Petaling Street
111 Kingsway
Glen Waverley, VIC
A beautiful Sunday, our brand new baby girl in tow, the wife and I decided we’d put off exploring Glen Waverley for far too long. Especially as it was sort of near our neighbourhood now. I have to say, the choices on offer down Kingsway in Glen Waverley made this reviewer’s mouth water. There was Chinese and Japanese of course. But look a little deeper and you’ll find Vietnamese, Korean, Taiwanese, Hainese, Thai and of course, Malaysian. We’d always loved Malaysian food, even before spending our honeymoon in Langkawi and KL and my wife is always on the lookout for a real knockout Nasi Lemnak. Preferably one that is scoldingly hot.
So it was that we finally decided to try Petaling Street. In fact, there was also The Straits of Malacca, but that was so crazy busy with a line outside the door, that we decided we’d come back later in the week. During the week. For an early lunch. Before the crowd hits. Anyway, we’re not there yet. Let’s get back to Petaling Street.
Definately one of those restaurants with a ton of things on the menu. To be honest, that always worries me a bit. So much on offer, but what do they do really well? Do they do anything really well? Well, for today’s lunch, the wife natually ordered the Nasi Lemnak (without the usual nuts – she’s allergic) and I ordered an entree of Lobak and a Combination Stirfry with Fried Noodles. Yes, I know the noodle dish is extremely boring, but it was what I was in the mood for, plus a sign of a good restaurant to me is somewhere that can elevate boring to something new, exciting and surprising.
Well, basically, I was disappointed. But not in these delectable Lobak rolls. They were perfect. Yummy deep fried five-spice meat rolls wrapped in beancurd skin. Made a change from the usual spring rolls you always get (I always get). These were lovely.
Well, there wasn’t anything technically wrong with my stirfry, it just was very ho hum, same same. Personally I love the gluggy sauce, especially when it softens the crispy egg noodles. I guess I was just hoping for something a bit more Malaysian and not generic Chinese. Not bad but I wouldn’t get it again.
The wife got her Nasi Lemnak (sans nuts) and it looked fine, if unspectaular. Let me explain. The first picture below is what we got at Petaling Street. Ok. Not bad. The second picture is what we had for breakfast in KL. Yowsa! Yum yum yum!
I was told by my critical wife that it was ok. Not nearly spicy enough – even after she ordered extra sambal. The beef was nice and not too fatty. The coconut rice was lovely. All in all she liked it, but her quest to find the perfect Nasi Lemnak in Melbourne still continues.
Dessert Story
Kingsway
Glen Waverley, VIC
So, as a side note we also went to Desert Story for (you guessed it) a sweets course. This kitch Taiwanese place is also found on Kingsway, Glen Waverley – just across the road and down a ways. Its a little intimidating since the few times we passed by before deciding to stop and try, up until when we left, we were the only non-Asian people to eat there. But it was fun!
My wife loves a good Asian dessert. Although not remotely Asian herself, she grew up for a few of her early years in Indonesia, so she knows more than me about the different flavour combinations. Having said that, it was a Taiwanese establishment, and that’s my territory having lived and worked in Taiwan for over four years. In the end, she got a typical shaved ice/condensed milk desert thing with mixed fruit and it was heavenly. Just sweet enough without being over powering, and lots of different flavors with the very fresh fruit.
Mine was a more simple affair, harking back to my desire to try something that made compare favorably to the Malaysia I know well. I went for a Coconut Sago with fresh Mango. Delicious! Highly recommeneded.
I have since found out that the Desert Story store had just opened a couple of weeks ago. There is also one in China Town in the city. For that matter, there are – apparently – several Petaling Street restaurants about town as well.
So, in summary . . .
Petaling Street
Price: $$
Value: Very good value
Food: Standard so far – will go back and be more adventurous next time
Ambience: Not sure, sat outside. Look nice inside though.
Service: Very Good
Rating: 9 out of 20.
Dessert Story
Price: $$
Value: Good value
Food: Delicious, well balanced and fresh!
Ambience: Again not sure, sat outside. Again, looked nice inside.
Service: Very Good
Rating: 14 out of 20.
