Mamak Malaysian Cuisine - Doraville Atlanta Georgia

You can find Mamak Malaysian Cuisine at 5150 Buford Hwy, Ste A-170, Doraville, GA 30340 in the Asian Square shopping center anchored by the Asian Supermarket. Mamak is on the right-side when viewing the Supermarket from the street, just a few doors down from the Doraville Sweet Hut location on the right-side corner. There's plenty of parking in the main market lot or if you're lucky you'll be able to park out front of the restaurant.

 

I've now eaten at Mamak on several occasions for both lunch and dinner and like the food here quite a bit. The interior is a bit sparse with light green walls and nice, industrial finishes. The place is a bit small so best to hit it during non-peak times - otherwise you may have to wait (the wait is worth it). I consider the cuisine more a fusion of Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai and Chinese which seems to be common in most restaurants that originate in Malaysia or Indonesia as those seem to be melting pots of the surrounding countries. I think that most people who like Thai food will like the food here - it's very clean (more like Vietnamese) and relies on the actual flavors of the food rather than on heavy sauces. There's also a distinctly local take on turmeric that delves a bit more into Indian cuisine flavors - if you like all that I've described, you'll love Mamak. If there's something in there you don't like, don't worry, as there's enough variation that you'll be able to find something delicious that's to your liking (the cool thing about fusion in my opinion).

I've enjoyed every dish I've tried at Mamak - from the samosa-like fried meat and/or veggie pies to the delicious seafood dishes. I love the curries and noodle dishes as well - lots of interesting flavors and textures.

Roti Canai - I've had this before (at Thai Spice specifically) and it's very Indian style, your basic roti served with a curry sauce for dipping. I think this is the best version I've had with very distinct flavors.

Curry Puff Pastry - this is basically a samosa only using puff-pastry (it's the fried-pies I referenced above) - very interesting made this way with lots more emphasis on the container than typical.

Papaya Salad - this is an awesome version of the green papaya salad with a bit more fish-sauce and slightly spicier than I've had elsewhere.


Curry Laksa - Coconut milk curry with chicken, potato, cilantro - this is delicious and one of those signature dishes that combines Malay and China flavors.

Sambal Shrimp - Shrimp with sweet peppers, onion and okra in homemade sambal - slightly spicy and awesome. 

Hainese Chicken - Another classic dish, soft chicken served on pasta.

Kari Ayam - chicken curry with potatoes - delicious.

Mamak Tofu - fried tofu, shrimp, pork, egg and gravy - delicious and saucy, great over rice.

Service here is very good but the place is small and very busy so keep that in mind. They serve Malaysian Ice Coffee here which is worth trying (sweet with lots of condensed milk). I think if you like Asian cuisines you'll love Mamak as much as I do.

(also Posted to Yelp)

Roll It Up Ice Cream - Doraville - Atlanta Georgia

You can find Roll It Up Ice Cream at 5150 Buford Hwy NE Ste D110, Atlanta, GA 30340 - I believe this is now part of Doraville. The shop is in the front of the Asian Square shopping center. This is a regular post-restaurant stop for my Buford Highway Clawr as it's in a convenient location and there are several restaurants neaby. For the uninitiated, the square is home of the Doraville location of Sweet Hut which most will recognize. There's generally plenty of parking out front of each business and overflow contained in the main market's parking, the exception is Sweet Hut which gets very crowded.The area immediately in front of Roll It Up is also often filled up but the short walk from another parking space is worth it.

Roll It Up is similar in concept to 8 Below, the popular ice cream shop down the street (there's also I CE NY across the street - that's three similar dessert shops within a mile of each other, so there's obviously demand - each has their own approach). Roll It Up does both the cream-on-chilled-platform AND nitrogen injection into Kitchen Aid mixing bowls so you can sample either technique. I've had both and my preference is with the roll-it-up style but frankly both are awesome and worth experiencing.

The interior of Roll It Up is brightly painted and has neon-like glowing effects in the lighting. You order at the counter after looking at a chalkboard menu. I've had the Funky Monkey, the Rolling Oreo, the Coffee & Cream, the Thaiphoon and the Matcha PiChu. I think I like the Coffee & Cream the best (Coffee and Oreo). Or you can choose from a handful of base flavors then add a mix (fruit, chocolate, peanut butter or Oreo) - $5.99 for the Roll It Up or $6.99 for the nitrogen-injection. You can add toppings or go with whip and chocolate sauce (the latter is on the counter). I usually add whip, sliced banana and chocolate sauce while John F gets the roasted marshmallows (they burn them using a torch).

Service is very good with a very efficient, friendly and patient staff behind the counter. You get to watch your ice cream being made so it's a bit of a show - part of the charm. They also have free WIFI - we like to sit outside if it's not too hot (there are a couple of tables). 

(also posted to Yelp)

La Mei Zi Asian Bistro - Doraville - Atlanta Georgia

You can find La Mei Zi Asian Bistro at 5150 Buford Hwy, Ste C-310, Doraville, GA 30340 in the Asian Square shopping center, towards the back left when facing the anchor, Asian Supermarket from Buford Highway. My next several reviews will focus on all the restaurants currently in this square as my Buford Highway Clawr group hits each. For the uninitiated, the square is home of the Doraville location of Sweet Hut which most will recognize. There's generally plenty of parking out front of each business and overflow contained in the main market's parking, the exception is Sweet Hut which gets very crowded.

From my limited experience, I consider La Mei Zi one of the best Taiwanese restaurants in Atlanta - this is garnered from several visits and considering many menu items. The menu transitions to the spicy side of Chinese cooking (most would call it Sichuan). I've had many of the appetizers and for the uninitiated would recommend trying the Pork Belly Buns (Bao) or the Sichuan Beef Rolls. But I digress - on this particular night I attended with a small group from my regular Buford Highway Clawr group hosted by my friend John F. The restaurant is on the smallish side (as are most in Asian Square) with glass windows along the front and tables extending towards the back. It's rather utilitarian but very clean. There's also a rather large carving of what I assume is a napa cabbage to great visitors (not sure why it's there but it's very striking).

Once inside you're greeted by some awesome servers who are used to answering questions from dumb Americans - I consider this a boon as some of the restaurants along Buford Highway will run you ragged due to a lack of communication. The staff here is phenomenal even exchanging some jokes with the table and keeping things light and rolling along. 

We started with the following:

* Steamed Pork Dumpling - I would call these good but nothing special, still a nice way to ease into anything after and provide a bit of rest when you're hitting very spicy food.

* Braised Beef and Scallion with Hoisin Sauce in Roll - I loved these - think of a sliced beef burrito but with more of a chapati or roti texture. This is actually more subtle in flavor than it sounds.

* Oyster Omelet - I think we ordered this more because it was unusual than anything else - I'm not sure if it would be considered breakfast food or what but it was surprisingly good and unusual. 

For our main dishes:

* Pork Belly Sichuan Style - the pork belly is thin sliced and swimming in red gravy with just enough heat from the sichuan pepper. I expected something crispier in the pork belly which is cooked soft and more delicately so be aware of that texture.
* Salt and Pepper Calamari - this was really fantastic and my favorite of what we tired. It's lightly breaded and served dry (not saucy) with a pile of woked, shaved garlic and sweet peppers, onions; served on a bed of chopped cabbage. Delicious and unusual - the texture and combination put great emphasis on the squid and practically melts-in-your-mouth.
* Stir-Fried String Beans - man I love these. Plenty of salty soy mixed with a bit of pork, ginger and garlic. The texture is so good.

Overall we had great food and a great time with everyone really enjoying this place. The service was excellent, some of the best I've encountered on Buford Highway with dishes coming to the table piping hot and water glasses continuously refilled. As an aside, I believe "La Mei Zi" means "Spicy Girl" in Chinese but specific to food and cooking (I'm not sure if it's a reference to the cook/owner or to the items cooked if gendered).

(also posted to Yelp)