A classic collection

By Sharen Kaur (Published in NST on July2 2008)

IT was great having dinner at the Selangor Sikh Union's Kelab Aman, the country's oldest Sikh sports club with a clubhouse serving typical and tasty Punjabi food. SHAREN KAUR has the story.

Kelab Aman, which literally means `Peace Club', is the home of the SSU, the first Malaysian Sikh non-religious organisation founded circa 1920.

The two-storey club with a football field is located behind Empire Tower at Jalan Tun Razak, near the Bangladesh Embassy, off Jalan Damai, Kuala Lumpur.

It was once the site of a tin mine and in 1968 more than 4,000 lorry loads of earth were used to fill the pit before groundwork could start.

The club was officially completed in 1974 and remains the site for the Sikh community's cultural functions, carnivals, hockey, cricket and other sports.

It is also popular among the Sikhs and other communities who gather to celebrate weddings, engagements, birthdays, and corporate dinners at its 500-pax hall on the first floor.

While you're there, you'll find it a friendly, family-oriented place, offering ample parking FOC.

There's a full-bar and dance floor downstairs, but the crown in this jewel for me really is D'Aman Northern Indian Restaurant which serves authentic North Indian cuisine, a complete menu offering the community's
famous chappati (leavened bread), saag (spinach), aloo gobi (cauliflower and potato) and good, old susu lembu (cow's milk).

If you dine at night, you might get to see the brightly lighted field when games go on.

D'Aman, owned by husband and wife team Gurdev Singh, 32, and Jaspreet Kaur, 28, does not offer just an extensive menu for daily diners but acts as a one stop centre in event management.

Jaspreet tells me that D'Aman caters food for events at the club and works closely with Classic Floral Services for the decorations, while Gurdev runs a company known as MDJ Sound and Light, providing lights, a comprehensive sound system and live entertainment.

"The fun about establishing our base at Kelab Aman is its popularity among those who are always looking for something new to add to their celebration in terms of exotic food and stylish decoration.

"The non-Sikhs who come here love Punjabi food, hence their decision to host events here," added Jaspreet.

Gurdev said that the club is also strategically located making its appeal more unique.

While competition is no threat to them, Gurdev is a firm believer in offering value-for-money.

The food is reasonably priced. A nice bowl of saag and chappati for two people would cost RM7.40. Adding a piping hot masala tea and cold mango lassi to that would bring the bill to RM12.20 and you know why the place is often patronised.

Jaspreet suggested we taste the house specialties - butter chicken, dhall tarka (lentil gravy), saag (with cottage cheese), tandoori chicken, garlic and Kashmiri naan and mix vegetables Punjabi-style.

The saag which I had first was creamy and simply melted in my mouth, and when I ate it with the naan, it was heaven on earth.

The naan was warm and soft. But if you take just the Kashmiri naan, you may end up eating it on its own as it's superbly made with kismis (raisins), and dusted with lots of almond and cashew nut powder.

Next, I had butter chicken with naan, which you could also eat with jeera rice or chappati but naan for me was the better choice.

The butter chicken, which according to Jaspreet is one of the best sellers at D'Aman, was creamy with perfect texture and flavour.

Jaspreet was reluctant to disclose the ingredients adding that it was traditionally a family recipe but after trying a few spoons myself, I could say there was pure butter and a few different masala mixtures in it.

I had tandoori chicken next. As you take each bite, you just want more as its perfectly done and not too spicy, either.

The Punjabi-style mixed vegetable was a sure thing, which passed my test in terms of freshness, colour, aroma and presentation.

The vegetables - cauliflower, long beans, capsicum, carrot and potato - was not overly cooked giving you that added crunch as you savour it.

Finally, I enjoyed the mango lassi with mango pulp from India and yoghurt. Sugar-free, it was not too heavy and quite thirst quenching after a long day.

Call 012-601-1385 012-601-1385 or email dpspices@gmail.com for reservations.

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