Friday, April 22, 2022

'INSPIRE ROMANCE' STAYCATION AT GLENMARIE HOTEL & GOLF RESORT



Rest, repast and a romantic 2 days/1 night staycation in a Junior Suite. Since our last vacay was over three years ago, we caved and succumbed to Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort’s Inspire Romance Package, heading to the hotel for a brief fling.

Upon our arrival at the 260-room Glenmarie Hotel with its award-winning golf fairway, we were delighted check-in was smooth and efficiently handled. The towering columns and water features within the lobby area are evocative of a resort.

 

Entering the Junior Suite assigned to us, the lovely decorations adorning our King-size bed: a pair of beautiful ‘swans’ folded using towels and rose petals artistically arranged to form the words ‘I love you’ left us completely smitten. Now such Instagrammable moments had to be recorded for posterity and we left the decorations untouched until bedtime.



There was also a welcome gift platter of delicious chocolates which we savoured while lounging in the comfort of our suite. Complimentary water, coffee/tea-making facilities were provided so we felt quite at home enjoying these creature comforts.


Our suite looked out to the golfing greens – the tranquil landscape edged by prolific greenery proved a nice change when we snuggled into the comfy chaise lounge for reading or just to relax. The in-room WiFi is easily accessible and fast.

Later we went for a quick dip in the pool. Being a weekday, we had the whole place to ourselves.


The highlight of our 'Inspired Romance' staycation was the four-course dinner, served in the privacy of our suite. Right on the dot, the room service team member arrived with our chosen selection at the appointed time.


Such an indulgence we rarely had the privilege to enjoy so it was a memorable experience. The food was surprisingly up to expectations too.

 

After sipping our complimentary mocktails, we sampled our starters of Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Cream of Mushroom with Truffle Oil. Both portions were generous enough for hubby and myself to share and swap. The salad was agreeable whilst the soup proved a tad too rich for our liking.


Both the Grilled Australian Ribeye Steak with Seasonal Buttered Vegetables and Fries, and Pan-fried Salmon Fillet with Creamy Dill Sauce and Seasonal Buttered Vegetables were on-point. Again, portions were hearty and we had to pace ourselves before we could proceed to sample dessert.


Dining in-room proved advantageous as there was no time limit, unlike restaurant dining. You could dawdle over the starter or the main course as long as you like. We spent some time snapping photos of the dishes so the luxury of enjoying dinner at an unhurried pace was a nice change.


Wrapping up our evening on a high note was the classic treat of Bread & Butter Pudding with Vanilla Sauce complemented by Fresh Fruit Platter. Admittedly, both of us shall cherish this romantic dining experience as one to remember.


After a good night’s sleep, we trooped downstairs to Kites Restaurant for our complimentary buffet breakfast for two. We ate our fill from the ample spread of pastries, noodles, rice, fruits, dim sum, eggs, bread, etc served.


The 'Inspire Romance' Package (from RM496 nett) is available for stay-in dates until 30 June 2022, so hurry and reserve your dates now! It's a lovely escapade for couples who need to escape their daily routine just for a day, to rekindle their spark of romantic passion.


For more information and reservations, call Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort, tel: 03-7802 5200 or email:reservations@glenmarie.com.my

Tuesday, April 05, 2022

TOP CATCH SELECTION AT NELAYANKU



Pure fish broth, derived from boiling 100% sea fish bones for 8 hours, forms the base for most of the specialities served at NelayanKU restaurant which opened in December 2021, a stone’s throw away from the Pavilion Bukit Jalil.



NelayanKU is part of DTS Group, a self-sufficient seafood supply group with diversified businesses and interests in the aquaculture industry: from hatching, nursery, farming, and aquafeed R&D supply, to the processing and distribution of fresh and frozen seafood, and production of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook seafood.


Founder Raymond Tea who hails from three generations of fisherfolk and farm-fishing family, aims to replicate the cherished taste of freshly caught fish and seafood he grew up with through the house specialities at NelayanKU.

Rich in vitamins and nutrients such as Omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids, iodine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, collagen, and protein, the restaurant's signature fishbone soup takes pride of place here. This nutritious stock is the secret formula to many of NelayanKU's key dishes. 


Wading into the appetiser selection, we find Live Irish Oysters (RM4.80 per 50-70g pc, RM7.90 per 90-110g pc, RM10.80 per 125-150g pc) making a rare appearance. Served au naturel with wedges of fresh lemon, it's easy to appreciate the mollusks' fresh, unadulterated taste of the briny sea.



True to the 'waste not, want not' culture of humble fisherfolks, even parts of fish like barramundi wing (pectoral fin) are turned into tempting nibbles known as Myfisherman Wing (RM18.90). The crisp-fried fins yield delicately sweet and surprisingly fleshy meat when you bite into them.



Another stellar 'by-product' is Golden Right Leg (RM8.90) using shrimp feet. Lightly dusted in seasoned flour with salt and pepper, the delicious morsels are fried until they turn golden brown and crispy. 


Lemongrass, turmeric, and Korean-inspired hot & spicy marinades suffused tender chunks of barramundi for the Fish Skewer Set (RM26.90) with plenty of enticing flavours, making this a noteworthy curtain-raiser. Those fish skewers are delectable enough to savour on their own even without the house green chilli dip served alongside them.

Seafood congee at NelayanKU

Moving on the main meals, each Fisherman Set comes with a bowl of NelayanKU speciality soup with a choice of carbs, and a drink. A blend of spices and fish stock based on the founder's grandmother's recipe, results in a mildly spicy yet aromatic Fisherman Curry Soup (RM28.90) that's reminiscent of simple, downhome curries of yesteryears. 

 
Although it lacks the heavy richness of most curries, this humble version may appeal to those who enjoy its spicy-savoury taste. Plain rice serves as the main canvas to capture the curry’s nuances alongside the inherent sweetness of fish slices, la la clams, prawns, and squid rings. A topping of dried mini shrimps lends some crunch to the ensemble.


A blend of pumpkin purée and pure fish stock goes into the making NelayanKU’s Fish Bone Golden Soup (RM32.90). The thick, hearty broth brimming with the delicate sweetness of pumpkin makes it a splendid match with ramen. Again, the noodles are accompanied by fish slices, la la clams, prawns, squid rings and a topping of dried mini shrimps.


The Fisherman SSS or Asam Pedas Nelayan (RM28.90) is the restaurant’s take on Vietnamese-style hot and sour soup. Sliced onion and fresh lime wedges are the garnishes to perk up the broth. Sweetened by a slew of seafood, the mildly tangy broth exudes some heat to tickle your tastebuds.


You can also customise your own bowl of noodles: select original Fish Bone Soup (RM2.50), Fisherman Curry Soup (RM4.50), Fish Bone Golden Soup (RM5.50), Fish Bone Sour and Spicy Soup (RM3) or Soy Sauce (RM2.50), then combine it with your carb of choice: meehoon, crystal rice noodles (kuey teow), wantan noodles, ramen or rice. Depending on the choice and portion size, prices range between RM1.80 – RM4.50.


Enhance your customise bowl with a choice of sliced fish: barramundi, silver pompano, golden snapper, giant tiger garoupa or giant tiger garoupa fish head (RM7.90 – RM16.50 ranging between 60g-100g). Other varieties of seafood available include sea prawns (RM5.50-RM9.90), crab & cuttlefish balls (RM10.90), Alaskan scallops (RM6.90), clam meat (RM2.50), barramundi fish maw (RM10.90) and squid ring (RM2.90).

 

Fans of Curry Fish Head (RM69.90) will find ample succour in the chunks of giant tiger garoupa fish head, eggplant, long beans and tomatoes used to prepare the house speciality.

 

Dessert promises to be a unique affair with Myfisherman Collagen (RM9.90 each) puddings. The collagen is culled from the boiling of fish scales before selected ingredients such as red dates, soursop, passion fruit, steamed egg and chrysanthemum are added as flavourings.


Once refrigerated into jelly-like collagen, the chilled puddings become wholesome, nutritious dessert. The red date and chrysanthemum versions are pleasant for their delicate sweetness while the passion fruit’s mild tartness is a nice palate-cleanser.


The brightly lit, sleekly designed restaurant also incorporates DTS Home Mart – a one-stop retail shop for patrons to buy DTS group’s Ready-to-Cook (RTC) and Ready-To-Eat (RTE) seafood products, imported frozen seafood and fresh seafood such as oysters and lobsters from Europe, Asia and South America.

 

For more information, please call NelayanKu & DTS Home Mart, tel: +60 12-987 7855. Address: B-13-01, Pusat Perdagangan Bandar Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil 7, KL. Business Hours10 am – 10 pm. Website: http://www.nelayanku.com.my/  http://www.dtshomemart.com/ 

 

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