Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese New Year. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 06, 2024

A TASTE OF TAIWAN FOR CNY AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KL

 

In conjunction with Chinese New Year, Executive Chef Mike M C Wang from DoubleTree by Hilton Taipei Zhongshan brings a showcase of Taiwanese specialities to Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur from now until 24 February.
Under his guidance, the Hotel team’s Chopped Pepper Stinky Tofu Beef Noodles garnered third place at the 2023 Taipei International Beef Noodle Soup Competition. For the showcase in KL, Chef Wang proffers a tamer but no less delicious version of Beef Broth Noodles.
We recommend savouring the deeply flavourful and umami-rich beefy broth with strands of silky smooth, toothsome wheat noodles and sliced beef. One sip of the tasty broth will entice you to return for more.
This speciality along with a DIY Yee Sang station will be among the drawcards at the Hotel’s Prosperity High Tea Buffet (12 noon – 4 pm) every Saturday and Sunday between 4 and 26 February. Priced at RM148 nett per person and RM74 nett per child, the lavish line-up will include a clown appearance and a kids’ lounge.
 
Distinctive dishes by Chef Wang will also be served at the Regal Reunion Dinner Buffet (6.30 pm – 10 pm) on 9 and 10 February at RM198 nett per adult and RM99 nett per child.
Signature specialities to look out for include Braised Eight Treasure Seafood Soup, a popular banquet offering in Taiwan and Special Fish Head Casserole, a heartwarming dish with chunky slabs of fish head.
 
Infused with black vinegar, the thick, seafood-nuanced broth comes laden with slices of black mushrooms, enoki mushroom, diced prawns, jellyfish, crabstick, dried scallops and shrimps, carrot strips.

Exuding a sense of comforting homeliness, the casserole of fried fish head, Chinese cabbage, red chilli, beancurd and mushroom melds together to form a soulful, salubrious dish.

Taiwan’s famed Three Cup Chicken is another delightful option to please the palate, alongside a piquant Hunan-style Steamed Whole Barramundi with Dried Chilli and Pineapple Sauce.
 
Besides the guest chef’s culinary handiwork, the Prosperity Dinner Buffet from 11 – 29 February priced at RM168 nett per person and RM84 nett per child will highlight Sashimi Counter, a parade of Continental, Malay and Indian delicacies.
Expect freshly grilled satay, noodles cooked on request, fresh assortment of salads, Indian tandoori chicken, fish tikka masala, glutinous rice in lotus leaf wrap, fried kway teow, hot and cold drinks, and Chinese-style roasts.

A wide array of dessert to hit the sweet spot such as Mandarin Mousse and Five Spice Sable, Wolfberries and Osmanthus Jelly Delight, Panna Cotta with Diced Mango and Basil Seeds and Chinese New Year biscuits: Kuih Bangkit, Pineapple Cake, and Peanut and Almond Cookies beckons.

For reservations, please call Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton KL, tel: 03 2172 7272 or visit EatDrinkHilton.com

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

DRAGONITE FEAST AT DORSETT HARTAMAS KUALA LUMPUR

 

We had a rousing start with the ritualistic tossing of a multi-coloured Salmon Yee Sang, to kick off our sampling of the 10-course Golden Blossom set menu (RM1,188 nett per set for 6-8 persons) at Table Talk, Dorsett Hartamas Kuala Lumpur.
The refreshing curtain-raiser heralded everything auspicious for the upcoming Dragon Year, perked up by an enticing strawberry and blackcurrant sauce. For the first time ever, Dorsett Hartamas KL is offering four value-for-money set menus, featuring dishes with symbolic connotations befitting the Chinese New Year celebration.
Every spoonful of the Eight Treasure Seafood Soup yielded dried scallops and oysters, diced prawns and surimi crabstick in the thick marine-flavoured broth. It was rather tasty albeit a tad heavy on the salt.
 
Tender to the bite, the big flavours from the Kung Pao Beef with Cashew Nuts had us chomping at the bit. However, a zingier accent to the overall dish won’t be remiss but that’s strictly my personal take.
Subtly sweet with nicely charred edges, the delectably juicy Char Siu Chicken with Special Sauce garnered praises all round. A definite crowd-pleaser that hit the spot.
From sweet we traversed to the savoury spectrum with lip-smacking Butter Prawns. Cooked to on-point springy doneness, the crustaceans were thoroughly enjoyable, with a blanket of fried crispy cereal-oaty bits lending some crunch.
Fresh and fleshy, the Deep-fried Barramundi with Sweet and Sour Sauce piqued our interest with the fish’s natural sweetness shining through. Kudos to the chef for his judicious use of the bright, tantalising sauce to enhance rather than overwhelming the fish.
No surprises from the compelling serving of Stir-fried Broccoli with Mushroom and Bean Puffs. The crunchy broccoli florets integrated well with the softer, toothsomely tender textures of both the fungi and bean puffs.
Hearty and comforting bowls of Yong Chow Fried Rice with Brined Fish followed, leaving us utterly replete.
The winsome pairing of Sea Coconut with Dried Longans and Snow Fungus accompanied by piping hot Steamed Nian Gao with Freshly Grated Coconut was excellent. Both dessert treats were light enough with acceptable sweetness level.
Chef Lai Chan Meng has outdone himself with his festive parade; from Salmon, Jellyfish and Smoked Duck Breast Yee Sang (RM98 nett for ½ portion, RM178 nett for a full portion) to three other set menus available from now till 24 February 2024.

The 8-course Prosperous Beginning set menu at RM388 nett is ideal for 2-3 persons inclusive of yee sang. For a party of 4-5 persons, the 9-course Joyous Spring set menu is RM688 nett. Lastly, the Spring Fortune set menu at RM1,688 nett per table caters to 8-12 persons.

Table Talk restaurant is open daily for lunch and closes at 6pm. For dinner reservations of 3 tables and more, the Dorsett Hartamas KL team will be more than happy to cater to your needs. 

For further information and reservations, call Dorsett Hartamas KL or WhatsApp: +60 12 6883 043 or email to: fnb.hartamas@dorsetthotels.com

Monday, January 22, 2024

TUAN YUAN THIS DRAGON YEAR AT LE MEI, LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

 

An impressive dragon-shaped yee sang and a romantic setting heralded the Chinese New Year sneak preview at Le Mei Chinese restaurant, Le Meridien Putrajaya.

The cosy affair saw pretty lasses in qi pao greeting us at the door with tempting pineapple tarts, mandarin orange macarons and peanut tartlets along with mocktails. With Valentine’s Day four days after the first day of CNY, the hotel's novel idea seemed timely and appropriate. 
The multiple course CNY Tuan Yuan (reunion) set menus featured Chef Lim Kian Meng and team’s traditional and contemporary specialities. Available now until 25 February 2024, Yee Sang selection is priced from RM60 – RM388 depending on portion sizes. Splendour and Luxurious set menus for table of 5 are at RM1,590 nett with a complimentary bottle of wine.

Our preview got off to a rousing start with everyone stirring up the dragon-shaped yee sang laid out; a boisterous experience as we all stirred and tossed the fresh salad with joyful shouts wishing for prosperity, abundance and fortune.

Sampling the Salmon, Tosaka Nori Green and Butter Fish Yee Sang, we found the well-balanced dish teased our palate with a mélange of sweet, tangy and refreshing flavours. The various crisp, crunchy and succulent textures melded cohesively.
 
The heartwarming Double Boiled Silkie Fowl Soup with Dried Scallops, Dendrobium and American Ginseng packed a bittersweet punch at first sip. My palate was instantly awakened but perhaps some diners may find it too strong for their liking. However, the hotel team had taken note of this feedback and once the amount of American ginseng used is adjusted, we are sure the nutritious soup should hit the spot.
 
You have to be a fan of interesting smooth and slippery textures with the epicurean speciality of Braised Whole 6-head Abalone with Fish Maw and Goose Web in Premium Oyster Sauce.
 
Although some may baulk at eating goose web, try and appreciate its soft supple texture and collagen-richness. Along with the marble-smooth and succulent fish maw and the toothsome chewiness of abalone, the entire ensemble is all about textural mouthfeel. Also, the nuanced marine flavours of the lustrous, savoury sauce packed so much depth it almost induced us to lick the plate clean.

A mutedly zingy black pepper sauce amped up the appeal of Wok Fried Australian Lamb Rack with Black Truffle. We like how the wedge of caramelised onion's crisp sweetness lent a subtle counterpoint to the meaty richness.

Lending a healthy spin to the festive menu was Fried Organic Brown Rice with Quinoa, Seafood and Sakura Shrimps. Slightly nutty with abundant savoury-sweetness coming from the seafood inclusion, this creation was a shoo-in palate-pleaser.
Old-school dessert of Double Boiled Almond Tea with Honey Locust Fruit, Snow Fungus and Black Sesame Dumplings brought the curtains down. The dessert broth's distinctly nutty accent could be a tad strong for non-almond fans but I personally enjoyed the interplay of different textures amidst the delicate creaminess.
 
For elevating good luck and prosperity, don’t pass up the chance to sample Deep-fried Golden Spring Roll of Glutinous Rice Cake, Yam and Sweet Potato. Crisp on the outside, the roll proved enticing with its filling of gooey- and powdery-soft textures.
For tables of 10 persons, Le Mei offers four set menus priced at RM1,988 nett, RM2,688 nett, RM3,688 nett and RM3,888 nett. Instrumental music performed live during weekends for dinner whilst a lion dance will be held from 12 noon onwards on the first day of Chinese New Year at Le Meridien Putrajaya porte cochere.

For reservations at Le Mei, call tel: 03 8689 6888 x 6868 or email: dining.lmputrajaya@lemeridien.com. More information at this link: https://lnk.bio/hDlm

 

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