FEATURES

Shrimp in a million ways

Srimper's Heaven.

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you may get... but, writes TAN BEE HONG, at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant, you can count on a wholesome experience.

Hot and cold Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae.

Bourbon St Baramundi is served with red mashed potato.

Delicious Cajun Shrimp with garlic bread.

ONE almost expects to see Forrest Gump walk in, check out your shoes and say “Momma always says there’s an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes” or some other Gump-ism.

The country’s first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, is largely about atmosphere in an impressive, two-storey affair reminiscent of a wooden cabin.

Lots of old wood has been used to capture the down-to-earth warmth of American southern charm and the essence of an American diner. You can read more Gumpisms off the glazed table tops. You may wonder about licence plates on the table. The blue plate reads “Run, Forrest, Run”, When you want service, flip this over to show the red sign, “Stop, Forrest, Stop”. The drinks menu is a ping-pong paddle chained to the table and there’s a bucket filled with bottled sauces.

Operated by NZ Diners, the restaurant marks the first foray into the food business by the Naza Group Of Companies that’s synonymous with the car trade.

Its CEO, SM Nasarudin Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama SM Nasimuddin, says the aim is to let Malaysians enjoy quality seafood in a casual and fun atmosphere, just the way Forrest Gump and his “best good friend” Bubba created it.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant is inspired by the 1994 Tom Hanks film, Forrest Gump. The Malaysian outlet is the 32nd for Bubba Gump Shrimp Co which has franchises all over the world including Indonesia, Mexico, Hong Kong, The Philippines and Japan.

But ambience aside, you can get a decent meal here. Seafood is the order of the day. Shrimps dominate — from appetisers to specials — as Bubba says in the film, “shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it”.

There’s Popcorn Shrimp (RM16.90), served on paper in a bucket. As is the Run Across America Sampler (RM42.90), which is a combination of five types of appetisers. This is a good way to test out the various appetisers. Chilled shrimps are poached with shells. Use your fingers to peel them. After all, the homey-feel of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co inspires that kind of familiar, intimate dining.

Bubba’s Far Out Dip is my favourite. Creamy spinach, artichokes and red pepper is cooked with Monterey Jack cheese and served with tortilla chips. Served hot and yummy.

There’s Cajun spiced chicken strips and Hush Pups — minced prawn, fish and corn balls served with a remoulade sauce. Lastly, there’s Mama Blue’s Southern Fried Shrimps. Whole shrimps are coated with breadcrumbs and deepfried so crisp you can even eat the tail shells.

Another lovely shrimp dish is Cajun Shrimps (RM20.90). The shrimps, shelled but with tails intact, are sauteed in a butter sauce spiced up with hot Cajun spices. Just add a squeeze of lemon. Garlic bread is provided for dipping up the hot sauce.

For something different, try Calamari Rings (RM17.90), Onion Rings (RM14.90) and Old Fashioned Clam Chowder (RM8.90 for a cup). The Tossed Chicken Cobb (RM24.90) is a huge serving of salad greens with grilled chicken, avocado, roma tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, beef bacon and gorgonzola cheese tossed with a really delicious raspberry vinaigrette.

If you can’t get enough of shrimp, go straight to Bubba’s Shrimp Specials where choices include Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth (RM38.90, shrimp in broth with rice), Shrimper’s Heaven (RM44.90, a combo of coconut shrimp, chilli shrimp, fried shrimp, tempura shrimp and fries), Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp (RM38.90, served with Cajun marmalade) and Chipotle Shrimp (RM36.90, shrimp in creamy parmesan chipotle sauce with rice and garlic bread).

I like I’m Stuffed Shrimp (RM38.90). The extra large shrimps are stuffed with crabmeat and baked in garlic butter. A topping of Monterey Jack cheese gives it an irresistible aroma. It’s served with rice.

You can also get a combination of shrimps and fish in many items, like Accidental Fish And Shrimp (RM34.90) where you get broiled baramundi fish and sauteed shrimp on a bed of rice

There’s also Bubba’s After The Storm Bucket of Boat Trash (RM42.90). Also a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co signature dish, you get deepfried shrimp with deepfried slipper lobster tails and grilled baramundi in a bucket. There’s plenty of fries for company too.

Prefer fish? Bourbon Street Baramundi (RM29.90) where the fish is marinated with Cajun spices and grilled. It’s served with mashed red potatoes and a creamy sauce. For meat eaters, try the slow-roasted, tender BBQ Beef Back Ribs (RM58.90) served with fries and coleslaw. It’s a huge portion, so you may want to share.

Save space for dessert! There are pies, puddings, sundaes and shortcake as well as That Chocolate Thing (RM16.90) — warm flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and raspberry sauce.

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae (RM13.90) is worth a try. The cookie base is freshly baked in a small skillet and served with a topping of vanilla ice cream, caramel, chocolate, peanuts and whipped cream.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant is open from 11am to midnight on weekdays and 11am to 1am on weekends.

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO RESTAURANT
1st Floor, The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, PJ
Tel: 03-7710-9862

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