CHASING FOOD DREAMS

With Duan Wu Jie (端午节) around the corner, many will commemorate the festival with rice dumplings or Chung in Cantonese. The art of making rice dumplings require a long process with many ingredients to yield a delicious result. Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine has always been synonymous with fine Cantonese cuisine. Owner Jeannette Han and Executive Chef Wesley Ng pride themselves for their fine rice dumpling curated specially for this festive season.

Armed with a tagline that says ‘The Ingredients say it all’, Elegant Inn’s rice dumpling is a luscious concoction featuring Spanish Olive Pork, Japanese Sakura Ebi, Organic Inner Mongolia Mungbeans and Taiwanese Organic Pearl Glutinous Rice along with chestnuts and double salted egg yolk.

The glutinous rice is creamy and delicious. Mungbeans are mixed with the rice to yield that nutty and sweet creaminess enhanced by moreish nuances of tiny Sakura Ebi or Japanese dried prawns. Generous tender pork along with earthy water chestnut and sublime salted egg yolks take this rice dumpling to a whole new delicious level to be shared among family and friends this festive season.

Available from 1 June to 25 June, 2020, every dumpling is handcrafted by Elegant Inn’s dim sum chef and culinary team daily. For reservations and enquiries, please call 603-2070 9399 / 603-6737 9399

ELEGANT INN HONG KONG CUISINE

2.01, 2nd Floor, Podium Block,

Menara Hap Seng,

19_07, Jalan P Ramlee,

50540 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603-2070 9399

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElegantInnhongkongcuisine

Business Hours:

Mon to Sat Lunch - 12noon to 2.30pm | Dinner - 6pm to 10.30pm

Sun Lunch – 10.30am to 2.30pm | Dinner - 6pm to 10.30pm

Luxurious New Set Menus

Exquisite fine flavours have always been Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine’s forte when it comes to a gastronomic culinary journey in the heart of our city. The fine Cantonese cuisine restaurant is now opened for dine-in or takeaway after a hiatus from the recent global pandemic period. Gourmands can now tuck into luscious dishes that Executive Chef Wesley Ng and culinary team is well-known for. The nearly two-decade restaurant is located in Menara Hap Seng and offers a culinary experience of the finest dishes using premium ingredients hand carried personally by owner – Jeannette Han herself from Hong Kong as well as fresh ingredients from locally source premium suppliers.

Diners are assured of safety dining at Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine. Jeannette has recently installed a Medklinn system, one of the best air purification and sterilization system, eliminating 99.9% of all harmful pollutants in the restaurant. Used in Singapore Changi Airport as well as Resorts World Genting and other international companies, the system helps to protect diners as well as the staffs of the restaurant, offering a peace of mind while dining.

Besides the purifying system, the restaurant has also spaced out the dining as per the required SOP for safety. Diners can enjoy dining in the main dining room as well as their private dining rooms.

Elegant Inn has launched a new list of set menus recently filled with their signatures as well as some new additions. The set menus cater from 2 pax to 10 pax and every set has different dishes to tempt even the most discerning palate.

We had the honors of previewing two set menus that offers a kaleidoscope of dishes featuring beautiful premium ingredients. Our journey commenced with the Blissful Set Menu for 4 pax at RM688+. The set menu consisted of a trio of appetizers, a soup course, 4 main dishes and another trio of desserts.

The trio of appetizers is beautifully presented at sight, featuring Crunchy Japanese Eel Roll, E.I Salt & Pepper Fried Homemade Tofu and Crispy Soft-Shell Crab with Light Spicy Sauce.

E.I Salt & Pepper Fried Homemade Tofuis light and easy to enjoy…bite into a thin crispy tofu with a smooth and creamy center. Flavoured with garlicky notes and a nice balance of savory and peppery note, the tofu is house made and a popular dish with many diners.

Batons of Crunchy Japanese Eel Roll excited the palate with its smoky sweetness of eel in crispy pastry.

We certainly enjoyed the delightful Crispy Soft-Shell Crab with Light Spicy Sauce. Thinly battered and fried well, the soft-shell crab had that light spicy and sweet note, whetting the palate for more to come.

Elegant Inn has always pride themselves on their soups. Cantonese pride themselves on their ‘Kang’, a thick bisque that is usually laced with bountiful dried seafood essence. At first spoonful of the BraisedFish Maw & Dried Seafood with Sakura Ebi, warmness filled my taste bud with comfort pleasures.

The sublime seafood essence was divine, enhanced by the various textures of fresh fish maw (Fa Kau), fried fish maw (Yue Piew), dried scallop, crab roe with crab meat and Japanese Sakura Ebi. The premium Sakura Ebi and fish maws are brought back from Hong Kong for their quality. An excellent bowl of seafood bisque that warrants slow enjoyment to savor the glorious ingredients!

The subtle sweetness of fish, cleverly perfumed with citrus, was deliciously delectable. Chef Wesley opted to pair orange for that citrusy sweetness to balance up the robust salty black bean note. The overall Steamed Sea Garoupa Slices with Fresh Orange & Black Bean Sauce had that lovely moreish note that keeps enticing the palate to want more of this dish.

It took them a while to perfect their Golden Boneless Stuffed Chicken with Chicken Tomato Salad. The chicken skin is utterly crispy and scrumptious. Coupled with the bouncy bites of the prawn and chicken paste, one can easily polish a few pieces of these. A lightly roasted tomato wedge topped with shredded chicken and drizzled with house made orange balsamic sauce proved to be a good yin to the yang of the stuffed chicken pieces.

The next dish of Wok Fried Spanish Iberico Pork with Cordyceps Flower & Bitter Melon was so delicious that I nearly wanted to ordered a bowl of steamed rice. The pork was succulent with tasty bits and paired so well with the crisp bitter melon and smoky cordyceps flowers. One of my favorite dishes of the course. There is also an option to upgrade to M8 Australian Wagyu Beef for RM48+ if you prefer beef over pork.

If there is one carb drool worthy of its calories, it’s Elegant Inn’s Australia Scallop & Japanese Dried Scallop Fried Rice. Full of wok hei, the fluffy rice is well-studded with cubes of fresh scallops and flakes of dried scallops. Kailan stems gave the dish a nice textural component too. This was delicious, so much so that I had a second helping happily.

It was a trio of sweet endings with Nutty Sesame Ball, Homemade Banana Red Bean Pancake and Icy Lemon Longan Sea Coconut. While the Homemade Banana Red Bean Pancake was yummy with its crispy pastry filled with creamy sweet banana and nutty bean paste, the Nutty Sesame Ball was superb. The peanut filling was divine and goes so well with the crispy and lightly chewy sesame studded pastry.

A refreshing ending of citrusy Icy Lemon Longan Sea Coconut was the perfect finale to the course.

If you’re up for splurging for finer delights, Elegant Inn offers a Lavish Set Menu for 2 pax at RM368+ per person. Savor premium land and sea ingredients curated with much effort by Chef Wesley and culinary team for gourmand pleasures, this 10-dish course takes on a luscious and flavourful journey of the finest.

Starting the appetizer course with a trio of dishes, tuck into Pan Seared French Goose Liver on Crunchy Pickles, Australian Scallop Bacon Roll and E.I Crispy Vegetable Rice Roll.

Plump and sweet Australian Scallop Bacon Roll proved that some pairings are just meant to be. Sublime crispy bacon with juicy scallops are literally a match made in food haven. One is surprised by the taro flavour from the roll that is finished by a dainty crispy fried lotus root on salad of cherry tomato and baby cos lettuce.

The E.I Crispy Vegetable Rice Roll, inspired by Hong Kong’s dim sum of ‘Cha Leong’, is at its best when prepared fresh from the kitchen. Crispy fritter with vegetables rolled up with freshly steamed Cheong Fun in a savory and sweet sauce had us enjoying the natural sweetness and wonderful textures very much.

To round up the epic appetizer episode, the perfectly Pan Seared French Goose Liver on Crunchy Pickles has a delicious vibe going on with that luscious and creamy goose liver balanced up with garlicky pickled smashed cucumber. Popping sensations of tiny globules of fish roes added umami notes to the dish.

Going all out, the Double-Boiled Superior Shark’s Fin with Dried Conch & Village Chicken Soup reminded us again how satisfying a soup can be when it is made with bountiful ingredients. The aroma was immensely delicious, tingling our sense of smell in excitement even before tasting it. A slow sip of the broth led to beautiful soothing pleasures with that robust seafood essence of its quality and amount of ingredients used for the broth alone. There is always the option of substituting the shark’s fin with fish maw for their own preference.

The Golden Fried Atlantic Cod Fish with Signature Fiery Garlic & Black Bean Sauce showcased a flawlessly fried cod with crispy skin served with a piquant sauce that rendered fireworks on the palate. The cod was creamy and smooth while the spicy garlicky black bean sauce perked up the oceanic sweetness very well.

It takes skills to prepare one of the much sought after ingredient of the sea. The Braised Whole 7 Head South Africa Abalone with “Chu Por” Sea Cucumber & Flower Mushroom goes through a long and slow process of selecting, soaking, simmering and braising as well as flavouring premium abalone and sea cucumber to bring out its best of flavours and textures. The sauce, beautifully flavoured of briny sea notes, had us trying to spoon it as much as we can with the main ingredients in each bite.

A simple but scrumptious Organic Buckwheat Noodle with Wok Fried Spanish Iberico Pork had us slurping in delight. Al dente buckwheat noodle was a good platform to the tasty and full of ‘Wok Hei’ Iberico pork slices. Despite being full, I couldn’t resist the dish for its yummy notes. There’s always room for an upgrade to Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef for RM68+ for extra pleasure.

The course ended on a high note with more premium ingredients in Bird’s Nest Egg Tartlet, E.I Golden Custard Cake and Double-Boiled Hasma with Bentong Ginger & Rock Sugar.

A popular signature of Elegant Inn, the E.I Golden Custard Cake was this delicious pan-fried Ma Lai Ko with crisp layer contrasting beautifully with the fluffy cake. Savor the delicate flavour and texture of the Bird’s Nest Egg Tartlet before ending the gastronomical journey with a nutritious Double-Boiled Hasma with Bentong Ginger & Rock Sugar. The subtle gingery notes along with hasma soothed the body and palate with comfort notes after a beautiful Chinese meal of the finest ingredients. Upgrade to Double-Boiled Golden Bird’s Nest with King Dates & Rock Sugar for RM88+.

More sets are available besides the above listed. Do check out their Facebook page for more details. For reservations and enquiries, please call 603-2070 9399 / 603-6737 9399

ELEGANT INN HONG KONG CUISINE

2.01, 2nd Floor, Podium Block,

Menara Hap Seng,

19_07, Jalan P Ramlee,

50540 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603-2070 9399

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElegantInnhongkongcuisine

Business Hours:

Mon to Sat Lunch - 12noon to 2.30pm| Dinner - 6pm to 10.30pm

Sun Lunch – 10.30am to 2.30pm | Dinner - 6pm to 10.30pm

Hearty Beefy Noodles and More…

An eatery that has withstood the test of time, more than 6-decades to be precise, in the heart of our metropolitan city where it all started has Soong Kee Beef Noodle extending their branches to the latest location in Setapak. Started in 1945 by Mr. Soong Kee himself after World War 2, business may not have started out great but it has now become a bowl of legend from constant support of beef noodle lovers from everywhere.

Renowned for their beef noodles, Soong Kee pride themselves on serving a variety of noodles with their robust dark rich beef sauce along with a piping hot bowl of beef broth with beef slices, tripe and beef balls. We paid a recent visit one weekend for lunch at the Setapak outlet. Despite the area being packed with many eateries, Soong Kee still manages to stand out as a popular option for the many locals living in that area.

The Setapak branch is spacious and designed with a classic minimalist theme of bright and clean dining comforts. Walls dressed with history of how it all started along with their brand logo, Soong Kee is an eatery where one knows that good food is enough to warrant constant visits.

The menu, besides their signatures, now offers additional street food favorites that cater to non-beef eaters like wanton noodles, curry mee, dumplings, steamed chicken and more.

Drinks to quench the thirst:

Honey Lemon (RM4.00), Loh Hon Guo (RM2.00), Ribena Lychee (RM4.00), Kopi-O (RM2.50) & Barley Lemon (RM2.50)

Diners get options of Soong Kee’s Beef Balls Noodles (RM8.90) served dry or soup as well as option of their original Hakka noodles or thin meehoon. We tried the four combinations and found ourselves enjoying the dry version with thin meehoon as our top favorite followed by the Hakka dry version.

The sauce is what elevated the noodles to new grounds of flavours. Dark minced beef and pork, slow braised to yield that tender and rich beefy goodness. Coupled with their signature house made bouncy beef balls, this is what draws diners from near and far for a hearty bowl of beefy goodness.

Beef Tripe Noodles(RM8.90), another version of their signature is specially concocted for tripe lovers. While the Hakka noodles remain a constant favorite, the meehoon came as a surprising factor that takes on the sauce so well.

A bowl of clear beef broth has smooth fresh beef and boiled beef slices along with chewy tripe slices and Soong Kee’s beef balls. The subtle sweetness of the broth is delicious, providing a nice contrast to the dark rich minced sauce on the noodles.

We also tried their Char Siew Wonton Mee (RM7.90), a decent plate of springy wanton noodles nicely flavoured and aromatic with the quintessential char siew slices and some blanched greens. The soup wantons are decent as well.

The Chicken Curry Mee (RM9.90) has become a crowd favorite with its generous bowl of noodles of your choice topped with poached chicken pieces, beansprouts, beancurd puffs and fresh mint. The curry gravy is not overly thick thus making the gravy easy to enjoy without the cloying richness. The spice balance is nice and gave the curry its moreish note of satisfaction.

I am never one to order just noodles without any add-ons of ala carte and the Five Spice Tendon (RM13.00) is a good choice. That long hours of braising rendered soft gelatinous beef tendons that has absorbed the five spice aromatics well.

We also couldn’t resist ordering a bowl of Beef Slice (RM10.00) soup simply because we really enjoyed the smooth tender fresh beef slices a lot. Goes exceptionally well with their house made chili sauce.

Dining with kids, it was only logical that we added on both version of Fried and Soup Dumplings (RM6.50/5pcs). These were plump and nicely flavoured with minced meat. While the soup dumplings are yummy, the fried dumplings are even better.

Steamed Chicken (RM10.00) showcased a firm and tasty chook steamed well and smothered in light soy sauce gravy finished with sprinkling of scallions.

Last but not least, one will find many diners ordering a plate of the Poached Vegetables (RM5.50) of the day that is smothered in their signature minced sauce.

Soong Kee has continued to carry on their legacy in serving a bowl of beef noodles that has withstood the test of time. The restaurant at this location was closed recently due to the global pandemic situation but has now reopened for dine-in and takeaway. It’s a place where comfort slurping prevails, and one can always expect hearty flavours of satisfaction.

Soong Kee Beef Ball Noodle

22A, Jalan Danau Niaga 1,

Setapak,

53300 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603-4141 8124 / +6016-924 0507

Website: https://soongkee.oddle.me/en_MY

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soongkeesetapak/

Business hours:

Mon – Fri: Lunch 11.00am to 4.30pm | Dinner 5.30pm to 9.30pm

Sat & Sun: Lunch & Dinner 11.00am to 9.30pm

Affordable Japanese Buffet

Tuck into a kaleidoscope of Japanese dishes every Saturday at Still Waters at Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur. The Saturday Japanese Buffet is a treat for Japanese foodies as there are plenty of Japanese dishes available in this feast.

Still Waters is a pork free eatery features Japanese cuisine fused with European and Asian flavours as well as contemporary Cantonese inspired cuisine. The restaurant has a private dining area available in addition to their main dining area flanked by the serene sounds of waterfall backdrop.

Priced at RM78nett per adult, Still Waters Saturday Japanese Buffet is affordable dining at its best in the heart of the city.

Savor sublime slices of Sashimi of Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail and Octopus along with an assorted array of Sushi and Maki Rolls.

There are also freshly made-to-order Handrolls filled with Eel, Soft Shell Crab and Salmon.

Appetizers of Chuka Idako (Seasoned Baby Octopus), Chuka Kurage (Seasoned Jellyfish), Chuka Wakame (Seaweed Salad) along with other sides dishes are also available. Crowd pleasers, these dishes really whet the appetite for more dishes to come…

Slurp on Green Tea Soba at the noodle bar or simply enjoy a piping hot bowl of Miso Soup!

Hot buffet warmers are filled with Seafood and Vegetable Tempura, crispy Chicken Katsu, Chicken Teriyaki, Grilled Saba Fish, Oden, Grilled Salmon Teriyaki, Chawan Mushi, Assorted Kushiyaki Skewers and more along with Fried Udon and Fried Rice.

Last but not least, a trip to the dessert bar will leave a sweet ending to the buffet experience. Mini cakes, Mango Pudding, Japanese Mochi, fruits, ice creams and more will satisfy the sweet tooth craving.

Enjoy 20% off from RM78nett when you snap and share @hotelmayakualalumpur and #eatatmaya. RM40nett for children (5 - 12 years) and senior citizen (60 years old and above) Call +60 3 2333 1360 or email info@hotelmaya.com.my

STILL WATERS

Level 1, Hotel Maya

138 Jalan Ampang,

50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603-2711 8866 ext 260

Website: www.hotelmaya.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotelmayakualalumpur

Business Hours

Monday - Friday

Lunch: Noon to 2.30pm

Dinner: 6pm to 10.30pm

Saturday

Japanese Galore: 12.00pm to 3.00PM

Closed on Saturday Dinner, Sunday & Public Holiday

Takeaway or Food Delivery Value Lunch, Rice Dumpling and Dim Sum

Xin Cuisine has always been known for authentic classic Chinese food. After a short break from the global pandemic situation, the acclaimed Chinese restaurant at Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur is back with a list of lunch takeaway or food delivery along with a few extra goodies.

Xin is operating at its usual now and diners are back, enjoying its fine list of delicious Chinese dishes along with scrumptious BBQ roast meats and dim sum. For those looking for some delicious comfort food during lunch hours, check out the restaurant’s latest promotion of Xin’s Value Lunch Pack for takeaway or food delivery.

Priced at RM15 per portion, diners are in for a delicious list of classic favorite dishes with rice or noodles. Value for money, we tried some of the dishes and found them to be generously hearty and scrumptious. Not applicable for dine-in but diners can look into options of buying them for their meals later as well.

The Roasted Pork & Hong Kong Kailan with Rice is one of our favorites. A match of succulent pieces of roast pork stir-fried with crunchy HK kalian greens is quite the perfect combination of meat and vegetables with steamed rice. This is one dish that one can enjoy constantly, at least in my books!

The next choice of Black Fungus, Diced Chicken & Chinese Rice Wine with Riceproved to also be a tasty one with steamed rice. The beautiful aroma of Chinese rice wine enhanced the boneless pieces of chicken very well. Moreish flavours along with crispy textures of vegetables and black fungus completed the dish well.

Another classic lunch dish of Poached Free-Range Chicken Rice will have diners tucking into fluffy and aromatic chicken rice paired with moist pieces of poached chicken. It’s one dish that has withstood the test of time and is a crowd pleaser with diners of all ages.

The Fu-Yong Shrimp Omelettewith Rice was generously studded with shrimp and vegetables. No-frill dish and yet deliciously satisfying in every spoonful with rice.

Savor bouncy egg noodles laced with aromatic soy sauce and aromatic oil, crowned with Xin Cuisine’s signature HK BBQ honey char siew and some greens. The Egg Noodles with BBQ Honey Glazed Pork has always remained a popular choice for many, simply because when prepared well, this dish is always satisfying.

Other rice dishes on the list includes Sweet & Sour Pork with Rice, Kong Po Chicken with Rice, Grouper Fillet with Ginger & Spring Onion Rice, Minced Pork with Salted Fish & Tofu Rice and Lo Han Vegetable with Rice.

If noodles are your choice, then there is also Egg Noodles with Charcoal Roasted Pork, Egg Noodles with Crispy Roasted Duck, Egg Noodles with Fresh Prawn Wanton, Egg Noodles with Beef Shank and Egg Noodles with Twin BBQ Combination.

Besides Xin’s Value Lunch promotion, the restaurant is also offering Xin Supreme Rice Dumpling with the Dragon Boat Festival around the corner. Xin Cuisine’s rice dumpling is handcrafted by their Chinese chefs daily.

Each Xin Supreme Rice Dumpling is large enough to feed at least 3 big eaters to more small eaters. Priced at RM32 each, the rice dumpling is filled with classic ingredients like roasted pork, pork belly, dried scallop, dried oyster, dried shrimp, salted egg yolk, mushroom, chestnuts, green bean and glutinous rice.

We enjoyed the well-balanced savory and umami flavours and found the ‘Chung’to be hearty and delicious. Limited portion available hence its good to call and check or make reservation for these rice dumplings.

Dim sum is also available for dine in or takeaway as well. Xin has always been a favorite hotspot for dim sum. Since it’s opening, regulars are already making their way back for a taste of authentic dim sum available daily. Tuck into an array of tasty steamed, fried and baked dim sums such as Siew Mai, Steamed Fish Ball, Prawn Dumpling, BBQ Bun, Salad Prawn, Pan-Fried Radish Cake, Egg Tart and more.

The hotel arranges for food delivery from their own internal staff team and places stringent control on the safety of their food services as well as staff management.

Diners may order or find out more information through Whatsapp at (012) 399 5007 / (016) 906 3220

*Concorde Cash and Priority Plus Discounts apply

**Concorde Cash members are entitled to earn points

Xin New Operation Hours

Mon – Fri: 11am – 3 pm | 5.30 pm – 9.00 pm

Sat, Sun & PH: 10 am – 3 pm | 5.30 pm – 9.00 pm

XIN CUISINE CHINESE RESTAURANT

Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur

2 Jalan Sultan Ismail,

50250 Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Tel: +603 2717 2233

Fax: +603 2149 2659

Email: fbkl@concorde.net

Website: www.kualalumpur.concordehotelsresorts.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/concordehotelkualalumpur

Bring Maya Meals Home

Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur has recently launched their new one innovative dining menu, available in all their dining venues of Still Waters, Maya Brasserie and Ramah Tamah. After a two-month closure from our global pandemic situation, Hotel Maya has reopened for dine-in in alignment with social distancing guidelines since 10 June 2020.

The new affordable menu features signature items from local Malay and Chinese cuisine as well as Japanese, allowing diners to savor a medley of various flavours at their dining venues or at the comfort of their own homes and offices.

A visit to Still Waters recently had us checking out their set menu as well as some ala carte dishes. Still Waters, a pork free eatery, features Japanese cuisine fused with European and Asian flavours as well as contemporary Cantonese inspired cuisine by their talented Chef Meng, Chef Zainurin bin Mohd Salleh and culinary team.

From their ala carte innovative menu, a piping hot bowl of Braised Hot and Sour Szechuan Soup (RM20) hit all the right spot of warmness. Loaded with lots of shredded ingredients such as chicken, tofu, black fungus and other vegetables, the piquant hot and sourness of the soup was deliciously satisfying and whet our appetite for more. Other soups on the menu includes Soto Ayam with Bengali Bread, Crab Bisque and Hawaii Oxtail Soup with Parmesan Garlic Bread.

Appetizers of Wok Fried Shell-less Tiger Prawns with Butter, Golden Oat, Curry Leaves & Bird’s Eye Chilies (RM23) and Butter Squid with Salted Egg Yolk(RM28) proved to be scrumptious bites of umami flavours.

Both seafood crispy and coated with just the right amount of flavours that kicks in much addictiveness of pleasure. Even for a diner who do not enjoy prawn or squid, he found himself polishing off both appetizers happily…

The culinary team at Hotel Maya has perfected their signature dish of Malay favorites of Set Nasi Kerabu Bersama Ayam Goreng Berempah, Telur Masin, Kelapa Parut Ikan & Keropok Ikan (RM 18) and Set Nasi Tomato Bersama Ayam Masak Merah, Jelatah, Papadom & Sambal Belachan (RM18) to much deliciousness.

Not only does the Set Nasi Kerabu Bersama Ayam Goreng Berempah, Telur Masin, Kelapa Parut Ikan & Keropok Ikan looked utterly beautiful in presentation, the flavours and textures of every component of the dish worked harmoniously well. Beautifully tinted rice with blue pea flowers, tasty fried marinated ‘rempah’ chicken, grated coconut fish flakes with shredded cabbage, salted egg yolk and fish crackers along with two sambals had us tucking heartily into the dish. One sambal evokes robust sweetness while the other sambal kicks up a piquant bold hit of heat elevated the nasi kerabu to an explosion of flavours in the mouth… so shiok!

The next dish of Set Nasi Tomato Bersama Ayam Masak Merah, Jelatah, Papadom & Sambal Belachan is bound to be another crowd-pleaser. The tangy tomato flavoured rice goes very well with the rich tomatoey spiced ayam masak merah like a match made in heaven. Additions of a refreshing pickled pineapple, cucumber, onion and chili salad with crispy papadom pieces completed the balance essentials of a hearty one dish meal.

A Chinese classic, the Olive Vegetable Fried Rice with Shrimp, Fish & Golden Crispy Garlic (RM18) turned out deliciously well. The fluffy rice had a good breath of wok and is well studded with lots of shrimp and fish with preserved olive vegetable. Crispy garlicky bits gave the rice extra aroma and textures that made this dish worthy of an order.

The local menu also has other favorites such as Cantonese Style ‘Yin Yong’ Noodles, Wok Fried Glass Noodles, Maya Nasi Goreng and Crispy Egg Noodles with Fresh Water Prawns. Western, Japanese and Healthy Vegan as well as Gluten Free dishes are also available.

Hotel Maya’s new menu has three affordable set menus of Ixora, Hibiscus and Rafflesia Set Menus to cater to the different palates of diners. Ixora Set Menu is priced at RM60nett while the Hibiscus Set Menu is priced at RM80nett and Rafflesia Set Menu for is priced at RM100nett. These set menus start with a minimum order for 2 persons and additional person order is available from RM20 to RM40 respectively. Available for dine-in on weekdays (except public holidays) and daily delivery with last order at 7pm.

A preview of Ixora Set Menu includes a choice of appetizer with a soup and mains served with rice followed by a sweet ending of a choice of dessert.

Select one appetizer of Japanese Gyoza with Shrimp & Chicken or Grilled Japanese Shishamo Fish to start the meal with Japanese flavours. These Japanese bites are constant favorite in any Japanese meal.

The Double Boiled Old Cucumber Chicken Soup is simple but nutritious and nourishing as it helps to cool down the body heat. A good soup can really make a meal very satisfying, at least in the culture of the Chinese community.

A chef signature, the main dish of Creamy Chicken with Curry Leaves & Homemade Spicy Dried Shrimp Sauce was a creamy one. Laden with subtle hints of spices, the tender pieces of boneless chicken is perfumed with curry leaves and has a sublime rich aftertaste which goes well with steamed rice.

Stir Fried French Bean with Garlic and Crispy Silver Anchovies is sufficiently decent and makes a good balance to the rich chicken dish. Choice of Steamed White or Brown Rice is also available.

Enjoy a sweet ending of the set menu with your choice of one dessert of Fresh Fruit Platter or Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Ball with Peanut Filling.

For food delivery or takeaway, check out hotelmayakl.beepit.com to place orders and view the menu. Free delivery is applicable for a minimum spend of RM60 within 5km radius and minimum spend of RM80 within 10km radius. In addition, diners can enjoy a 10% store cashback on your next order. Self-pick up and food delivery are available daily from 11am to 8pm.

For more information and reservations, call +603-2711 8866 ext 260

STILL WATERS

Level 1, Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur

138 Jalan Ampang,

50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603-2711 8866 ext 260

Website: www.hotelmaya.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotelmayakualalumpur

Unwind Your Day with Wine and Tapas

There’s always time to toast in a moment of serenity on the Pearl of the Orient. Tuck into an array of delicious tapas and sip on a selection of wine, Prosecco or Champagne of your choice with Eastern & Oriental HotelSundowners Tapaspromotion.

Palm Court is the hotel all-day dining that serves a melting pot of local and international fare. Renowned for their three-tiered English afternoon tea for the quintessential E&O experience, Palm Court is set with that classic English ambiance filled with a beautiful bar flanked by the English set leather sofas and wood-based furniture and chandeliers.

Available daily from 4pm to 7pm, make your way to Palm Court which is located on the lobby level of the Heritage Wing of E&O Hotel for this promotion. Choose from a selection of red or white wines, Prosecco or Taittinger Brut Reserve champagne to go with the tapas to unwind for the day.

Four tapas is served and the list consist of Peranakan Slides, Potato & Caviar, Olive & Cheese and Gruyere Cheese Sandwich.

The Peranakan Slides had us at Hello! Delectable braised duck meat sandwiched with crispy mantau buns, each bite a flavourful temptation at its best.

Talk about elevating Potato & Caviar… these golden crisps are paired with sour cream and glorious tiny pearls of caviar.

Salty and umami notes from Olives & Cheese are quite perfect with your choice of wines, Prosecco or Champagne any time…

Dainty toasties of Gruyere Cheese Sandwich prove classic goes a long way as always!

Palm Court’s Sundowners Tapas promotion is available daily from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Enjoy selected tapas with wine, Prosecco or Taittinger Brut Reserve from RM99 nett onwards.

Call now at 04-2222151 for bookings or further enquiries.

PALM COURT

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

10 Lebuh Farquhar,

10200 Penang

Tel: +604 222 2000

Email: luxury@eohotels.com

Website: www.eohotels.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eohotels

Luxury Stay Safe Promotion

There is always a sense of belonging when I return to the Pearl of the Orient. The island holds beautiful memories of yesteryears and offers locals and visitors a bounteous heritage of culture and food. The recent pandemic situation had recently allowed interstate travels and so we made a short getaway to take a breather.

Checking into the Eastern & Oriental Hotel was a brilliant option as the hotel is currently offering a Stay Safe Promotion with several options. Not a first time but rather a returning one, we always look forward to our stay at this luxurious hotel. The hotel recently went through an extensive refurbishment on their heritage wing and re-opened in December 2019.

Stepping into a league of elegance, the iconic heritage wing has always been renowned for personalized service as well as the timeless historical grandeur theme of the hotel. Going through the hotel’s revolving door and greeted by the waitstaff, we quickly scanned to check-in before going through the sanitization process as encouraged by the hotel’s arrangement for safety measure.

The main lobby where the famous Crazy Rich Asian was filmed had me pausing for some admiration.

With several packages available on the hotel’s Stay Safe Promotion, we checked in for the E&O Luxury Stay which includes breakfast and dinner for 2 persons.

Our room was the Premier Suite that overlooks the sea. We were delighted at sight of the gorgeous poster king bed that looked utterly elegant. A beautiful antique chandelier graced the room, offering soft glows of warm lighting.

A work desk and a large wardrobe faced the bed along with a tv. The room is very spacious, evoking much relaxation pleasures. The work desk is beautiful. Paired with a leather studded chair, the British Colonial wooden desk provided a solid space for some work to be done.

The wardrobe revealed two plush embroidered bathrobes with pieces of batik sarong as well as a mini safe box, room slippers and an umbrella. Such details provided to ensure guests are at comfort with their needs during a staycation.

The suite has its own living room, a space filled with sofa, a mini bar and table for dining as well as tv for entertainment. Needless to say, Sonny is stoked that he gets to watch his own tv rather while I watch mine.

A balcony that over looks the sea beckons our presence…

The mini bar is set with glass decanters filled with various liquor and glassware. Coffee machine, French pressed, nuts & nibbles and a well-stocked mini fridge added further pleasures of a perfect staycation.

One of the most room that I look forward to is the bathroom. Echoing the signature theme of black and white tiles with the long bathtub set against a mirror backdrop. The beautiful white and silver faucet and shower head makes one want to take relaxing bath right away.

There is also a glass-door enclosed shower room as well as all the essential bathroom amenities that add much luxurious elements to the staycation.

After a while, we took a stroll to enjoy some sun and sea. The hotel’s gorgeous swimming pool looked perfect from every corner. Glistening water flowing softly from the gentle breeze that swayed the trees tempted me to take a dive right there and then. Then a light snooze by the pool with a cocktail as well as sunglasses would have completed the picture-perfect moment for some serious relaxation.

Situated along the hallway outside The Cornwallis is the new art colonnade showcasing artworks by local artists.

Cocktail hours are held at Palm Court while I was there as other eateries are not in operation for the moment. As we sat down and enjoy an array of mini bites along with some drinks, all is well as the sun slowly set for the evening.

We also went down for cocktail hours the next day and was pleased with a different variety of snacks and bites.

Dinner was also held in Palm Court. As our room package comes with dinner for two, the evening was made even better with a three-course dinner from the a la carte menu.

The ambiance at Palm Court turned dark and soft, allowing diners to dine discreetly and comfortably. Spaciously set, the room was almost romantic, creating a warm and soft mood for dining.

Dinner commenced with the first course of Butternut Squash Soup and Tomato with Mozzarella. Soup for me and salad for him. Creamy and earthy sweetness from spoonful sips of the soup warmed up the tummy for the next course to come.

Generous slices of fresh and creamy milky mozzarella along with vine-ripened tomatoes are finished with housemade pesto and drizzle of balsamic vinegar with a mount of crisp greens and parmesan.

For mains, we opted for Beef Burger and Australian Black Angus Rib Eye. Both classic Western fare that has withstood the test of time. Sonny gave his thumbs up on the juicy burger with a generous Australian beef patty with the usual suspects of condiments.

My 200gm of grass-fed beef was nicely chargrilled, served with buttered vegetables, baked potato and a trio of sauces. Tender and moist, the steak is very enjoyable along with the sauces and vegetables.

By then, we were full from the two courses but as soon as we saw the pretty dessert of Kuih Ketayap with Mango and Fruit Coulis, our sweet tooth cravings had us tucking into the dessert with gusto!

A full dinner and we turned into our room.

The staff has kindly prepared our bed to be turned in. Water is set by the bed. I made hot tea with the French press as it was tea leaves provided. Along with a book, the evening took its toll slowly as I dozed off in slumberland…

The next morning, breakfast was in planned as we took our seats at Palm Court again. In lieu of the situation, breakfast was a la carte, which honestly, we didn’t mind at all. The restaurant made sure there were some local and Western options on the menu.

Breakfast, both mornings, were really prepared well and deliciously satisfying. Porridge with various condiments and Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken never fails to please, especially its prepared well.

Sonny had Sunny Side Ups with Sausages, Beef Bacon, Hashbrown and an order of French Toast with Apple Compote and Berry Coulis.

The next day, the Eggs Benedict was exceptionally yummy with that gorgeous soft molten yolk. Pancakes and more Western fare really made our staycation a lovely one indeed.

E&O Hotel is where you want to be for a luxury getaway on the island. It has one of the best views of the sea set in city location. Coupled with the excellent service and newly refurbished rooms as well as the promotions, a Cuti Cuti Malaysiastaycation may just be what most of us need right now…

Do check out their website for more promotional details.

EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL
10 Lebuh Farquhar,
10200 Penang
Tel: +604 222 2000
Email: luxury@eohotels.com

Website: www.eohotels.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eohotels

Regal Comfort Chinese Dishes

A restaurant that has been running past a decade in the bustling township of Damansara Uptown, Auntie Sim Kitchen has been serving up Teochew and Hong Kong style Cantonese dishes to ardent foodies. What started as a casual café has now been elevated to private dining as well as casual Chinese dining space to appease palates of all diners.

The restaurant is named after Elaine Sim, more commonly known as Auntie Sim to many, who is so passionate about ensuring her diners enjoy quality and tasty dining at Auntie Sim Kitchen. Strongly focusing on the quality of the ingredients, Elaine often travels to source the ingredients from Hong Kong herself. The restaurant has two floor dining spaces. While one can opt for the ground floor for a casual and comfort ambiance, they also have the option to head upstairs for more privacy dining with private rooms available as well as main dining room.

Menu is full of dishes and those first timers like me was obviously impressed with the list of choices. From premium seafood, soulful soups, to succulent beef and pork as well as the humble chicken rice, there’s even the traditional Teochew braised duck and pork, the menu literally caters to even the finickiest eaters as well as those who seeks comfort dishes.

The Traditional Teochew Prawn Balls (RM35) and Szechuan Style Salt & Pepper 3 Combo (RM25 small) came highly recommended as the restaurant’s signature bites to whet the appetite.

Heh Cho or Traditional Teochew Prawn Balls had us tucking into balls of sumptuousness. Deliciously moist, the prawn and meat filling had a solid bite encased in crispy beancurd sheet. From the perfect balance of crispiness to juicy filling, it’s certainly a must-order at Auntie Sim Kitchen.

A trio pairing of eggplant, squid and Shimeji mushrooms, skillfully fried to light crispiness and finished with a tasty coating of chiu yim sums up Szechuan Style Salt & Pepper 3 Combo. The dish is so light and easy to enjoy, we polished this off happily that evening.

To warm up the tummy and soul, simply order the Double Boiled Top Shell Cube & Dried Pitaya Flower Soup (RM58 per pot). Dried Pitaya Flower or Ba wòhng fâ is said to have nutritional values as it eliminates heat from the body, nourishes the lungs, relieves phlegm and cough as well as nourishes the skin. Sip on the clean delicate sweetness of the double-boiled broth and one will immediately feel a soothing sense of comfort. The combination of the flower with HK imported dried scallops and top shell along with honey dates and chicken resulted in this soulful soup of pleasure.

When I found out that Auntie Sim Kitchen has Taufu Kang or Teochew Seafood and Tofu Broth (RM33 – small), I couldn’t resist trying it out. While I have savored quite a few Taufu Kang, the version here fits right to the top of my list with its generous amount of fish maw, seafood bits, beancurd and more, gloriously braised and thicken up to just the right amount of bisque goodness. A gentle dash of black vinegar elevated the broth with another dimension of flavours.

The Claypot Braised Tilapia with Bittergourd (From RM38 onwards) beckons for a bowl of steamed rice to soak up that moreish sauce. Whole tilapia, with other choices of fishes available as well, is fried and braised with cooling bittergourd and black beans with aromatics in a claypot and finished with generous splashes of Shaoxing wine. The aroma is deliciously enticing when the cover is lifted. The flesh of the fish is sweet and firm, pairing well with the slight bitterish but tasty note of the sauce.

For greens, we were pretty pleased with the Stir Fried Poh Choy with Organic Mushrooms. Cooked to perfection, the spinach is tender with a lovely sweetness alongside the earthy organic assorted mushrooms sourced from a big organic mushroom farm in Seremban.

The ever-humble chicken rice has been on Auntie Sim Kitchen’s menu for years. Anointed as Mun Cheong Chicken Rice (RM58 – half | RM98 – full), Auntie Sim’s version uses free range beard chicken for the poultry’s firm and succulent meat. Poached and smothered in aromatic soy sauce, the chicken is accompanied by fragrant lemongrass infused rice along with house made ginger and coriander sauce as well as garlic chili sauce. A constant crowd favorite, the MunCheong Chicken Rice is always available now unless sold out daily.

The limelight of the evening for me was their signature Dry Fried Fresh Water Prawns with Hong Kong Yee Mee (seasonal price with min 2 prawns). It’s another first for me to savor a dry version of yee mee and I must say that I was totally smitten with the dish. It’s a dish that really showcase the skill set of cooking the noodle and prawn perfectly right.

Large freshwater prawns are slowly pan seared to extract the sweetness of the crustacean and its luscious roes into the yee mee noodles. Gorgeously cooked, the prawns were very fresh and sweet while the yee mee had this amazing aroma and flavour with an al dente texture that had me going back for seconds!

Dinner ended on a luscious refreshing note with Iced Cold Thai King Coconut with Avocado (RM16). A clever concoction of creamy avocado with coconut water and crowned with tiny pearls of sago, served in coconut, the dessert is divine and not overly sweet. Every spoonful is very enjoyable and freshened up the palate after a delicious meal of savory notes. Another must-order!

Auntie Sim Kitchen is one restaurant that caters to your budget. When one is clueless on how to select from their long list of dishes, simply state your budget and they will plan your menu to your preference of ingredients under their private dining menu. Else, if you are looking for a no-frill and comfort dining, there’s plenty of affordable dishes for daily consumption.

AUNTIE SIM KITCHEN

24, Jalan SS 21/58,

Damansara Utama,

47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Auntiesimkitchen

Business Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 11am – 3pm | 5pm – 10pm

Friday-Sunday: 11am – 10pm

Majestic Macau to KL Feast with Chef Yap Poh Weng & Chef Chung Kuy Fai

The much-anticipated Grand Dinner series by The Oriental Group is back this year with honorary Macau Master Chefs Yap Poh Weng & Chef Chung Kuy Fai. 4 hands, 9 exclusive evenings from 22 Aug to 8 Sept 2020, the Grand Dinner menu with the master chefs will be available across the Group’s various restaurants.

Chef Yap Poh Weng and Chef Chung Kuy Fai, both have over 30 years of culinary experience with international stints across the globe. Award winning Chef Yap, having named one of “China Top 50 Celebrity Chefs” by Food and Wine magazine as well as listed as diamond-rated chef by both Asian Diamond Chef Association and the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, is currently helming the legendary Yan Yu Chinese restaurant in Guangzhou along with the award-winning Grand Dragon Chinese Restaurant in Hangzhou and world-famous restaurant Whampoa Club in Beijing and Shanghai.

Chef Chung has also trotted across the globe with stints in Tokyo, Shanghai, California’s Napa Valley before settling in Macau as executive chef. Renowned for his bold culinary-scapes, he also has several accolades including an inclusion into the prestigious Black Pearl Restaurant Guide.

The first Grand Dinner series kicked off at Ruyi located at Bangsar Shopping Centre. Ruyi, a modern multi conceptual dining space that combines a beautiful bar with an award-winning pork-free kitchen serving eclectic Chinese menu, a mezzanine area and a Western bistro as well as private rooms.

Dinner commenced with five Signature Appetizers Combination. The Suzhou Style Crispy Eel, stacked high in a pretty noodle basket and crowned with crispy meat floss and sugary strands, tasted as good as it looks. The crispy eel pieces are glazed with a caramelized sweet honey glaze, making it deliciously enjoyable.

The Organic Cherry Tomato with Sour Plum & Pickled Radish in Traditional Shanghai Vinaigrette is a dish that whets the appetite with its refreshing and vibrant tangy notes along with a rich salty profile. From crunchy leaves of picked radish and the burst of the plump cherry tomatoes, it’s a dish that is relatively simple yet bold enough to make a mark in the culinary journey.

Another fresh note from the fruity Pineapple, Mango, Pomelo & Crab Meat Tartare with Spicy Dressing & Caviar added much delightful note of pleasure to the palate. From the burst of fruitiness to the sweet bites of crab meat and flavour globules, the dish is simply irresistible.

A brilliant pairing of Japanese Scallop with Sesame Dressing & Organic Baby Spinach Roll with Caviar won many brownie points that evening. Sheer simplicity of fresh sweetness from perfectly cooked scallops matched well with the delicate notes of spinach. The aromatic nutty sesame dressing and briny caviar pearls completed the scallop and spinach well.

An innovative touch of flaxseeds not only gave the dish its crispy textures but the nutty aroma in BBQ Flaxseed Crispy Chicken had us tucking into succulent chicken with a subtle smoky and nutty note. Add a tiny drizzle of citrus to the chook for that extra perkiness of flavour profile.

Soups are always curated with nutritious benefits in mind in Chinese cuisine. Highlighting the benefits of dried orchid root and black garlic in the Double-Boiled Roxburgh Anoectochilus & Black Garlic with Fresh Fish Maw Soup, both chefs’ ultimate goal is allowing diners to slowly savor that rich umami notes of the ingredients and draw in the nutritional values to the body . With each sip of the broth, the lips are tinged with a meaty and dried seafood essence of chicken, dried scallops and fish maw. A soup that deserves slow savoring, it was certainly a new one that leaves a lasting sense of warmness to the soul.

A generous whole Poached Lobster with Chef’s Special Sauce made a grand entrance as the table was filled with so many crustaceans at sight. Medallions of chilled lobster meat are wondrously perfumed with Chinese wine, elevating the sweetness of the lobster meat well. The dish showcases the skills of the chefs in allowing the fresh and natural flavours of the lobster to steal the limelight with a boost of wine and superior broth. Presentation was excellent as well with pretty petals painted on the plate to accompany the king of crustaceans!

Tuck into the luscious freshness of Steamed Ocean Garoupa & Guangxi Style Stuffed Japanese Beancurd Puff, Luffa Melon with Supreme Soy Sauce. Beautiful pieces of sweet firm garoupa is cleverly enhanced by fine flavours of supreme soy sauce with accompaniments of crunchy baby wood ear with tender beancurd puff and sweet luffa. The brilliant additions gave the dish a touch of modernity to the classic dish.

A dish that rebels the cuisine and yet left a memorable and delicious mark on our palate, the Crispy Stuffed Sea Cucumber with Hot & Sour Sauce proved that some unconventional methods may turn out well. Braised till tender and tasty, the thick pieces of sea cucumber are lightly batter and fried to golden crisp perfection. The sauce is not overpowering but rather just enough to give the sea cucumber some delicious notes along with some Siew Pak Choy and baby carrots for textures.

More unusual pairing of Shark’s Fin & Braised Meat Noodle with Chicken Lard Crackerhad us slurping delicious noodles with the premium ingredient and bits of yummy cracklings. The noodles had a lovely al dente bite and we certainly had no qualms in polishing off all of it!

The Grand Dinner journey ended with a threesome dessert that consisted of a nutritious Double-Boiled Snow Lotus & Lotus Seed, Pearl Seaweed with Osmanthus Sweet Soup along with the King of Fruit of Black Thorn Durian Glutinous Dumpling and Shanxi Red Dates Sweet Cake.

The delicate sweet hot broth of Double-Boiled Snow Lotus & Lotus Seed, Pearl Seaweed with Osmanthus Sweet Soup was lovely with its various textural components. Its not overly sweet but had that soothing sweet ending for the lovely evening.

Gold dusted charcoal skin encasing that unctuous creamy flesh of much prized black thorn durian obviously was a hit as the Black Thorn Durian Glutinous Dumpling was gone in minutes. Kudos to the chefs for highlighting Malaysians’ favorite fruit. The Shanxi Red Dates Sweet Cake had a dense and chewy kuih texture with that earthy mellow sweetness of dates that we also enjoyed very much.

A evening to remember, The Oriental Group Grand Dinner series never fail to make its mark of elevating Chinese cuisine in the culinary world. Priced at RM288++ per person (min. 2 persons) or a table of RM2,288++ per table of 8 persons, the From Macau to KL Grand Dinner at Oriental Group of Restaurants is available on:

RUYI 22 August 2020 +603 2083 0288

NOBLE BANQUET 25 & 29 August 2020 +603 2145 8822

ORIENTAL PAVILION 26 Aug & 4 Sept 2020 +603 7956 9288

THE HAN ROOM 27 August 2020 +603 2284 8833

NOBLE MANSION 28 August 2020 +603 7932 3288

ORIENTAL STAR 3 September 2020 +603 9134 8488

ORIENTAL TREASURE 5 September 2020 +603 2242 2382

For more information, enquiries and reservation on this special set menu, please visit the Oriental Group of Restaurants website and Facebook or email: enquiry@orientalrestaurants.com.my

Website: www.orientalrestaurants.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theorientalgroupofrestaurants/posts/

Meat-ing Expectation

Talk about a blast from the past… somethings should always make a comeback! In this case, it did… The Butcher’s Table is the newer offspring of Mr. Ho Kim Loon, who was more renowned with his first offspring of Mr. Ho’s Fine Foods. Back in late 1990s, foodies know where to go for exceptional roast pork and premium sausages and that is at Mr. Ho.

After a hiatus from the food scene, the Ho family decided to make their comeback with The Butcher’s Table first outlet in SS2 few years ago. Roping in his kids now, they have recently opened a new outlet in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in late February this year but had to close due to the recent pandemic situation.

The Butcher’s Table is now open, and diners are in for a meaty treat. Talk about meat-ing expectation… the restaurant is located on level 7 and offer diners several section of dining areas along with a private room as well. We like the simplicity and modern ambiance where smart casual vibes allow diners to enjoy a hearty meal from this delicatessen.

The menu is filled with lots of choices of meat and poultry with a few seafood thrown in for good measure. Most of Mr. Ho’s signatures are present along with a few newbies. Add-on a very affordable wine list, diners are set for an unforgettable dining experience of beefy and swine-ful dishes!

Perhaps the Crispy Roast Pork (RM17.50 | RM25.00 with one side) would be the perfect choice of appetizer to kick off here. After all, Mr. Ho’s legendary Siew Yuk is what most of us remembered him for. And disappoint us it did not after a decade… the crispy roast pork is still fabulously yummy.

Even and gorgeous layers of fat and lean meat, rendering much juiciness, on the pork belly along with that beautiful golden crackling is enough to send your palate sense on overdrive of glee. Honestly, one word to describe this would be perfect… at least from me on that evening with some hardcore foodies. Served with house special garlic chili sauce, I daresay it didn’t need this sauce as the roast pork was just perfect on its own.

Grilled Pancetta (RM17.80 | RM25.30 with one side) made its appearance like some sexy symbol on a plate! House cured, the salty pancetta is finished on the grill, resulting in that smoky char with a glistening exterior that makes one drool lusciously over it. Absolutely bursting with much umami notes… this might be the new cure for everything.

I am a bit biased because I love salted beef. Always enjoyed it when I studied abroad but could never really find one locally as good as what I had before. The restaurant’s Signature Salted Beef (RM39.50 | RM47.00 with one side) has now became my benchmark for salted beef after my first bite. The beef, served with generous lashings of mustard, is buttery tender and sublime from the curing process as well as slow cooking at low temperature. We had ours with a side of sauerkraut. It has that well-balance moreish salty note and aroma of beefy goodness that is simply irresistible… I am glad Mr. Ho made a trip to Selfridges in London decades ago…

Sausages and sausages… its another item with many variations that the restaurant is famous for. We are speaking about the real McCoy of sausages where zero fillers, nitrate-free, preservative-free and natural casings resulted in diners tucking into succulent premium sausages made from pork, lamb, beef and chicken. Heck, there’s even Iberico pork sausages to satiate even the finickiest palate of gourmands.

Seriously, I don’t recall which sausages we savored that evening… simply because all of them were darn good! I am pretty sure we had the Deluxe Cheese ring with melted cheddar (RM27.75 each) and a spicy one but the rest didn’t really matter because it was all so juicy and scrumptious.

If you must know, then the sausage list reads of Deluxe Nuernberger ring(RM27.75 each), Deluxe Cheese ring (RM27.75 each), Garlic, Flaming Hot, Farmer’s Bratwurst, English Oxford, Mushroom (RM10.50 each), Lamb Merquez (RM11.90 each), Chicken (RM10.50 each), Australia Beef(RM12.90 each) and Iberico Pork (RM12.90 each).

Just when I didn’t think that I could get more impressed with the dishes, the Tomapork(RM88) made its appearance with coleslaw and fries. Our table of foodies anointed this gargantuan hunk of a pork to royalty status. One bite and you will be lusting after this cut like we did. So, there is a 35 mins waiting time for the dish but it’s truly well-worth the wait.

Sharing the similarity with its beefy cousin of a Tomahawk, the cut comes with a long rib with a huge slab of lean and fatty bits grilled and roasted to much gloriousness. The meat is beautifully tender with so much juiciness spilling into our mouth upon bites of it. Seasoned well, the pork literally brought out the cavemen in one of us as he proceeded to gnaw his way to enlightenment on that rib!!

Perhaps because we were full and the other dishes made such a tasty impact, the Smoked Pork Knuckle (RM86.25 | RM93.75 with one side) didn’t live up to the others. On a personal note, there was nothing wrong with the dish as it was tender and had a lovely smoky note from the smoking process. I just happen to prefer its German version of Crispy Pork Knuckle (RM108.00 | RM115.50 with one side) version to this smoked one. Nevertheless, the portion is generous and should be shared with a few carnivores.

What I do like was the German Potato Salad on the side. Utterly creamy with small chunks of potato along bacon bits, gherkins and apple, I kept going back for this despite being full. Other sides worthy of an order is their sauerkraut and coleslaw too…

All that meat and we decided to add-on the basic order of Coleslaw and Garden Green (RM13.50) dressed with balsamic vinegar and caramelized shallot dressing. Simply because we could then lessen our guilty pleasures of this meat-up.

The Butcher’s Table is back and back with a big bang. We heard on the grapevine that they are now setting up their latest outlet in Sri Hartamas soon. Connoisseurs can also head to their other outlets in Penang and Johor as well as the original SS2 outlets for their cravings. As for me, I just can’t wait for their latest outlet to be open since its nearer to my neighborhood.

THE BUTCHER’S TABLE

Lot 7.01.07, level 7, Pavilion KL,

168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2110 4438

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebutcherstablekl

Business Hours:

Daily 10.00am to 10.30pm

Cuti Cuti Malaysia Dream Away Staycation

After having stayed at quite a few Hilton Garden Inns abroad, it’s a first for me to check into the Hilton Garden Inn Puchong recently with my family. Located in Millennia City, the hotel boasts of a city and lake view, making the staycation experience a lovely one.

A short Cuti Cuti Malaysia is what most of us have learn to really enjoy and appreciate lately. The weekend beckons for a staycation nearby to unwind with family. Hilton Garden Inn offers a solitude from the city and yet, if there is a yearning for some shopping, there’s the IOI mall only 10 minutes away from the hotel.

Checking in on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we were greeted with warm smiles from Reception located on the sixth floor. A quick registration and we were handed our room key and briefed on the hotel’s facilities and breakfast options. The reception is spacious and warmly lit by Nature’s light streaming in from the glass windows of the hotel area.

Our room, King Deluxe Room, boasted of a view of cityscape with the lake view at sight as well. The room is spacious, enough to hold a lovely king-sized bed as well as an additional roll-away bed along with a work desk area and an apple green single sofa chair.

Bed is firm and comfy as we practically snuggled in bed while we were there. The room was also nicely cool hence staying in to chill was an ideal way to unwind and chill out.

A mini bar sat in the corner along with beverage amenities and a mini fridge. Petite bottles of local snacks were that thoughtful piece that made our stay a tasty one. We couldn’t resist snacking while catching up on some movies that weekend.

There’s the usual wardrobe with mini safe and other amenities…

Bathroom is a good size and is equipped with a long bath as well as shower. Amenities are satisfactory as well. The long bath is a plus point for me since my family and I usually make full use of this for relaxation.

We also took a leisure walk around the hotel to check out their swimming pool and other facilities in the evening. The swimming pool was rather inviting with that rich blue hue that stretches a nice long one for some laps but at last, the cloudy weather didn’t take too long to break as droplets began to pour down.

Gym for those who seek some sweat time and there was also a business centre for those who needed some work done.

The evening sun began to set, and our room view was indeed quite lovely…

After another hour of resting, we headed down for dinner at The Garden Grille. Located on the same floor as the reception, the restaurant is the hotel’s all-day dining eatery serving local and international menu.

Started our dinner with a delicious Wild Mushroom Soup with garlic toast. Nicely done, the soup was tasty with earthy mushroom flavours. We happily polished off the soup with gusto before our mains.

Sonny decided on Pepperoni Pizza and was happily devouring his pizza. The thin crust has generous sauce and cheese as well as peperoni to keep him happy.

Partner opted of a local favorite of Kampung Fried Rice. The platter of sambal fried rice comes with large grilled prawns, chicken satay and fried anchovies. The rice had a decent breath of wok and was very tasty and fragrant.

I opted for Seafood Aglio Olio and must say that I was really happy at sight. Large prawns, mussels and clams with al dente pasta and that robust garlicky chili note hit all the right notes for a yummy pasta.

A sweet ending of Cheesecake with fruits sealed our evening with much happiness before we took a quick stroll and retired back to our room to turn in for an early evening.

The next morning, we had breakfast at The Garden Grille again. Breakfast was a la carte and we certainly didn’t mind because their Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang and Western Breakfast was delicious and well-prepared. Served hot, the fluffy coconut rice with the rich rendang was so satiating.

The boys polished off their breakfast heartily too along with pastries and fruit. Then it was up to the room to chill before we checked out.

Our short and sweet staycation at Hilton Garden Inn Puchong was a memorable one. It’s a good time to take this year to discover our country and with the many promotions that the hotel is offering, a staycation is perfect to spend time with family and friends without having to travel too far. Do check out their website and Facebook for more promotional details.

HILTON GARDEN INN

Jalan DM2,

Desa Millennia,

47150 Puchong,

Selangor

Tel: +603 8084 1299

Website: www.hilton.com/en/hotels/kulpugi-hilton-garden-inn-puchong

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HiltonGardenInnPuchong

Go All Out with A Dim Sum Extravaganza

Weekends with public holidays are all for spending time with family and friends and some food indulgence. The Emperor at Dorsett Grand Subang is offering dim sum fans an Eat-All-You-Can Dim Sum Extravaganza for the price of RM88 nett per person on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

With a featured list of over 30 selections of dainty morsels of handcrafted steamed and fried dim sum along with some Chinese specialty dishes and desserts, diners can enjoy a dim sum affair set in the grandeur of The Emperor with family and friends. The Muslim-friendly restaurant offer diners with a spacious main dining area as well as some private rooms.

Soups make good starters, especially double-boiled ones. A spoonful of the Double-Boiled Arrow Root Soup or Double-Boiled Lotus Root Soup will certainly warm up the tummy for a dim sum feast to come.

The Cold Sliced Chicken served with Jellyfish & Cucumber was a favorite of mine. Something refreshing about the chilled poached chicken roll with crunchy slivers of seasoned jellyfish and cucumber that makes my palate sense liven up.

One simply must order the classic crowd favorite of Steamed Siew Mai ‘Emperor’ Style, Steamed Fish Paste Dumpling with Garlic, Steamed Bean Curd Roll with Oyster Sauce and Steamed Phoenix Feet with Black Bean.

Steamed Siew Mai, plump and bouncy, are crowned with tiny pearls of crunchy roes while the Steamed Fish Paste Dumpling is very tasty with bouncy fish paste enhanced with garlicky notes and steamed to perfection. The Steamed Bean CurdRoll was much adored by my family for its bouncy filling with nutty bean curd sheet and gravy.

One ain’t dim sum-ing if you ain’t ordering the Steamed Phoenix Feet with Black Bean... at least that what my other half said… the version here had him cleaning out those umami chicken feet with much happiness.

Now one shouldn’t miss out ordering the quintessential Char Siew Bao or Steamed Bun with BBQ Chicken. Its just that bite of fluffy bao enveloping that unctuous sweet and savory char siew filling that most relates to the joy of dim sum-ing.

The menu also has some Chinese special dishes like Stir-Fried Chicken Cube with Dried Chilies, Deep-Fried Sweet & Sour Chicken and Deep-Fried Chicken with Thai Mango Sauce.

While the Stir-Fried Chicken Cube with Dried Chilies or Kung Pao Chicken is decent, we were bowled over by the Deep-Fried Chicken with Thai Mango Sauce. The latter had crispy and juicy chicken topped with that vibrant fruity note of sweet and sour mango sauce that elevated the dish to a delicious one.

Both the Deep-Fried Prawn Roll with Cheese and Deep-Fried Yam Puffalso won brownie points for essential crispy but not oily notes as well as tasty flavours. Both are sure crowd pleasers as one has prawny cheesy oozing from the crispy bean curd sheet while the other had the crispy and creamy yam filled with tasty char siew filling.

Besides Steamed Rice Rolls or Cheong Fun, there are also other carb fillers like Noodle with Shredded Chicken Hong Kong Style, Glutinous Rice with Chicken Wrapped in Lotus Leaf and Fish Fillet Porridge. The noodles were very fragrant and had been seasoned well with a nice al dente bite. The fish porridge was cooked to much creamy goodness and had generous pieces of fish in it.

Egg Tart, when made well, oozed with that lusciousness of creamy eggy custard paired with a buttery biscuit base that melt-in-the-mouth…

Other desserts include Chilled Honeydew Melon with Sago, Mango Pudding, Royal Herb Jelly and Chilled Sea Coconut with Longan.

Eat All You Can Dim Sum Extravaganza
Available Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays
11am to 4pm
RM88 nett per person

Reserve your table now by calling us at +603 5031 6060 ext 1954 or email at bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

THE EMPEROR CHINESE RESTAURANT
Dorsett Grand Subang
Jalan SS12/1,
47500 Subang Jaya
Tel: +603 5031 6060
Fax: +603 5031 8686

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DorsettGrandSubang/

Business Hours:
Lunch: 12:00 noon – 2:30p.m. (Mondays to Saturdays)
10:00a.m. – 2:30p.m. (Sundays & public holidays)
Dinner: 6:00p.m. – 10:00p.m

Mid-Autumn Magic of Mooncakes and Dorsett Eski Bag

An annual festival of Mid-Autumn makes its return this year at Dorsett Grand Subang with a list of the hotel’s signature Muslim friendly mooncakes. As family and friends rings in the joy of the season, it is also the time to savor the rich pastry filled with creamy nutty fillings, traditionally enjoyed during when the moon is the brightest in the sky on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.

While gatherings and socializing are limited this year, one can still send gifts of luscious mooncakes to family, loved ones and business acquaintances with Dorsett Grand Subang’s signature varieties of mooncakes and Dorsett Eski Bag.

Each mooncake is handcrafter with fine ingredients. Whether one is enjoying or gifting traditional baked mooncakes or modern snow skin mooncakes, it is always a good way of sharing the sweetness of mooncakes during this festive season. If you haven’t tried The Star 2019 award winning Crystal Snow Skin Mooncakes, you should as the pretty natural blue-pea snow skin mooncakes are not only pretty to look at but delightful in taste as well. Let’s not forget the King of Fruit Premium Musang King Durian mooncake as well…

This year, Dorsett Grand Subang is taking on practicality as their gift of the festive season. For every box of 4 Crystal Skin Mooncakes or Baked Mooncakes (additional top up of RM15), one will receive a handy and beautiful Dorsett Eski Bag with the purchase. Set in Dorsett colours of blue and brown, the thick insulated Eski bag will come in convenient to anyone in storing cold or hot items while travelling.

Selection of Baked Mooncakes

Pure Red Bean Paste – RM30

Pure White Lotus Paste – RM33

Pandan Lotus Paste with Single Egg Yolk – RM35

White Lotus Paste with Single Egg Yolk – RM35

White Lotus Paste with Double Egg Yolk – RM38

Selection of Crystal Skin Mooncakes

Premium Musang King Durian (2 days advance notice required) – RM40

Pandan Paste Crystal Skin Mooncake infused with Blue Pea Flower Extract – RM33

Pandan Paste with Single Egg Yolk Crystal Skin Mooncake infused with Blue Pea Flower Extract – RM35

From 3rd August onwards, FREE one box of 4 pieces for every 10 boxes (per box is 4 pieces) purchased except for Premium Musang King Durian Mooncakes

More details available at www.dorsettbooking.com/order/cart/order-cart.php?merchant=MOONCAKES

The mooncakes are also available with advanced orders at:

Dorsett Kuala Lumpur +603 2716 1000 info.kualalumpur@dorsetthotels.com

Dorsett Putrajaya +603 8892 8388 info.putrajaya@dorsetthotels.com

Dorsett Hartamas +603 6209 8888 info.hartamas@dorsetthotels.com

Silka Maytower KL +603 2692 9298 info.maytower@silkahotels.com

Silka Cheras KL +603 9100 1133 info.cheras@silkahotels.com

Also available on Grab Food App at: https://bit.ly/GrabMidAutumnMagic

Place your orders now by calling at +603 5031 6060 or email at bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

Dorsett Grand Subang
Jalan SS12/1,
47500 Subang Jaya
Tel: +603 5031 6060
Fax: +603 5031 8686

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DorsettGrandSubang/

Moon-Shaped Wonders at Zuan Yuan

Send delicious gifts of Mid-Autumn mooncakes from Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurantto family and friends this festive season. One World Hotel Petaling Jaya’sChinese restaurant is offering 12 types of Moon-Shaped Wonders this season available from now till 1 October 2020.

The mooncakes are set in a gorgeous Oriental themed box of red and gold ornated with pink sakuras. Customers can choose from a variety of six baked, five snow skin and one special Teo Chew savory mooncake options.

“A good mooncake will not stick to the teeth”, quoted Chef Jordan Chin, Dim Sum Chef of Zuan Yuan. Chef Chin and his team has curated traditional flavours as well as one with Malaysia’s king of fruits to appease palates of all ages.

Tuck into a Teo Chew traditional favorite of Deep-Fried Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single Yolk where layers of flaky pastry enveloped creamy yam paste and that rich salted egg yolk. Perfect with a cup of tea, the mooncake is bound to be a crowd pleaser.

The low sugar Supreme Mixed Nuts is jam-packed with nuts and seeds along with aromatic dried fruity notes of deliciousness.

Other baked mooncakes include Low Sugar Red Bean Paste, Low Sugar White Lotus Paste, Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk or Double Yolk and Low Sugar Pandan Lotus Paste.

Snow skin series showcase Low Sugar White Lotus Paste, Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk, Low Sugar Pandan Lotus Paste with Single Yolk, Red Bean Paste with Melon Seed and Durian Lotus Paste.

Available for dine-in as well as takeaway, call ZUAN YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT at 603 7681 1159 or WhatsApp 6017 – 262 8835 for more information and orders.

Free delivery within 10km radius from the hotel (other areas, please enquire within)

*with purchase of 20 boxes and above

ZUAN YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT
One World Hotel Petaling Jaya
First Avenue
Bandar Utama City Centre
47800 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7681-1159

Website: www.oneworldhotel.com.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/OneWorldHotelPetalingJaya

Tea-Up with Dim Sum

While we tend to relate afternoon teas with scones, sandwiches and cakes, it is a nice change to savour dim sum bites in afternoon teas as well. Dorsett Grand Subang’s Piano Lounge is jazzing up their afternoon teas with a dim sum affair.

The value-for money promotion of An Afternoon Dim Sum Affair offers a set of dim sum and dessert treats for 2 persons at the price of RM68 nett for the set. Served at the casual lounge of the hotel, it’s a place to unwind with light snacks and beverages.

A basket of steamed dim sum filled with Steamed Prawn Dumplings with Corianderand Steamed Siew Mai ‘Emperor’ Style proved that classic favorites will always remain a constant crowd please when it comes to dim sum. These Muslim-friendly morsels of dumplings have a nice balance of flavours and textures.

There is also a basket of Loh Mai Kai or Steamed Glutinous Rice. Soft and creamy pearls of glutinous rice with that tasty sweet and savory note are paired well with chicken, mushrooms and chicken char siew bits. Yum…

The main dim sum trays have plates filled with Crispy Prawn Dumpling with Mayonnaise, Deep-Fried Prawn Roll with Cheese and Mini Crispy Barbeque Bun with appetizer of Cold Sliced Marinated Chicken Roll with Shredded Jelly Fish.

Whether you are tucking into delightful crispiness of golden Crispy Prawn Dumpling with Mayonnaise or Deep-Fried Prawn Roll with Cheese, the satisfaction is equal as both are a joy to eat.

The Mini Crispy Barbeque Bun is also decent while the Cold Sliced Marinated Chicken Roll with Shredded Jelly Fish is easy to enjoy for its lightness and freshness of the poached chicken and jellyfish.

End the afternoon tea with a dessert selection of Baked Mini Custard Egg Tart, Chilled Honey Dew with Sago and Assorted Seasonal Fruit. Sweetness prevails after all…

An Afternoon Dim Sum Affair
Available Daily from 12noon to 5pm
RM68 nett per set (2 persons)

Reserve your table now by calling at +603 5031 6060 ext 1954 or email at bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

PIANO LOUNGE

Dorsett Grand Subang

Jalan SS12/1,

47500 Subang Jaya

Tel: +603 5031 6060

Fax: +603 5031 8686

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DorsettGrandSubang/

Business Hours:

Mondays to Saturdays 9.00am – 1.00am

Sundays & Public Holidays 9:00am – 12:00 midnight

A la Carte Chinese Feast

Time to chow down at The Emperor at Dorsett Grand Subang! It’s a Eat-All-You-Can Makanthon for an affordable price of RM68 nett per adult. Available daily, the Makanthon features an a la carte order style with over 40 Chinese cuisine with a few local and international ones thrown in for good measure as well as 9 desserts.

The Emperor is renowned for Muslim-friendly handcrafter dim sum as well as award winning Executive Chinese Chef Bryan Teh’s signature list of Chinese dishes. For a limited time, the Makanthon promotion offers diners a wide choice of dishes prepared upon order in small portions so that one can enjoy a larger variety of dishes. We checked out the deal recently and was really pleased with the affordable pricing and the dishes served.

From appetizers, soup, Western and local noodles to Chinese dishes along with Chinese BBQ, dim sum and desserts, we’re glad most dishes are served in small portions as we get to try more. Diners are given the menu sheets and they can simply order to their hearts’ content. Since there is no time limitation, one can take their time to order and enjoy the freshly prepared food without having to waste food.

Dim sum is always a popular choice and there is a solid list of steamed and fried ones available. Tuck into the classic Steamed Prawn Dumplings with Coriander and Steamed Siew Mai Emperor Style to enjoy these plump dumplings.

We also happily devoured the crispy fried dim sums such as Deep-Fried Prawn Rolls with Cheese, Deep-Fried Yam Puff with BBQ Chicken and Deep-Fried Chive & Shrimps Dumpling. These were prepared well with much crispiness and filled with delectable fillings.

The appetizer section reads off a list of Loaded Potatoes, Dorsett Wings, Caesar Salad, Cold Sliced Smoked Chicken Roll with Shredded Cucumber and Marinated Jelly Fish with Mini Octopus. We tried most and selected Dorsett Wings, Caesar Salad and Marinated Jelly Fish with Mini Octopus to be our choices.

To satisfy the Western palate of diners of all ages, the Pan Pizza Mahaloand Pan Pizza Pepperoni was decent but we really enjoyed the Mini Cheese Burger and Classic Fish & Chips. The Mini Cheese Burger was adorable in size and comes with a mini juicy thick patty with buns and all while the Classic Fish & Chips was golden and crispy thin battered fish with some chippies.

Carb lovers may also find that the Grand Mee Mamak and Char Kway Teowmight just satisfy that bit of noodle craving just like us…

Arriving at mains, we simply must recommend the Sweet & Sour Fish. In fact, we enjoyed the delicious classic dish so much that we were contemplating to order another round. Good balance of sweet and sour sauce along with crispy fish and some vegetables, this is one dish that everyone at the table enjoyed very much that evening.

Other dishes to check out from the Chinese specials include Salted Egg Prawn, Sautéed Fish Fillet with Oriental Butter Sauce and Stir-Fried Green Vegetable with Garlic.

From the Chinese BBQ, we feasted on Roasted Sesame Chicken and Pei Pa Duck with Traditional Condiments. An order of these come in a portion for 2 pax.

There are 9 choices of desserts, but we only had room for Baked Mini Custard Egg Tart, Mini Tiramisu and Almond Bean Curd Jelly with Longan. Needless to say, it was indeed a value-for-money dinner that evening at The Emperor!

Eat All You Can Makanthon

Available Daily from 6pm to 10pm

RM68 nett per adult | RM48 nett per child (age 5 to 12)

Reserve your table now by calling at +603 5031 6060 ext 1954 or email at bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

THE EMPEROR CHINESE RESTAURANT
Dorsett Grand Subang
Jalan SS12/1,
47500 Subang Jaya
Tel: +603 5031 6060
Fax: +603 5031 8686

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DorsettGrandSubang/

Business Hours:
Lunch: 12:00noon – 2:30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
10:00am – 2:30pm (Sundays & public holidays)
Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Prestige Mooncakes

Mooncakes are in season and another list of mooncakes to check out this festive Mid-Autumn is by Plaza Premium Group Malaysia. Available at all Plaza Premium Lounge outlets as well as online, these handcrafted petite mooncakes are available now till 1 Oct 2020.

Whether one is purchasing for their own consumption or as gifts for family, friends and business acquaintances, the beautiful mooncakes make an impressive gift with its long and elegant maroon and gold gift box.

A first for the group this year, Plaza Premium Group is offering a series of Shanghai Mooncakes and Crystal Skin Mooncakes with various filling. From traditional ones to modern flavours, there’s something for everyone. In addition, these mooncakes are low sugar and preservative-free as well.

From the Shanghai series, customers can enjoy that buttery crumbly crust encasing Lotus Melon Seeds with Single Egg Yolk, Pu Er with Pine Nuts and Black Sesame with Single Egg Yolk. Each one has its own tasting note and is decadently delicious in every bite.

The Crystal Skin series offers Red Bean, Green Tea and the king of fruits of Durian filling enveloped in snow skin. These are always best savored when chilled.

For every bulk purchase of 10 boxes and above, corporate partners may customise their company logo placement on the gift boxes (subject to terms and conditions). Plaza Premium Group Prestige Mooncakes are available at Plaza Premium Lounge (next to Aerotel Kuala Lumpur at gateway@klia2), Plaza Premium First (KLIA), Flight Club (KLIA) and Flight Club Grab’n’Go (KLIA).

Special Prestige Mooncakes Offers:
·       10 % OFF online purchase for all types of mini mooncakes in a single receipt via https://malstore.plazapremiumlounge.com/
·       Additional 5% OFF (on top of 20% OFF online purchase) for corporate clients and Aerotel Kuala Lumpur room guests (with valid promo code)*
·       For every room booking at Aerotel Kuala Lumpur, guests will receive ONE (1) piece of complimentary mini mooncake per room booking upon check-in as a welcome gesture. Available from 28 August – 1 October 2020

For further information or to place an order, contact Plaza Premium Group: tel: +603 8778 0808 or email: onlinestore.mal@plaza-network.com

Website: www.malstore.plazapremiumlounge.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/plazapremiumlounge

Sumptuous Modern Chinese Cuisine

A newbie on the block, M Cuisine is raising the bar in the realms of Chinese cuisine at Plaza Arkadia. Barely a month old, words have begun to spread among foodies that the new Chinese restaurant is making headlines with its gorgeous menu and elegant modern ambiance. Mesmerizing, modern, moreish, marvelous… all these bests describe the new M Cuisine.

Chef Kam Seng Kee and his culinary team is elevating Chinese cuisine with skillful traditional Chinese flavours presented with a modern and creative twist. After several stints overseas with his last one in Indonesia, Chef Kam is ready to showcase a list of his signatures set in an ambiance decked out in grandeur.

Stepping into M Cuisine, one cannot help but be in awe of its high ceiling flanked with contemporary art chandelier pieces set against a dark and gold backdrop, leathery banquette seating as well as cornflower blue ones with wood tables.

Private rooms are available on upper level with a magnanimous table that seats 20 pax and another that seats 8 pax. Both rooms are equipped with karaoke and offer diners a space for fine dining along with entertainment.

M Cuisine has no boundaries when it comes to dining. Besides an exquisite menu of the finest, diners can also savor Chef Kam’s ‘See Fong Choy’ menu within a budget of their choice. The regular a la carte menu offers a list of familiar Chinese dishes for daily consumption as well as some premium ones for special occasions. Filled with a list of Chinese tapas to double-boiled soups, premium live and dried seafood to meat, rice and noodles as well as dessert, the menu is deliciously tempting at sight.

Our lunch commenced with Chinese tapas that reads off as Rose Wanton (RM28), Lychee with Foie Gras (RM38) and Giant Beancurd with Chef’s Special Sauce (RM28).

We eyed the Rose Wanton’s presence at many tables that day. Not surprising since the dish makes such as Instagram-able one. Crispy and golden, the wanton is utterly plump with a juicy prawn filling that yield much textural and flavour pleasures on the palate.

Lychee with Foie Gras looked equally delectable as its prior counterpart. Relatively new and has not made it to the menu but is available upon request, the lychee balls are filled with a center of foie gras and coated with tiny rice beads to resemble the fruit. Its another dish that makes one whip out their phone cameras and also enjoy that bouncy balls of delight.

A dish of Giant Beancurd with Chef’s Special Sauce may look deceptively simple but requires skills to fry the sheet to crisp golden texture. Made specially for M Cuisine, the beancurd sheet has just the right thickness for that aromatic soy note and matches well with that Thai-inspired spicy plum sauce.

Fresh Abalone with Szechuan Style(RM48) is curated with modern palates of today. The natural fresh and sweetness of chilled ocean mollusk is cleverly tinged with the subtle Mala notes of Szechuan peppercorn. It was a nice surprisingly element that woke our palates with a delicate tingling sensation.

We must commend Chef Kam on this unpredictable flavour that lingered on our palates as well as memory it marked with the smoky presentation.

Some considers soups to be the element of nutrition in healing the body and soul of a person. Therefore, Chinese cuisine holds the dish to much importance by ensuring that soups are slowly double boiled to extract the goodness of the ingredients to the broth. Offering daily variations of soups, we had their Double-Boiled Chinese Herbs Soup with Fish Maw (RM38) that is infused with Pu’er tea leaves. The soothing sweetness of the broth offers a sense of familiar solace along with tender chicken and gelatinous fish maw.

Resembling the French dish of pate, the Braised Shredded Lamb with Garlic Cream Sauce(RM38) is served with yam chips. Braised lamb shank meat deboned and paired with a garlicky cream sauce matched well with crispy yam chips. The earthy rich notes of the dark brown sauced with shredded lamb is balanced by that robust garlic cream, echoing familiar Chinese flavour profiles despite its modern presentation.

After smoke and ice comes fire and the Fiery Smoked Farm Chicken (RM68 – half | RM128 – full) certainly light up our table. Torched at table for that extra presentation touch, it was the chook that won our palate at the end. Using farmed corn-fed chicken, the chook has a beautiful smoky note from the smoking process. The meat is tender yet firm while the skin is tight with a light chewy bite. Salty savory notes with an earthy aroma is what makes this chicken so enjoyable.

For the vegetable dish, we tucked into another unusual pairing of Crispy White Bait with Zucchini in Mullet Roe Sauce (RM38). This dish is so yummy.

A brilliant touch in using the highly prized mullet roe that resulted in much umami notes that enhanced the sweet notes of zucchini and Shimeji mushrooms. The crispy white baits added a nice textural element to the dish.

Teochew Yin Yang Rice with Estuary Garoupa(RM128) proved that some classics will always prevail in the hearts of foodies. Pau farn evoked memories of yesteryears where tender rice grains are the yin to the crispy rice of the yang. Made luxurious with pieces of premium estuary garoupa, the rice is gorgeous in every spoonful.

The cloudy broth has almost a creamy note of seafood broth that is further enhanced with generous sprinkling of fried garlic bits and spring onions. Coupled with the rice textural component and the gelatinous skin and flesh of the fish, it’s a dish that leaves a warm and lasting note of satisfaction, especially when it’s this delicious!

Not only it was a sweet ending but a memorable one too with Mango Cream with Sago & Deep-Fried Black Swan (RM18).

Fruity sweet mango puree with pearls of sago is refreshing on the palate while the black swan puff encased a luscious purple sweet potato filling. The duo of desserts is highly recommended for a memorable ending to an amazing meal at M Cuisine.

M Cuisine certainly proved its bold and creative dishes are here to make a mark in the hearts of foodies. And it did! I can’t wait to return to check out the other dishes such as Foie Gras Pate with Prawn Toast, Braised Pork Trotter with Abalone in Clay Pot, Sichuan Style Boiled Australian Sliced Beef in Spicy Soup, Braised King Prawns with Lemongrass & Glass Noodle and more.

*Psst… as of now, M Cuisine seats 60 pax hence reservation is recommended. However, we heard that they are extending their dining space soon to accommodate more as they are now in the midst of renovating additional space directly behind the restaurant. Stay tuned…

M CUISINE
B-G-3A, Plaza Arkadia
Jalan Residen 3,
Desa Parkcity
52200 Kuala Lumpur

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mcuisine.my
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mcuisine_my

Business Hours
Daily 11.30am to 3pm | 5.30pm to 11pm

Sweet Dreams are Made of Mainland Cheese!

"Age only matters if you are a Cheese", quoted by unknown. True enough, a good cheese can only get better as its ages. I can never say no to cheese. Whatever kind it may be, I can happily vouched that I have never met a cheese I don’t enjoy!

New Zealand’s top cheese brand Mainland has always been a constant favorite in the family. A timeless trustworthy brand, Mainland has been crafting cheese for over 65 years with traditions proudly handed down from generation to generation. “Good things take time”, Mainland believes that there is no shortcut in the careful and slow aging of its fine 100% natural cheese in the year-around cool and temperate climate of New Zealand.

The country offers an ideal climate where cows graze on sweet grass, naturally grown through plenty of sunshine, nature’s clean air and soil. Grass-fed cows are essential and key to the high-quality cheese that Mainland is known for as mentioned by Debbie Van-Niekerk, our cheese expert from Fonterra New Zealand.

Cheese-making, an ancient practice, involves culturing milk with specific bacteria strains. Mainlandis one of the last big cheese companies to make and supply its own culture, which is crucial in developing the complex flavour of its cheese. This means that Mainland produces richer cheese with greater consistency by making it the way it was made 100 years ago – through a natural process.

Naturally, it’s the reason why we enjoy Mainland cheeses in our daily meals. Not only do they offer a beautiful selection of cheeses perfect for daily enjoyment, but these also make impressive party platters for special occasions with a few simple accompaniments. There are simply endless delicious ideas when it comes to serving cheese.

With their popular selections of Vintage, Tasty, Colby, Gouda and Edam, one can enjoy the different flavour profile as well as textures of cheese. Whether paired with other food or in cooking, Mainland cheeses are also very delicious on their own. My favorite way to enjoy them is simply slicing them up and savoring them with some plain crackers to enjoy their best flavour profile from the assorted cheeses.

Starting with a favorite of mine, Colby cheese has that smooth and creaminess with a sweet, mild flavour profile that is easy to enjoy. This one has a consistent quick and easy melt with minimal browning, making it perfect for that oozing cheesy texture that many favours. Great choice to make a yummy Mac and Cheese!

Gouda, a Dutch-style semi-soft cheese, is also another constant crowd favorite in my books. A light nutty note that pairs well with toasted Sichuan spices and chilies, the Gouda is also great on earthy mushroom salads or canapés.

High in proteins and with reduced fats, Edam is a good option for vegetarians. Subtle sweetness with buttery and nutty notes, Edam is not only good on its own but provides a good platform for new cheese recruits.

For a stronger flavour profile, the 18-months aged cheddar might just be your choice for daily consumption. Tasty has a full-bodied flavour with lingering fruitiness. This medium cheddar is said to go well with our local food like chicken floss and crispy dried seaweed. On a personal note, I like this one with nuts and fruits to balance up the tasty notes of the cheddar.

Saving the best for last, Vintage offers a flavour profile of sharp, rich savory note with a strong bite. The premium cheddar is aged up to 24 months, resulting in that beautiful smoky and sweet bold taste that enriches burgers, pasta, cheese dips and more. This hard cheese has a sharp and crumbly texture so simply grate this on to your favorite dish to jazz it up…

Whether you are tucking into Mainland cheeses in dishes or simply enjoying them as is with fruits, nuts and crackers, one can expect a kaleidoscope of flavours on the palate. These are definite favorites at parties with a simple cheese platter presentation or enjoy them daily as is.

Mainland’s meticulously-matured natural cheese is available at major supermarkets nationwide, or have it delivered to your doorstep with HappyFresh!

For more information on Mainland, ‘like’ the Anchor Dairy Malaysia Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnchorDairyMalaysia

A Niu Year Feast

A brand-new Lunar Year of the Ox is barely a few weeks away and the nation is currently facing an unavoidable global pandemic situation through a lockdown. Despite the current situation, The Oriental Group of Restaurants is bringing festive cheer to everyone to usher in the festivity with a sumptuous CNY menu available for takeaway or delivery.

Their festive CNY menu starts 12 January and diners can still enjoy a feast at the comfort of their homes with Group Executive Chef Yap Poh Wong and culinary team creations. All restaurants offer something different while signature favorites are also available at most outlets. Here’s what a peek at new festive dishes available from the Oriental Group…

This Year of the Ox inspired their pretty and scrumptious creation of Golden Bull Yee Sang (RM168). An abundance of ingredients to represent an abundance of good blessings for the new year ahead, the yee sang is a stunner in terms of presentation and flavours as well as textures. Lots of fresh vegetables along with fruits, nuts and choices of seafood, the yee sang has a beautiful juiciness that makes one go back for more.

Golden Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin(RM25) is additional but its so delicious that you would certainly want to add-on this side order to your yee sang!

Other yee sangs available are Golden Prosperity Yee Sang, Boston Lobster Yee Sang, Forever Youthful Vegetarian Yee Sang and classic ones. If you’re up for splurging, there’s even a Boston Lobster Yee Sang, Moet Et Chandon Champagne Yee Sangand Dom Perignon Champagne Yee Sang!

Soups have always been Oriental Group masterchefs’ forte. This Ox-spicious year had Chef Yap and Chef James Ho curating a nutritious Double-Boiled Shark's Fin soup with Fresh Fish Maw & Black Garlic (RM68 per portion). The meaty seafood broth is very aromatic and tasty with the addition of black garlic. Every spoonful warms the soul and tummy. There’s also bamboo pith, premium fa gao or fish maw, shark fin and chicken in the soup.

A CNY meal is never complete without a fish to represent Nian Nian You Yu. A golden creation of Deep-Fried Yellow Corvina Shanghainese Style (RM33 per portion) elevated a classic fish to modernity with its presentation. The exquisite fish is renowned for its fine sweet flesh. Fried to golden crispiness, the fish is further enhanced by a side of black vinegar with ginger. The sweetness of the fish took on new flavours with that light touch of tangy and sweet vinegar. One can literally almost eat the whole fish except for the main bone and head as the fish was so crispy.

A modern take on the highly prized sea cucumber had us tucking into Crispy Stuffed Sea Cucumber in Hot & Sour Sauce (RM33 per portion). A bundle of prosperity, the crispy battered sea cucumber stuffed with seafood paste, is served with a beautiful tasty sauce. What was unexpected was that the sauce had a wonderful kick of heat that rendered this dish unforgettable.

The Baked Freshwater Prawn with Golden Garlic & Creamy Sauce (RM58 per portion) looked utterly divine at sight. Not only does the crustacean looked enticing, the luscious garlicky sauce is a match made in heaven with the prawn. Lip-smacking satisfaction!

More dishes to indulge and it’s the king of crustacean in the form of Boston Lobster Ee-Fu Noodles (RM368). Slurp up that delicious strands of crustacean soaked egg Ee-Fu noodles and tuck into that chunks of lobster for that satisfying note.

Desserts are sweet endings not to be missed! The Bird Nest Lemongrass Infusion with Basil Seeds & Mixed Fruits (RM28 per portion) is refreshing and has that vibrant fruity notes, making it great on the palate after course meal.

Koi Fish Nian Gao, presented in a pair, is a mouthful of sticky sweetness with a filling of red bean. Diners are encouraged to add on freshly grated coconut, coconut cream and syrupy brown sugar for that lovely flavour and texture. This dessert also comes in a Triple Wealth, Health & Happiness set where it includes a traditional Yee Sang of your choice from the list, a Radish Cake with Dried Scallop & Chinese Waxed Meat and the Koi Fish Nian Gao plus Oriental Group Teochew Spicy Sauce, all packed in Oriental Group Festive Warmer Bag for RM398nett.

There are many more dishes and CNY set menu available at all their restaurants for this festive month. Foodies can expect nothing but the finest of Chinese cuisine from The Oriental Group of Restaurants.

For more information and reservation, visit www.orientalrestaurants.com.my or Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheOrientalGroupofRestaurants for the respective restaurant details.

New Outlet with Food Menu

Cộng Cà Phê has just opened its second outlet in One Utama recently, following in pursuit of their successful outlet in NU Sentral. The popular Vietnamese coffee chain has finally opened a bigger outlet where they have added more food menu to their enticing coffee and beverage menu.

Located in the old wing of the mall, Cộng Cà Phê latest outlet is just as attractive as their first outlet. A similar color themed echoed in this outlet as well but this outlet takes on a textile factory while their first takes on a school theme. All Cộng Cà Phê outlets are themed to reflect the childhood memories of its founder, Linh Dung as mentioned by franchise owner Peter Tan.

There are two level dining as well for this outlet. From their retro furniture to groovy wooden tables and chairs converted using refurbished old sewing machine parts to their impressive panel of sewing machines that has withstood the test of time, there’s even a wall of colorful rolls of thread that makes it an Instagramable spot for ardent coffee lovers. Knick knacks and the café’s souvenirs added much charm to the café’s concept of Vietnam’s socialism era.

Menu is neat and sufficiently satisfying for those yearning their signature “Phin” style coffee as well as their iced beverages along with banh mi, light sandwiches, rice and rice noodle bowls as well as some desserts.

Mornings beckon for a wake up coffee call! Order their signature Bac Xiu (RM12.90 hot|RM13.90 cold) or Hanoian Coffee (RM10.90 hot|RM11.90 cold). Both comes with a kick of caffeine for that much needed pick-me-up. Bac Xiu or Coffee with Coconut has that wonderful aroma of coconut cream that elevated the robust coffee notes to new heights. Hanoian Coffee has 3-layers of richness from its coffee layer to the rich creamy condensed milk and fluffy foam, it’s certainly a classic Vietnamese coffee at its best.

A sip of the Ice Blended Coconut Green Rice Smoothie (RM17.90) and I am utterly sold on this icy concoction of luscious cream studded with tiny chewy bits of green rice. The green rice is imported from Vietnam and is cooked and then added to that fragrant coconut smoothie. Enjoyed the smoothie so much and would order this again as its very creamy and unique plus I really like the texture bits!

For fruity flavours, both Fresh Lime Smoothie (RM13.90) and Passion Fruit Smoothie (RM15.90) are very refreshing with that lovely tang of citrusy notes. This will also perk you up for the day…

Watermelon Juice (RM10.90) and Ambarella Juice (RM13.90) are also available for fruit juice lovers to quench the thirst.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls (RM8.90) are a classic snack that many enjoys. These are crispy with a juicy filling. Savor this with their nước chấm for that umaminess that the cuisine is famous for.

Order up their Banh Mi with Chicken Ham (RM13.90) and bite into a crispy and chewy bread filled with thick chicken ham along with their house made pate and veggies. Love that they added a nice kick of heat along with sweet and sour notes from the pickles and fresh herbs. There’s choices of Beef Ham and Tofu too.

Slurp on their Beef Ham Rice Noodle (RM16.90) and Chicken Ham Rice Noodle(RM13.90) and tuck into their house made beef ham and chicken ham served with rice noodles and lots of fresh veggies. Pour on the nước chấm, toss it up and enjoy the fresh and delicious notes of the noodles with the tasty meats.

There’s also that surprisingly delicious Tofu with Egg Instant Noodle (RM9.90). Using Vietnamese noodles, we like how the noodles didn’t turn soggy or overly soft despite us taking some photos. Enjoyed the flavour of the noodles with the tasty marinated tofu and fried egg.

The last time there, we also tried their Croissant with Condensed Milk (RM6.90). Happy to say, quality remains consistently good. Simple but a nice light bite to go with coffee…

Though they don’t make their own desserts, but we were pretty happy with their offerings of Almond Bar (RM8.90) and Chocolate Muffin (RM8.90). Almond Bar is flaky, buttery and nutty, filled with almond paste while the Chocolate Muffin is served warm and oozing with rich chocolatey notes of pleasure.

Sliced cakes of Orange Poppy Seed Cake (RM8.90), Earl Grey Cake (RM8.90) and Chocolate Cake (RM8.90) proved simple basic cakes are consistently good. These are moist and fluffy. Though its hard to pick a favorite, the Orange Poppy Seed Cake was our top choice for its lovely citrusy notes with bits of popping seeds. These cakes are really great with coffee any time.

Cộng Cà Phê newest outlet has proved to be one that is bound to be a favorite hotspot for many. The popular Vietnamese franchise has it all from great coffee and beverages to light food menu along with a trendy ambiance.

With current MCO situation, delivery and takeaway are available. Cộng Cà Phê is offering RM5 off your order with a minimum purchase of RM20. More details available at their website and Facebook.

Cộng Cà Phê
G130A, Ground Floor,
1 Utama Shopping Centre,
Lebuh Bandar Utama,
Bandar Utama,
Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7732 9280

Website: www.congcaphe.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/congcaphe.my
Instagram: www.instagram.com/congcaphe_my

Business Hours (non-MCO)
Sun to Thurs 10am to 10pm
Fri & Sat 10am to 1030pm

Celebrate the Holy Month with Bazar Selera

Let Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown take you and your family on a Bazar Selera culinary marketplace filled with nostalgic Malay flavours along with other international flavours this festive month of Ramadan.

Quan’s Kitchen Executive Chef Gerald Chong and culinary team has curated a lavish buffet spread to take diners through the ancient Silk Road where the world’s melting pot of cuisines gather among the traders. Dine at comfort at the spacious all-day dining restaurant amidst a lovely cityscape view.

One of the main highlights of Bazar Selera is catching the La Mien Sifu preparing the specialty of hand-pulled noodles at the Lan Zhou La Mien station. As the skilled master deftly transformed a ball of dough into silky strands of noodles, freshly prepared-to-order, one can chose some topping to make your own bowl spicy or non-spicy.

There are also choices of thickness of the noodles from thin to broad textures. Each bowl is slurping yummy!

Making its usual appearance, Xinjiang’s iconic Cumin Slow-Roasted Whole Lamb is paired with Uzbek Plov, a fluffy savory rice pilaf cooked with carrots, meat and spices. The tender and aromatic lamb slices are delicious and goes so well with the rice.

Other dishes worth checking out are Ikan Patin Tempoyak, Sambal Udang Petai, Ayam Percik, Kari Kambing, Sayur Lodeh along with a colourful array of kerabu salads and ulam with assorted sambals.

The hot stations are also filled with traditional must-haves like Satay, Lemang, Sata, Otak Otak, Sup Berempah Tulang Rawan and other dishes while the cold station offers Seafood on Ice.

Make sure to enjoy a Manis ending of traditional Persian Saffron Brittle, Soham e-Qom as the buttery, crunch brittle is deliciously addictive. Besides that, there are Ais Kream Goreng, Assorted Kuih Muih, cakes, fresh fruits, Cendol and Ice Kacang, Ice Cream and Teh Tarik along with other chilled beverages.

Priced at RM158nett, Bazar Selera is available for dine-in at Quan’s Kitchen, Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur. Chinatown from 13 April to 12 May 2021, daily between 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Early bird vouchers from 5 March to 2 April 2021 at RM118nett.

Embrace the spirit of the festive month in the comfort of your own home with their Bazar Selera To-Go Set for 2 at RM158nett, available for takeaway and delivery. A perfect gift for the elderly, friends, relatives and corporate colleagues, purchase their Raya Delights Hamper of iftar nibbles and festive and enjoy free delivery within a 10km radius from the hotel.

For enquiries or reservations, WhatsApp 012 507 3327 or email dining@fourpoints.com

QUAN’S KITCHEN
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
2, Jalan Balai Polis,
5000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2035 7333

Website: www.fourpointskualalumpurchinatown.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FourPointsKualaLumpurChinatown
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fourpointskualalumpurchinatown

It’s been a while since travels across borders are allowed due to current pandemic situation. My family and I have been reminiscing about our trip to the Land of the Merlion. We took the trip back in 2019 and really enjoyed ourselves as we rendezvous through Singapore’s tourist and local hotpots.

We checked into Dorsett Singapore for our trip and was pleasant satisfied with the beautiful hotel and its modern contemporary design. Location was also excellent as the hotel is set above the Outram Park MRT Station, making its easy for us to maneuver around the city through public transportation.

Our Deluxe Room had a lovely city view. We requested for an extra bed as well for our little one. Equipped with all essential and a little more of room and bathroom amenities, this hotel is one of the nicer and premium category hotels in Singapore. We stayed 3D2N and was indeed well-rest with the hotel’s premium bed and facilities.

Besides the view of the city is lovely and the breakfast option is also very good. Too bad we spent more time touring the city that using the facilities of the swimming pool and other facilities. Maybe we can do that the next round.

Searching for a hotel that best caters to your needs are now as easy as it can be. Such websites now offer plenty of options and prices with hotel guest reviews that helps to reiterate your needs on hotel stays.

One can also opt to stay at Sentosa Island hotel if you are planning to enjoy Sentosa during your trip there as there are plenty to do on the island itself. In fact, Capella Sentosa Hotel pop-up recently on my social media feeds. Possibly because I have been doing a little travel search on Hotel in Singaporeto plan my trips once the borders are open!

We visited Singapore’s Science Centre on our trip and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was truly a very knowledgeable experience and we also had a blast taking lots of photos. One of the must- experience at this Science Centre is their Omni-Theatre where we catch the amazing Great Bear Rainforest show in Southeast Asia's first 8K 3D Digital Dome Theatre.

There’s plenty to do and one can certainly spent half day to a full day there easily exploring all science displays at the Atrium. Also do check out their Professor Crackitt’s Light Fantastic Mirror Maze, Laser Maze Challenge, E-mmersive Experiential Environments, Butterflies Up-Close, Marine Alcove and more.

While we savored several yummy meals in Singapore, one of our most highlight was in Chinatown in the city. Despite the many choices available there, we settled for Chinatown Seafood and was happy with our choice of their wide range of seafood menu.

The restaurant is heavily packed with locals as well as tourist, a good sign that the restaurant does cater to many. Menu is laden with lots of seafood choices as well as meat and vegetable options along with some dim sum.

To start off, our Xiao Long Bao was pretty decent, considering this is not a dim sum restaurant. Each dumpling was filled with that delectable hot broth encased in thin skinned and beautifully pleated folds.

Little one wanted Fried Rice while I wanted to enjoy Singapore’s Chili Crab! Sufficient to say, both of us were satiated with our choices. Fried Rice had that lovely breath of wok hei with fluffy rice and egg.

My Singapore Chili Crab was divine. We couldn’t resist ordering mantao to mopped up that thick and creamy eggy spicy gravy. The crab was also very fresh and sweet. I would reorder this anytime again…

Another dish that also won brownie points from us was their Salted Egg Prawn Balls. Utterly sublime, large deshelled prawns were fried and glazed in that umami savory salted egg sauce. Truly worth its price in my books.

Our stay in Singaporemay be short but it was definitely sweet! Perhaps its now a good time to start planning like me so that we will be ready when the borders open for travels…

Authentic Raya Treats

Tuck into delicious varieties of Bakul Raya from Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre Hotel & Residences this month of Ramadan in the comforts of your own home!

The culinary team has curated 7 choices of Bakul Raya filled with classic Malaysian favorites to let you simply enjoy with family and friends as well as business acquaintances in your own vicinity. Choose from a list that includes all-time-favorites Satay, Lemang and Serunding as well as Rendang to Roti Jala, Murtabak, Karipap, Pisang Goreng, Lekor, Popiah, Cucur Udang and Assorted Kuih Muih. There is even a Bakul Kek Mentega that includes butter cake, banana cake and marble cake.

Bakul Raya is available daily from 11am – 8pm for dine-in and take-away.

FREE DELIVERY for orders above RM200 within 5km radius. Delivery fees apply for orders less than RM200, actual fee is subject to the location.

Do check out other festive offers like Jom Ta-Pau, Jom Minum Petang, Rumah Terbuka and Lebaran Gift Box for this season. More information available at www.pullman-kualalumpur-citycentre.com/exclusive-offers/

To purchase or order for delivery, WhatsApp https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=60162903864 or email to restaurants@pullman-klcc.com

PULLMAN KUALA LUMPUR CITY CENTRE
Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2170 8888
Fax: +603 2170 8999
Email: enquiry@pullman-klcc.com

Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine Rice Dumpling

Abundance Set Menu 2020 @ Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine

Soong Kee Beef Ball Noodle @ Setapak

Saturday Japanese Buffet @ Still Waters, Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur

Xin Cuisine Value Lunch and Rice Dumpling @ Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Still Waters New Menu @ Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur

Sundowners Tapas @ Palm Court, E&O Hotel Penang

Heritage Wing Staycation @ E&O Hotel Penang

Auntie Sim Kitchen @ Damansara Uptown

The Oriental Group From Macau to KL Grand Dinner 2020

The Butcher’s Table @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Hilton Garden Inn Puchong

Eat All You Can Dim Sum @ The Emperor, Dorsett Grand Subang

Mid-Autumn Mooncakes 2020 @ Dorsett Grand Subang

Mid-Autumn Mooncakes 2020 @ Zuan Yuan, One World Hotel PJ

Afternoon High Tea with Dim Sum @ Piano Lounge, Dorsett Grand Subang

Eat All You Can Makanthon @ The Emperor, Dorsett Grand Subang

Plaza Premium Group Mid-Autumn Mooncake 2020

M Cuisine @ Plaza Arkadia

Mainland: Natural Cheese Made the New Zealand Way

CNY Menu 2021 @ The Oriental Group of Restaurants

Cộng Cà Phê @ One Utama

Buka Puasa Buffet @ Four Points by Sheraton KL Chinatown

Staycation in Singapore

Bakul Raya @ Pullman KLCC