Smith's Diner (Kota Kemuning): Western Food Review

The latest buzz in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor - Smith’s Diner caught our attention through a Facebook food group. Curious and ready to explore, we headed over last Sunday.To beat the weekend crowd, we arrived early at 6:30 PM and were the first two customers of the evening.

The ambiance? Nothing overly fancy, but pleasantly inviting. The interior is clean, cosy, and tastefully simple - just the right setting for a relaxed dining experience.

The Menu & Our Picks

We were handed three separate menus - for mains, drinks, and desserts (the dessert one upon request). There’s a fair variety to choose from. Here’s what we ordered:

Mushroom Soup with Garlic Bread (RM12.00)

Pan-seared Snapper (RM36.00) (later replaced)

Cream of Salmon Fettuccine (RM28.00)

Maple Honey BBQ Pork Ribs (RM39.00)

Carrot Cake (RM12.00) (from the display counter)

Plain Water (FOC)

A full video review is attached for those who prefer visuals. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel - Nava’s Zen - for more lifestyle content.

The Meal Experience

First to arrive was the Mushroom Soup with Garlic Bread. Really thick, with tiny chunks of mushroom, black pepper, and herb-scented, which enlivened our tastebuds. Though the garlic bread cannot be faulted in texture, the garlic flavour and aroma didn’t quite come through.

Next to arrive was the Pan-seared Snapper arrived first. Visually appealing, the dish was served with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. However, the taste didn’t sit well with us - assumingly the fish was not fresh, and it was rather dry. After raising it with the staff, we were politely offered an alternative. We switched to the Cream of Salmon Fettuccine instead.

Meanwhile, the Maple Honey BBQ Pork Ribs stood out. Subtly sweet with a lovely char, the ribs were tender, falling off the bone effortlessly. Sides included sautéed vegetables, mash, (CREAMY BUTTERY MASHED POTATOES) and a grilled corn cob topped with cheese. A hearty, flavourful dish that met expectations for a classic Western pork ribs meal.

The Cream of Salmon Fettuccine was a hearty portion for small eaters like us - creamy, gooey, and well-seasoned with herbs. The generous amount of rich sauce paired with the al dente pasta deserves praise for the satisfaction it delivered to our palates (VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI MALAYSIAN STYLE).

Since we struggled to finish both the ribs and fettuccine, we packed them back along with the Carrot Cake.. I chose the cake mainly because the portion size was worth the price, and I couldn’t resist how tempting it looked on the display shelf. It didn’t disappoint. As recommended by the staff, I lightly warmed up half the slice - moist, not overly sweet, and layered with just the right amount of cream. Definitely worth a try (EGGLESS MOLTEN LAVA CAKE).

While the snapper dish was a miss, the rest of the meal made up for it. However, considering the overall cost, it’s not a meal we would opt for frequently. That said, the generous portions, flavours that impressed us, and the humble, kind service are aspects that should be recognised.

(Ms. Nava, a Zenpreneur in her 60s, founded Nava’s Zen at 58. She has 22 years of experience as a former lecturer, including with Curtin University’s Degree Twinning Program. Ms. Nava is also a passionate foodie who loves discovering eateries. For Ms. Nava, food brings people together, and sharing her Zen dining experiences celebrates this connection with others).