Buy 1 FREE 1 Sri Lankan Cuisine @ Aliyaa Island Restaurant & Bar, Plaza Damansara, KL

It's time to excite the taste buds with Sri Lankan spices!

My recent visit to Aliyaa is a satisfying experience exploring flavours from the region, and the best part is that we get to save a lot on this meal by enjoying the Buy 1 FREE 1 Main Course deal via The ENTERTAINER App! 

Aliyaa Island Restaurant and Bar has been around since October 2007 as the first and the only authentic Sri Lankan restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Aliyaa’s menu is filled with traditional recipes that have been handed down from generations of mothers in Sri Lanka homes. For a more authentic taste, it imports its own spices and flours from Sri Lanka.

The house specialties such as Sri Lankan crabs, fiery poultry, mutton, beef, seafood, vegetables, bread, rice as well as colorful chutneys are sure to satisfy those with adventurous taste buds. 

The native Sri Lankan chefs here have more than 10 years of experience to bring us the best of Sri Lanka flavours. This also brings to the winning of over 15 awards by Aliyaa Island Restaurant at the prestigious Malaysian International Gastronomy Festival. It is also the winner of TripAdvisor Excellence Award for the past 3 years running.

The dips here are specially prepared to pair with any dish to enhance the taste and flavours. We have tried all 4 types of Sri Lankan Style Sambal made from coconut, caramelized onion, curry leaves and chilli, and they are just amazing.

We are spoilt with choices when it comes to the main courses, and hence we order as many as we can, since it is going to be a wallet-friendly meal, thanks to The ENTERTAINER App that allows us to buy one main course and get another main course for FREE.

If you have not heard of it, The ENTERTAINER is an annual subscription app, which is packed with over 1,200 Buy 1 Get 1 FREE offers for hotels, eateries, spas, retails, attractions and more. At Bijan, we are enjoying our Buy-1-Free-1 Main Course deal via this app.

Let's check out the main courses that we enjoy for this promotion...

String Hopper Kothu

Do you know that the No.1 must-try dish in any Sri Lankan restaurant is this classic platter of rice noodles? It is prepared from spaghetti-like strings of unprocessed rice flour dough squeezed through a sieve into small woven trays, then are steamed to perfection. This rice noodle is so fragrant that I can smell it from far!

You can choose to have it plain (vegetarian) or with add-ons such as chicken, lamb or seafood. Alternatively, it works well as a complement to other meat-based dishes too.

Mutton Paal Poriyal 

Calling all fans of mutton, you gotta try the slow-cooked mutton cubes - they are so tender! As flavourful as it looks, the devil aromatic spices are blended well with the taste of juicy meat. Best served with rice, plain puttu, plain string hoppers or pan-grilled flat bread.

Devilled Chicken 

Next up is the spicy-sweet chicken that has been well-marinated and tossed in a stock of spice, sweet tomatoes, sauteed onions and capsicum. Taste wise, it tastes sweet on the first bite and then the spiciness kicks in later. Overall, it is a lovely comfort food for the tummy.

Chef Publis' Pol Kiri Thiyal (Fish Sothi)

This thick gravy consists of fish cutlets cooked in coconut milk, lemongrass, garlic shallots and curry leaves. Despite of its yellow appearance, this mild creamy curry is not the hot-and-spicy type. We are glad to taste the delicious flaky flesh without being overpowered by the rich gravy.

Jaffna Prawn Curry

Another seafood dish we have during the evening is the marinated prawns served in thick spicy gravy. As the blend of traditional Sri Lankan spices in the curry exudes a strong spicy aroma and taste, this dish is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Feel free to pair the meal with a wide selection of cocktails and wine, or just drop by and have a sip for a relaxed evening here. 

Jaffna Food Festival

30 October 2017 - 2 November 2017

RM148++ per pax (Lunch / Dinner)

Eat all you can - 50 dishes on buffet!

In conjunction to its 10th anniversary, Aliyaa Island Restaurant will be hosting a Jaffna Food Festival, a showcase of over 50 dishes from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A special guest chef will be joining the team to create authentic Jaffna cuisine throughout the 4-day period. Whereas the restaurant will also transform into a ‘Little Jaffna’ throughout the festival with traditional decorations that will take you on a ‘Journey to Yalpanam’.

This buffet-style celebration will be available for Lunch and Dinner, with the first session open on the evening of October 30th until November 2nd. It is RM148++ per pax inclusive of a traditional welcome drink.

***

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!

Good news! If you want to enjoy main courses at Aliyaa with great deals, quickly download the ENTERTAINER app. Apart from Aliyaa, there are over 1,200 Buy 1 Free 1 deals on the app too.

The ENTERTAINER app is now priced at RM75 (Original price: RM145)! On top of that, you can get another 10% DISCOUNT (equivalent to an additional RM7.50 OFF) by using my promo code below upon purchase at http://www.theentertainerme.com.

ENTERTAINER8

ENTERTAINER8

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Click here to find out more: https://goo.gl/jKtn2s 

 The ENTERTAINER 2017 app is available on iOS and Android app stores.

Aliyaa Island Restaurant and Bar

48 G&M, Medan Setia 2,

Plaza Damansara,

Bukit Damansara,

50490 Kuala Lumpur. 

Contact: 603-2092 5378 

Website: www.aliyaa.com

Facebook: fb.com/aliyaamalaysia

Instagram: @bijankl

Business Hours: 11am to 11pm daily

Modern Society Restaurant & Bar @ Damansara City Mall, KL

So I am here at Damansara City Mall, a relatively new mall in the heart of Damansara, to check out this new kid on the block: Modern Society. Well, that's an interesting name it has right? Exuding modernity in its own way, this place is where you can get good Western fusion cuisine, creative cocktails and great music all under one roof.

Modern Society is a two-storey F&B outlet, where I am delighted to be welcomed by the warm, comfortable space upon entering the ground floor. If you drop by on a late evening, the space will transform into a quirky atmosphere that allows you to relax and chill after work.

Inside the outlet, you will enjoy the cool comforts of the modern interior decorated in warm tones of brown.

In Modern Society's soft launching menu, there are numerous starters and main courses to choose from, but I am sure there will be more in future once the business settles down. We also go through the bar menu where an extensive list of cocktails, wines, beers etc is available for those who are feeling thirsty. 

The first thing we try here is the handcrafted cocktail by two professional mixologists at the bar counter. Let's see how do they muddle up amazing cocktails which promise us an unforgettable experience...

Cocktails with interesting names such as "Big Breakfast", "Alice in Wonderland" and "Shenanigans" are among those which have caught my attention. I prefer my cocktail to be bright and fragrant, so the mixologist suggests "Liquid Poetry" instead. 

Liquid Poetry @ RM38

Malibu, Elderflower Liqueur, Gin, Port 

A lovely cocktail to prep our palate before the meal; The taste? Well, the taste of cocktails is pretty subjective,

so I shall leave it to you to truly explore your senses with different types of alcohol here.

As for the food, Modern Society has its own repertoire of a’la carte offerings which range from the simple heartwarming soups and bar snacks to the well-loved Western dishes such as burger and pasta, each injected with innovative touches that bring us new, unexpected flavours. 

Butternut Squash @ RM29.90

We kickstart our dinner with a communal dish (Ideal for sharing among 2-3 pax)—a herb-marinated oven-roasted butternut squash, topped with beef bolognaise and bechamel sauce. It is very well-executed as the butternut squash is sweet, nutty and lightly spiced—about as close to mashed pumpkin as you can get without having to admit that you're eating dessert. 

The generous toppings give the right amount of savoury flavours to balance up the sweetness. And don't belittle the portion, it can easily fill one's stomach due to its gooey texture. 

Chicken Ramen Burger @ RM26.90

For the main course, this popular Chicken Ramen Burger tops the list of favourites in Modern Society—a must try item for first timers! Some may not like buns (especially when buns turn soggy easily), so why not replace them with compressed ramen noodles instead? 

Taking a closer look, the ramen bun is a wide glob of cooked noodles that is pressed into shape, then gets griddle on both sides to form a crust that helps hold the bun together. Texture? Nicely crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. 

The flavour highlight of the whole burger comes from the rich mayo-based sauce, which pairs well with the grilled chicken patty. Overall, a great comfort food with an interesting twist that satisfies our stomach. 

Salmon Wellington @ RM38.90

A fish person like myself would definitely love something oceanic like salmon, but the salmon dish here is totally different—it is a classic American gourmet that we don't usually see in western eateries.

Forking through the crisp puff pastry sheets, we are surprised by a thick slab of fresh salmon perfectly coated with herb marination. Definitely a simple yet extravagantly flavoured dish! It is the epitome of soul food for some- although others may find it a tad rich in herbs.

In this bar cum restaurant, food and music goes hand in hand. After the sumptuous dinner, we have decided not to leave in full bellies and hence chill at the lounge area located on the upper floor of Modern Society.

The spacious lounge area (which can easily fit up to 30 pax) is comfortable, eclectic and welcoming.

Feel free to stay up to 3am if you feel like chilling for the evening.

Liqueurs from the West and East are aplenty here, if you love to explore more. As for me, being rather conservative, I would just go for beers instead. Taking my last sip of this, we head home with extremely stuffed stomach, but a lighter step and a broader smile!

Verdict:

1. If you are seeking for surprises and interesting elements in your food and beverages, here is the right place to visit. 

2. Modern Society has a very inviting ambiance for great cocktails, food and music. Great location for celebrations, parties, or just chilling. 

3. Revisit? Yes, definitely for the unique cocktails. 

Modern Society
Lot L1-10, Level 1,
Damansara City Mall,
6, Jalan Damanlela,
Pusat Bandar Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2771 9710
Facebook: facebook.com/modernsocietyasia
Instagram: www.instagram.com/modernsocietyasia

Business Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 3am (Mon – Sat)
Closed on Sundays

Pintxos, Tapas & CONNOR'S Stout Porter at Tiki Taka, Medan Damansara

Tiki Taka is definitely the latest bar in town that you should check out for

the great pintxos, tapas and perfectly poured CONNOR'S Stout Porter. 

Tucked at the corner of Medan Damansara's famous food row, Tiki Taka opened its doors since 20 June 2016 and has quickly gained popularity for the wide variety of pinxtos (Small snacks eaten in bars traditionally in northern Spain), tapas (Spanish appetizers), pizzas (Yummy!) and creatively-crafted desserts, all served under one roof. 

Whether to enjoy the evening at the cosy dining area, by the bar or al fresco, the experience is equally amazing so long as we have a hearty spread of pinxtos and tapas for sharing, as well as a pint or two of CONNOR'S Stout to keep our streams of conversation and laughter going. 

Latest on Tiki Taka's creative menu is the CONNOR's Stout-infused dishes, whipped up by the young and beautiful lass, Chef Carrie. The 3 special items can be ordered as a combo with 1 full pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter.

And a complete CONNOR’S Experience is made just right when I get chaffeured by GRAB car to the restaurant (using a discount code which I will share with you later!), tuck into the delicious spread of CONNOR’S-infused dishes accompanied by deliciously brewed CONNOR'S Stout Porter.

CONNOR'S Salted Egg Pork Burger @ RM36 with 1 full pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter

This pork burger features fresh salted egg custard sauce, crunchy battered pork loin, curry leaves and chilli padi  in between two mini CONNOR'S-infused buns. The buttery savour, salty sweet custard, spicy and fragrant kick all combines into a perfectly balanced sauce that works wonder in lifting up the overall taste.

The most unique part is, the buns get a delicious dose of CONNOR'S Stout Porter flavours! No, it's not charcoal bun, but CONNOR'S Stout Porter bun! How interesting it is. The result? More airy and soft pillowy buns, with distinctive malty flavour. 

Just sink your teeth into the burger, and enjoy the spicy savoury goodness!

CONNOR'S Sriracha Chicken Pizza @ RM36 with 1 full pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter

Another remarkable dish with an Asian twist is the mini chicken pizza topped with crunchy kyuri, bell pepper, coriander, shallots, pulled chicken and generous drizzle of house-made Sriracha BBQ sauce. The pizza base is neither the crisp thin nor thick filling type; the thickness is just nice so that everyone would love it. 

The best part of it is definitely the sweet spicy Sriracha BBQ sauce which is heavily infused with CONNOR'S Stout Porter. Great to taste the slight tanginess from the stout porter, without being overpowered by the spiciness.

CONNOR'S Bacon Vanilla Caramel Sundae @ RM34 with 1 full pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter

I heard that the Nutella Bacon here is excellent, but the CONNOR'S Bacon Vanilla Caramel Sundae is something more indulgent, definitely worth a try at Tiki Taka.

Smoked bacon stick sitting in the luscious concoction of espresso and vanilla ice cream, topped with Madagascan vanilla pods, strawberries and popcorns, and a generous drizzle of CONNOR'S-infused vanilla caramel sauce, this is a winning taste on its own.

Scoop the different layers with a small spoon and enjoy the myriad of bursting flavours at one go,

your palate will surely be sealed with surprises!

Full Pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter

Don't forget to pair the burger, pizza and dessert with this: A perfect full pint of CONNOR'S Stout Porter with a creamy top and perfect dome. I reckon this is the best in KL due to the unique 3-part pouring technique here. First to pour till 3/4 full, second to settle, third to top it off with little bubbles just above the rim.

Lastly, enjoy the CONNOR'S while it is "fresh". You'd love the creamy foam head, smooth and balanced taste. 

Overall, it is "A Night Made Right" with CONNOR'S Stout Porter, when unique dishes come hand in hand with great pints of stout porter. Tiki Taka is a great place for a nightlong of games, food, drinks and casual fun for groups of friends.  

Free valet parking is available at the shopfront, but if you don't plan to drive, you can always book a GrabCar to and from the bar, and enjoy RM8 discount (max. 4 rides) on your GRAB ride by using his promo code: GRABCONNORS

    Promo Conditions:
    ○ Valid for both new/existing users
    ○ Valid for customers who pay via credit/debit card only
    ○ Valid for Budget Taxi or GrabCar (Economy)
    ○ Valid for ride to/from Tiki Taka

    ○ Each booking receipt will be entitled for one (1) FREE Half Pint of CONNOR’S Stout Porter

       (Just flash your booking receipt to enjoy this reward)

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/ConnorsMY

Tiki Taka
128, Jalan Kasah,
Medan Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur. 
Contact: +6016-3287438
Facebook: fb.com/tikitakamy
Instagram: @tikitakamy

Business Hours:
Mon - Fri: 4pm - 1am (Kitchen closes at 11.30pm)
Sat - Sun: 9am - 1am (Kitchen closes at 11.30pm)
*All prices are subject to 5% service charge and 6% government tax.

A Li Yaa Island Restaurant and Bar @ Plaza Damansara

A Li Yaa simply resembles 'elephant' in Singhalese, which symbolises the beauty of culinary globalisation amidst a lush backdrop of modern day. The location of the evening is kinda special for it's my first time trying the authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. There I decided to explore the uniquely spiced creations served up by the chefs originally from Sri Lanka.

Moved from Bukit Damansara, it is now relocated at Plaza Damansara since October 2011. Apart from the elegant dining area for casual and group dining, you can choose from a wide array of colorful drinks behind the bar. 

 Sri Lankan Sytle Sambal @ RM3 – RM5 

From left: 

Pol Sambal (Classic coconut), 

Seeni Sambal (Caramelized onion relish),  

Karupillay Sambal (Curry Leaves), 

Katta Sambal (Chilli side dish)

The beauty of taste is revealed by these four condiments, with sour coconut sambal, spicy katta sambal and sweet onion sambal. Another good thing about Sri Lankan is that, they only use one type of curry powder to spice up the dishes. The rest are the healthy, natural spices in enhancing the taste and flavours.

 #1 Fish Cutlets @ RM15 

The first appetizer is already irresistible to me! Meats of the fish cutlets are steamed into a paste of mixed flavour and spices, then breaded with toasted flakes. Munching away the crispy skin, the soft texture of mashed potatoes and fish meats is revealed. 

 #2 Lamb Rolls (5 Pieces) @ RM15 

This side dish is simple as the spicy marinated meats and potatoes are wrapped into fan cake and then breaded with roasted flakes. But surprisingly, the skin is thicker than normal spring roll skin yet it is easily chewable despite of the firm texture.

 #3 String Hopper Kothu Seafood @ RM28 

This is a must-try in any Sri Lankan restaurant because it is a specialty dish, prepared from spaghetti-like strings of unprocessed brown rice flour dough squeezed through a sieve onto small woven trays, then are steamed to perfection. This rice noodle is so fragrant that I can smell it from far!

 

#4 String Hopper Kothu Chicken @ RM18 

Similar to the above dish, this platter is cooked with chicken. To be frank, the chicken cubes blend well with the very thin noodles. And I personally prefer this despite of being a seafood lover.

 #5 Mutton Paal Porriyal @ RM28

The mutton cubes are served with rice, gravy, mixed vegetables and seeni sambal. As crispy as it looks, the spices are blended well with the taste of juicy meat.

#6 Eggplant Sambal @ RM8

This platter of healthy vegetable is served with my favourite onion slices to bring out the fragrance in the dish itself. The spiced dish is irresistible that I wanted to take a spoon after another!

#7 Chef Publis Pol Kiri Thiyal @ RM19

This thick gravy consists of fish cutlets which are cooked in coconut milk, lemon grass, garlic shallots and curry leaves. Despite of its yellow appearance, this mild and thin creamy curry is not spicy at all! The flaky flesh still tastes good after being spiced up with various ingredients.

 #8 Plain String Hoppers (Indi Appam) @ RM8

This is the Sri Lankan version of “Putu Mayam” in Malaysia, but it's now eaten with the coconut sambal and other dishes. Each string is kinda elastic and has a mild sweetness; it suits my taste really well.

 #9 Sri Lankan Crabs @ RM11.90/100g 
House specialty: Devilled Crab

This fiery-looking plate of large-sized crabs is sweet and sour. Marinated and tossed in a stock of spicy sweet tomatoes, sauteed onions, capsicums, leeks, chillies, Sri Lankan herbs and spices, it is now full of flavours and finger licking good!

 #10  Crab Curry in Colombo Style

It is another bestselling dish of the restaurant that tempts me for more. The dark, thick sauce is spicy enough for those who love to go adventurous! 

#11 Brinjal Moju @ RM8 

Another platter which falls under the vegetable category smells really good upon serving! The deep fried brinjal slices are mixed with spices and pinch of vinegar to reveal its thick flavours of sweetness.

A whole plate of foodstuff in banana leaf rice? Guess what's that.

#12 Lumprice Chicken @ RM24

It's oven baked rice wrapped in a banana leaf! The rice is baked along with devilled chicken, fried egg with roasted cashew nuts, onions and long beans. It satisfies my growling stomach really well!

After mixing the above-mentioned ingredients, the lumprice now becomes thicker in texture and looks more like the Chinese Dumplings ("Bak Chang"). With mild spiciness, the portion is sufficient to serve up to 3 persons.

 #13 Plain Doosara Roti @ RM8 

After completing the main courses, here comes another signature side dish. The flat bread is pan-grilled with grated coconut, onion and mild chilli. Being mild in taste and non-spicy, the coconut sambal works best as a condiment to spice up the crispy bread. 

 #14 Appam @ RM6 each 

Another must-try as a side dish! From my visit there, I can see that almost each table orders one of these appam because it's the house specialty. Wafer thin, bowl-shaped pancakes are made from fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk 

The plain and egg flavours are the Sri Lankan main breakfast meal.

Whereas the sweetened ones are served as desserts in Malaysia to suit the local taste.

It's so thin, light and crispy! If you're craving for a sweet tooth, then the brown-sugared appam would be the best choice. 

#15 Vatilaapam @ RM8 

In the end, the meal is sealed with a serving of coconut custard. Made of coconut milk, brown palm sugar, eggs and various spices including cinnamon, this pudding is full of flavours! 

 #16 Refreshing Mocktails (Non-alcoholic) 

From left: 
Virgin Mojito @ RM12
---A strong minty concoction of Mint leaf, brown sugar, fresh lime and bitter lemon.
Lychee Asam Boi @ RM12 
---A perfect thirst quencher with the combination of fresh lychee and asam boi.
Pink Panther @ RM12 
---A thick-in-texture but overly sweetened glass of strawberry puree with milk.
Strawberry Ice Tea @ RM12 

---A lovey dovey glass with a bloody red heart shape on the surface. Made of strawberry puree, sugar and ice tea.

Before I forget, ALL the dishes in the menu are available for vegetarian menu!

Incredible? No hassle if you can't have mutton, beef or seafood.

Verdict:

1. It is worth attempting Sri Lankan cuisine especially such an authentic one.
2. To my surprise, more than 30% of the menu is non-spicy foodstuff, which paves a choice for those who don't go adventurous in spices.
3. Revisit? Yes, when the time comes :)

GOOD NEWS!

For RedCard holder, you are entitled for 30% discount off on total food bill
(only apply to ala-carte menu)

Note: 
1. RedCard offer not available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
2. Booking in advance is needed and please mention you are RedCard member.
3. Maximum guests allowed is 4.

Not RedCard member yet?
Grab the RM50 off now when you purchase RedCard annual membership for just RM38 (normal price RM88). How?

1. Fill up the registration form at www.redcard.my/join.php 
2. Enter FOOD (Facebook) exclusively discount code B4817B before sending to process.

A Li Yaa Island Restaurant and Bar
48 G&M, Medan Setia 2,
Plaza Damansara,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur. 
Contact: 603-2092 5378
Website: www.aliyaa.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/aliyaamalaysia 
Operation hours: 12 noon to 12 midnight