From a contemporary serviced apartment in Petaling Jaya, Hanna Hussein goes in search of food
Homely Interior.
"LET'S book a stay somewhere in the city tonight and spend the day food-hunting. What do you say?" asks my husband. I agree immediately and suggest Damansara Utama.
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Popularly known as Uptown Damansara, it is a food haven where eateries and cafes are aplenty. Not to mention, Instaworthy.
Starling Mall recently opened its doors, together with the 23-storey Somerset Damansara Uptown serviced apartments, gives me a reason to check them out.
We quickly turn on the AirAsiaGo Mobile App and search for Somerset Damansara Uptown. Luckily, there are still few rooms available for as low asRM390 a night! With just a click, we book a night's stay in a One-Bedroom Premier Apartment.
HOME FEEL
Fully equipped kitchen, making it a complete home-stay.
As we expected, the traffic at Damansara Uptown is an ordeal especially because some drivers double-park along the narrow road. We decide against parking in the open and drive towards the mall-hotel parking. To our surprise, the car park in the mall is not even half full.
Unlike many mall-hotels, Somerset Damansara Uptown reserves a private parking space for guests within the mall. Follow the hotel car park signage to level three, and you will find another parking entrance to the hotel car park which has a lift to the reception lobby on the six floor.
An outdoor swimming pool, a gym, a self-service laundrette, a children's playroom and the resident's lounge are on the same level.
The one-bedroom has a king bed!
After check-in, I head to my one-bedroom Premier Apartment on level 13. It is a spacious apartment-hotel just like home. It has a living room, a dining area, a fully functional kitchen complete with cooking appliances and utensils, a huge bathroom with shower, as well as a bedroom with king bed and amazing view of the surroundings.
On top of that, the room is equipped with hi-tech power port on a work desk. Complimentary WiFi is provided.
However, the hotel in-house F&B outlet is still under construction; it will open its doors soon. In the meantime, complimentary breakfast for guests is served at the pool from 6.30am to 10.30am.
It's Continental with some typical American breakfast options such as sausages, eggs, hash browns, as well as some local fare including noodles and porridge. The choices rotate daily.
WOOD AND STEEL CHILLOUT
The best Carbonara in town!
We are quite hungry when we arrive at the hotel, so we kick off our food-hunting with a heavy lunch at Wood & Steel, located five minutes away.
We've heard good reviews about Wood and Steel. It has a few branches, the latest in Damansara Uptown.
The restaurant reflects its name — its interior is creatively decorated with wood and steel, very rustic and unique. The ambience is warm and welcoming, a perfect place to chill over a cuppa with friends.
The menu is basic — pasta, salad, coolers, coffee and tea as well as desserts.
We order its bestseller Aglio Olio Seafood (RM27) and since I am starving, I go for the Seafood Carbonara (RM27). Well, the generously portioned carbonara is really tasty as it is so creamy but not too filling.
We order zesty Iced Lemon Lime Tea (RM10) and Latte (RM10).
Parking is troublesome here but you have the option to park at Starling Mall.
JUST A PIE THING
The matcha-mascarpone cheese pie, my favourite!
A few blocks away is A Pie Thing shop, one of my favourite savoury and dessert eateries. I have been here quite a number of times.
The eatery has a cosy and quiet ambience. I have a few favourites especially the cheese pies including the green tea mascarpone cheese and blueberry cheese pies.
For chocolate lovers, I recommend the chocolate fudge pie. The pies here have delectable crusts and very generous fillings. No doubt, they are baked with lots of love.
UPTOWN MIDNIGHT DINE
Go gaga on seafood at Uptown Foodcourt.
We are full, so we decide on a late dinner. It is 11.15pm when my tummy starts growling.
We head down to the third floor where we parked the car, but instead of driving to the food court which is located behind the mall, we take a different lift which leads directly to it. It's so near, just a three-minute walk.
The Uptown food court has been here for years, even before the mall existed. The choices of food here are aplenty. There's western food, local cuisine and more.
Our favourite stall is Jenny Lala, the best place to satisfy your seafood craving, Chinese-style.
We order a plate of siput belitung Kam Heong, Lala Chili and Fried Oysters. It's a bit pricey for a food court but the portions are generous and the dishes are really delicious. The siput belitung Kam Heong is my favourite as it has a twist of curry spices and exotic scent of curry leaves. Really tempting!
GOOD BATCH BRUNCH
Up for a Good Batch breakfast to kick off your day?
The next day, as my husband has to go to work, we have breakfast buffet by the pool.
While he goes off to work, I stay until check-out at noon and continue my foodhunting.
By noon, I am already starving, so I head to Good Batch, another hip eatery in Uptown Damansara recommended by social media.
Finding the place is easy with Google Maps. It's just located across Uptown Food Court.
The interior of Good Batch is very rustic, yet it has a classy feel. The music is soulful, mellow and slow beat. I feel so relaxed!
As this is my first visit, choosing something from the menu is tough, as everything sounds good. Here at Good Batch, you can have breakfast all-day.
It offers weekday lunches with free apple or orange juice (RM27), with a few selections from the menu, which I opt for. I go for the Bangers and Mash meal with orange juice and add on soup of the day (for an additional RM5).
Service is quick, within minutes I get my drink and prawn bisque soup. The soup has a very mild, tomato taste but may be a good start to a big meal.
The Bangers and Mash consists of two Spanish chicken sausages, two perfectly poached eggs with sauteed spinach atop a spread of oh-so-delicious mashed potato.
It is also served with Hollandaise sauce and baby croutons. Mixing everything together gives a dynamite of flavours in my mouth.
My verdict — definitely a good start to kick off your day with a delicious meal here!
SWEET SOFT SERVE
Of course, end it with a sweet soft dessert at Soft Serve!
I end my food journey in Uptown Damansara with a bang of sweetness at Soft Serve, another Insta-famous eatery. All the pictures posted on Instagram are so tempting and finally I have my chance to taste the desserts myself.
There's plenty to choose from the menu — vanilla milk, dark chocolate and there's a seasonal flavour which turns out to be watermelon.
I opt for the signature combination FunFair with callebaut dark chocolate (RM12.90). The ice-cream is so soft, so rich and so creamy. Oh, and I love the Funfair combination, as every bite has a taste of candy and the sweet roasted marshmallow goes well with the dark chocolate. There's also the sweetness of the honey.
Oh, I feel like another bowl!
FAST FACTS
SOMERSET DAMANSARA UPTOWN PETALING JAYA
2A, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The 24-storey Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya features 211 contemporary serviced apartments, offering a choice of studios, one-and twobedroom apartments.
EAT
Daily breakfast are served at the swimming pool, until further notice.
GO
Food-hunting around Uptown Damansara!
HIGHS
Apartment style, perfect for families or business travellers.
LOWS
No in-house F&B outlet yet but, not to worry, you are surrounded by plenty of restaurants and cafes!
BOOKING YOUR STAY
It's easy with the AirAsiaGo mobile app. You are just a click away to your stay in this chic and stylish hotel.
To enjoy more discounts, look out for the 10 per cent Mid-Month Madness promo code on AirAsiaGo's Facebook, on top of its daily mobile exclusive deals that can go up to 75 per cent.
