Several months ago (we’re talking April here) the boy and I were ready to party with Cosmic Gate, a German trance dj duo who had an intimate concert in Sydney. For those that listen to trance, these are the guys who produced Exploration of Space and The Theme – two very popular trance anthems. Yes, I am a trance fan and a party goer (who would have thought hey?) but the night really tested me as it was a “rave” so to speak from 10pm – 6am. Nope, I didn’t last but it was a mighty good effort. Before dancing my way through the night we needed to feed our bellies! With our cravings for Malaysian food, Chinta Ria Mood for Love was the perfect place to try out.
It is situated on the Dining Precinct of Westfield Sydney. I love the atmosphere and feel of the place. It makes you feel like you’re in your own movie. Check out the restaurant gallery photos from their website. It’s stunning.
With wanting to choose nearly everything on the menu, we thought it was best to do a set menu which included a lot of the dishes we wanted to try anyway. Please note that the menu does change according to produce in season. What we experienced then is not the same menu as what is now.
I always, always love starting off my meals with a lychee flavoured mocktail. Usually it’s a concoction of lychee, lemonade and sometimes a few herbs. Lovely.
We’re lucky enough to sample both the chicken and beef skewers with the peanut sauce which was absolutely addictive. There’s something about grilled meats on a stick, dunked in peanut sauce that is just awesome.
This is a very poor photo of the “Sassy Roll”. I was too amazed by the carved vegetable garnishes on the plate. My bad. It is a minced chicken blend with 5 spice seasoning wrapped in bean curd skin. The fried bean curd skin was golden and crispy but once it hit the inside of your mouth it melted. Ooooh it was good.
Steamed scallops with chill sauce was next. Everything tastes better with chilli. This was no exception! This sauce reminded me a little bit of the singaporean crab sauce I usually have nearby home when I eat my chilli crab.
This was the first time I had otak otak. To be honest, I had no idea what I was eating. According to wiki it is a fish paste cake cooked with spices cooked in banana leaves. It was freaking amazing! Why have I not eaten this before? I found it so cute that it came out in a bamboo steamer too.
The boy found it too spicy so I devoured it all. I was cheering because it meant I could eat the whole thing. Winning!
The deep fried prawns were great. It had a lovely crunchy batter but yet the flesh inside was not compromised – it was still tender and juicy.
It is quite hard to go wrong with deep fried squid/calamari. I liked the fact that the pieces weren’t too big. I usually dislike it when I have to take a bite out of it, and its chewy so then I end up putting the whole thing in my mouth anyways.
The beef rendang is absolutely comforting. I must admit I am used to a little more curry soup but this one hit the spot with all the flavours. The beef was amazingly tender. This was a hit with the boy also.
Light, buttery, fluffy roti is served. I gobble my portion in a flash, and the boy isn’t willing to give me any more of his :(
Our waiter for the evening gives us a sample of the flavoured rice. It has a light and fragrant chicken flavour. It sure was tasty!
‘Missy Mushrooms’ is a plate full of a variety of mushrooms cooked with soy and ginger is suprisingly tasty. I love enoki mushrooms and I think the deep fried enoki on top added some much needed texture.
We finish off with a dessert platter. Now if you’re a fan of durian you would absolutely love the durian pannacotta, like my boyfriend did. You should have seen him hold up the glass like as if he had just won a trophy. He was the happiest kid with the biggest grin I had ever seen. Me, on the other hand, well, I had very little to say and my face expressions said it all. It wasn’t pretty. I tried to give durian ago but I’m just one of those that do not like it. Happy to never eat it again :)
On the platter we also had some kueh dadar (coconut palm sugar rolls wrapped in a light pandan crepe), cassava cake and pandan sago. I’ve never really had Malaysian desserts so it was a joy to try new things. I love pandan so needless to say I quite enjoyed the desserts (all but the durian of course :P).
At $55 per person for this set menu, the boy and I thought it was great value. You get a taste of many things from the menu. We are full, happy and ready to dance the night away.
Chinta Ria Mood For Love
Westfield Sydney
Level 6, Shop 6009
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel:+ 6 12 8072 8888
http://www.chintamoodforlove.com/
such a good deal love love otak otak – it’s too spicy for me but I still eat it lol :D
Haha I love the spice. It needs to be even more spicy :p
We always have the tasting menu at Mood for Love, it’s so much easier when the decision-making on what dishes to have has already been done for you. Hope you had a good trance (is that the right term? sounds a bit dreamy!)
Agree with you there. This is the best value banquet menu. Haha I did have a good night “trancing”? Lol xx
this place looks amazing.
It really is great. Hope you get the chance to go ;)
The food looks great! I’ve had otak otak but it was served in a banana leaf-what an interesting way of serving it in the steamer :)
I think i need to try otak otak elsewhere now :p
I love Malaysian food and this all looks wonderful. As it’s very cold here today I love the sound of the spicy dishes. That rave party would have been just getting started as I would have been getting ready for bed! xx
it is really good value. Must try and make it there soon.
the sago dessert looks really good! :)
the deep fried prawns would be another dish id want to try!
I think I am probably the only one that had a bad experience at Chinta Ria where I must have ordered all the wrong dishes. Might have it a second try.
hmm what did you try?
For some strange reason, I have never gotten around to eating at Chinta Ria… your post has reminded me I need to rectify that!
I luuuurve Otak Otak! The roti looks perfect :D
I don’t know where I’ve been all this time but that otak otak was ahhhhhmazingggggggg
going there next week. so excited!
Yayyyyy! Can’t wait for you to try