A&W turns 100 years old!

Whenever I see A&W Rootbeer, I don't only see a bubbly drink in a frosty mug that can make any day better, I see myself in my primary school pinafore sipping the brown drink for the very first time and deciding it to be my favourite soft drink. Having my school just a stone's throw away from the A&W Restaurant in PJ, I frequented A&W quite a bit whether it was for a quick lunch or a treat from mom. It is no wonder that A&W has its image etched in many of my schooling-day memories. That corner restaurant just opposite the Taman Jaya LRT station imbues nostalgia, so much so that I would join a human fort to protest against its demolition and would not miss its 100th anniversary celebration for the world!

It's more than Rootbeer in that mug. It's a drink to reminisce childhood memories

A&W is named after its founder, Allen and Wright. It started as a root beer business which began in June 1919 in California and has been serving up root beer and burgers for 100 years. The A&W franchise was brought into Malaysia in 1963 by Mr and Mrs Lie Boff from USA. The Lie Boff family opened their first outlet in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman making it the first fast food outlet in Malaysia. This was followed by the first Drive-in outlet in Petaling Jaya in 1965.

Although 100 years old in the world and 56 years old in Malaysia, A&W won't let its brand be pedestrian for its patrons. Inter Mark Resources Sdn. Bhd. (IMRSB) which acquired the brand aims to make A&W great again for the children of the children who grew up at its playgrounds and win over a new generation of customers, who are the millennials.

A&W is not a mere fast food restaurant. It wants to be known as the Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
Serving food on wheels to drive-in customers is one way too

Now A&W is not settling as a mere 'fast food' restaurant. Instead, this century old American food eatery wants to be known as a Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR). Unlike fast food restaurants, A&W prepares its food from fresh ingredients which includes the use of fresh chicken instead of frozen ones. Of course, as a commitment to being quick, A&W waiters will continue to serve customers on roller skates/ blades when you drive-in.

Try the new Float on Cone which is a twist of Rootbeer sorbet and vanila soft serve

Owning a flavour as delicious as Rootbeer, any ice-cream made out of it will be a winner. Joining their classic menu is the new Rootbeer sorbet! Twisting Rootbeer sorbet and vanilla soft serve together, you'll get a complete Rootbeer float in a cone. A&W’s new dessert kiosks will also be hitting high traffic shopping malls soon offering delights like Waffle To Go and Float on Cone soft serve.

Earlier this year, a few new sauces were developed using ingredients well-loved by Malaysians for A&W’s signature Coney, such as the Buttermilk Cheese Coney and Sichuan Mala Coney. Innovation is one of their recipe to woo its customers.

A&W existed when these cars rolled on the roads

A&W's 100th anniversary festival saw the display of iconic things that kids of the 80's and 90's can associate with like classic cars and arcade games. Having sung countless birthday songs for the children who celebrated their birthdays at A&W, Rooty® The Great Root Bear was lovingly present at the festival to greet guests. As I took a pic with Rooty, a layer of warmth swathed my heart. Rooty was one of the reasons every kid wanted to have a birthday party at A&W.

With Rooty the Great Root Bear

Make A&W awesome again!

Now I am tall enough to shoot hoops

When games were not on smart phone

The ever delicious Rootbeer in frosted mug. Kid-friendly 'beer'

The famous A&W waffles in different toppings. There is something about their waffles that makes me travel all the way by LRT to Taman Jaya station just to get one piece of their waffle. What's your favourite topping?

Always love seeing how the waffles are prepared

My favourite in butter and syrup

Next favourite is their Golden Aroma chicken

If you love me, give me the skin

Spicy Aroma Chicken

Curly fries are imported from the US

Chicken Coney

Beef Coney

Mozza Burger

The children's party room has been refurbished to this cosy room with a TV for cartoons!
Who still remembers how the old party room looked like?

The nearly demolished A&W restaurant in PJ opposite Taman Jaya is here to stay!

“Since we took over, we have not stopped working on improving the product quality and services in our outlets. We have established the A&W Academy to train or re-train staff and run competitions among them to motivate good servicing,” explained Intermark Resources CEO, George Ang.

To make A&W more accessible to Malaysians, A&W Malaysia plans to Increase the number of outlets, drive-in and kiosks from 48 outlets to 100 outlets, some of which are drive-ins and kiosks by 2021.

With the certified Halal status for all A&W Malaysia products by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), A&W Malaysia is committed to providing customers with the finest quality of food, a satisfactory service, a warm and welcoming environment which all products are produced under the strictest hygienic and sanitary condition.

Like A&W Malaysia’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AnWMalaysiaOfficial/ for latest updates on the festival and A&W outlet menu.

Eat the American Way at Rockaway Grill and Bar @ Changkat Bukit Bintang

The struggle to find generous portions of mouth-watering ribs, in good ambiance and most importantly gentle on the wallet is real. Just when I was searching, I was introduced to Rockaway Grill and Bar. Located at one of the liveliest places in Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Changkat. the restaurant is just a 10 minute walk from the Bukit Bintang MRT station.

Not a spot is untouched with their wild wild west themed furbishing. Faux logs, barrel tables, hats and ropes made me feel like I was in a cowboy county. With graffiti and pop music in the background, this place strikes as a recommended venue for future celebrations that need an episode of Wild Wild West. Also, to those who like a little sport when dining, ask for the hidden pool table underground.

Food here follows the appetite of the Americans, in sync with the restaurant's character. Be ready to consume like one as the chef's here have trained themselves to cook like we have 4 stomachs!

Huge portions at the Rockaway Grill and Bar

The cowboy setting of the restaurant

Feel the vigour with barrels as tables, graffiti and logs

In true Wild Wild West spirit

The chefs here won my heart with their specialty- RIBS! 

The Greybull Smoked Spare Ribs is evidently my favourite as the meat falls apart with just a pinch of the fingers, exposing the toothsome ruby red meat inside. There is nothing more inviting than the sight of a the rib glistening with thick sticky sauce topped with a sprig of thyme. The texture and herb-infused flavour left me finger-licking for more.

Known for its lean meat, wild boar rib (Scottbluff Smoked Veal Wild Hogs) is a rarity and definitely something unique to be served. Despite the most indiscernible shape, the rack of meat is evenly baked and grilled as are other ribs. Choose your ribs to be cooked in the original bbq sauce, Hellfire XXL sauce, black pepper sauce, Hickory red wine sauce or garlic capers butter sauce. 

 Rockaway ribs can feed 4 average eaters in my estimation. Tenderness, succulence and tasty sauces is what you can expect in each tray.

Greybull Smoked Spare Ribs (beef) RM95

Scottbluff Smoked Veal Wild Hogs (wild boar) RM85

When you savour it to the bone

Laramie Whole Slab Ribs (pork) RM90

Wichita Lamb Steak RM82

Adjust the doneness to your liking when you order the Wichita Lamb Steak. Served on a hot stone plate, I played a chef a little when I sizzled the lamb on this scalding hot surface. Gamy yet odourless and well marinated.

Rockaway Special Tapas Platters

The Rockaway Special Tapas is the perfect platter for casual eating with friends over conversations. Pinch away meat of all sorts in the form of sausages, bacon, nuggets and ribs. It gets better with an ice cold mug of beer by your side!

Rockaway's skillful team of chefs

The bar

The Rockaway bar serves their drinks passionately with very Instagram-able presentation. Unwinding with a cocktail or mocktail, sitting on their high chair while observing the antics of passer-bys at Changkat is an enjoyable way to spend the evening.

Cheers!

Other than ribs, other mains like pizza, fish, pasta and hamburgers are palatable too. The savoury sweetness of the Panko Crusted Cod Fish is maintained while the crust contributes a crispy texture contrasting the soft flakey cod meat. 

At first bite, the pastas are unmistakably al-dente with sufficient flavour of garlic making every bite gratifying. Seafood flavours penetrated the pasta, proving the chef's culinary skills.

The Lincoln and Washington hamburgers are not to be under estimated as each of them has a juicy, 1/2 a kilo, well-seasoned patty between the buns that just disarmed the critic in me. The grand-sized burger fills has no problem filling up a big-eater.

Panko Crusted Cod Fish RM54

Tiger Prawn and Minced Crab Pasta RM36

Spicy Clam Leek Pasta and Poached Eggs RM33

Washington Burger RM68

From top: Daddys Breakfast Pizza and Texas Pizza

A recommendation for any occasion

Rockaway, you certainly did rock my evening. You are a package of good food, drinks, atmosphere and price. I will definitely be back for more of these yummy items from the menu with family and friends because I know your cooking won't disappoint!

Petite Fillet Mignon RM67
Beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, asparagus and musrooms

Brisket Cobb Salad RM32
Grilled brisket, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, chives and roquefort cheese

Buffalo Honey Wings RM36
Chicken wings, honey rance dressing, celery and carrot stick

Traditional Fish and Chips RM42
Served with french fries, mushy peas and coleslaw

Philly Steak and Cheese RM30
Roasted beef, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions

Pork Sausages Roll RM30
Sausage meat and pastry puff

Rockaway at Changkat Bukit Bintang

Rockaway Grill and Bar
20-2, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.

FB: www.facebook.com/rockawaygrillbar

For more inquiries, call 012-250 7726