A melting pot of taste By Debbie Chan
Publisher:The Star - Publication Date: 21-03-2008

The cosy ambience and idyllic setting of the various little food stalls that surround the enclave of the Asian Melting Pot of The Gardens in Kuala Lumpur gives it the extra touch.
Walking into the wooden-inspired area, diners get to feast their eyes on the wide variety of Asian offerings while the aroma of the brewing Hainanese coffee from the open kitchen of I Love Yoo! greets your nose. The little store offers traditional Chinese light bites from yau char kwai to ham chim peng as well as glutinous sesame balls with the ever-trustable local blend of Hainanese coffee.
Just a stone throw away is the one of its kind bread store, Sbread, which has taken roti bakar and toast to a different level. Walk up to the counter and pick a type of bread and spread from the different varieties available. There are three types of toast, sesame bread, thick white bread and the unique charcoal bread. The charcoal bread is made with bamboo charcoal, a popular health product in Japan, Korea and Taiwan and has cleansing properties that helps blood circulation. The store also offers a wide variety of spreads from the three main flavours of taro, pandan and vanilla to the special Thai chilli paste and chicken floss. Complete your snack with a glass of Sbreadverage (beverage in a variety of flavours) where you can take a pick from Ice Barley prepared with red leaf herb, Thai iced tea, and iced chocolate.
Durian and mango lovers will be delighted to find durian and mango pancakes available at the Lee Sumptuous Desserts that sells out almost everyday. Using pancakes as the base pastry, the chilled fruits are inserted into the wrap, which makes it a perfect cold snack for a hot day. The stall also offers strawberry mochi, kacang mochi and tiramisu.
For something more savoury, head down to Homi Curry Puff for a piece of the hot piping pastry filled with delicious curry chicken made famous in SS2. The original stall still stands firm in the friendly neighbourhood but regulars can now get a piece of the action at the Asian Melting Pot. And who can forget the popular bun phenomenon, Baoz, which brought us the curry bao, barbeque bao and the black pepper bao. With ten outlets all over the country, it is making its presence felt at The Gardens too.
The popular Chinese medicinal hall Eu Yan Sang has also decided to spread their wings in The Gardens with a special offering that other outlets do not have. The brand has set up their first ever restaurant that offers all kinds of herbal and medicinal recipes. Everything on sale at the medicinal hall is available at the restaurant including the conventional double boiled soup.
If you are looking for a complete meal, drop by Rak Thai for an affordable and filling experience of Thai cuisine with dishes such as lemongrass fried rice, pineapple fried rice, basil pad thai and papaya salad. The restaurant also offers set lunches that caters for single diners to large groups.
Be sure not to leave the Asian Melting Pot without dropping by Jonker Sweets, which offers all your favourite local desserts including bubur gandum, yam & sweet corn, strawberry lolo, durian cendol, mix fruit lolo, ice kacang and bubur cha cha.
From now until April 15, The Gardens is presenting A Journey of Taste, a month-long promotion that offers diners total indulgence with a variety of delights from all the various outlets.

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