Ante Kitchen, Publika Solaris Dutamas – pork burger, pork chop, pork knuckle, pork ribs, porkkkk…. !

About a month or so back, I rounded up a group of hungry men for lunch at Ante Kitchen. I figured that there’s no better place to feed meat hungry, huge appetite men than a pork specialist kitchen.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-033

Ermm..ok, the truth was it’s because I wanted to try Ante’s Pork Burger!

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-004

I think I’m making good progress eating almost all the pork burgers available in KL. Or beef burgers for that matter.
Not many are good but Ante Kitchen’s The Ante Pork Burger (RM 35) was overall satisfactory. Between this burger’s raisin buns are fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, an egg with a runny-yolk plus Ante’s special pork patty wrapped in prime cuts of bacon strips.
It was advertised on their menu that sauteed mushrooms were meant to be part of the ensemble but I swear that there weren’t a single piece of fungi found anywhere.
Nevertheless, the patty was well seasoned and I liked the raisin bun. The bacon strips were chewy and dry, the only let down of the burger.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-005

Someone in our group order the Crispy Pork Trotter Salad (RM 21) and when it was served I nearly had a heart attack.
The meager portion of deep-fried pork trotter slices thrown carelessly on top of lettuce leaves with a sprinkling of walnuts couldn’t possibly justify the cost. We did however, liked the tangy but mild thai dressing.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas

Next was the Char-grilled Pork Steak (RM 33), a specialty of Ante’s Kitchen, featuring signature chop with berry cream sauce served with mashed potatoes and baked apple.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-001

For a specialty it sure fell short of its promise. I got a tough piece of meat with very bland cream sauce. At this stage I was fuming so I made a complaint to the floor staff. Short of nodding and listening, he didn’t do much to console us. LOL!

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-002

Thus  at that point we gave up on lunch and decided to head to another outlet to fill the remaining void in our stomach. After we have paid, Roy, one of the restaurant’s management team came over to say hi and apologized on behalf of his service staff. He explained that the pork chop was not supposed to be sold that day as they had recently changed supplier and the quality of the pork wasn’t up to the expected standards. He invited me to return and to try the pork chop again, this time on the house. I accepted his apology and thanked him for the kind offer.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-003

So when I got an email for a paid invited session recently, I accepted it. It would be good to sample the improvements in the menu (if any), give the pork chop a chance to redeem itself and also to taste more of Ante Kitchen’s menu, especially the pork ribs and the highly recommended Volcanic Sacrifice.

BELOW: Volcanic Sacrifice (RM 30) – “Grilled lean pork slices, served with Ante’s special volcanic spicy sauce, flowing off a mountain of mashed potatoes“.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-012

While the mash is good and the pork slices were decent, it could do with longer marination time or perhaps stronger seasoning. Somehow the meat, though tender, is relatively bland. The same can be said for the ribs. Basically you don’t taste much flavour once you get past the sauce on the ribs.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-014

The Hogger Pork Ribs RM75. Charcoal grilled hickory piglet ribs, glazed with house-made BBQ sauce, coleslaw, potato salad & fries on the side.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-018

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-019

Next was the The Crispy Pork Knuckle (RM 78), another Ante special; boasting crispy skin yet tender pork knuckle. This kilogramme feast is served with sauerkraut and in-house sauce.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-024

It’s made for sharing of course, unless you’re a glutton. 😀

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-025

I told Jason, our host that I found it to be a bit bland. Jason explained that the knuckle is not marinated and its first poached (my memory fails me at this point) and then deep fried. It is, as a matter of fact, meant to be as it is.
Thus I would recommend eating this with plenty of sauce if you find it in need of some flavour.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-026

We also sampled the Chef’s Tomasco Soup (RM 12), a Signature Chorizo & Bacon (RM27), Duck Pesto Pasta (RM 28) and Chicken Parmigiana (RM 27) that evening. All were good though my duck pesto pasta was too mild for my liking. Upon query, Jason explained that they found this version more suited for the the local tastebuds.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-011

Duck Pesto : Fatty duck slices on a bed of pasta,finished with basil pesto sauce.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-015

An all-time favourite pizza in Ante, Signature Chorizo & Bacon (RM27).

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-016

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-017

Chicken Parmigiana (RM 27) – Tender piece of crumbed chicken topped with homemade tomato puree and grated cheese, served with side of mash, streaky bacon & salad.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-010

Last but not least, the Ante Pork Chop.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-021

Any improvement this time?

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-022

Not really. Teething issues plagued the kitchen so my dear readers, stay tuned for a 3rd review! 🙂

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-023

My drink – Ante’s Fizzy Lychee to wash down all that pork.

Ante Kitchen - Publika Solaris Dutamas-020

NOTE:
The 1st trip was on my own with friends. The 2nd trip is an advertorial.

sony nex f3

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Sean

    Heheh, I guess some folks might be able to finish an entire pork knuckle on their own, but i think 1/2 a knuckle is more than enough for me. I like crispy knuckles, but i find that my capacity for enjoying it goes down after about 10 mouthfuls =)

    1. rebeccasaw

      I dont Brotzeit’s knuckles! I think i can manage better if the knuckles had some flavour to them! 🙂

  2. Rane

    I find it so-so too. We went for our gathering and ordered a lot, but none memorable

  3. veron

    Will hop over soon, after your third review! LOL

Leave a Reply to Verne Cancel reply

Related Posts

Buy Seafood Online

Get your favourite seafood delivered to you!  The coronavirus epidemic has been taking a toll in Malaysia. People start working from home, restaurant can only