Tuesday, March 29, 2022

SKY-HIGH SOIRÉE EATS AT VOGUE LOUNGE KL


Come for the venue. Stay for the view. Event hosts with lofty ambitions may want to consider Vogue Lounge KL as the haute spot for their next soirée - those 360° views of the city’s skyline alone are bound to take invitees' breath away.

Opened in September 2019, Vogue Lounge is part of the Condé Nast group, with sister Vogue Cafes in Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Istanbul, Porto, and Riyadh. This Kuala Lumpur outpost is the embodiment of the Vogue lifestyle, with the aim of delivering an ultra-chic and sophisticated dining experience through a fashionable, luxe lounge and rooftop bar.


Located on the 38th floor of Menara SUEZCAP, Vogue magazine covers and framed portrait shots flank the walkway leading to its entrance. The dramatically designed interior flaunts a soaring high ceiling, adorned with contemporary teardrop-shaped lightning fixtures.


Wraparound picture windows accord expansive panoramic vistas, while within the main dining area a raised screen platform doubles up as a runway underfoot. Plush banquette seats interspersed with strategic clusters of linen-covered dining tables, creating Insta-worthy nooks and corners.



Besides a sleekly designed cocktail bar and a modern well-stocked wine cellar, there's also a private dining room tucked discreetly away behind the latter that seats up to 12 persons. Even the washrooms ooze glitz and glamour with black & white marble floors and Hollywood vanity mirrors with lights.


At the Rooftop Bar, bartenders perform their mixology magic to enliven the evening. For special events such as weddings, birthday parties, launch events, etc, the Rooftop Garden boasts its own dedicated cocktail bar and seating area. Its top-selling point is the spectacular cityscape especially at dusk once the lights come on.



To complement the informal Rooftop Garden setting, Executive Chef Steve Ariffin is tasked with interpreting modern European and Asian specialities for the Rooftop Sharing Menu.

Among his culinary creations we sampled are Crab Tacos (RM42) featuring Soft Shell Crabs with Kyuri, Tobiko and Spicy Avacado. Beautifully presented, the dainty appetisers are designed for casual dining – meaning you can pick them up without creating a mess. We like the co-mingling of soft and crunchy textures and of bold, vivid flavours.


The main course we tried was Roasted Whole Seabass (RM98) stuffed with Lemon & Dill. Complemented with Garlic Aioli, the fish’s natural sweetness is amplified by the tart and herbal accents. The smoky overtone was more discernible once we anointed it with some garlic aioli.



Moreish wedge-cut Truffle Fries (RM28) makes a compatible pairing with your fave tipples. Adorned with a sprinkling of grated cheese and truffle oil, the danger lies in their addictiveness so be forewarned.

 

Simple yet endearing, the rustic Mushroom Risotto (RM32) beguiled us with its no-nonsense ‘less is more’ approach reminiscent of hearth and home. We relished the fungi’s plumpness and rich umami flavour juxtaposed against the soft tender grains, on our palate.



A 'pretty-as-a-picture' Chocolate Pavlova with Passionfruit Sauce was served as the grand finale. Shaped like a mini clump of wispy cloud, we found its delicate sweetness tempered by slivers 0f strawberry tucked within the confection.


Ours was but one of several Rooftop Sharing Menus available. The venue is eminently ideal for weddings, birthdays, special events and corporate functions designed to impress.

 

In addition to a specially curated drinks list with signature cocktails, champagne selection and fine wines, premium spirits and distinctive beers, the Vogue Lounge team can assist with music and whatever arrangements necessary.


For reservations and more information, call Vogue Lounge Kuala Lumpur, tel: +6 016 8466 552 or +6 03 2771 1530/1531. Address: Level 38, Menara SuezCap 1, KL Gateway, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur. Website: www.voguelounge.my

Thursday, March 24, 2022

CLASSIC CITARASA NIPAH FOR BUKA PUASA AT EQ


In a constantly changing world, the Citarasa Nipah buka puasa buffet proves some things never change at EQ Kuala Lumpur. Available from 3 April to 1 May 2022, Chef De Cuisine Ali bin Tuwin and the Nipah team will cook up a storm, serving up a cornucopia of timeless kampung delights interspersed with popular Malaysian mainstays throughout Ramadan.


The welcoming enclave that’s Nipah sets the stage for a veritable array of East meets West appetisers: from healthy local salads such as Kerabu Limau Bali and Urap Pucuk Manis to the ubiquitous crowd-pulling seafood bar of fresh oysters, poached prawns and clams.


Expect local thirst-quenchers: Sirap Selasih, Cincau, Soya Bean and Air Jagung among others to be available at the self-service drinks station.


Walking out to the patio area, we found it decked with several stalls to showcase hawker-style specialities cooked a la minute. A whole Kambing Golek, spit-roasted and slice to order, took centrestage. We sampled some of the roast lamb with mint sauce and gravy, and were instantly smitten by the meat’s juicy tenderness.


Another notable pick was Kambing Nasi Beriani Gam Johor – succulent cuts of lamb and rice cooked in a medley of spices. It was satisfying with the spices fully imbued into the rice. As for the Signature EQ Satay – touted by Travel + Leisure as Top Ten Malaysian Dishes You Need To Try - the meaty skewers proved on-point and worth making a beeline for.


Chef Ali and his team also conjured up a varied plethora of hot dishes infused with different combinations of spices and herbs. The buffet will leave diners spoiled for choice, with tempting specialities such as Ayam Goreng Mamu, Daging Rusuk Gulai Kawah, Udang Gulai Nyonya, Ikan Siakap Tiga Rasa, and Gulai Lemak Cili Padi Daging Salai among a bewildering selection of curries and well-spiced dishes.


Having worked our way selectively through the robustly flavoured offerings, we were left replete. After cleansing our palate with sliced fresh fruits, it was time to succumb to the myriad of Pastry Chef Azizul Bin Bistaman’s sweet creations.



Local fruits were the chef's core inspiration, resulting in captivating tastebud-teasers of Durian Choux, Passionfruit and Mango Pavlova, Chempedak Financier, Ciku Cheesecake, and Pineapple Tart Tatin. Those with a penchant for teh tarik will find the Teh Tarik Roulade simply 'tea-rrific'. 


The rich Serawa Durian should appeal to die-hard fans of the thorny fruit while the Middle Eastern-inspired Umm Ali added an exotic touch.


A stalwart in the local hotel F&B scene, Nipah is a hot spot come Ramadan so it’s advisable to make reservations prior to visiting. EQ is offering some attractive deals too as below:

Early Bird Vouchers • RM168+ per adult 

Redemption Period: 3 - 7 April 2022 and 29 April - 1 May 2022 

Available for sale from now until 2 April 2022

 

Group Vouchers • RM188+ per adult

Minimum of 20 vouchers required

Redemption Period: 3 April – 1 May 2022

Available for sale from now until 2 April 2022


Buffet Dinner • 3 April – 1 May 2022 

RM208+ per adult, RM68+ per child age 6-12


Reservations are recommended. Email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com OR WhatsApp: +6012 2789239 OR book via TableApp: https://www.tableapp.com/restaurant/nipah-eq-kuala-lumpur#/ 


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