Review: Across The Road, Bangsar

It's been more than a month since I posted any reviews. I've been so caught up with work that it was just draining & tiring to even spend time to blog; I didn't even have time to attend any events as I have calls every night :(

Loads have happened since my last blog post (those on my FB would know more details), but it feels good to be back blogging & meeting people at food review events :)

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Overall comment: Interesting line up of food & drinks by a team of dedicated chefs in a bar atmosphere.
Halal: No (pork-free)

Early this month, I had the opportunity to attend the review at Across The Road in Bangsar. Tucked in a rather quiet area amidst the bustling Bangsar LRT station, the 7-months old Across The Road offers a variety of food & drinks in a "bar" setting just across the road of Wisma UOA Bangsar.

The lavish dinner spread started with 2 entrees & continued with 3 types of starters, 4 types of mains & ended with 2 types of dessert to complete the meal! Wow, it was quite a meal indeed :D

Thank you, VibeHero for this sumptous treat!

Strawberry Mocktail Special

Strawberry + lemon + cranberry juice

Entree: Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese Tartlets (RM14.00/serving)

 Start your meal with some caramelized onions in a sweet & crumbly tart pastry, topped with savoury goat's cheese. The fragrant cheese lingers in your mouth & prepares your palette for more delish dishes to come! :)

Entree: Mushroom Bruschetta (RM15.00/serving)

As a mushroom fan, this is a dish that's so simple yet it's something that I can't resist! I enjoyed biting into the fragrant Shitake mushrooms in cream sauce on a crispy bruschetta. Yum yum.

Starter: Salmon Broth with Prawn Dumpling, Chives & Caviar (off-the-menu)

Now, this is what I call an "interactive presentation of a dish" - the dish starts with a juicy garlic-ish prawn wrapped in a crispy skin...like a boss! It's surrounded by humble yet exquisite chives & caviar...oolala...

Then, a mild salmon broth is poured into the dish; fragrant and not too fishy :)

Walla! The full presentation of the dish ;)

The dish is rather Asian. The slightly crispy skin compliments the chunky-texture meat + prawn well. 

Starter: Beef Roll Salad with Balsamic (RM27.00/serving)

 Another good starter to your meal are these soft capsicums wrapped in beef rolls & pan-fried 'til the crust gets crispy. It's well complimented with the simple balsamic-dressed garden greens.

Starter: Homemade Chicken and Mushroom Ravioli (RM29.00/serving)

This is SO not a starter that I would share! :P It's all minnnneeeee! I think the creamy mushroom sauce is the same as the one on the bruschetta, but this here, it's paired up with home-made ravioli!

The portion of meat in the ravioli is acceptable; just-nice for a good start to the meal. 

Main: Homemade Vegetable Lasagna (RM25.00/serving)

Now on to the mains, this is probably my 2nd time having a "vegetarian" lasagna. It's alike shepherd's pie as the top is mashed potatoes, but the bottom layers are pasta + vegetables. Quite a refreshing difference. 

Main: Cheese-Stuffed Beef Burger with 3x Cooked Chunky Chips (RM26.00/serving)

Check out the presentation! Looks like a clock...hehe... 

I find the beef patty lacking cheese (I was looking for the cheese in the beef patty just like at Andes') as I can't really taste the cheese nor smell it. The patty was quite juicy & thankfully tendons were almost non-present *yay* The only downside is that the patty was a tad too salty if it's eaten without the buttery bread. 

The 3x cooked chunky chips are to be commended :) If I'm not mistaken, it's blanched, steamed & deep-fried...or the other way around...hahaha...I actually enjoyed it :D 

Main: Yorkshire Pudding with Wild Mushrooms, Mixed Herbs & Shallots Sauce (RM29.00/serving)

 I was surprised at how tender & juicy the chicken breast was on the plate that was served to our table. I tried the other table's chicken breast, but it didn't taste as juicy...hmm...some inconsistency here? On the overall, this dish is a very hearty dish.

Presentation is pretty & neat... 

Portion is generous... 

But I could do with more gravy for each serving :P 

 Surprise! Stuffings in the chicken breast meat! :D

Main: Sea Bass Roll with Asparagus, Cheese Risotto & Spicy Seafood Broth (off-the-menu)

I was quite stuffed by the time this dish arrived, but I just had to try the dish to find out how this "pretty-looking" dish tastes. I'm pleasantly surprised by the well-cooked sea bass (still flaky & juicy) with a tinge of heat from the spicy seafood broth, but what was disappointing was the over-cooked asparagus AND the mushy mushroom risotto :( Flavour was nice, but texture was just a let down. It's something that the chefs will have to improve.

Dessert: Non-Alcoholic Tiramisu (RM17.00/serving)

The meal comes to an end on a sweet note with the chef's "award-winning" non-alcoholic tiramisu. He's the only chef in Malaysia who has won an award in that competition in France. Wow. I'm not a fan of desserts (although I enjoy baking desserts), so this didn't really appeal to me. I enjoy alcoholic tiramisu more as it has a "kick/punch" that draws me to have another bite after each bite :D I found this one a bit too sour + tart for a cheese-cake. It's a real challenge to make 'halal' tiramisu!

Dessert: Blueberry Cheesecake (off-the-menu)

The berries need a touch of sweetness as it was also quite sour & didn't really help after having the non-alcoholic tiramisu before this. I usually order drinks with less sugar, but in my opinion, the desserts here need more sugar to be categorize as desserts! :P

Team at Across The Road: Christian & his chefs 

Map to Across The Road

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To those working or living around that area, this place is certainly an additional option you won't want to miss :)


Across The Road
Jalan Bangsar Utama 1
59000 Bangsar,
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.
Tel: (+603) 2201 3453
Business hours: Mondays - Fridays 10:00a.m. – 10:30p.m.; weekends 10:30 p.m. – 12:00a.m.
FB: Across The Road
Across The Road on VibeHero


Ratings:
Presentation: * * * *
Price: * *  1/2
Environment: * * *
Taste: * * *
Service: * * * 1/2


Overall:






Excited to be back & blogging!