Simply Fusion

Rather than steer away from the negative connotations of fusion cuisine with its mish-mash of confused flavours, Simply Fusion decided to embrace this challenging form of cooking whole-heartedly. They couldn’t have made their intentions clearer with a name like that.

This is their third edition after the main branch in Rawang and another outlet in Kepong. So they must have received enough endorsement to tempt them into Jaya One.

The menu contains well-known dishes such as Nasi Goreng and Chicken Curry Noodles, but given a fusion twist. Amongst the more adventurously named had to be the Peppered Fish and Chips and Phad Thai Fettuccine.

They also had quite an impressive choice of drinks. There was a melange of juices, floats, hot and cold teas and coffees, yoghurt smoothies, milk shakes, ice cream and even the ubiquitous bubble tea. Add to that a well-endowed cake counter and you really are faced with a difficult decision when it comes to what to order.

When in doubt, always ask for advice. Attention was ¬¬promptly directed to the set menu. For a princely sum of RM29.10, you could try the Pepper Fore Shank (RM21.90) and get a cake and a drink as well. I was assured that it was their number one seller. They were proud enough to make it the centrepiece of all their posters outside the restaurant, so it had to be worth a try.

First to arrive was the Azuki Fritz. It was an ice-blended drink of azuki beans and milk, topped with more azuki. If this was meant to be fusion, then the influences surely escaped me but the drink itself was refreshing and not overly sweet.

The main event of Pepper Fore Shank was an enormous specimen, swimming in a generous amount of sauce. Although the flesh was easily dislodged from the bone, a little more time in the braising pot would have elevated it to unctuous. The sauce however, was very tasty, with a strong hint of fresh pepper.

The most interestingly named Root Beer Spaghetti (RM11.80) had to be ordered. It was rather curiously served in a boat shaped bowl, held in a wooden frame. Although the contribution of root beer was beyond me, the pasta was actually cooked al dente and Mexican root beer chilli sauce was rather nice.

Dessert perhaps was the biggest disappointment. With a name like Taste of Heaven (RM5.80), it promised so much but delivered so little. Soggy alternating layers of vanilla and coffee sponge were glued together with a sickening chocolate buttercream. The entire cake was then smothered with more of the off-putting buttercream.

But the staff did try their best and the restaurant was comfortable enough for a relaxing afternoon. Just remember to say no to heaven.

TEXT & PHOTO : CHAN WAI LEE