Feast On Warm Tacos & Gooey Melted Cheese Fries At This Mexican Eatery In Damansara Uptown
Take a trip to Damansara and transport yourself to a coast off Mexico.
By Wayne Garreth — 07 Sep 2022, 11:29 AM
Nestled just around the corner of the busy avenue that is Damansara Uptown comes a Mexican-fusion eatery that's hot on everyone's lips
Scout's Cantina has been making a name for itself, despite running operations for about a month now. With bright neon lights that illuminate the exterior of the establishment, we couldn't help but pay a visit and see what the fuss is all about.
Occupying a two-story lot in Uptown 5, its strategic location is hard to miss, located in a building that stands at the heart of Uptown.
Stepping into the eatery, we were blown away by the aesthetic Spanish accents that brightened up every inch of the café. From the stairs to their countertops, and even flooring, the use of authentic Talavera ceramic tiles added a splash of colour without overwhelming its stylistic appeal.
With accents of greenery splattered across the first floor in the form of potted plants, their ceiling-high windows make for a radiant surrounding that captivates a wide and diverse lunch crowd. A keen feature that didn't go unnoticed by this SAYS writer would have to be the plastering of classic Malaysian movie posters across the walls of the dining area, adding a touch of local culture to this seemingly Latin-rich ensemble.
As for the second floor of Scout's, the decorative accents remain rather simple and uncluttered. Nonetheless, everything remained clean and concise, with a nice view overlooking the balcony.
Overall, Scout's Cantina has an 80 pax capacity for those looking to indulge with big groups for a day on the town.
Totally famished, it was time for us to see if the grandiose environment could match the sensibility of the food that was splattered all over our social media feeds.
Serving some of their most popular items, we were immediately transfixed by the modesty of each dish, projecting a rather homey and comforting vibe
Opening with one of the best items on the menu, the O.G Disco Fries (RM16) was nothing short of sensational. Coated in melted cheese with a dash of parsley for colour, this bowl of gooey goodness practically sent us to heaven and back. One not to miss for prospective customers, we'd be certain that this item would get anyone pumped up for their meal to be served (that is, except those who are lactose intolerant).
We then followed with one of two tacos that were to come. The 'Goth' Taco (RM16) was a carefully crafted addition to the menu at Scout's for the vegetarian crowd. Consisting of their special charcoal tortilla, their contents of pulled mushroom, corn salsa, and garlic aioli were undeniably generous. Nothing particular to scream about, the dish overall was a good attempt at a vegetarian taco. Nonetheless, the quantity of ingredients would fill the rumbling stomachs of even the heaviest eater.
For those looking after their diet, a vegan option is also available should you prefer that instead.
Though ironically served to us on a plate, the Pulled Beef Burrito Bowl (RM20) added a touch of colour to the eye. Splattered with a variety of accompanying elements, the dish essentially consists of spiced rice and pulled beef, with sides of corn salsa, beans, pickled cabbage, and garlic aioli.
All in all, the visual appeal of the dish didn't necessarily translate in palette. Though the pulled beef was spicy and tender, its complementing elements lacked the texture and relish to pull us in for another plate. However, the spiced rice itself added a good kick for those looking to sooth their spice craving.
A house favourite and all-round killer of the pack, our expectations were set high for the Stoner Burrito (RM20). Consisting of a wrap with fries, cheese, spiced chicken, corn salsa, cabbage, pickles, sriracha, and garlic aioli, this dish was spectacular from start to finish.
Sinking your teeth into its warm toasty exterior, your hands will get messy from the oozing cheese and steaming hot chicken pieces. Not overwhelming the wrap in sauces, one mouthful of the burrito had us swooning for more until there was literally nothing left on the plate. As for those who wonder about the size of this item, the burrito is about the size of a fist.
While we oscillated between scrumptious dishes and those worthy of improvement, one taco superseded the entire pack when it came to heartiness
The Baja Fish Taco (RM16) seemed to encapsulate the entire spirit which Scout's Cantina is built on. Self-explanatory in title, the taco itself consists of a crispy fried fish, accompanied by cabbage, corn salsa, and garlic aioli. One bite into this taco transported us to the island of Ensenada on Cedros Island, packing a punch in savoury satisfaction that's worthy of a second (and even a third) order.
Gathering ourselves, the light sear on the fish left it crunchy enough to comfort our taste buds without it bursting in oil and air. The combination of sauces sang a harmonious tune for richness without submerging the meat entirely. A 10 out of 10, this is one item one sheerly cannot miss out.
Concluding our review, there's undeniable potential for the future of Scout's, though a few servings highlight their novelty as a newbie in the F&B industry
Despite one or two outstanding dishes, a remainder few do stick out for their lack of overall presentation. Nevertheless, balancing out the entire session would definitely have us visiting Scout's Cantina again in time, with a little more time and experience under their belt to master elements that are currently lacking.
Beyond just the mix of Spanish and Mexican dishes, Scout's also serves an array of desserts that can be viewed on their counter, including brownies and Danish pastries. Coffee addicts can also head on over to the café for a hot mocha latte or even a chilled chocolate drink.
Having housed a soft launch, they are officially opening the full range of their eatery as of this month, September! Steadily progressing and only getting better with time, we can't wait to see where Scout's will head when it comes to polishing corners, both in aesthetic appeal and flavoursome sensation.
