Ikan Cencaru at Mum's Place... June 26, 2009

I ought to really carry a sling bag with me every time I go out. So that I have no excuse for not bringing my camera and uploading blurry pictures here. Blurry photos does not do justice to the food... My fault... I'm bad... I'm bad... You know it! (bereavement of MJ's  passing... still).

Anyway, Mum's Place is one of those eateries that is so reputable that people are willing to travel the distance to have dinner there. Though the menu has grown over the years but what most patrons return for are the local nyonya dishes which I refrain from calling simple because the preparation required to present an unpretentious looking dish does not necessary mean that it is  any lesser. Well, Gordon Ramsay don't have to pound red shallots, chilly and belacan for his fillet mignon. Not to undermine western cooking but I believe all form of cuisine deserves it's place in this world. Maybe I am just being argumentative, I am sure may people would agree with me. Gosh, it is the weekend... why am I so sensitive?

Maybe all this is to put things into perspective. The blurry photos aside but I must admit that the dishes were really not well presented. No fancy carved carrot and turnip figurines or assortment of garden salad by the side. Nothing that will wow you at the first instant. But of course, the restaurant itself is nothing less than classy and yet exudes the warmth and homely environment. Every piece of furniture is wood. The restaurant is spacious. Good mix of tables, whether to seat a couple for a romantic dining getaway or a rowdy family gathering partitioned away by indonesian teak wood  dividers . Staff were very attentive and the service is quick and brisk. 

Of course, what we are really after is the delicious home cook flavors from the kitchen. I have had dinner here several times already and I try to sample new dishes each time I come but one thing for sure, without fail, the Stuffed Ikan Cencaru will always have my divine devotion and make it to the order.

I am going to be really objective here. How good can fry fish be? You might giggle, sniggle or laugh out loud as I say this... but it is truly damn good. Fish fried to perfection... crispy on the outside while maintaining the moist fish flesh infused with sambal which is totally cooked through unlike some sambal stuffed cencaru where the chilly is still raw. You will also find a delicious stock oozing out from the fish flavoured by the spicy sambal which is likely to be pounded chilly, shallot, belacan and various other spices. To really push the needle, Mum's has added petai to the fish but I am not sure whether it was part of the sambal or it was fried separately but the flavor is just amazing. The slight bitterness of petai with the savory flavorsome fish and spicy sambal. My mouth is watering as I am typing this... gosh. 

After all the banter on my sambal stuffed cencaru, I am not going to do must justice to the rest of the other dishes. Ha! Favoritism... so what? Shoot me? Ha ha... I think we all deserve to have our favorites and it is just a representation of our own preference, choice and perhaps a reflection of our individualism. Yes and mine is Mum's Place Stuffed Ikan Cencaru. ; P

You know what.... as I am not going to be objective from this point onwards since I am so in love with my sambal stuffed ikan cencaru, I mind as well just stop here. You can look up the rest of the photos. There are two only by the way - the first one was creamy soft shell crab and the second the otak-otak with thai sweet and spicy chilly sauce. There are both good in my view... of course not exceptional, as that proclamation has gone to nothing other than my beloved Stuffed Ikan Cencaru. 

Enjoy... Anyway, Damansara Perdana is not too far away from town. Just take the Penchala Link, without traffic 20-30mins from town. While you are here, you can shop at the Curve or Ikano Power Station. What a wonderful weekend! Yahoo...

Mum's Place

31-1 to 39-1 Jalan PJU 8/5A

Damansara Perdana

47820 PJ

Tel :+603-7727 8443/ 7727 8449

Website: www.mumsplace.com.my