Sandias is obviously (or not so obviously) a Mexican outfit. A quick google on "sandias" returned image results on... watermelons? Heh, turns out the place is named after a painting by Mexican artist, Rufino Tamayo.
We arrived 7.30pm on the dot and found that the place is very empty save for an uncle having a beer outside. I believe I'm not alone when I say we associate crowdedness of restaurant to yumminess of food. If the queue is out the door, even better. I will somehow refrain from entering a restaurant that has no patrons. It's probably the kiasu mentality at work. If everyone is going after something, it has to be good, no?
But all my hesitations were put to dead the moment I enter. The waiters were very friendly and polite. They pull out chairs, lay napkins on your lap and bring you water. Top class service. The chef even came out from the kitchen and offered to walk us through the menu. I am experienced orderer of Japanese and Italian cuisine but the only Mexican food I can identify with are tacos and nachos of Taco Bell fame. And I don't see no tacos on the menu *gasp*
Oh, here's an interesting trivia: Mr Patrick, the chef, is actually Irish. How an Irishman ended up making Mexican food is a mystery. But we thoroughly enjoyed the food. Proves that nationality is no boundaries when it comes to makan.
For starters, we settled for the Starters Platter (RM88) comprising 2 hot and 2 cold starters. There's Quesadillitas Tricolor, which are handmade masa tortillas stuffed with either mushroom, potato or cheese, and deep fried to golden brown. Looks a bit like curry puff. Taquitos Fritos are similar that they are hand rolled tortillas filled with minced chicken seasoned with cilantro and onions. Comes with fresh cream, cheese and salsa verde garnish. I lovelovelove the Ceviche. It's kinda like tomato salsa with lime juice and small cubes of dory fish. The Guacamole is chunky, nothing like those you find at Chili's or HRC. This version win hands down. Goes really well with the tortilla chips, although I would much prefer it with less cilantro.
I had the Atun Fresco en Mole Verde (RM48). In english, it's fresh tuna fillet in a green mole sauce made of pumpkin seeds, radish leaves and spices. Ooo... doesn't that just make your mouth water? Ivy Jie chose the Trucha con Salsa de Champignones (RM29), grilled sea trout served with rich mushroom sauce, which is good too.
Somehow all the girls ended up having fish. The guys opted for something with a little bit more bite. But... all oso same bite. ALL of them had Barbacoa de Cordero (RM38), charbroiled marinated lamb cutlets served with salsa and tortillas. How unexciting. At least try something different so we can get a taste of it ma, tsk tsk. The verdict on the lamb: 6 thumbs up, 3 left and 3 right hahahah
Do not be misled by the looks of the food. For something that looks decorative, it's surprisingly quite filling.
We probably sampled say 15% of the menu. Mr Patrick highly recommended the Chile Ancho Relleno, a somewhat rather traditional Mexican dish. There's like cheese, lamb and refried beans all stuffed into this huge chili. We're talking stuffed chili big enough to be a meal on its own. Wow. Must try next time.
Something in their dessert menu caught our attention - Ciku Pudding. All of us thought it's try-worthy but too bad don't have. So we decided to head somewhere else for dessert.
I noticed also by the time we're halfway through dinner, the crowd started to pour in. Seems like people at this part of town take their dinner late. The crowdedness/yumminess theory is right after all. We were just early.
Address>>
44 Plaza Damansara
Jalan Medan Setia Dua
Bukit Damansara
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel>>
03 2095 8431
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