April 7, 2011
April 5, 2011
April 4, 2011
Wagyu Beef Burgers At Tony Roma's
Story & Photos by DR SALT & MADAM PEPPER
Ever since we relocated to Malaysia, the occasional craving for that American diner classic – the burger – has had us scouring different parts of the Klang Valley in search of an offering that satisfies the tummy, pleases the palate, and tantalizes the taste buds to the point of craving for more.
While we have not made a fully extensive tour of what there is to offer, rediscovering the burger scene in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya has been a, well, tasty experience.
First, came the visits to the fast food joints. Then came the exploration of food stalls. A number of times, we ate at some decent diners though it was at an upcoming burger showcase that returns to the Klang Valley for the second time, that we discovered what taking a humble American classic to the next level is all about.
The family restaurant chain TonyRoma's is bringing back its popular Wagyu beef burgers in a promotion starting April 11 and ending on June 5. This promotion will feature the return of three Wagyu burgers and the introduction of two new ones, as well as two weight- and health-friendly salads.
TonyRoma's is also offering its milkshakes, in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours, at half price with any purchase of the Wagyu beef burgers
The meat is flown in from Australia and with a higher marbling ratio than American prime beef, a higher ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fats as well as an abundance of Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, this turns out to be not only a tastier, but a healthier option as well.
We had a sneak peek of what to expect at a dinner recently. Two new burgers have been added to the menu – a move meant to further tempt diners, who have helped to make it so popular that it is said to have added a neat 10% to revenue.
When there is no such promotion under way, TonyRoma's patrons have asked for the regular burgers to be substituted with Wagyu beef so many times that the chain is considering adding a permanent option that allows diners to swap their burger meat for Wagyu, with a slight price mark-up.
We have split the review into two versions – his and hers – to showcase our individual opinions (which don't coincide often!) and to demonstrate the difference between an Eastern palate (hers) and an American approach (his).
MADAM PEPPER:
Dinner started with a commendable basket of fried mushrooms.
The Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad (RM29.90) came next. Crispy chopped greens, zucchini, carrots, and juicy roasted red peppers with a creamy vinaigrette dressing was a refresher, crunchy to the bite and juicy to the taste.
I would have preferred a little more charring to the grilled chicken and roasted red peppers. Warmer salads, with a little protein, always add more character to the garden variety combination of lettuce-tomato-cucumber, and this was no different.
When burgers came to the table, being the dyed-in-the-wool spice lover that I am, I zeroed in on the Fiery Cajun Burger (RM34.90) first. This was my first taste of what Wagyu in a burger tasted like – tender, and undeniably juicy. It came with Cajun-seasoned fried onions, a slice of cheddar cheese and a sprinkling of Cajun spices.
Being no stranger to Louisiana-style cooking, I expected more heat in the spice, more tongue-burning in the seasoning. A clever balance between the heat of the spice and the natural juiciness of the Wagyu, heralded this an easy palate-pleaser.
Next up, the new Steakhouse Burger (RM37.90) with a 7oz patty – the standard Wagyu burger size, we are told – came topped with medium-cut beef bacon and sprinkled with crushed rosemary on top. A little cup of steak sauce – which I ignored – came with a large serving of French fries.
It was the RM36.90 Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger that took home the proverbial trophy.
Slathered with freshly fried mushrooms, this one didn't grab the tastebuds with heat or herbs like the previous two. It was a mild burger, but with the nutty flavor and smooth texture of the mushrooms and the understated-ness of Danish Havarti cheese.
DR. SALT:
Being an American I am highly critical when it comes to hamburgers. In my country, they're considered among the few menu items that truly set one restaurant apart from another. Many restaurants have “signature” burgers, with any number of topping combinations you can imagine.
The Wagyu beef is nothing short of amazing. This smooth, juicy, succulent beef has a flavor that is not overpowering. I was surprised by the use of Havarti cheese to top three of the burgers, while the other two were topped with the common classic for burger-fare; cheddar.
Both burgers I sampled were laden with generous amounts of rich, smooth, slightly buttery Havarti cheese that complimented the texture and flavor of the meat in an entirely unexpected but very satisfying way.
About the only things I would change if I were serving these delectable burgers to friends would be the sauce that accompanied the Steakhouse Burger. It seemed more suited as a topping for potatoes than a classic, tangy steak sauce and perhaps a bit more char to the outsides of the patties themselves as I love the taste of grilled meat.
Ever since we relocated to Malaysia, the occasional craving for that American diner classic – the burger – has had us scouring different parts of the Klang Valley in search of an offering that satisfies the tummy, pleases the palate, and tantalizes the taste buds to the point of craving for more.
While we have not made a fully extensive tour of what there is to offer, rediscovering the burger scene in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya has been a, well, tasty experience.
First, came the visits to the fast food joints. Then came the exploration of food stalls. A number of times, we ate at some decent diners though it was at an upcoming burger showcase that returns to the Klang Valley for the second time, that we discovered what taking a humble American classic to the next level is all about.
 |
| This food review was conducted at TonyRoma's outlet at The Curve. |
The family restaurant chain TonyRoma's is bringing back its popular Wagyu beef burgers in a promotion starting April 11 and ending on June 5. This promotion will feature the return of three Wagyu burgers and the introduction of two new ones, as well as two weight- and health-friendly salads.
TonyRoma's is also offering its milkshakes, in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours, at half price with any purchase of the Wagyu beef burgers
The meat is flown in from Australia and with a higher marbling ratio than American prime beef, a higher ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fats as well as an abundance of Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, this turns out to be not only a tastier, but a healthier option as well.
We had a sneak peek of what to expect at a dinner recently. Two new burgers have been added to the menu – a move meant to further tempt diners, who have helped to make it so popular that it is said to have added a neat 10% to revenue.
When there is no such promotion under way, TonyRoma's patrons have asked for the regular burgers to be substituted with Wagyu beef so many times that the chain is considering adding a permanent option that allows diners to swap their burger meat for Wagyu, with a slight price mark-up.
We have split the review into two versions – his and hers – to showcase our individual opinions (which don't coincide often!) and to demonstrate the difference between an Eastern palate (hers) and an American approach (his).
 |
| TonyRoma's Fiery Cajun Burger. |
Dinner started with a commendable basket of fried mushrooms.
The Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad (RM29.90) came next. Crispy chopped greens, zucchini, carrots, and juicy roasted red peppers with a creamy vinaigrette dressing was a refresher, crunchy to the bite and juicy to the taste.
I would have preferred a little more charring to the grilled chicken and roasted red peppers. Warmer salads, with a little protein, always add more character to the garden variety combination of lettuce-tomato-cucumber, and this was no different.
When burgers came to the table, being the dyed-in-the-wool spice lover that I am, I zeroed in on the Fiery Cajun Burger (RM34.90) first. This was my first taste of what Wagyu in a burger tasted like – tender, and undeniably juicy. It came with Cajun-seasoned fried onions, a slice of cheddar cheese and a sprinkling of Cajun spices.
 |
| TonyRoma's Steakhouse Burger. |
Next up, the new Steakhouse Burger (RM37.90) with a 7oz patty – the standard Wagyu burger size, we are told – came topped with medium-cut beef bacon and sprinkled with crushed rosemary on top. A little cup of steak sauce – which I ignored – came with a large serving of French fries.
It was the RM36.90 Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger that took home the proverbial trophy.
Slathered with freshly fried mushrooms, this one didn't grab the tastebuds with heat or herbs like the previous two. It was a mild burger, but with the nutty flavor and smooth texture of the mushrooms and the understated-ness of Danish Havarti cheese.
 |
| TonyRoma's Grilled Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Salad. |
DR. SALT:
Being an American I am highly critical when it comes to hamburgers. In my country, they're considered among the few menu items that truly set one restaurant apart from another. Many restaurants have “signature” burgers, with any number of topping combinations you can imagine.
The Wagyu beef is nothing short of amazing. This smooth, juicy, succulent beef has a flavor that is not overpowering. I was surprised by the use of Havarti cheese to top three of the burgers, while the other two were topped with the common classic for burger-fare; cheddar.
 |
| TonyRoma's Wild Mushroom Havarti Burger. |
Both burgers I sampled were laden with generous amounts of rich, smooth, slightly buttery Havarti cheese that complimented the texture and flavor of the meat in an entirely unexpected but very satisfying way.
About the only things I would change if I were serving these delectable burgers to friends would be the sauce that accompanied the Steakhouse Burger. It seemed more suited as a topping for potatoes than a classic, tangy steak sauce and perhaps a bit more char to the outsides of the patties themselves as I love the taste of grilled meat.
Quote for Day 87
Image: Scan Your Face_michi2004 (http://www.sxc.hu/profile/michi2004)
Clipart: House Silhouette - JOSUEMB (http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/josuemb) &
Wedding Icon - NICUBUNU (http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/nicubunu)
"Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution?" - Henry Louis (H. L.) Mencken
April 3, 2011
April 2, 2011
Quote for Day 85
Clipart: Pig - JOHNNY AUTOMATIC
"Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." - Cynthia Nelms
April 1, 2011
How To Deal With A Heaty Laptop
HAVE you ever had your laptop and computer suddenly crashing on you when you're in the midst of working?
Okay laugh at me if you will.
I have an old laptop. The first was a Fujitsu, the second an Acer and yes, it's time for an upgrade (if only money grows on trees).
But while I wait for money to drop from heaven I will bear with my lappy's tantrums.
Every now and then it will suddenly shutdown, go totally blank and whoosh, it's dead.
When it happened a few times it got me worried. No, not that Acer will die on me but that it will take with it all my work stored in its C drive.
Please don't ask me the dreaded "why don't you store them in your hard drives" line. I do. I have six hard drives. My problem is not being disciplined enough to housekeep regularly.
Anyway, there are three reasons that I know that can cause this problem.
1. Your laptop is worn out and it needs a break and when you don't give it the much-deserved break it gets angry. That's called OVERHEATING. Then it shuts down, many times over until you get the message.
2. Some parts inside your laptop are broken. You know, like us, having a heart failure.
3. Imagine yourself without a good scrub under the shower for months on end. What do you smell like? Yes, unexplainable. The same goes for your laptop. Dust is accumulating at the bottom of its (pardon the language) booty.
So what do you do when either of these three happened?
1. Cool it down. Talk to your laptop and say you will get those cooling fans meant for laptops as soon as you can get to the digital mall. Buy one, place it under your laptop and let it fan off all the excess heat.
2. When a laptop is not so angry and heaty, then probably fewer parts will be damaged. If it is a serious case, only a computer doctor knows the answer. Please visit one.
3. If money is tight and you're feeling adventurous get the right size of screwdrivers and open up the bottom of your laptop. Yes, thank you for asking - remove all plugs from any electrical points please. I do not want to be responsible for anyone's death but mine own.
When you've removed the bottom cover successfully (please note if the cover refuse to budge don't start getting nasty at it and start tugging. It will cost you even more money. If the covers won't budge it just means you missed out on some screws. Please use your glasses so you can see better where these screws are) check if there is any dust collected anywhere among the tiny tiny parts. If there is dust you WILL see them.
Get some clean brushes of different sizes that can help you dust off efficiently. Carefully dust the area until you think you have removed what's not supposed to be there (a word of caution: do not be a lazy @#$ and use a vacuum cleaner thinking it will do a better job. You might not have any parts left by the time you are done).
Once all the brushing is done replace the cover and screws. Voila, that would have fixed the problem.
But just in case it doesn't, start digging your piggy bank. A new laptop may well be the answer. And while you're getting a new laptop, see if you can get a "Buy 1 Free 1" deal. You know who the free piece is for (wink, wink).
Okay laugh at me if you will.
I have an old laptop. The first was a Fujitsu, the second an Acer and yes, it's time for an upgrade (if only money grows on trees).
But while I wait for money to drop from heaven I will bear with my lappy's tantrums.
Every now and then it will suddenly shutdown, go totally blank and whoosh, it's dead.
When it happened a few times it got me worried. No, not that Acer will die on me but that it will take with it all my work stored in its C drive.
Please don't ask me the dreaded "why don't you store them in your hard drives" line. I do. I have six hard drives. My problem is not being disciplined enough to housekeep regularly.
Clipart: Laptop - ANTOINE & Bubble - IMPROUIX
Anyway, there are three reasons that I know that can cause this problem.
1. Your laptop is worn out and it needs a break and when you don't give it the much-deserved break it gets angry. That's called OVERHEATING. Then it shuts down, many times over until you get the message.
2. Some parts inside your laptop are broken. You know, like us, having a heart failure.
3. Imagine yourself without a good scrub under the shower for months on end. What do you smell like? Yes, unexplainable. The same goes for your laptop. Dust is accumulating at the bottom of its (pardon the language) booty.
 |
| I think my laptop is saying it needs more love. |
Clipart: Walking Laptop - CHOVYNZ
So what do you do when either of these three happened?
1. Cool it down. Talk to your laptop and say you will get those cooling fans meant for laptops as soon as you can get to the digital mall. Buy one, place it under your laptop and let it fan off all the excess heat.
2. When a laptop is not so angry and heaty, then probably fewer parts will be damaged. If it is a serious case, only a computer doctor knows the answer. Please visit one.
3. If money is tight and you're feeling adventurous get the right size of screwdrivers and open up the bottom of your laptop. Yes, thank you for asking - remove all plugs from any electrical points please. I do not want to be responsible for anyone's death but mine own.
When you've removed the bottom cover successfully (please note if the cover refuse to budge don't start getting nasty at it and start tugging. It will cost you even more money. If the covers won't budge it just means you missed out on some screws. Please use your glasses so you can see better where these screws are) check if there is any dust collected anywhere among the tiny tiny parts. If there is dust you WILL see them.
 |
| This is how the bottom of your laptop looks like. Brush out the dust and use a blower to clean. |
Once all the brushing is done replace the cover and screws. Voila, that would have fixed the problem.
But just in case it doesn't, start digging your piggy bank. A new laptop may well be the answer. And while you're getting a new laptop, see if you can get a "Buy 1 Free 1" deal. You know who the free piece is for (wink, wink).
Quote for Day 84
Clipart: Cartoon Kids - LEOGG
"Love your children. You can lose them at anytime." - A Mother
March 31, 2011
Quote for Day 83
Image: Turkish Goodbye - KIRSCHE222
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde
When diarrhoea Is My First Name
STEAMING hot soup, that’s what I just had for lunch. Hopefully it will help get rid of this crazy flu I’ve been having for three days now, a chain reaction from diarrhoea, which I caught last Sunday night while travelling in Indonesia.
The minute I reached home I hit the toilet and returned every two minutes that it made me thought if that was going to be my permanent bed until I recovered. I’ve not changed my shorts as many times as I did on Monday. Every piece was scattered outside the bathroom door as I was too weak for housekeeping.
Let me spell it out. When someone is suffering from diarrhoea all one wants to do is to hold on to one’s @!$# so that you don’t shit on your bed. And when one suffers from diarrhoea for two days straight the stomach becomes empty and all that comes out from the sore @!$# is fluid. So give me a break and let me sleep so I can recover quickly.
If you’re a real friend please do like my buddies Farrell and Craig would do, leave a message that says something like: Rest well. Call if you need anything. We're just around the corner.
You know what this line says? It says they care enough to be there should I need them but they won’t be in my face in case I need the space (to rest).
 |
| A bowl of homecooked soup is just the thing for my condition. |
(RIGHT) Image: steaming Hot Soup - KWINTON
When your tummy is doing a roller-coaster like mine did misplaced jokes are not taken kindly so I was extremely sore when someone commented that unless I suck it in I will have to do my business in the bushes along the way to the airport. Excuse me friend, I did see little shop-houses and Surau (Muslim prayer house that’s smaller in size to that of a mosque) along the way. A kind word would be most appreciated and helpful at times of trouble such as this. If one day this person suffers the same fate while I happened to be around, I will hand her a plastic bag - a tiny one!
 |
| This is how I was and still is feeling. |
Image: Amzing Photo. Girl And Dresses - AFRICAN FI
Once home, a lot of pre-arranged work-related activities and assignments had to be cancelled. All phone calls and SMS-es were ignored but there will always be some thick-skinned people out there who just can’t give someone breathing space.
To ask me if I had received some work e-mail while I’m purging and trying hard to control muscle spasms in my tummy is really very thoughtful. To repeatedly call me on my handphone despite knowing I was ill is a clear indication of arrogance. And to SMS me just to ask me to pick up the phone is … duhhh … stupid!
To ask me if I had received some work e-mail while I’m purging and trying hard to control muscle spasms in my tummy is really very thoughtful. To repeatedly call me on my handphone despite knowing I was ill is a clear indication of arrogance. And to SMS me just to ask me to pick up the phone is … duhhh … stupid!
Let me spell it out. When someone is suffering from diarrhoea all one wants to do is to hold on to one’s @!$# so that you don’t shit on your bed. And when one suffers from diarrhoea for two days straight the stomach becomes empty and all that comes out from the sore @!$# is fluid. So give me a break and let me sleep so I can recover quickly.
 |
| I've been curled up in bed for days. |
Image: The Room - TRUBLUEBOY
Now that “bad things” are out my chest life will soon be back to normal.
Today I managed to check my mail, do this post because NFM had gone to a full stop because some techie FORGOT my instructions to post, re-arranged food reviews, discuss coverage for one talented baker, and finish all the pending stories that needed to be sent out.
Today I managed to check my mail, do this post because NFM had gone to a full stop because some techie FORGOT my instructions to post, re-arranged food reviews, discuss coverage for one talented baker, and finish all the pending stories that needed to be sent out.
 |
| I've been living on pills to get up and running again. |
If you’re a real friend please do like my buddies Farrell and Craig would do, leave a message that says something like: Rest well. Call if you need anything. We're just around the corner.
You know what this line says? It says they care enough to be there should I need them but they won’t be in my face in case I need the space (to rest).
Now, time for that medication and sleep. Hopefully I can be at the food review tonight, which I have cancelled once before for a different reason.
Image: Hand Holding Pills - KADRIP55
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