16 replies to this topic

[PCL]

Being based in the region at the moment, I recently had the a couple of revelatory steak related experiences while in Hong Kong. I thought to myself, 'it's impossible that the same can't be had in KL or Singapore,' however, people I've spoken to have all either sneered or shaken their heads.

In KL, there used to be Jakes in Damansara, off what is now that ultra busy super road that leads into town. Then the chefs moved to Bukit Damansara and opened up Rib Cage. They were good. Wholesome, no nonsense steak houses serving up an awesome oxtail soup to boot.

Then The Ship, I'd tried them a couple times in the past, but we're talking years now.

So it occured to me, ask eGullet. There might just be someone who knows....

[Tepee]

Hey PCL

Jake's charbroiled steaks has opened in the Feast Village in Starhill. Hubby also said IHO, good steak can be found at San Francisco Steak House which has outlets in D'sara Intan, Mid Valley and Sunway Summit.

Edited by Tepee, 16 July 2006 - 03:44 AM.

[PCL]

I've eyed off San Francisco a couple times now... always been wary of chains, but hey, always a first time, so next time I'm at Mid Valley, might just give it a whack... probably for lunch.

Funny thing was, the family and I piled into Jake's last night (the original) and they were celebrating 25 years in the business with one change of ownership like I'd mentioned earlier. I got talking to the present owners and turns out, seeing as I started going there with the fam from when I was about 5, they kind of recognised me as the 'longest' serving customer there that night!! Pretty cool.

I digress... food was excellent. The old fashioned prawn cocktail rocked, the potato skins rocked, the oxtail soup was tasty but maybe with a little too much starching to thicken up... and the steaks... they exceeded expectations. Dad had the tenderloin and I saddled up with a Wagyu sirloin. Well cooked, and even though we sent back an overdone rib of lamb, service did not miss a beat. I was also impressed with the beer list!

Any other names for KL/Singapore???

[JC]

I think all the better known steak houses have already been mentioned. How about Victoria Station, which is next to Jake's?

Say PCL, how is Vlado's in Melbourne? Someone once mentioned to me their steaks were very good.

[Julian Teoh]

I've eyed off San Francisco a couple times now... always been wary of chains, but hey, always a first time, so next time I'm at Mid Valley, might just give it a whack... probably for lunch.

Funny thing was, the family and I piled into Jake's last night (the original) and they were celebrating 25 years in the business with one change of ownership like I'd mentioned earlier. I got talking to the present owners and turns out, seeing as I started going there with the fam from when I was about 5, they kind of recognised me as the 'longest' serving customer there that night!! Pretty cool.

I digress... food was excellent. The old fashioned prawn cocktail rocked, the potato skins rocked, the oxtail soup was tasty but maybe with a little too much starching to thicken up... and the steaks... they exceeded expectations. Dad had the tenderloin and I saddled up with a Wagyu sirloin. Well cooked, and even though we sent back an overdone rib of lamb, service did not miss a beat. I was also impressed with the beer list!

Any other names for KL/Singapore???

How about Le Bouchon in Changkat Bukit Bintang? Not a steakhouse, but being a French place, they do a good grilled sirloin and tournedos Rossini. The owners also claim to use goose foie gras, which for some reason is incredibly hard to find in Sydney.

[ecr]

PCL, what kind of sauce for the prawn cocktail at Jake's - Australian-style (French dressing-ish) or American-style (horseradish-based tomato-ey)?

FWIW, Le Meridien @ Sentrel is advertising the imminent opening of their 'international' steak restaurant, whatever that means....

[PCL]

Hmmm... the Le Med... could be an American chain. I've heard rumours of Morton's opening up in KL. They are a Chicago based chain and they have a restaurant in Tsim Tsa Tsui, Hong Kong. It's pretty good, but there are better in HK.

Julian, first up, I just remembered I never got round to giving you my notes on that thing you were doing. Apologies. Now, re: Le Bouchon... not good reports at all from my folks and friends, but seeing as you've given it a thumbs up, I'll just have to wander down. I like the area. RE: Goose foie... I am confident that in KL, one can get good quality foie. Like at Cilantro, Frangipani etc. Even some high end Chinese restaurants to it well. The problem with Sydney, or the whole of Australia really, is that you can only get the stuff pasteurises, aka mi cuit as the French call it. Damn quarantine laws. It's illegal to grow it in Australia.


ecr: The sauce is the American type, actually, pretty close to a Thousand Island... now, that is retro classic steakhouse stuff...

JC: Vlado's is Vlado's... an institution. It's a good place to start. The steaks are superlative. Nothing fussy, just meat meat meat and more meat. I've never reviewed it simply because it's been too long since I was last there, but post a question on the Aussie forum... I'm sure people will bite.

[yunnermeier]

Or what about the Australian Outback Steak House in Bangsar Village? I haven't been there but have heard good stories about it.

[ecr]

Ack! American-style, to this American anyway, is tomato-horseradishy. It should have a good bite from the horseradish and not be too sweet. We encountered that Thousand Island-ish version in Australia. An utter abomination. (No offense to Aussies intended ).

[PCL]

Okay, to be fair, it was quite a piquant sauce. It wasn't too Thousand Island-ish...

And yunner, re: Outback Steakhouse... sounds like another chain/gimmick thing ... scary...

But in the name of intrepid dining... I might just venture forth.

[Shiewie]

Although not a steakhouse, Chalet at Equatorial does a pretty good tenderloin. I'm not a big fan of Jake's though.

[PCL]

Good and bad opinions wanted... Shiewie, would you mind elaborating on Jake's?

I've heard good things about Chalet. It's a Swiss type restaurant isn't it?

[ShawnTripp]

In KL I have only had (and will continue to have) steak at one place...Suzy's Steakhouse. I think its on Jalan Ampang. Cheap atmosphere, cheap prices, great steaks. Tenderloin for 20RM can't be beat.

In Singapore there are many options...
Morton's - Chicago based very high end chain, cheapest steak $75, Oriental Hotel
Lawry's - Prime rib specialists, Orchard Road
All hotel restaurants have a standard steak on them
The Cellar Door - Bukit Timah Road, NZ Aussie theme, good steak.

[Rambutan]

In KL I have only had (and will continue to have) steak at one place...Suzy's Steakhouse. I think its on Jalan Ampang. Cheap atmosphere, cheap prices, great steaks. Tenderloin for 20RM can't be beat.

In Singapore there are many options...
Morton's - Chicago based very high end chain, cheapest steak $75, Oriental Hotel
Lawry's - Prime rib specialists, Orchard Road
All hotel restaurants have a standard steak on them
The Cellar Door - Bukit Timah Road, NZ Aussie theme, good steak.

Agree with you about Suzy's corner. it's not only visited by locals but I know for a fact the Expatriates living In KL regularly visits the place too. It's in Jalan Ampang and any decent Taxi Driver would know it by name. Cheap steak and casual dining experience the malaysian way.

As for The Ships claim for the best steak in town, i would they have the best chewy steak in town is more accurate. If you like to exercise your jaws, than The Ship is the best place to go to....

Another place worth mentioning is Chilis at Suria KLCC. Good portions and the price not so bad.

[DeliciouslyLekker]

For steak, Prime at Le Meridien is said to be the best!

[Rambutan]

Although not a steakhouse, Chalet at Equatorial does a pretty good tenderloin. I'm not a big fan of Jake's though.

Chalet is closing down at the end of this month. What a pity, the place has been around since 1973 and one of the longest running fine dining restaurants in KL. They are going to tear down Equatorial Hotel and henceforth the fate of Chalet has been sealed....

Edited by Rambutan, 18 March 2012 - 11:02 AM.

[Keith_W]

We have a thread on steakhouses in KL and nobody has mentioned The Coliseum in Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman yet? My dad ate there when he was a kid, I ate there when I was a kid, and my old man assures me it has not changed one bit. It's really old fashioned in a colonial kind of way. Worth a look.