Dine with a difference at Hard Rock Cafe

 

The stage was set since September 2021 and step-by-step, the team at Hard Rock Café at Puteri Harbour prepared to welcome fans of this renowned brand to experience its unique vibe in Johor.

 

The rockstar team at Hard Rock Cafe
Puteri Harbour, Johor

Photographs posted on social media created much hype to fan the eager anticipation for its opening and a date when it was safe to go for a dine-in with a difference.

 

Hard Rock International is one of the most globally recognized brands that owned/licensed or managed hotels, casinos, Rock Shops, live performance venues and cafés with venues in 68 countries across 241 locations.

 

In 2018, I had the privilege of a sneak peek into the Hard Rock Hotel that was about to open in Desaru Coast, Johor, and the opportunity to join a number of events with Pin Collectors and local celebrities who presented personal items to the Hard Rock Memorabilia collection.

 

Just follow the sign
to Rock This Way

This memorabilia collection started with an Eric Clapton guitar and now Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, displayed at its locations around the world.

 

The most memorable experience for me must be being part of Hard Rock Hotel’s Grand Opening Party in Desaru Coast and the one-on-one interview with Johor-born legendary rockstar, Amy of Search fame, the featured artist in the event’s rock concert.

 

With Hard Rock Hotel opened in Desaru Coast, the arrival of the first Hard Rock Café in Johor was equally highly anticipated.

 

In September 2021, I joined the virtual Press Conference for the announcement of the opening of Hard Rock Café in Puteri Harbour planned for December, the brand’s fourth Hard Rock Café in Peninsular Malaysia after those opened in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.

 

The guitar monument facing the
harbour at Hard Rock Cafe

It was January 2022 when the invitation from Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour was received for a long-awaited media lunch event and I did not hesitate to accept.

 

Soon as I was warmly welcomed into the Café, a glance around the glass and chrome interior gave me the impression of a slick and contemporary décor, bathed in natural light pouring through tall glass walls.

 

I recognized familiar faces, waved to say “Hello!” and thought that I should congratulate Jimmy Wong, General Manager of the Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour and his team for gathering the Who’s-Who of local media at this exciting event.

 

“No time to chit-chat,” I reminded myself as I focused my attention on what I was keen to see in the first Hard Rock Café opened in Johor. Firstly, the Monuments…

 

Just as Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast features an iconic Mandala Guitar in its forecourt, the Hard Rock Café in Puteri Harbour has its version of a similar guitar perched on a raised stand at the outdoor dining area.

 

A section of the Rock Shop within the Cafe

This alfresco dining area comes with a scenic harbour view and when the sun goes down, diners here can enjoy the stunning sight of the different shades of sunset.

 

Fans of Hard Rock Merchandise can conveniently reach the Rock Shop which is situated next to the Café entrance.

 

Here’s where Hard Rock fans and collectors can enjoy a rock star shopping experience for music inspired merchandise like the Hard Rock classic T-shirts, hats, pins, glassware and accessories.

 

At the entrance, my eyes were riveted to two mannequins standing within a glass showcase that displayed smart suits that belonged to rap stars, Joe Flizzow, and Nicky Minaj.

 

Eric Clapton's guitar is in Puteri Harbour, Johor

This started me on a quest to seek out the Memorabilia preserved within glass showcases that lined the walls of the dining hall downstairs. Here I discovered the beaded dresses that belonged to powerhouse singers, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.

 

My quest for more took me up a short flight of stairs to the mezzanine floor where a range of guitars were showcased on the wall in the private dining area.

 

My eyes zeroed in on the Fender Stratocaster, autographed by Eric Clapton, along with guitars from B. B. King, Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry among others.

 

An ornate beaded belt worn by
Elvis Presley, King of Rock and Roll

In the dining hall upstairs, I saw memorabilia from Asian superstars like Jacky Cheung – a Taylor guitar – and black boots that belonged to Jay Chou.

 

I was pleased to see that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was also honoured here with his ornate beaded belt that he wore with his fancy jumpsuits.

 

Speaking of fancy outfits, some of our media friends came dressed to the nines and rocked their glitzy bling-bling footwear and those black leather leggings and jackets topped with a felt hat.

 

When all the guests had arrived, the event kicked off with a word of welcome from GM, Jimmy Wong, and lunch was served with live music entertainment presented by Take Five, a seven-piece local band.

 

It was simply different to dine to the beat of live music, where we can bop to the rhythm and groove to the harmony as we enjoyed the menu of Hard Rock flavours.

 

The band, Take Five, providing live music entertainment at Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour

I thought the talented band did well in presenting a good repertoire of popular music that ranged from Guns N’ Roses and Gloria Gaynor, to the Bee Gees and Queen.

 

With Ye Chin and Murray Aitken

Their rendition of the opening lines, “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?...” sung in perfect harmony, seized everyone’s attention (who paused from eating!) and I watched as this interpretation of Bohemian Rhapsody, clearly rocked the house.

 

This was just one of those Moments when we caught a glimpse of how dining was distinctly different in a Hard Rock Café.

 

After the final farewells, guests trickled out of the Café while some stayed to capture creative photo mementoes at the many interesting spots in and around the premises.

 

As for me, I was simply delighted to finally meet with Ye Chin, wife of Murray Aitken, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. She was a former classmate of my cousin Dennis Ng, who told me that she was now back in Johor with her husband.

 

Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour is located at Retail Lot 2-B2 Residensi & Hotel Marina, Persiaran Tanjung, Pengkalan Puteri, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

 

The Café serves Food and Beverages that are free from alcohol and pork products. Open daily from 12pm to 12am. Live band show from 8pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Tel: +607 – 276 9999.

 

Stay connected for updates and promotions on Hard Rock Café Puteri Harbour official pages on Facebook @HardRockCafePuteriHarbour and Instagram @hrcputeriharbour.

Traders' Weekend Brunch

Sou Chef, Lee Keen Suan, with a section of the
Weekend Brunch buffet at the Lobby Lounge

As more visitors are coming to Nusajaya to enjoy the themepark attractions and professionals are also there to consult at various business developments, many are choosing to stay with Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour.  

After serious work and play, most guests prefer a late start on weekends and very often they rise after the breakfast hours and miss out on the sumptuous spread.  Now Executive Chef Alan Wong and his culinary team have successfully turned the disappointment of guests who prefer late starts in the weekend, into sheer joy.

Scrambled Eggs topped with Lump Fish Caviar

On Saturday and Sunday, Weekend Brunch is served at the Lobby Lounge from 11.30am all the way to 3pm so that guests can savour a leisurely meal of a hearty late breakfast that spills over to lunch.  In-house guests are particularly pleased with this dining option as it compliments their pursuit of pleasure and restful retreat here.  This dining option in the comfort of the lounge adds to their weekend fun as they are only steps away from the swimming pool and their rooms.

“I want guests to enjoy quality rather than quantity,” said Wong as he introduced the elegant buffet with a choice of high-value ingredients in the salads and appetizers, pastries and desserts as well as Japanese sushi and maki rolls, fresh fruits and even a cheese board with a selection of quality cheeses to savour with crackers.  

Pastry Chef, Zuwairi Shuaib, with some of
his favourite desserts

Working closely with Sou Chef, Lee Keen Suan, to serve the freshest quality ingredients in the spread, Wong assures guests that the buffet menu will change regularly.  Besides helping themselves from the buffet, a menu of main course items is provided for guests to place their order so that their choices will be served freshly made.

“I recommend our choice of either Poached Eggs with Hollandaise Sauce or Scrambled Eggs topped with Lump Fish Caviar,” said Wong who understands that eggs are a breakfast staple.  On top of enjoying the food varieties in the buffet spread, each guest is also welcome to pick an item from the menu that will be prepared and served warm from the kitchen.  While items on this menu will be changed regularly, guests can pick from meat selections like Lamb Chop with mashed potato and grilled tomato or Beef Tenderloin with mashed potato, carrots and natural jus, and fish choices of Grilled Sea Bass Fillet or Grilled Salmon with lemon on mash, fennel and balsamic reduction sauce.

A choice of cheese and crackers to savour
 with Prosecco sparkling white wine

The salad and appetizer spread includes the chef’s creations of Seared Angus Beef Sirloin Steak Salad with caramelized onion, feta cheese and grilled asparagus, Blackened Chicken with berry compote and greens, King Salmon on gravlax with capers and dill herbs, Beetroot Carpaccio with goat’s cheese and other antipasti.  

Besides a range of elegantly cut fresh fruits, Pastry Chef, Zuwairi Shuaib, is having fun in creating an array of favourite desserts to sweeten the start of the day.  Guests will find his creations in mousses, creams, flans, tarts, cakes and crumbles, simply irresistible!

The Weekend Brunch is served from 11.30am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, at RM65++ per adult and RM210++ with free-flow of Prosecco, Italian sparkling white wine, every weekend till end Dec 2014.  The Lobby Lounge is on level 1 of Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya.  Reservations are recommended.  Tel: 607 – 560 8888 or email: restaurantreservations.thph@tradershotels.com

A version of this article was published in The New Straits Times, Streets Johor on 18 Nov 2014

Brussels for mussels and more

Facade of Brussels Beer Cafe at the Little Red Cube

Nick and his wife June asked me to dine with them at Brussels Beer Café.  It’s been a while since we met and I’m looking forward to seeing them again.  Their choice of restaurant rings a bell because I remember passing it on the promenade or lower ground floor of the Little Red Cube.  Then I discover that since it opened for business 10 months ago, Brussels Beer Café has become a favourite spot for regulars to chill out with friends over good food and a wide range of beers!

Brussels Beer Café is an established brand in the North so fans will be delighted to know that this is the chain’s first outlet in Johor Baru (with plans to open more!) in an ideal spot that overlooks the marina at Puteri Harbour.  

Half-portion of crispy pork knuckle with a side of brown sauce

Even though it’s a short drive from the city to Nusajaya, the lovely view and ambiance by night all works well to create a feeling like we are in some exotic holiday destination.  Maybe it’s because of the mixed group seated around us, with fast-emptying glasses and plates, who clearly agree that this is just the spot to relax and retreat from the pressures of city life.

Nick and June are looking well and as we catch up on what’s happening, Nick introduces me to his friends, Dave Lim and Hubert Lim (no relation!) the gentlemen who run Brussels Beer Café.  Talking is making us thirsty so Dave recommends a choice of beers from their 32 types of bottled and on-tap beers.  

Bitterballen, a savoury Dutch appetizer at Brussels Beer Cafe

The Hoegaarden White brew is a familiar favourite but Dave insists that the Hoegaarden Rosee comes highly recommended.  Just one gulp of the frothy pint and I can attest to its popularity because it’s lower alcohol content (about 3%) and refreshing, sweet fruity raspberry taste, is really rather nice.

Then we are studying the menu to select our meals to share because I’m ever ready to have a taste of more varieties of food.  We must of course, have the Brussels’ style pork knuckle with a side of brown sauce.  Our half portion of crispy roasted pork knuckle is nicely chopped up and served mixed with sautéed potatoes and mushrooms – and tastes so good on its own that I did not need any dip sauce.  The crackling is super crisp and a perfect foil for the juicy meat and the tender taste of potatoes and mushrooms. 

Mussels Provencale in a pot with a side of bread slices

We pick a popular appetizer – Bitterballen, a savoury Dutch meat-based snack.  This serving of crispy breaded balls are made with a blend of mince pork and cheese and served with a mustard dip. 

Brussels is also the place for mussels.  Fans can enjoy their favourite mussels prepared in various flavours with white wine or beer, served either in half or whole portions.  We decide on a pot of mussels prepared in the Provencale style – cooked with bacon, sundried tomatoes, mixed herbs and wine – served with a side of bread or fries.  These plump Dutch mussels taste fresh and juicy as we shamelessly dig in with our fingers to savour the tasty gravy to the very last drop!

A serving of Brussels' foot-long sausage

For sausage fans, the Brussels’ Foot-long Sausage is a must-try.  As its name describes, it is a foot-long sausage garnished with lashings of mustard and garlic aioli sauce, served on a toasted baguette with a side of salad and frites – the French way of saying French fries.  Dave says these sausages are very popular with regulars who often enjoy an entire sausage individually, as a main course meal! 

He told us an interesting experience where a large group of diners placed orders for foot-long sausages all around and wanted them served together.  This posed quite a challenge as multiple servings of the same item require advance preparation but the kitchen somehow managed it.  And now to avoid disappointment and to lessen the stress in the kitchen, Dave recommends advance orders especially for larger groups of diners.

Chunks of roast pork in the Roast Pork Aglio Olio pasta

Then we are sampling the braised Pork Belly which June kindly sliced up for us.  The meat is fragrant with Fransizkanar sauce, a delicious flavour that complements the side of sautéed vegetables and Belgian stoemp.  This stoemp is the richer Brussels version of mashed potatoes mixed with root vegetables like carrots and onions, bacon, herbs and spices.  I must say that I more than like this dish and made a mental note to order it again when I’m next at Brussels Beer Café.

For pasta, our choice is Roast Pork Aglio Olio and I’m delighted to observe that the chunks of roast pork are reminiscent of the siew yoke from the traditional Chinese char siew – siew yoke stalls.  It’s really quite an extraordinary experience to enjoy pasta with Chinese style siew yoke!  

Chef Kong presents a platter of Pork Belly

Then Dave introduces us to Executive Chef Kong, the man who ensures that food quality standards are maintained to the Brussels Beer Café requirements.  Food is flying out of the kitchen to be served to eagerly anticipating customers, so Chef Kong has to hurry back to his work station. 

I know Nick and June are enjoying the meal as much as I am because we somehow manage to tuck away our portion of Belgian Classic Liege Salad, Brussels Chicken and Salmon Ala Meuniere.  Another peek in the menu tells me that there is also a range of appetizers and soups, and main course dishes like beef steaks, lamb chops and burgers to enjoy.  Having discovered more reasons to dine here again, I’m so glad Nick and June asked me to dine with them at Brussels.

Then it’s time for dessert and I always have space for dessert.  At first, I think it’s a toss-up among the Crème Brulee, Chocolate Brownie and Tiramisu but when I sample them, I find myself reaching for the Tiramisu again and again.  In the end, I must declare that Brussels’ Tiramisu wins hands down!

Mmm... delicious Tiramisu at Brussels Beer Cafe!

View of Puteri Harbour from Brussels Beer Cafe in Nusajaya, Johor

Brussels Beer Café, a Non-Halal restaurant, has outlets in various malls in Kuala Lumpur like Jaya One, Hap Seng, Ampang, Solaris Mon’t Kiara, Sunway Pyramid, Setia Walk and at Gurney Paragon in Penang.  Its first outlet in JB is in Nusajaya, located at Lot 5, Lower Ground Floor of the Little Red Cube, Persiaran Puteri Selatan in Puteri Harbour.  Reservations are recommended.  Tel: 607 – 5095 626.  Website: www.brusselsbeercafe.com

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Harbour Cafe's Ramadan spread

Harbour Cafe's buffet spread includes Roast Lamb Kuzi
and Nasi Pelangi that go well with an array of traditional
condiments and sauce dips
 

Break your fast this Ramadan at Harbour Café, Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour with family and friends over a sumptuous meal that’s reminiscent of home.  The chefs and their culinary teams at the Café have put together a buffet spread of 60 delectable dishes daily in 6 different menus that will be rotated throughout the month of Ramadan.  The breaking-of-fast buffets here will feature traditional favourites and home-style cooking designed in the tradition of family get-togethers. 

Break your fast traditionally with a selection of juicy dates and thirst-quenching drinks and then warm your stomach with the wholesome richness of Bubur Lambuk or rice porridge.  Then choose from a range of traditional appetizers like Sotong Kerabu (squid salad), Rojak Buah (fruit salad), Jeruk Mangga (pickled mango) and Chef Alan’s Special Vegetable Achar.  Executive Chef Alan said this vegetable pickle recipe, made with cucumber, turnip, carrot and cabbage tossed in crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, was inspired by his grandmother who used to make this delicious dish.

Vegetable Achar inspired by Chef Alan's grandmother
 

Fresh garden salad and cold cuts are among the range of western appetizers you can enjoy before moving to the main course items.  Chef Alan is making use of local strawberries from Cameron Highlands to create a light fruity sambal which he will use to bake with fresh whole salmon.  He has prepared up to three whole fish for each serving, so there will be enough for everyone to choose their favourite parts and savour this uniquely flavoured fish to your satisfaction.

“Just as in family-style dining, our lamb shanks are served whole for diners to share among family and friends,” said Chef Alan about the Singapore style Sup Gearbox which is braised for up to 4 hours in tomato-based thick gravy.  “These tender lamb shanks will be served warm from a giant kwali or wok and the best way to enjoy them is to eat with your fingers and dig in for its bone marrow,” he added. 

Chef Alan carves his signature salmon
baked with Cameron Highlands
strawberry sambal
 

More main course dishes like roasted whole Lamb Kuzi, Udang Gulai Nenas (prawns), Siput Lemak (shellfish), Ikan Bakar (grilled fish) and Ayam Percik Utara (chicken) go well with a choice of Nasi Pelangi (Rainbow Rice) and piping hot steamed white rice.  While Ayam Percik Utara is popular in the East Coast, Harbour Cafe is serving it here to meet the tastes of diners from the North who want a taste of home.  These are created with skewers of chicken marinated in a creamy sauce and grilled to perfection in the tandoor oven.

A taste of home is not complete without traditional condiments like a range of ulam (local salad), serunding (dried meat floss), tempoyak (fermented durian) and sambal belacan (spicy shrimp dip).  Live-cooking stations will be serving perennial local Malaysian favourites including roti canai and murtabak, dim sum and chee cheong fun, as well as sticks of grilled beef and chicken satay served with spicy peanut sauce and its condiments.  If you prefer some noodles, there are also choices of chicken noodle soup, Mee Bandung and Curry Laksa in the daily spread.

Sous Chef Mohd Anuar Abdullah [Left] and
Chef Neow Kok Meng presents a platter of
Nasi Pelangi with skewers of Ayam
Percik Utara
 

End your meal sweetly by watching the serving staff skillfully pull Teh Tarik or pulled tea and serve it with a frothy head.  Pick a choice of hot beverages and savour it with sweet treats like cubes of Supreme Durian Tempura that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  You can look forward to an assortment of local kueh (cakes) and desserts like Bubur Cha-Cha as well as jellies, tarts, cakes, crumbles, mousses and ice-creams for a sweet ending.

Harbour Café continues in their tradition of good food quality and an incredible choice in dinner buffet spreads this Ramadan daily from June 28 to July 29, priced at RM108++ (adult) and RM54++ (child below age 12).  Live traditional Ghazal music performances start from July 2.  For reservations, Tel: 607 – 560 8888 or email: restaurantreservations.thph@tradershotel.com

 

Singapore style Sup Gearbox
 

Indulge in delectable cubes of Supreme Durian Tempura that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside!

A version of this article was published in The New Straits Times, Streets Johor on 23 July 2014

Fine dine at Olive

Façade of The Olive Kitchen & Bar on the promenade
that faces Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya
 

When Olive restaurant opened at the promenade of Little Red Cube, Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya last April, fans of good Indian food were delighted to discover that it is a fine dine restaurant with a bar. 

Since their first outlet was opened in Kuala Lumpur in 2004, the group has established itself with a reputation for authentic North Indian cuisine and after opening six outlets, this is its first opened in Johor.  Designed with a restaurant and bar, diners at Olive can enjoy drinks before dinner or linger over drinks after dinner in the outdoor section that overlooks the marina at Puteri HarbouraH. 

The team of chefs at Olice Kitchen & Bar with restaurant manager [Centre] presenting a range of a la carte items
that are popular with regular diners
 

An elegant serving of mango lassi
made from fresh mangoes
 

Now a year on, more customers are discovering the charming ambience at Olive and their menu of traditional recipes that are whipped up by a team of chefs who are hand-picked from various cities in India.  Being part of a group of restaurants gives Olive an added edge because the chefs and crew are regularly rotated among its restaurants to give them a change as well as a further challenge to work in different environments.  Their experience and exposure at every outlet goes a long way to keep their work interesting and food ideas refreshed. 

The menu is filled with an array of mouth-watering dishes that are suitable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.  While ala carte items are listed by their traditional names like Gosht Rogan Josh (lamb) and Murg Mahkani (chicken), brief descriptions are provided n English to help diners with their selections.  Ala carte dishes are freshly cooked so diners should be ready for a patient wait as it would take time for a few dishes to be prepared and served together.

 

Platter of Afghani Mixed Tandoor with sizzling hot
prawns, fish, chicken and Afghani sheesh kebab
 

At Olive, ancient recipes are brought to life for diners to enjoy an authentic North Indian cuisine experience without any compromise on food quality.  They also take pride in the claim that no artificial flavouring or ghee is used in their dishes.  So discerning palates will notice how their chefs apply age old traditions to create food flavours from fresh ingredients that not only ensure dining satisfaction but also a comfortable after taste!

Whet your appetite with a Mango Lassi drink and nibble on Multani Tikkey vegetarian appetizers made with minced potatoes, cottage cheese and salted masala, while waiting for your meal to be served.  A platter of Afghani Mixed Tandoor with sizzling hot prawns, fish, chicken and Afghani sheesh kebab drizzled with a blend of chilli and tomato sauce, is perfect for sharing while gravies like Prawn Chettinad and Murg (chicken) Tikka Butter Masala go well with a choice of freshly baked breads like naan, roti and chapatti.  Vegetarians will be delighted with the list of lentil items that include Daal Mahkani – black lentils slow-cooked in the tandoor and simmered with fragrant Indian spices.

Chicken Chettinad Pizza is a popular choice!
 

If you must have rice, then go for Olive’s Combo Briyani, a serving of basmati rice complete with tender pieces of chicken, lamb and prawn, served with a side of Raitha.  Then satisfy your sweet tooth with traditional Indian desserts like Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai and wash it down with sips of hot Masala Tea. 

 

Late night diners will enjoy the bar menu which lists delectable snacks like Gobi 65 and plump samosas in a choice of vegetable, chicken or mutton fillings and a range of pizza with a selection of toppings in uniquely Indian flavours!

Traditional Indian desserts Gulab Jamun
[Front] and Ras Malai

With 10 years experience in the food catering industry, Olive also caters for weddings as well as corporate and private events.  And as a member of the Malaysian Tourism Board and the Malaysian Inbound Tourist Association, their spacious restaurant is often the venue for lunch or dinner buffet spreads catered for tour groups.  The Olive Kitchen & Bar plans to have a special celebration on their first anniversary with regulars who have since become their friends.

The Olive Kitchen & Bar is at Lot 11 & 12, Lower Ground Floor on the promenade level of Little Red Cube, Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya.  Open daily from 11.30am to 11pm.  No pork products are used in the kitchen as all ingredients are from halal sources.  For catering enquiries and reservations, Tel: 607 – 5096 617, 012 – 753 6654 and 010 – 297 7855.  Website: www.theolivetree.com.my

A version of this article was published in The New Straits Times, Streets Johor on 28 April 2014