Yarl Restaurant - Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

Constantly raved. Over and over again. Colleagues and friends wouldn't stop blowing hot air balloons on Yarl Restaurant, each and every time when Indian food is our central discussion. I have been told, let me tell you that I must give a go this Sri Lankan restaurant, maybe like hundred over times?  Previously just a stall, I bet Yarl must have been grown in popularity, until, mind you, they can actually move into a shop-lot across YMCA (Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3). Major achievement, isn't it? I believe so. I always, will always, support anyone's growth and popularity (Taj Garden), but this whole sentiment on Yarl Restaurant is yet to compute on my mind. Not till I try it out. So, albeit, honestly, I hate the traffic and driving all the way from Shah Alam, and Brickfields, on-my-lord, do I have to say? Parking mess mainly. Still, I made it a point on this Saturday in joining both my friends, who have frequented Yarl Restaurant from time to time. Early to Yarl Restaurant by 11.30am definitely did make us happy. Easy drive. Easy parking, prior to walking to the front entrance, where the food counter is. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you got to do the ordering outside, wonder whether I should start debating on cleanliness, then again, let me just stick with my food venture in Yarl Restaurant.

This narrow and tight food counter area, where you stand in line before pointing or helping yourself for your choices of dishes, over a plate of rice, I tell you, literally is suffocating. While you are trying to decide which to opt for, especially if you are a first timer, those hungry waiting in queue customers can get impatient. So, you better make it quick, otherwise, I bet you won't like how Indians, yes, Indians, stare strip you. We quickly decided between the ample choices, actually, not really a big spread of typical, traditional and authentic Sri Lankan dishes. Curries, stir fried veggies and what not. Thereafter, carefully carrying the plastic banana leaf tray, while ensuring that the dancing and juggling food we have loaded on it does not spill, we made our way into the inside air-conditioned dining area. 

Tanni Saar/Sweet Leaf Dhal Gravy

Fish Curry

Meen Kolumbu/Fish Gravy & Chicken Curry

Chilli Mutton Potato & Spicy Mutton Curry 

Spinach Stir Fried, Potato Stir Fry, Cabbage Stir Fried, Sodhi, French Beans, Keerai Kottu, Mustard Green, Long Beans, Fried Fish & Cucumber Salad

Spicy Crab Parathal & Rasam

Taking the first empty table, quickly, I felt as if I am seated in a food hammer house of horror. Duh! Stares from the mostly Indian customers, the lady at the counter who I think does not believe in, at least combing her hair and the staff. I thought I am in a Jaffna war zone. Presumably. These people not only wouldn't stop starting, they were also massively tickled when I started taking pictures. Why? Regardless I couldn't comprehend why, I quickly took a couple of shots, we had by then called for our drinks and a plate of papadam, prior to tucking into our meal.     

 

More or less, three of us had opted for, more or less similar dishes. Chicken curry, chicken parathal(dry style), mutton curry and veggies cooked alongside spices, curry powder, dhal, lots of coconut milk and chillies. Sri Lankan style valaithandu (banana stem) stir fried with turmeric and coconut, the other worth mentioning is fish puttu (Mackerel Fish Puttu). Bru coffee and hot lime tea did an amazing wonder for this spicy meal. 

Stomach filled up, we didn't want to stay put, not for a moment in the packed stuffy dining area. Settling the bill (RM52.00), I insisted on a group photo with the staff but all ran "Helter-Skelter" except for this guy who couldn't escape.  

My take on Yarl? Wonder what? What's the big hype? Seriously, I can't put  two and two together. Akin an unsolved, no matter what, I can't fix this food venture jigsaw puzzle. No doubt, this traditional Sri Lankan meal must be credited, but sorry guys, wasn't as sensational as said by fellow  foodies. No. Yarl Restaurant wasn't a winner for me. Then again, to each its own, different palates  potentially does sing different notes, if you have not dined in Yarl Restaurant, go, give it a go. Lets exchange our views and opinion thereafter.  

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