Checking out Shin Tokyo Sushi & Ramen Ten, two sister restaurants that opened side-by-side this month at PJ's Jaya33; customers can sit at either outlet & order from both to relish a meal of sushi & ramen all at once.The lobster salad roll. Portions of the topping taste like an inferior version of dried scallops, though it's nevertheless not a rip-off, considering the ultra-low price of RM12.80.The Tamago Mayo Nigiri (RM5.60 before taxes) seems somewhat inspired by the late Fukuharu's famed mentai sushi. Astonishingly, it tastes almost as terrific, thanks to its melt-in-the-mouth, eggy creamy-savoriness.Unagi chawanmushi, a recipe that works. Blessed be thick slices of freshwater eel.Another fun combo: Garlic fried rice, topped with salmon sashimi & roe. The rice could probably use more flavor, but the fishy components of this are fine.Onward to ramen: The menu's extensive, with crayfish noodles the top recommendation.Both restaurants are known even in Singapore as being completely halal eateries, which explains why sake, shochu, wine & cocktails are sadly absent in this entry. Oh, well. On the plus side, service is efficient enough & fairly friendly.

Bulb Coffee, also a welcoming place eager to ensure a pleasant experience for patrons.Bulb's desserts are homemade by the cheerful owner's aunt; love this chilled Oreo cheesecake, a light, mousse-like delight that's ideal for a hot afternoon. RM8.Affogato, well-priced for RM10 nett. Basic salads, sandwiches & pasta are available too.

Benjamin Coffee & Tea, a friendly, no-frills cafe that uses 100 percent Arabica beans & German tea leaves for its beverages.Benjamin's latte is enjoyable enough, well-paired with a nice slice of red velvet cake.Benjamin's Coffee & Tea,
40, Jalan 24/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-10pm.
Tel: 03-6206-4196

Looking for something a little unusual at Solaris Dutamas? Coco Bar's offerings fit the bill, though they might prove an acquired taste.Coco Bar tackles the exotic adventure of West African cuisine; the kitchen's commandeered by at least one person from that region. Imported ingredients purportedly feature in this 'egusi' soup, a much-seasoned stew of melon seeds & leaf veggies.To make the meal more filling: 'Eba,' starchy-grainy balls of dried grated cassava. A serving of the soup with this costs RM30, not exactly cheap but not excessively costly.We like the African-style grilled fish at any rate: Whole sea bass, well-marinated, moist & meaty, served with fried plantains, onions, mayo & green chili sauce.The fish is packaged with two glasses of wine (the white's better than the red) for RM85 nett.No African cocktails, but two Mojitos come for the price of one (RM28 nett) during happy hours that stretch well past 8pm. Slightly more sweet than intoxicating, but perfectly fine for this price.

Burger haters, this one's not for you; for the rest of us, Big Mouth, which opened this month in Bandar Sunway, promises two or three items of possible interest.Living up to its name, Big Mouth's signature eight-inch-wide creation is a behemoth of a burger, served in a box the size of a birthday cake, boasting a 500-gram flame-grilled beef patty that even four customers might have trouble finishing. Comes with fries too.For less epic appetites, try smaller burgers that nonetheless seem more substantial than normal; our best bet's this Benedict Burger (RM12.80, including fries).Not into beef? Have a chicken burger with quite-good onion rings, pickles & an extra request of fried egg. RM13.80. Could be a satisfying supper snack, except that Big Mouth currently opens 10:30am-8:30pm (closed Sundays). Caution: Parking here on weekdays requires some patience.Also potentially enjoyable: Big Apple Burger (RM18.80), served with hash brown & grilled apple.Fries, chunky enough, though without the crisp that would render them wholly irresistible.