TGI Friday's at the Curve: US-Size Platters of Satisfaction

What: TGI Friday's, The Curve, Damansara Utama, KL

When: February 2013

Food: American

Rating: 6/10

We were perhaps deluding ourselves a little when the BF and I stepped into TGI Friday's on a Sunday afternoon (could we be any further from the beloved Friday feeling?!), but when the cheery napkins informed us that it was always Friday within the walls of this American chain restaurant, we thought we would try to embrace it all the same.

Step into America...

TGIF is spottable in many corners of Malaysia (there are 16 in the country), and it is perhaps its chain status that has long put me off going there – chain restaurants are often unexciting and lack personality, and I suspected that TGIF would be much the same.

I was, thankfully, to be reminded why these restaurant become so successful, and yes it may be a repeated formula, but that doesn’t stop the red and white motif, the musical paraphernalia, and the enthusiastic staff from cheering the soul of a hungry diner. Who can help but enjoy a place where you can tuck yourself in a little booth and imagine yourself in an American diner, complete with curiosities bolted to the wall (roller skates? Keyboards?). 

 

Funky paraphernalia adorn the walls

We weren't the only ones trying to find Friday on a Sunday

It is also the opportunity for some reliable food that comes in huge portions that are perfect for rewarding yourself the day before the working week kicks off again, and the decent choice of American staples will satisfy any who are hungry.

The menu is long enough to bamboozle the indecisive – salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, meat, fish, chicken – and there are options for those being health conscious and for those determined to embrace a huge meaty meal (steaks and ribs are popular choices).

Hurrah for that!

Drinks are also something of a funky option at TGIs, and the bar offers an inspiring range of cocktails, wines, beers, and spirits, while juices, slushies, and mocktails accompany the soft drinks (some are bottmless, such as ice tea) on a lengthy list that explains why many drinkers head to TGIF when they need a chat over a beverage.

My eye was caught by the Strawberry Lemonade Slush (RM10.90) – an unnaturally sweet concoction of strawberries, ice, and homemade lemonade which served to make me feel like a nine year old at a birthday party, but was refreshing and enjoyable nonetheless. The BF had a bottomless Ice Tea, which was refilled at the shake of a wrist.

A slush of strawberry and lemonade

Before the menu was given a proper once over the BF’s eagle eye had spotted the special Prosperity Set menu (running in conjunction with CNY) which offers two courses at RM29.90++, which is a steal when a main would cost that alone in the menu.

A good deal for those feeling hungry

Conscious of the epic portion sizes, we picked two courses and then got a salad as well, as the combination arrived swiftly to wow us with the size and colour.

A Quartet of Quesadillas

From the set menu we had picked the Chicken Quesadillas, we arrived looking very much like the picture (good job) and were unexpectedly tasty and fresh! One flour tortilla was stuffed with chicken, a tomato-herb sauce, and oozing cheese before being lightly pan-fried, and these four triangles of yum were tasty and tummy filling.

The main course from the set menu was the Southwest Mac & Cheese, which was whopper in size and sizzling hot from the grill, and again packed more flavour than I expected. A huge portion of chicken was fire-grilled and served with a winning combination creamy Monterey Jack, jalapeno peppers, and red peppers, and the accompanying mound of penne pasta (no macaroni?) was cheesy and oozed when eased apart, as only Mac & Cheese can.

Creamy, cheese Mac 'n Cheese with an impressive chicken chunk

Some greens would have been welcome, but for a weighty serving of pure comfort food with a decent taste, the Mac & Cheese is a good way to go.

A fresh and fruity salad topped with Almond-Crusted Chicken

Remarkably, the Almond-Crusted Chicken Salad (RM26.90) was one of fresh, sparky flavours that I did not expect in a place that prides itself on meaty mains. The portion was massive, and the pile of leaves was well mixed with cranberries, orange segments, flaked almonds and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette, although the advertised Blue cheese crumbles were few and far between.

There was plenty of chicken to keep the protein count up, and the meat was breaded and fried, although cooked till crisp and not oily, which was welcome.

Plenty of tender meat..tasted more breaded than almond-crusted though

Anyone missing a truck...?

Meals were huge and my expectations were raised – I confess I had braced myself for bland, oily food, but TGI’s certainly delivers tasty food to keep diners who aren’t seeking anything fancy satisfied. Prices are as high as one would expect in this sort of venue, but there is certainly no complaint in volume delivered.

Lunch may not have been quite awesome enough to bring that wonderful feeling of Friday to life, but for a filling Sunday lunch when we lacked imagination for what to have to where to go, it was fine.

TGI Friday's

The Curve

Mutiara Damansara

47800 Petaling Jaya

Selangor

03.7726 6899

There are various outlets throughout Malaysia

www.fridays.com.my

Open: daily