Restoran Bukit Tinggi BBQ @ Bukit Tinggi, Bentong Pahang

I would not have known this place if not for Epicurious Girl's blog. Despite always having lunch or dinner here, I only frequent 126 or Loong Sing and had the same ol dishes everytime. So when I got to know that this restaurant serves rather unique food (well, apart from those deep fried pork belly or steamed fish), I instantly know that this place is a must-visit for me. As a matter of fact, I'd been wanting to come here for ages but couldn't find any opportunity. Something always got in the way everytime I tried to come.

This restaurant was rather secluded and one would not even notice because it was located behind BHP Petrol Station. OK, there is only one petrol station in this area so it shouldn't be difficult to find. Everything looks normal from the outside but when you walk inside, you will notice these... signed umbrellas were seen hanging from the ceiling while empty wine + liquor bottles made up the walls of the restaurants. All seem to be collecting dust though... and it made me wonder if the owner ever clean his bizarre collections... lol!!!

As I read that the owner was a bit eccentric, I didn't put any high hope or expectation to get any good quality service here. My objective is to taste the food... as there were only 3 of us (including Daryl, Jenn's lil bro), we could not order that many dishes at once. In the end, we settled for 4!

When I first heard of "Wu Li Dan Dou Fan" which was a rice dish, it piqued my interest. Upon translation, it literally means "messed up rice". It was not love at first sight, as it really looked like leftovers poured over the rice. But when I took the first sip, I suddenly felt like a 8-year old again (well, that was how I used to eat my rice when I was small... easier to swallow). The broth was light and although a bit oily... it was great!

You'd find a lot of vegetables in it, noticably tomato, cabbage, carrot, dried vegetables... and also roasted pork and minced meat inside. How long have you not tried eating your rice with soup poured in it??? Lol...

The next dish was Stir Fried Green Chillies... a rather odd dish but it only took me a bite before falling in love with it. The chillies were stripped clean of its seeds before stir fried with some kind of dark sauce that has a hint of sweetness. Oh those chillies were chrunchy and not too spicy... just remember to take a bite at those chillies together with the sauce for maximum enjoyment... as the more you bite, the more addicted you will become.

Lamb rack - lamb lovers will surely dig this dish. I read from the blog that the meat was BBQ-ed but according to Daryl and Jenn, our lamb rack was baked instead... therefore retaining its moist and the gravy was full of flavour. They also detected a hint of honey while chewing off its meat. Together with their special sauce that has hints of mint and a bit sourish, both of them finished the whole rack in no time... just remember to eat it while it's hot OK??? The priciest dish at RM60 that day!

The "suet san fei wu" or salt crusted Tilapia was the final dish to be served. The name is actually an old Chinese series from HK... I wonder why the owner named this dish. Contrary to what I'd read, the fish had slight muddy taste this time albeit a mild one. The fish was prepared with shallots, garlic and chilly stuffed in it so that the meat had extra flavour in it. Nice presentation for the dish as its salt crusted skin was peeled off to reveal its meat... don't even think of eating its skin OK??? Very salty... just devour the meat should be sufficient. At RM35... the price was considered steep for tilapia is quite cheap.

Leo's verdict - The total bill came at RM121 but considering the uniqueness of its dish... it was well worth it. I wanted to order more dishes but even the owner suggested that the 4 dishes were enough to fill our stomach. True enough, as 3 of us were so full that we sat there for another half an hour before continuing our journey home. Overall food is great but do not expect top notch service as I mentioned earlier. Telephone booking for some of its dish such as lamb rack and seafood pot is recommended to avoid disappointment.

For me, I will definitely come back for second time... my next order??? Seafood Pot, Signature Chicken & (will ask the owner next time... lol!!)

Restoran Bukit Tinggi BBQ
PT 15792 & 15793, Jalan Bukit Tinggi,
28750 Bentong, Pahang.
Tel: 09-233 0330/ 012-3577111