This post is about my experience at Hayaki@Damansara Uptown way before the MCO. This restaurant has been around like for ages. The name Hayaki sounds Japanese to me hah..hah.. It is near Village Park, occupying the corner lot, so it has a big floor space.
I heard about the nasi kerabu from my brother and he said it is not bad. I meant to go there to eat but somehow I did not like the ambiance.
It felt unwelcoming, in spite of the big space and ample seating. I just could not bring myself to walk inside. It had a repelling energy (to me).
It felt unwelcoming, in spite of the big space and ample seating. I just could not bring myself to walk inside. It had a repelling energy (to me).
Just before the Chinese New Year, I walked to Annie-1, hoping to get my wanton mee fix. But alas, the place was packed and the two seater tables were all taken.
Bah! So now what? Hayaki was just nearby and I braved myself to go there.
The place was practically empty (it was a Friday) and the only people there were the staff and Grabfood riders.
I took a seat and checked the menu.
Hmm...quite a lot of things.
Lots of interesting drinks.
They also have budget sets which come with a drink.
The Mango Ice Rock looks interesting but might be too sweet, I don't know.
I settled on the Nasi Kerabu Ayam Madu which I have ordered via Grafood before and found to be very delicious.
Service was very, very slow. All the time while I was seated, I kept hearing the endless ding! ding! ding! ding! of orders coming in from Grabfood.
You see the girl up there? The order machine is on the table where she is at and you can see the many packages of food waiting to be picked up.
My kopi-o ais kosong was served after forever. I'm afraid it was diluted. Then it was another long wait for the nasi kerabu.
While waiting, I saw many Grabfood riders coming in for pick up.
Business is very good even though the restaurant is empty.
Finally my food was served. They were too busy with Grabfood orders and dine-in customer has to wait.
The nasi kerabu was pretty good and I enjoyed my lunch. But from now on, I will just order via Grabfood and won't be dining in. Just as well that this is now the new normal.
guess since nasi kerabu is something that still tastes good even if you don't eat it straightaway, it's perfect for deliveries. i like how you 'gaul' everything to the max - i sometimes forget to do that with nasi kerabu and nasi ulam, since i like to start by tasting each ingredient separately :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, you must mix it all up for maximum flavors. Remember that the next time you eat nasi kerabu :)
Deletethe food looks good....it's a waste that they occupy a corner lot when nobody is dining in. They should have just close that and save on rental. I just noticed it is a 24 hour restaurant....not bad eh...can have nasi kerabu any time of the day!
ReplyDeleteI heard that they have many customers late at night (before MCO). It's like a lepak place for night owls.
DeleteIt has a repelling energy? Got spirits? Must ask tm to go talk to them. I don't think I will dare to go eat there at all.
ReplyDeleteNo, not of the eerie kind. Just an unwelcoming vibe.
DeleteThe name sure sounds Japanese. I absolutely hate places like this - will never ever go back again! The incompetence gets my blood boiling!!!
ReplyDeleteI also read from Google reviews that the waiting time is terrible.
DeleteBusiness sounds good but look like mostly order via Grab.
ReplyDeleteNasi kerabu, I am craving after looking at your photo.
I feel like placing an order soon.
DeleteI wonder why that is so....no dine-in customers but popular with GrabFood. Maybe they focussed too much on delivery and gave priority to them that they pissed off the dine-in customers...kekeke! ;D Like that, they might as well operate from one lot and save on rent. There are some places like that for me too that I can't explain but just don't like to dine-in.
ReplyDeleteBtw, the well charred ayam madu looks all sticky and good. Now that you've dined-in as well as ordered delivery, so what kind of price difference did you see? My only issue with GrabFood is that they always advertise as "same as in store prices" when they're obviously not. :(
From what I heard, they are more popular late at night, a hangout place for the night owls hah..hah...
DeleteThe ayam madu is pretty good, I think you will like it. I just checked and the price on Grabfood is the same in-store. But I also know of certain places where the price is higher but they say same as in-store >.<
This restaurant is a bit funny. Before the MCO, their tables have weird layout and arrangement. That's why the energy is not welcoming plus its funny partitions. More funny is that they are packed only after dinner at night or midnight. Food wise, I am happy cos I only entertained guests who flew into KL late and needed late meals.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to have late night visitors, all the burung hantu LOL!
DeleteI suspect they hired staff from Kelantan in the kitchen and counter as the folks there are slow like romancing on the Pantai Cahaya Bulan mode. Wakakakak
ReplyDeletehah..hah...ya lor, people from east coast are more relaxed.
DeleteThe atmosphere and energy are impt in a restaurant, i once went to a book cafe and i find the atmosphere intimidating that me and my buddy dont dare to walk in.
ReplyDeleteAh...intimidating, that's the word! Yes, some places give off that kind of feeling.
DeleteWow. Looks so yummy!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. fish steak restaurant
ReplyDeleteHayaki, who would thought that it is a mamak style restaurant! LOL
ReplyDelete