MAX @ iHaus

For your info. The chef Max chin is no longer attached to iHaus from Sept. His new and upcoming restaurant will be revealed soon in October 2010! So stay tuned!

If I would have to describe Max @iHaus with two words (cos I can't do it in one), it would have to be "Maximum Indulgence" because Max serves arguably the best Continental Cuisine in town! By continental cuisine, it is always referred to cuisine from European continent, such as France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal menus, many of which are indistinguishable.

The Interior of Max@iHaus

This is not an average dining joint. Housed in a two-storey bungalow located just off Jalan Imbi (and Jalan Inai) on Jalan Jati, it also serves as an European furniture showroom besides being just a restaurant. It has an open and airy space which boasts a garden and ample parking.This is much better than Max's old place (Max's Kitchen and Wines) at Tengkat Tong Shin. It might be a little difficult to find because the area is quite secluded. However, the tricky navigation is eased by numerous banners pointing out the way when you're on Jalan Imbi. It's actually right behind Villa Inai.

Max Chin - ze Chef!

Max Chin helms the kitchen by preparing right to the cooking itself, making sure that every dish is done perfectly. Well, if he's not around, his assistant chef would take over and I must say that his assistant chef is just as good! However, the dinner would of course be incomplete without Max's presence. You might see him as a "no-nonsense" type of chef because he looks so serious and maybe a little intimidating, but after you have known him, he's quite a fun chap!

When I say he serves really good food, I do mean by the ingredients used, the pairing sauce and right to the presentation. His dishes never failed to make me salivate everytime I'm there! My friends and I usually order a couple of dishes to share so that we can savour as many dishes as possible and also at the same time making sure that we won't go broke after a meal there!

Lokam Clams
(Cheese Baked & Pesto Styled)

These clams are seasonal and it's not always available on the menu. I love the way it is done and it has lemon oil drizzled on them. It's just so tasty and I must say that these two styles of preparing the clams are equally good! Priced at RM35/10 clams.

Seared Sea Scallops done in different styles
(one with tomato and the other with fish roe)

I've always like the way Max does the scallops because many times I find restaurants overcooked my scallops or it was overseared! Max does them perfectly well and the way I liked it. The clams are lightly seared while maintaing the freshness and juiciness of the flesh. And I must say that Max made very good sauces that goes with the dish. It's so good, I pratically licked my plate clean! Order the seared sea scallops on grilled provencale vegetable-baby octopus ragout with olives and lobster oil (RM48) and you'll not regret.

Roast Beef with Asparagus & Mash Potatoes
(serves with Mushroom sauce)

This roast beef is done medium rare. The sauce is served separately just in case you would like to take it by itself without any sauces. The beef slices was just juicy and tender. The mushroom sauce, loaded with generous amounts of mushrooms goes perfectly well with the roasted beef. This plate for about 4-5 people is around RM280.

Pan Seared Foie Gras with Mushrooms

Smoked Duck Breast

Haloumi Cheese with Sweet Beetroot
(with sunflower seeds and apple vinaigrette)

Unlike other cheeses, this Haloumi Cheese (originally from Cyprus) is lightly fried to a nice crispy thin crust (RM28). This cheese is white looking a little like Mozzarella and is a bit salty. Having a higher than normal melting point is perfect for fit to be fried and grilled. I find this cheese very interesting and it goes very well with the salad. It's even better if you don't eat cheese because it really doesn't taste like a typical piece of cheese!

Valrhona Bitter Sweet Chocolate Souffle
(served with Rum Macerated Strawberry and Cafe Latte Ice Cream)

This is the only dessert Max knows that I would order. I have this every time I'm there. you can call me whatever you want but if I like it, I don't mind having it all the time. About a year ago when I first met Max at his old place, I told him that his chocolate soufle needs more chocolate and so now his chocolate soufle is perfectly chocolatey enough for my standards. As everyone should have known by now that I'm a chocolate snob (hey don't blame me, blame my profession), and so I have a certain standard for chocolates to be popped into my palate.

I looked like a "ah beng" mafia. (Vegas Robaina)

Max has got a Private Room sits comfortably for 6-8people where my friends and I can indulge in cigars without disturbing the rest of the patrons. And we had a couple of wines to go with the food. Max has quite a good list of wines from whites to reds and even champagnes. I shall write about my "sabre a champagne" experience there soon. A dinner like with about 5 dishes (excluding wines) for 4-5 people would be around RM1000. Main courses are around RM50-80/dish I think.

If money is not a concern, you should give Max@iHaus a try. It's really worth every penny because this is not a glitzy fine dining joint that serves crappy food with nice ambience and presentation. The value is in its food and the service is good too because every plate that they change for you comes in piping warm.

From Left: Cournelle de Beau-Sejour Becot 2006 from Saint Emilion, Chateau D'Aiguilhe 2004 from Cotess de Castillon and Chateau Tour du Haut Moulin 2001 from Haut-Medoc. (our own wines)

These wines are good valued wines from RM100-200 a bottle. Even Chateau D'Aiguilhe 2004 made it into Robert Parker's Great Value Wines where he writes about good wines with remarkably fair prices.

Max. @ iHaus
Lot 32, Jalan Jati,
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03 - 2142 9720

www.ihausgroup.com

My previous posts on Max :
Max Kitchen & Wines & Felton Road @ Max's