Review Dining by Capital Times on 14th Jan 2009
THERE’S no shortage of Malaysian restaurants on Cuba Street.But Kayu Manis is special. At 201 Cuba Street, the restaurant is pretty and inviting. The two-storey establishment looks pricey because it is nicely painted, and has a mix of ornate chandeliers and hanging dragonfly canvases with lights shining from behind. The silk tablecloths add a touch of class, too.I was very surprised to discover how affordable the meals are at such an attractive eatery – $10-$12 is a great price for the very good food.We began with a crisp bottle of Shingle Peak pinot gris before ordering the Nasi Lemak and Mee Goreng Kedah. The latter was divine. The homemade egg noodles were cooked with bean curd, egg, spring onion, fresh tomatoes and bean sprouts. The meal was mildly spicy and the perfect size for lunch. My friend raved about his Nasi Lemak – coconut rice served with anchovies, sambal, and crispy chicken – and promised he’d be going back for dinner very soon. For dessert we had a little of everything and ordered the Kayu Manis Tasting Plate, which I highly recommend.The Sagu Gula Melaka – steamed cassava pearls topped with coconut milk and brown sugar – satisfied my sweet tooth, while the Apam Balik – Malay crêpes filled with sweet corn, toasted peanuts and brown sugar – added a savory balance to the dessert. The tiny flower shaped pandan cakes (Kuih Cara Manis) served with palm sugar syrup, were a treat and beautifully presented. The double-layered glutenous pandan rice cake served with palm sugar (Seri Muka) is an acquired taste, but definitely worth a go if you call yourself a Malaysian food fan. All this was topped off with traditional Malay kumara cakes with gula melaka (Kuih Keria) – divine. At Kayu Manis, which means cinnamon in English, the meals are cooked to order, the spices directly imported from Malaysia, and every dish comes with a mild, medium or hot option. Next time I go I plan on booking a table on the upstairs balcony, which overlooks Cuba Street. It’s a romantic and atmospheric vantage point to enjoy Wellington’s cracker weather these Christmas holidays.
