China Treasures @ Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Given a choice, i prefer my chinese food, non halal. Well it is a personal preference.

However being in a 1Malaysia environment, there are certain limitations when it comes to eating chinese food i.e. trying to find a good halal chinese restaurant.

Hotels are definitely an option but prices are well, you get the picture.

Another option is the Sime Darby Convention Centre which doubles up as a place to hold functions, conferences as well house two restaurants, Halia and China Treasures, halal obviously.

How does the food hold up though?

When you are given the option to have peeled or unpeeled prawns, it automatically means bonus points. This was done in a fruit sauce but had a savoury hint of salted egg yolk though, can't remember the name of style but try asking "the one with fruits and peanuts?"

Peking Duck done two style, pancakes and noodles. Pancakes were nicely done, noodles were soggy from braising so those who are fans of al-dente carbs wont like this.

Black pepper beef was also well coated with sauce, did i mention tender too? Whether natural or man made, i didn't care because it was a decent dish.

Some of their dishes are individually served which is the new trend of chinese cuisine, almost like a degustation menu i.e. soup, meats, vegetables, carbs, desserts and etc. The Homemade beancurd came with a few strands of mushroom and a generic starchy oyster sauce (not to say it is bad).

The fish was most unfortunately over steamed and took too long to be individually served, rendering it cold as well. If anything, i think the fish should be first placed in front of the guests then ask if they would like it individually served. Serving behind the scenes, only make guests wonder what in the world you are doing to the fish especially this wasn't a cheap fish.

I do vaguely remember a few more dishes like the vegetables and dessert but can't seem to find it on Flickr. Blame the unstable connection when i upload batches of pictures onto Flickr and i don't check.

Another qualm with service is that there are TOO slow. Yes, business lunches are meant to be slow but not for normal working people who have an hour at most. We waited close to 30 minutes to be told that no one ask them to serve the food and typically waited quite a bit in between the dishes. I have also heard of blunders in the bill where they charge extra, not just abit but something in the tune of 40% because of an "error". On another ocassion when we had dim sum, the service was ok and the food was ok since you have to forgive them for not being able to use pork, amongst other things.

If you have no choice for a halal chinese restaurant for a business lunch or celebration, do try to book their private rooms; good ambience and comfortable.

Prices are typically RM70-RM100 per pax, cheaper if you have dim sum.

Address and contact details:

1A, Bukit Kiara 1, 60000 Bukit Kiara, KL

Tel: 603 2089 3788

Verdict: Out of two times, i think the score would be 3 stars, otherwise for the experience above, 2.5 stars out of 5 stars. Not a place i go if i had a choice, naturally.