I took half the day off last Friday and followed rif to Mid Valley for some last minute Christmas shopping. Timing was horrible; the mall was crowded and I was down with a flu and running nose.
Since I was craving for a big bowl of noodle soup, I suggested lunch at Reminisce after reading Sean’s blog post on the pan mee. The place exuded an old-school charm, but definitely more polished — comic posters and play cards hung on the walls and little knick knacks from the past dressed up the place.
By knick knacks from the past, I meant toys most of us or our parents used to play with as kids (marbles, spintop, ping pong…) and old-school items like a radio, fan, bird cage, biscuit tins and Kickapoo bottles. They have ding dong, tora, nini and jelly in big glass jars at the counter!
The Crispy Spring Roll (RM3.90) was very moreish. I found the filling both delicious and interesting, made with chicken, Shitake mushroom and whipped cream.
This Pan Mee with Minced Pork (RM9.90) was just what I needed – thick noodles with black fungus, fuchuk, pork meat ball and spinach, in a piping hot broth topped with fried anchovies and minced pork. Ingredients were plenty and the broth was flavourful. This wasn’t the best pan mee I’ve eaten, but it was decent.
rif’s Crispy Chicken Chop (RM12.90) with black pepper sauce was crisply fried and juicy on the inside. I’m not a fan of chicken chop with rice especially when the sides comprise coleslaw and baked beans, but rif doesn’t mind it.
For an additional RM1, you get to choose a drink. I had the red bean soup which was slightly insipid and really nothing to shout about. rif’s cincau was well, just cincau. The food wasn’t great, but lunch was decent and prices were reasonable. I liked that the place is non-halal, and would definitely return to try more items.
Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: A decent place to dine at when you’re in Mid Valley – just don’t go in expecting the food to be knock-your-socks-off good.
Lot G(E)-019, Ground External Floor
Mid Valley
03 2201 8168
13 comments
When you return to Reminisce, DO NOT have the porridge. It was like they boiled the rice, threw everything out and served you the liquid. It was really bad. I'll try the pan mee next time – or I might just go back to Ying Ker Lou instead.
p.s. I love your photos.
i actually wish they'd serve alcohol. some white wine might complement that pan mee nicely (ok, maybe!) :D
i wonder if tora, ding-dong, etc are still sold at school canteens these days. hmmm =)
Love the crispy spring rolls there too – seems so simple but tastes yummy. :) :)
i would avoid MV at all costs during this time of the year. It's just too crowded and my sis once had to circle the place for 2 hours to get a parking to her office at North point
Wah, true comfort food … Pan Mee and Chicken Chop :-)
Hope you are feeling better, merry (belated!) christmas B-babe!!
eiling – Yikes! I wouldn't want to be in her shoes that time. >.<
J – Yup yup. I'll definitely keep ordering this when I go there. ;)
Sean – Hahaha…never try never know, right? =P I wonder if they will allow alcohol inside…
No more tora and ding dong already. These have been replaced with M&Ms and snickers. :(
Monica – Thanks for the heads up dear!
Julian – Thanks Jules. Yeah…feeling better already. I could use more sleep, but there's so much work to be done.
Merry Xmas to you too!!
Chinese food are usually good/or at least edible when they're not halal. hahaha. and yeah I was in MidValley last Friday. The crowd is crazy!
Melanie – True true. Somehow, pork makes everything yummier. ;)
Tell me about it. Everyone was rushing. And my feet got stepped on TWICE! >___<
i must be totally blind.. was there but didn't see it! thx for the heads up dahlink;)
Tried a few dishes in this place but don't think I had the pan mee. I loved the dried curry chicken noodles though.. simple but delicious! :)
iamthewitch – Mmmm…I just added dried curry chicken noodles to my list! ;)
Cumi & Ciki – No prob!