Lamb
Shank tinged with Briyani flavours, Char Siew Salmon – salmon steak with a hint
of char-siew taste and Beef
Stroganoff with a refreshing side of salsa – these are just a few of the
creative Western-Asian fusion ideas applied in the Dine Restaurant menu.
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| Family dinner to celebrate Mother's Day at Dine Restaurant |
Executive
Head Chef Kalidass said, “Burnt Fork,” in an attempt to translate the Chinese
word for barbecued pork, char-siew,
into English.
I pause a
moment to process what he said and quickly figure it out. He’s got it half
right because its literal translation from Cantonese into English is in fact, “Fork
Burn/Roast!”
We share
a laugh over this as we both agree that the barbecued meat flavour on a salmon
steak is really quite an unusual but agreeable combination of tastes.
Several
years ago I met Chef Kalidass or Chef Dass, in short, while he was with another
restaurant.
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| Executive Head Chef Kalidass and some of his recommended dishes at Dine Restaurant, Puteri Harbour |
Meeting
him again at Dine Restaurant is like getting to know him all over again as I
witness and experience the way his culinary skills have developed.
While he
shares with me, his humble beginnings and his journey to where he is now, I see
a model of local youth who has worked hard and achieved his career goals.
Guided by
strong mentors and trained in international brand hotels in Germany and
Singapore, Chef Dass is back in Johor to operate a restaurant with the support
of lean team and with, (I observe) very much, a hands-on attitude.
I’m at
Dine Restaurant with my family and as soon as everyone is seated, Chef Dass,
who graciously welcomes us in, asks me in a whisper, “What’s the occasion?”
When I
reply, “To celebrate Mother’s Day,” I see a twinkle in his eye as if he already
has an idea as to how he will join us to honour our mother on this special
occasion…
All of us
study the menu and reach the conclusion that we will pick our choices but wish
to share with each other so that we can taste more food varieties. This is
typically our family style of dining as we share the dishes among us…
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| Chilli Crab and Mantao buns to enjoy with the dip |
For
starters, it must be Chilli Crab and Mantao buns because Chef Dass tells me
that he prepares the Chilli Crab dip using his mother’s (Indian style!) Sardine
Curry recipe.
Someone
picks the Mediterranean Salad topped with grilled prawns, watermelon and feta
cheese, drizzled with their own recipe Lemongrass Vinaigrette.
Then there
are two burgers to share: Classic American Cheese Burger and Chinese Ham Burger
that each comes with potato fries – popular bites for the youngsters.
The
barbecued Pork Ribs come highly recommended and there are six meaty ribs to
split among us. By the time the bones are extracted, there is plenty of meat to
enjoy among us!
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| Classic American Cheese Burger [Left] and a Chinese Ham Burger [Right] |
We agree
that Char Siew Salmon which comes with a side of potato mash, and Beef
Stroganoff on a bed of mash, were items just right for mum.
We will of
course, let mum have her first pick and we will share the rest, making sure
there are no leftovers!
The beef
is both tasty and tender and Chef Dass’s introduction of that side dish of
salsa, is indeed a refreshing contrast to the dense flavour of the Beef
Stroganoff.
After
reading the ingredients for toppings on the Super Supreme pizza, we feel that
it is a must-try item. There’s pepperoni, buck worst sausage, beef, capsicum
greens, bacon, chicken ham, button mushroom, onions and black olives, with
three types of cheese!
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| A serving of Char Siew Salmon |
The pizza
comes freshly-made on thin crust pastry and it’s good that we can sink our
teeth into plenty of ingredients with every bite.
Then it’s
time for dessert.
As Chef
Dass tells us about Dine’s own-recipe gelato, I cannot resist the call of the
Salted Caramel gelato and succumb to an order of Chocolate Walnut Brownie
topped with a scoop of Salted Caramel gelato.
Then for
the two mothers – mum and our sister-in-law – Chef Dass presents them with a serving
of Salted Caramel Tiramisu, made in his own recipe and with his best
compliments!
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| Tasty and tender Beef Stroganoff with a side of refreshing salsa |
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| Dine's classic Barbecued Pork Ribs |
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| Pizza Super Supreme where we can taste ingredients in every bite! |
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| Warm Chocolate Walnut Brownie topped with a scoop of Salted Caramel gelato |
Later as
we make our way out of the restaurant, feeling comfortable and satisfied with
the dining experience, I venture to ask him, “What is your favourite food?”
Without
hesitation Chef Dass replies, “My mum’s cooking!”
This is
indeed a young man after every woman/mum’s heart.
Dine
Restaurant is at N0. 14, Lower Ground Little Red Cube, Persiaran Puteri
Harbour, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
It serves
a NON-HALAL menu daily from 12pm to
11.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and till late on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For reservations, Tel: +607 – 553 9964.
