I have watched this new restaurant with interest. It wants to be a higher end steak house but the menu items have a decidedly local twist to it. The Dataran Sunway F&B scene is very competitive and many restaurants have tried and failed to make it big here. I have a seen a very promising new entry this year (a pho place) but this one doesn’t look like it’s going to be successful. It didn’t help that the restaurant was empty all the time.
I walked in this evening to see what they’re all about. They have plastic dishes on the front, so I know it’s all steaks but I wanted to try it for myself. Moment Cuisine feels like a steak house for local palates and even has the definition of rare, medium, medium well and well done on their menu. The interior looks a lot like a budget hotel trying to look classy, with linen covered high back chairs flanking glass topped tables.
Banana Milkshake (RM 10.90)
I was interested to see they have a range of real milk shakes…meaning, milkshakes made with real fruits. I opted for banana and was pleasantly surprised to see it’s made with real bananas and not the nasty artificial flavoring from a bottle (looking at you Monin). It’s pretty good. I nearly ordered another one when I finished mine, but at RM 11 per glass, it’s a little on the high side.
Moment’s House Grilled Australian Ribeye Steak (RM 43.90)
I ordered the house specialty, which is a ribeye from Australia. It comes with 3 choices of sauces – black pepper, mushroom and something called “Aromatic BBQ Sauce”. I went for the last one since I’m not very keen on the first two localized ones. The steak was very high quality. I was surprised – it’s all good meat with no gristle.
I had it rare and it came out rare. This is the most expensive item on the menu. The ribeye steak was juicy and tasty and goes very well with the apple barbecue sauce.
Moment Cuisine Steak House surprised me. I expected them to do localized bad steak, and while the first part was correct (it is indeed tailored to local tastebuds) the second bit wasn’t. The cuts of beef were high quality and I enjoyed eating the steak. The cold sides could do with more work though. I don’t think they’ll do very well here since it’s neither here nor there but I’ll like to be proved wrong. It’s targeting Chinese customers e.g. the food isn’t halal and they serve pork chops too. Problem is, Chinese traditionally don’t eat a huge amount of meat. I don’t mind dropping in for another juicy steak, though at RM 63 for dinner, it’s not going to be a daily thing.
I’m surprised that they have those gaily-draped chairs (which bring to mind some wedding banquet in those ballrooms)…but no tablecloth. The tissue dispenser and the plastic sauce bottle also get the thumbs down – obviously, fine dining, it isn’t. Ummmm….by the way, your table sure wasn’t glass-topped?
I’m not sure if it’s coz I came in at an odd hour (around 5 pm) so they weren’t finished with the tablecloths or they didn’t have any. Oh right, I just noticed my table wasn’t glass topped. The tables at the side have a glass surface on top of the wood though, but I shifted due to bad lighting. I was the only one in there at the time, although 2 guys came in from dinner as I was about to finish. They looked like office workers from around the area and came on foot.
I agree that many restaurants have tried and failed to make it big in that area.
The chairs and decor seems to need some attention to set the ambiance right. The price is like a hotel standard but if the food was good, it is worthwhile. I am still learning to eat rare steaks! LOL
I’ll only eat filet mignon, ribeye and sirloin rare. Not all steaks are meant to be eaten rare. Cuts like chuck and skirt steak have different connective tissue and fat profiles so it tastes nicer when cooked medium rare. I find eating rare steaks better coz it’s very tender and juicy, if it’s cooked too much it’ll be tough and dry. Yeah, a lot of places already closed down here and new ones opened up to replace them.
I totally agree on many eateries not making it in that area. I personally have a tough time keeping up with who’s who and where they at coz by the time I feel like eating at their place, they are already closed down.
This steak house may not be able to last long too as not many people will eat like this everyday. Even those ‘economy rice’ place have a hard time sustaining their business what more this.
Yeah, it needs to be something people will eat everyday since that’s the main captive market e.g. people working in offices nearby. The chap fan place that closed down was due to competition – there was a newer and better one at the other end of the block which just opened late last year. I think it’s good to have competition coz the old one that closed down always overcharge for their food since they were the only ones there at the time.
I don’t eat chap fan much so I was pleased to see it being replaced by a Vietnamese owned pho restaurant. I’ve been going there quite often, it’s my 3rd time already. They just opened 2 weeks ago and the food is AWESOME! You should check it out if you’re in the area. They’re called Pho Le Saigon and they also have broken rice and other dishes. Highly recommended.
i think I’ve saw this Moment Cuisine in other place, their branch probably~
I don’t eat rare steak , too bloody for my liking >_<
It will be interesting to see if this place will survive in the long run. I myself only dare to try medium rare steaks and don’t think I will go this far for affordable good steaks because like your observation, I am with those who don’t eat a lot of meat per meal.