Babe Japas Fine Dining, Work @Clearwater

Babe is an amalgamation of Michelin-starred Chef Jeff Ramsey’s artful finesse for progressive modernist cuisine and the BE Group’s signature boutique sophistication (the purveyors of original concept eateries such as Ploy and Way Modern Chinois). Serving up Japanese-accented tapas, or “Japas” as Ramsey has coined, Babe will be focused on a unique ‘fun dining’ experience as opposed to the structured world of ‘fine dining’.
The restaurant is located at 11th floor and in order to get here, you need to let the security guard know and he will flash his card at the lift to send you right to the front door of the restaurant. You are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment especially there are only 3 tables that are facing directly towards the KL city. 
The menu at Babe offers are an exquisite mix of flavors, textures and temperatures, promising an unparalleled multi-sensory dining experience. True to the tapas concept, the “Japas” menu at Babe is sharing-style, believing that social interaction enhances the overall dining pleasure. In another words, the portion that is served are only bite sized. So my advice would be choose their Japas Tasting Menu. The intro will be cost at RM300++/pax while the premium one will be priced at RM450++/pax. Both have 11 dishes but the only difference is the ingredients that are used is different. Please take note that, if you are choosing their Premium Japas Tasting Menu, everyone on your table must choose the same set. It is non-negotiable as this is what is insisted by the chef. The reason is to allow everyone to enjoy the same set of dishes so they can discuss among each other about it. Note: Some dishes with price tag means it is available in their ala-carte menu
After touched by warm water, it has turned into a warm towel for hygiene purpose before we starts our meal. Their menu changes over time so what I displayed here may not available anymore. So please take note about this. I will try my best to name all of the dishes because I cannot recall all the names they have mentioned. LOL
Mozzarella Explosion
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - The started us with this amazing Mozzarella Explosion which looks like a mochi but definitely better than a mochi when it exploded a delightful taste of cheese and basil. The combination is superb. I was ready for more.


Shima Aji and White Konbu @RM55.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - Shima Aji is one of the Amberjack's family but it is more well known as White Trevally. Other more common Amberjack fishes will be Hamachi and Kampachi. Hamachi is the cheapest and Shima Aji is the most expensive with clear and have a nice oily sheen on the surface. That sheen is the clearest indicator that you are getting real Shima Aji. The difference in taste occurs right at the end after swallowing. Hamachi has a distinctly more fishy odour while Shima Aji ends with a very calm natural sweet tone 


Sashimi Spring Rolls @RM42.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - It is a crispy spring rolls with fresh chopped tuna, salmon and whitefish. I can hardly distinguish the taste of each fishes in it but it does make a good combination together. I really love it but 2 pieces are definitely not enough.


Grilled Japanese Oyster with Tama Miso @RM50.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - Grilled then topped in a simple, creamy glaze bolstered with just a dollop of tama miso. Velvety and rich, this egg miso sauce was the perfect foil for the magnificent mollusk. 


Black Truffle King Crab Chawanmushi @RM45.00++
Outlook: 3/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 3/5 - This silken smooth chawanmushi is one of the best I had so far. The fragrance of the black truffle really gives you the different taste of enjoying it. 


Babendazs @RM35.00++
Outlook: 3/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 3/5 - It looks like an ice-cream but it doesn't taste like one especially the taste of foie-gras which I always having guilt of eating it. This is personal opinion of me because for me eating foie-gras is as guilty as eating a shark fin.


Wagyu Nigiri Sushi with Sansho Tsukudani @RM50 for 2 pcs
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 - How supremely divine feeling to have a meat just melt in your mouth like ice cream?




Hokkaido Don @RM80.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Overall: 4/5 - Uni, Ikura and King Crab with Dashi Jelly on Rice. All the premium ingredients on the rice, it is hard not to be not delicious. I can eat a large bowl for it.

Tai Chazuke @RM42.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 3/5 - It is a marinated sea bream with sour plum tea sphere. It was good but not too great to leave a good memory for me. I was expecting a higher standard.


Smoked Half Chicken with Yuzu Kosho Soy @RM30.00++
Outlook: 2/5
Creativity: 3/5
Taste: 1/5
Overall: 2/5 - Sadly, this is the worst of all I have tried. I can't eat beef so it is replaced by this chicken which the meat is so hard and I hardly find anything great about it


Kurozato Beef Shortribs with Purple Potato @RM60.00++
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Outlook: 4/5 - Another winner course with tantalizing short ribs that was so tenderly flavourful infused well in the red wine & soy sauce combo. They also added in some purple potato puree for some sweetness to balance the flavour.


Venus Clam Miso Soup with Clam Foam and Yuzu Zest @RM25.00++
Outlook: 3/5
Creativity: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 3/5 - Slightly better than ordinary miso soup?


Pina Colada
Outlook: 4/5
Creativity: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Overall: 3/5 - I wanted to change their dessert but I was not allowed even I offer to top up the difference. Pretty rigid. It is not my choice of dessert to end my dinner but it is still acceptable.


Overall, I find this restaurant got too many rules which can feel the egoism of the chef who wants to have his own unique way. However, I have to admit that his culinary skills are really above and beyond from what I have tasted so far. To compare for RM1000++ spent here and Marini on 57, I rather choose this place. I feel my money is well worth paying for. The food is more delicious and the ingredients used are the best.
Total Damage: RM1090.21
Ambiance: 4/5
Price: 2/5
Service: 4/5
Food Serving Speed: Fast
Will I Revisit?: No but I recommend to try at least once

Babe KL
11th Floor, Work @ Clearwater,
Changkat Semantan, 
Damansara Heights,
KL
Tel: 03-20958599
Business Hours: 6.00pm - 11.00pm (closed on Mondays)


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