November 2012
With Mukha, Artisan Roast and Surisit reigning supreme along the buzzing Lorong Rahim Kajai, the nearby row of shoplots at Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi has often been overlooked as a first choice TTDI food destination. Located on this now lonely strip is Meat Point, which opened in June this year. Dimly lit and with bare bones decorations save for a wall mural depicting beef cuts, the halal steakhouse allows patrons to choose pre-wrapped cuts (salmon, Black Angus, Wagyu, to name but a few) from the chiller located near the entrance.
While waiting for the mains to arrive, my companion and I opted for the potato boat starter (grilled potato skin with cheddar, Caribbean sauce, mustard and BBQ sauce topped with diced tomatoes). This appetiser, which came in three pieces, was light and zesty, with the fresh potato and tomatoes providing a fine balance to what would be a meaty meal ahead. It took nearly 25 minutes for our dishes to arrive, a worryingly long time considering the restaurant was deserted at that moment. We asked for the chosen 289g lamb loin bone-in and 312g grain-fed Australian ribeye to be prepared medium, but both dishes arrived slightly overdone, moving unfortunately into medium well territory. As a result, the chunky ribeye was a tad dry, though the lamb did retain some of its juiciness. My steak also came with a side of overly salty mashed potatoes while my companion’s overcooked French fries did not fare any better. The saving grace here was the generous helping of black pepper and mushroom sauces, which were thick and rich with flavour.
For an unpretentious neighbourhood restaurant, the prices here do seem a bit excessive, especially with the non-existent ambience. The service was nonetheless attentive and friendly during our visit, while the eatery also serves pasta, scallops and mussels for the less carnivorous. If we were to return to Meat Point, it would be to try the other entrees on the menu, namely the roast beef bacon roll (RM9.90) and sautéed roast beef (RM19.90), which judging by the scrumptious potato boat, would be hugely satisfying indeed. Wong Boon Ken