but not least, we took a family portrait as a remembrance for this special Mother's Day before we left for home with happy stomachs.

Verdict:

1. Overall, it was a satisfying dinner with simple, savoury pleasures found in almost every dish. So glad to be back to TGIF after years of not visiting, and still able to find my all-time favourites here.

2. If you're craving for protein (especially poultry and red meat), TGIF is the perfect venue to unravel the juicy meats. Fish, on the other hand, is rather bland but makes a better choice for the health conscious. 

3. Recommended: Championship BBQ Chicken, BBQ Chicken Salad, Beef Ribs, Lamb Chops

T.G.I. Fridays 
Lot EG001, EG30 and EG31
Ground Floor 
(Facing main entrance, opposite Sakae Sushi)
IOI Mall
Batu 9, Jalan Puchong,
Bandar Puchong Jaya,
47170 Puchong,
Selangor.
Contact: 603-8070 7350
Fax: 603-8070 7360
Website: www.fridays.com.my
Facebook: fb.com/fridays.com.my
Twitter: twitter.com/TGIFmalaysia
Business Hours: 11am to 11pm daily

Mexican Feast from InterContinental Mexico

Fancy trying a variety of authentic Mexican dishes without leaving the comforts of sunny Malaysia? Then head over to InterContinental Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as Nikko Hotel) to get ready for a Mexican Fiesta! 

From 1st to 15th April 2013, two extraordinary Mexican Chefs--- Chef Tania Gonzalez and Salvador Vasquez will be specially flown in from Presidente InterContinental Mexico to cook up an authentic Mexican Feast. 

The Deputy Head of the Embassy of Mexico in Malaysia, Madam Lourdes Sosa Marquez introduced us an assortment of renowned Mexican food, a region known for its tasty and adventurous flavours in food. There I learned the history of Mexico's world famous traditional cuisine, which is included on the UNESCO  List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Taking inspiration from Asia's vibrant street food culture, diners can expect to tuck into a multitude of flavourful dishes such as Cactus Salad, Barbecued Lamb served in Hidalgo Style, Mexican Rice, Crispy Churros, Corn Tortillas and more!


Characterized by its great diversity, Mexican gastronomy is undoubtedly one of the country's most distinctive features. It combines the traditions of indigenous and Spanish cultures, producing unique and enriching culinary delights. Mexican cooking is the product of centuries of history expressed in recipes that delight locals and visitors alike. 

The Traditional Mexican Tortilla, Quesadilla, Roasted Tomato Salsa are some of my favourites. Special thanks to the masterful Paula Estefania Gallegos Galeana for the cooking demo, 
now I know how to prepare them at home! 



Ingredients:
Roasted medium tomatoes
Chilli peppers
Garlic cloves
Red onion
Water
Salt
Corn flour / 'Maseca'
Cheese


Tortilla Recipe:
1. Mix corn flour, water and salt in a bowl.
2. Form a dough ('masa') and kneel it into round thin pieces.
3. Pan-fry in over medium-high heat until it turns white with crispy burnt edges.

You can always fill your tortilla with various ingredients such as beef slices,
mushrooms or cheese and cook them in a frying pan until fragrant.

Roasted Tomatoes Salsa Recipe:
1. Toast the tomatoes, garlic, onion and peppers until soft and slightly charred.
2. Blend the above ingredients (except tomatoes) with water and salt until smooth.
3. Add tomatoes and give it 5 or 6 pulses.
4. Add a touch of water if the salsa is too thick.
5. For chunkier salsa, use pestle and mortar.

Simple, right?

For the tortilla, I prefer adding loads of shredded cheese onto it, and melt them over medium heat.

Simply place a little salsa onto the cheese-filled tortilla and it's finger licking good!

How bout some house tortilla chips with salsa? 

Mexican Iced Tea with Chilli

Mexican Mojito

For the beverages, the Mexicans use lots of native ingredients and age-old skills to produce a taste that suits all palates. We have the iced tea and mojito for the evening, and I personally prefer the latter one with a smooth sweetness to go well with the cheesy portion.

Best yet, expect over 20 Mexican items on the buffet spread, together with other international dishes and local favourites. There will also be a cooking station manned by one of the Mexican chefs, featuring items cooked a la minute. Diners can now see how their food is prepared!

Mexican Fiesta by Chefs from Presidente Mexico InterContinental
Duration: 1 April - 15 April
Venue: Serena Brasserie
Buffet Lunch: RM82++ per person
Buffet Dinner: RM98++ per person
For reservation, please call 03-2782 6228 or
email foodandbeverage@intercontinental-kl.com.my

Serena Brasserie
Ground Floor

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

165, Jalan Ampang,

50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Contact: 603-2782 6228

Fax: 603-2710 8067

Website: www.intercontinental-kl.com.my

Email: tao@intercontinental-kl.com.my

Facebook: fb.com/intercontinental.kualalumpur

Twitter: twitter.com/interconkl

Business Hours:

Buffet Breakfast: 6.00am - 10.30am daily

Buffet Lunch: 12noon - 2.30pm daily

Buffet Dinner: 7.00pm - 10.30pm daily

Buffet High-Tea: 12noon - 4.00pm (Saturday only)