Frontera

My dear readers...I have big news...really big news...and if you've been following my blog for a while you'll know about my one weakness...yes...burgers! Fat juicy patties of meaty goodness sandwiched between toasted buns with a variety of condiments and toppings...how could anyone resist?

But I'm getting off topic here...where was I? Oh yes...the big news...when I first moved back to Malaysia I had set out on a quest to find the best burger...much like the burger episode of How I Met Your Mother (if any of you are fans out there)...I too needed to find the burger that was like Christmas in my mouth, meat Christmas...the burger that would lead me to never brush my teeth again unless it was with a toothbrush made from that burger...burger after burger I just couldn't find anything that even came close to that of Silky's (my neighborhood pub in Pittsburgh). Then I found Fogal and I truly believed my search was over...Fogal's patty was fresh and juicy with chopped onions and peppers mixed in with the meat...I didn't think any other place in KL (and I had been to my fair share of supposed 'best burger' joints) could ever do better than Fogal. And so I was at peace...my search complete and my tummy satisfied with the knowledge that anytime a burger craving were to overtake my mind I could just take a trip to Fogal and a crisis would be averted.

This was until a few weeks ago when I was sitting down with a few friends and one happened to mention that there's a guy claiming that his restaurant has the best burger. And I thought to myself...hah! as if...I've already found the best burger and nothing can top it! But curiosity got the best of me and I looked up the website for the new restaurant and there staring me in the face was a picture of a beautiful burger topped with chilli con carne (another one of my guilty pleasures)...and I felt that burger itch...the twitch in my tummy that said that it would not be happy with anything else I put in my mouth that day....I had to have that burger! Just had to!

So that evening I called up Carol my one friend who I knew would be up for a last minute totally unplanned dinner outing...and we drove out to Frontera to try this so called best burger...the owner Larry is an American from Texas...this was promising indeed...if anyone understood burgers it had to be him!

The burger came out...I took one bite...and right there and then I felt guilty...I've been so faithful to Fogal for so long and I didn't think anything could get better...but in that first bite I knew it...this chilli cheeseburger topped it...this burger is the best burger I've had in Malaysia.

It is a thick juicy burger patty topped with melted cheddar, spicy savoury chilli con carne, onion slices, and finished off with a thin spread of mustard on the top bun. Now this…this is a burger! Each bite is filled with pure meat on meat action plus a pleasing tongue tingling spiciness and the raw onion gives it a nice sweet crunch to balance it off.

What makes this burger sky rocket to the top of my burger list is the chilli con carne. This isn’t always done right and I’ve found that many places in KL tend to make it more like spaghetti bolognaise sauce…sweetish with beans and sometimes if they remember to get it right there’ll be a slight hint of heat. Here it is done right…rich, meaty, packed with flavour and with the right amount of spiciness that gets you just as you swallow.

Ohh I'm getting goosebumps just writing about it! I think I'm going to have to make another trip there soon...my tummy is rumbling and only that burger can satisfy it!

Here are some other treats you can enjoy there as well...oh and don't forget to have a margarita! Totally yummilicious!

Super fiery hot wings...they burn in the good way and are truly finger licking good!

Tex Mex Burrito is chock full of spiced ground beef and topped with a creamy cheese sauce...mmm...the refried beans were a disappointment though as they're a bit watery and tasteless.

Indulge in a super creamy and tart key lime pie the perfect end to a delicious meal!

Frontera Bar and Grill
No. 19-8-2 Block L, Palm Square, Jaya One
No. 72A Jalan Universiti, 46200 PJ
Tel: 03.7958 8515

Mango Mania

I love mangos! Garlic if you are reading this please don't be jealous but your flavour just can't cross over to dessert and so as much as I love you so I do sometimes need some sugary love in my life...

So uhm where was I? Oh yeah...

Deep orangey yellow flesh...honey sticky sweetness with a citrus tang...wonderful when cold out of the fridge...even better when blitzed in the blender with crushed ice to make a refreshing fruity beverage. Heavenly!

This is exactly why I had to try out Mango Mania...a place that pays homage to this delicious fruit. Most of the menu has something to do with mangos...There are all kinds of smoothies...a mango yoghurt with fresh mangos...a refrigerated casing holds a few varieties of mango (Indian, Thai, etc.) that you can pick to top your yoghurt off...There are even savoury options for meals...

I tried out the Mango Fish Burger...

A regular fried fish fillet is topped off with a mango cream sauce and a thin slice of mango and then sandwiched in between a burger bun. This is almost like a Mc Donald's Fillet O Fish...but with a juicy sweet mango and a cream sauce...Who would have ever thought to pair fish and mango? Oh but it works! I am thinking of trying this at home one day...

I also had a smoothie to wash my burger down and I opted for the Berry Blaster...

This is done with mango juice, banana, blueberries, and mango yoghurt. Very filling and refreshing!

Next time I stop here I'll be getting the grilled mango with ice cream...or maybe the mango chicken stir fry...or the mango cheesecake...oh the mango possibilities! How does one decide?

Mango Mania
36, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru
(Opposite EON Bank)

A Valentine's Weekend

I had a lovely Valentine's weekend filled with great food and a lot of love!

We had a friend's wedding dinner to go to on the 14th evening itself so our night started off on the 13th...R insisted that I meet him in town after work...and normally I would be fine with it but it had been a long week and I was cranky and I just didn't understand why I had to meet him there instead of at home...of course I wasn't expecting to be surprised with a special dinner at Nero Vivo on Jalan Ceylon on Changkat Bukit Bintang.

Some of the photos didn't turn out very well...I guess that is what happens when you go to a romantic restaurant with dim lighting... ;-)

Once we had ordered, a bread plate was laid on our table...

The pizza bread is thin, crispy and salty! The perfect combination for me...the other bread wasn't that impressive...and hardly had any flavour.

To start off with I had the Salmon Carpaccio...

This large platter came with cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, capers, kalamata olives, spring onions, hardboiled quail eggs, alfalfa sprouts and shaved fennel drizzled with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon...The salmon was fresh and buttery...combined with the strong salty and acidic flavours this was wonderful. The only thing I would reccomend is that this should be shared between two or more...I struggled with eating this on my own...and R had ordered a leek and potato soup so he was quite full and couldn't help me out.

We were quite full after the starters and so for the main we settled on sharing one of their signature pizzas...I had heard from many people that the pizza here is amazing because they use an authentic brick oven...

Look at that beautiful charred crust...delicious! Our pizza was topped with wild mushrooms, artichoke hearts, ham and pepperoni...we were so full that we ate half and packed the rest.

Of course no dinner is complete without dessert no matter how full you are and so we shared a Tiramisu...

This was served in a cookie crust meant to look like a flower...the tiramisu was good...although perhaps a bit on the sweet side...and I don't mean to be biased but I think the tiramisu I made a few weeks back was much nicer. All in all though this is a good place for a romantic dinner!

On the 14th itself R and I decided to go for Brunch to one of my favourite places...Fogal!

I usually order the burger here without fail but I wanted to try something different without giving up the burger altogether and so I settled on the Cous Cous Salad with a Burger patty on the side.

This was a light and delicious lunch...the Cous Cous had cherry tomatoes, chopped onions, cashews and mint leaves...yum! And the burger patty was a delight as always...juicy...seared nicely...and tasty!

R also decided to forgo the usual burger and ordered the beef kebab set...


I didn't get to try any...but from R's approving nods I could tell it was good!


After this lunch R took me to a cookware store and told me to pick out something that I liked...I ended up leaving with a set of individual pie dishes that double as creme brulee ramekins as well as a beautiful serving platter and a huge smile plastered on my face...I had a wonderful Valentine's weekend thanks to my lovely R!

Idiot's Guide #3: Okara Quinoa Burger

If you've been reading this blog for a long time you would know that I am absolutely nuts about burgers...however having a juicy beef burger daily isn't exactly the healthiest of options...which is why I have been looking for a great vegetarian patty...one that is simple to make and is filled with protein and goodness but not the fat...

Last week I finally came up with something that is not only delicious but is super good for you!

Remember the leftover Okara from the soymilk escapade? I decided that this would be a great addition to a burger patty...along with a favourite of mine...Quinoa...and for an additional salty sweet juicy flavour I added in a Bulgogi paste...but the flavour can be changed depending on what you have on hand...a tomato based sauce works...or even a pesto...or tapenade....the possibilities are endless...so play around with it!

R (The type of guy who believes a meal isn't a meal without some type of meat, chicken or fish) enjoyed eating this eventhough there was not a trace of meat...the patty is very filling...I had it on its own...and R ate it with the burger bun...I even sauteed some bulgogi portobello mushrooms to top it off...absolutely delicious!

Okara Quinoa Burger

1 Cup cooked Quinoa

1 Cup Okara

2 Egg Whites

3 T Bulgogi Sauce (substitute with any sauce/flavour you want)

1 T Spicy brown mustard

1 1/2 tsp Garlic, granulated

1 C bread crumbs

1 tsp Chili powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Drizzle of Olive Oil to cook

Step 1: Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and then shape the patties by hand

Step 2: Heat up the oil in the pan

Step 3: Add the patties to the pan and brown nicely on both sides about 3mins per side

Step 4: Enjoy as a patty alone or in a burger bun topped with your favourite fillings and condiments

The Daily Grind -- Fresh and Innovative Burgers

Over the CNY break I promised to take R to The Daily Grind at Bangsar Village for dinner...I had been going on and on about it ever since I had lunch there 2times over the past few weeks with colleagues and he was curious to find out why.

The Daily Grind is what one would call a gourmet diner...the main food type they serve is burgers...beef, chicken, mushroom, veggie, salmon...you name it! All of the meat is ground fresh just as you order, which is why the menu states that there is a 15min wait for a burger. They even make specialty burgers according to the month...This month's was something special for CNY...a Shanghainese burger with a tangy sauce and oyster mushrooms. Apart from burgers there are some appetizers on the menu along with a few varieties of salads...there are also some meat dishes known as the bunless wonders...but all in all I would pretty much call it a burger joint.

Another thing that makes this place unique is the fact that the sauces are all homemade...the ketchup, chili, and even mustard. These sauces go really well with a round of fries...another special thing about The Daily Grind is that fries are refillable...if you finish up a bowl and have room for more just ask!

The first time I visited I ordered a veggie burger...this was a bun topped with onion rings, a mushroom tempura, some veggies and a cheddar cheese sauce. I found it to be very creamy and filling. The mushroom tempura was crispy and light while the onion rings had a hint of sweetness. The cheese sauce gave it the added richness.

The second time I opted to try a garlic chicken salad...this was tasty, aromatic and fresh! The chicken grilled and tossed in a butter garlic sauce was served on a bed of lettuce and sun dried tomatoes and topped off with a garlic vinagrette. This was wonderful...slightly pricey at RM18...but totally worth it!

Last Friday evening I finally got to bring R there...the only bad thing was that he had visited his aunt's place for lunch and was over stuffed by the time we got to The Daily Grind!! So what did he end up getting?

The soup of the day...an interesting cream of applemint. I must say the flavors in this were phenomenal. It was sweet and creamy without being too heavy...paired with a piece of garlic bread and it made a wonderful light meal.I on the other hand had an appetite and so I decided to go for the beef burger since I hadn't tried it yet. Honestly, the beef burger comes second to Fogal...but the reason I'll keep returning is the fact that they have many interesting gourmet burgers...A Japanese Yodel which is a combination of Portabella and Porcini mushrooms in a fondue sauce...A decadent Fois Gras burger...I'll be sure to try only on a special occasion...even a Roquefort Burger...or an Avacado Chicken burger...the choices are endless...especially for burger freaks like me!

While I would say this takes a toll on your paycheck with the traditional burger starting at RM23 and going up to RM55 for something a little more interesting...I do believe it makes a perfect "once in a while" treat. The chef stresses on quality...all the ingredients are fresh and seasonal. You won't find a more creative burger in Malaysia...unless of course you make one yourself....

Oh I almost forgot! If you have room for dessert give the Peanutbutter and Roasted Banana pie a try...it is truly a sinful delight!

Burgers From Around the World Series : Mediterranean

As I mentioned in my burger loving post I'll be starting a monthly series where I will create burgers inspired by many different countries/regions...this past Sunday I decided to start it all off with a Mediterranean Burger. I wanted to incorporate flavours that are traditionally Mediterranean with a very typical style burger...this used ingredients such as kalamata olives, roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, caramelised eggplant and feta cheese. This is a made up recipe, but let me tell you it was one of the juiciest burgers I have ever had. Its almost as if the ingredients melt within the meat and once you take a bite it gushes into your mouth creating an extremely flavorful experience!


So this is what I ended up doing:


Burger Patty


- Ground Beef (Amount depends on how many burgers you are preparing)

- 4 Garlic Cloves (Cut off the ends, leave the skin on, drizzle with olive oil and wrap in foil. Pop it in the oven for 15mins to roast)

- Handful of Kalamata Olives (Chopped finely)

- 2 pieces of Sun dried Tomatoes (Chopped finely)

- Pepper to taste


I prefer to use my hands for this. Mix the ground beef in with the chopped olives and sun dried tomatoes. Take the garlic out of the oven and let it cool. Squeeze them out of their skin and mash the garlic. Add this to the patty mixture and add pepper to taste. When you form the meat patties press your thumb in the middle of the patty to leave an indentation. This actually helps the patty to keep it's form as it cooks.


Now I wanted to make this an extra special burger so instead of the usual lettuce and tomato to accompany the burger I added a little something else:


- Grilled Eggplant Slices (Drizzle olive oil on a grill pan, place slices of eggplant and grill till they turn brown and fragrant)

- A slice of Feta Cheese

- A piece of Sun dried Tomato


I assembled all of this with half a pita bread and a thin coating of tomato pesto and a side of homemade wedges...Yummy! This made for an incredible burger and if you have the chance try out the beef patty recipe as the ingredients work together perfectly. Next time I might even add a few chopped capers...

A Confession...

I have a weakness...

It's a MAJOR food weakness...

And it goes against everything I preach...

I LOVE...no actually I am OBSESSED with...Burgers & Fries!!!

There! I said it! It's the perfect match made in heaven...a huge juicy burger with crisp salty fries...how does anyone resist? I know I can't! I love burgers with cheese, mushrooms, bacon...I love burgers in any way possible! Every restaurant I go to, if I see a burger on the menu I almost always suffer an internal battle with myself. It goes something like this:

Burger Crazed Me: Ooh! Look there's a burger on the menu...with tons of cool toppings too... I should try it out...who knows..it might just be the next best burger I've ever had!

Rational Me: It's not everyday I get to go out and have a great meal...I should try something different on this menu...something I've never experienced before...

Burger Crazed Me: But it might be an amazingly juicy burger...it might even be better than Silkys! How could you pass up the opportunity to try it out???

Rational Me: I am a food lover!! I need to be adventurous...I can't be having burgers everywhere I go...that'd be boring!

Burger Crazed Me: But its a burger!!! When have you EVER said no to a burger?!?!

This goes on for a good 10mins as I stare at the menu with a slightly glazed over expression...now you know my secret and if you dine with me you'll know exactly what goes through my head!! Decisions...decisions...

The best burger I have ever had was in a little neighborhood bar in Pittsburgh...Silkys...It was only 2 blocks away from my apartment at the time...a dangerous distance for a burgeraholic...but this burger was the right combination of flavor and juiciness...the meat was always tender but perfectly grilled...and the fries had the right amount of crisp to them...oh man I'm getting hungry as I'm writing this and unfortunately Silkys is waaaaay out of my reach now....

When I first moved back to Malaysia my mission was to find a burger just as good...little did I know that this would almost turn out to be mission impossible!! I tried many places...and I found everything but the perfect burger...thin rubbery processed patties...patties that left you wondering if it were beef, chicken, or some other mystery meat...large over cooked patties that were dry and tasteless...patties that had hard little pieces here and there...you get the idea...

I had just about given up...till I was asked to do a food review for a place in Plaza Damas...Fogal Meat Market...this place is so tucked away that I would say it's KL's best kept secret...the minute I walked in I noticed a difference in the meat...the butcher knew what he was doing and all sorts of cuts of meat were available...then my sample platter arrived and I knew I had found what I was looking for...there was a burger patty sitting among all the other meats...it was just the right size...I tucked my fork into it...broke off a piece and took a bite...and a smile crept across my face. I had finally found the perfect burger in Malaysia and there was no doubt about it! In that same week after the food review I went back for lunch with my boyfriend...and then again for dinner with my family...and yes you guessed it...I had a burger both of those times!

I definitely recommend Fogal Meat Market to anyone who is looking for a great burger!!

And now that you know my dirty little secret I've decided to do a burger from around the world series...the first one will be this Sunday where I'll prepare a Mediterranean burger. Check the blog on Monday to see how it goes and I'll be posting the recipe up as well!