Reuben's Restaurant & Bar

A casual online search for eateries in a wider area, but not too far from Kota Kemuning, and Reuben’s Rimbayu popped up. Another Reuben’s outlet caught my eye too. Oh, it was their flagship outlet, located at Ativo Plaza, Bandar Sri Damansara.

Honestly, whoever Reuben is, it didn’t matter to me at all. Neh! But those countless reviews on their Google Business Profile? Now, that’s another story altogether. The reviews certainly tickled my taste buds and sparked my food curiosity. I couldn’t help but go like, “What’s with all the hoops and hoopla about Reuben’s?” The other thing was the word pricey in the reviews.

Never mind, I told myself. With RM100 set aside as budget (INDONESIAN STREET FOOD) for lunch at Reuben’s Rimbayu, and having repeatedly checked their menu online, I told my hub it should be enough. We’d do fine.

We were already in Reuben’s Rimbayu, at a table across from the open kitchen, just minutes before the clock struck 12 pm. I loved the lit tea candles on our table. Oh-My-Mamma-Mia! That touch really meant something to me, with all those tiring workdays behind me. It certainly put a smile on my face. And for the first time in ages, it felt like we were having a romantic meal together. Likewise, the bottle of water and two glasses placed on our table? I was over the moon. Assumingly water is free. Walla-Wao! Actually, we didn’t touch the water.

 

The ambience is a winning formula for me. A corner location with glass paneling lets natural sunlight stream in. There is also an outdoor dining area where, I imagine, the nightlife and bar scene would be alive and kicking.

 

Somehow, I felt we should have been at Reuben’s later in the evening for some dine-and-wine time. But ah, I gave up drinking seven years ago. Besides, call it ageing or whatever, I’m already in bed by 9 pm. But sure, you should come over and try their booze. Quite a selection.

We decided on what to order from the set menu. Drinks were included in the set lunch, which meant no extra cost for drinks (5 ASIAN SUMMER DRINKS) and more room in the budget for dessert. Yehh!!

 

Service was prompt, and we were attended to immediately. However, the wait for our food felt dreary. At least 15 minutes. Gosh by then, my hunger juices had kicked in. Causing the roarrr like a fierce tiger in my tummy. 

Otak Otak Rice Bowl (RM18.00)

A bowl of rice topped with a sizeable piece of grilled otak-otak (spiced grilled minced fish made with coconut milk and Asian spices), alongside Asian pickle and a dollop of sambal. The rice was cooked to just the right texture. Mouthwatering! Eaten with the crunchy julienned pickle and the powerhouse sambal (MALAYSIAN DRY SAMBAL) it was a revelation of tastes.

 

My hub couldn’t stop blowing the trumpet about the sambal, whereas for me, it was the otak-otak that stole the show. Being someone who loves sour notes, the pickle also won me over and over again.

 

Grilled Chicken with Mango Relish (RM32.00)

Grilled tender chicken spread with coriander pesto, atop with mango salad/relish and paired with fried potatoes. It also came with a serving of coriander pesto and a salad consisting of salad leaves, cherry tomatoes and sautéed onions.

 

The taste of coriander was so faint, but there was a nice little crunch that actually reminded me of coconut. Mango relish? How could someone who loves mango salad discount it? The sautéed onions in the salad made a major difference. They did the best job for a simple salad.

Overall, I would have appreciated extra spiciness. Maybe put a bottle of chili flakes on the table? Well, you can’t blame my rough-and-tough Malaysian tongue, can you?

Hot Green Tea

There’s nothing much to comment about the instant green tea. Just a sachet in a cup of hot water. Yet, drinking hot green tea is said as a way to cleanse the palate and cut through the oiliness for a heavy or rich meal.

 

Iced Lemon Tea

Super nice for someone like me who loves, loves sourness. Blending well with the sugar-loaded sweetness. But not for my hub, who has diabetes.

 

Basque Cheesecake (RM22)

Burnt cheesecake alongside nangka coulis, cream and, if I’m not mistaken, either hazelnuts or crushed almonds. Can’t be peanuts, I reckoned.

 

Truth be told, coulis sounds like a high-end name to me. I would call it Nangka/Jackfruit ice cream. Luscious, smooth and velvety, lah, lah, lah. Why couldn’t they give a bigger scoop, ah? My hub enjoyed the cheesecake because the sweetness was just so balanced and not over the top. Eaten together, what a treat oh-boy!

(Reuben's Restaurant & Bar Set Lunch)

While I appreciate open-kitchen concept in restaurants, as it is being transparent on how food is prepared and hygiene is maintained, there were a few things that didn’t quite go down well with me. Shelves filled with plastic containers of ingredients, rice cookers, cooking equipment, utensils and whatnot, all facing the dining area, made it look more like a pantry or storeroom. Perhaps the shelves are meant for only tableware, such as plates and spoons, while the rest is out of sight for a neater ambience.

 

Another thing I noticed was that the kitchen staff were not wearing gloves, face masks, and their hair was uncovered. These are important aspects of food hygiene that should not be overlooked.

 

As for the price, should Reuben’s Restaurant & Bar be considered expensive? It depends. The set lunch is worth it if, like us, you want to keep within your budget. The menu itself deserves praise for being carefully crafted and unique. A rare find, indeed.

In fact, we couldn’t stop raving about Reuben’s Rimbayu, which we had been debating whether to try, for at least 3 weeks or so. Eventually, we did, and yes, was not a letdown.  Needless to say, we were still raving about Reuben’s Rimbayu on the way home, even thereafter.