SPLENDID MOONCAKES FROM DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

Handcrafted by resident chefs of The Emperor restaurant, both baked and snowskin mooncakes make perfect gifts this Mid-Autumn Festival.

I like the design simplicity of the Celestial Gift Set. Clad in red with the hotel name hot stamped in gold, each gift box can hold a set of four mooncakes.

TBH, these baked variants comprising White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk (RM46), Pandan Lotus Paste with Single Yolk (RM46), Pure Red Bean Paste (RM38) and Six Coarse Grains Paste (RM46) exceeded my expectations.

Their nice, glossy sheen once I cut into them bears testament to good ‘yau sui’, that slick slight oiliness all notable mooncakes is judged by. According to experienced Chinese chefs, it’s a sign of well-made mooncakes with ample time to rest post-baking, resulting in their deliciousness.

Proof of that is truly in the eating. The red bean paste blows me away with its just-right sweetness. Between the pandan-flavoured and regular white lotus paste, I find the former coming up trumps thanks to its enticing aroma and appealing vanilla-like flavour.

Only the nutty variant seems a little dry and underwhelming. Overall, I’d recommend mooncakes from The Emperor as gifts this Mid-Autumn Festival. They are Halal-certified too.
 
To order Dorsett Grand Subang’s mooncakes, call The Emperor restaurant, tel: 03-5031 6060 ext 1912 or email: bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

BOWLED OVER BY NOODLES AND SHANGHAI DIM SUM AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

Five Flavours Shanghai Dumplings (RM25 nett) was the headline offering to tease our tastebuds at the newly launched Impressively Shanghai promotion at The Emperor.

Served daily for lunch (12noon – 2.30pm), we feasted on six new Shanghainese dim sum created by Dim Sum Master Chef Chan Chee Loong.

Naturally coloured with beetroot (red), spinach (green), carrot (yellow) and butterfly pea flower (blue), the soup-filled chicken meat dumplings were delicious. Vinegar and shredded ginger dip is served on the side, to dial up the taste appeal.

We also enjoyed soul-satisfying Rice Rolls with Yam Bean and Dried Shrimps (RM13 nett). A fresh take on chee cheong fun albeit the flat rice rolls are broader and stuffed with scrumptious shredded yam bean (sengkuang) and dried shrimps. Simplicity at its best.

Drawn from an age-old recipe, Shanghai Traditional Glutinous Rice with Chicken Meat (RM15 nett) dumplings won us over with its clear, delicate nuances and pleasant grainy chewy texture.

Crispy with sweet oniony flavour, the Housemade Scallion Pancake (RM13 nett) proved on-point too. The wedges proved addictive as we found ourselves reaching for second and third helpings.

A nice departure from the usual steamed buns, we gave thumbs up to Pan-fried Shanghai Chicken Buns (RM16 nett) and Pan-fried Shanghai Dumplings (RM16 nett). The irresistible savoury filling and varied textures made fans out of us.

 
Always up for something spicy, the crowd-pleasing Prawn Dumplings with Chilli Oil (Rm18 nett) managed to hit the spot. Chilli fiends will enjoy the zingy heat contrasting against the scrumptious dumplings.

Noodle fans will find tangles of endearment from The Emperor’s hefty servings of Big Bowl Noodles. Available now until 31 August for lunch and dinner, the big bowls of thick or thin noodles come in three different permutations. Each big bowl can serve 2-3 persons.

Much to my surprise, I was besotted with the Deep-fried Giant Grouper with Special Vermicelli in Salted Vegetable Soup (RM128 nett per order). A riff on the currently popular suan chai yue – the regional Chinese dish of sour vegetable with fish, we eagerly slurped up every strand, morsel and drop in our bowls.

Surrounded by blanched bok choy, the tangy-sour broth stimulated our salivary glands into overdrive; teasing us with sweet slices of giant grouper, strands of salted vegetable amidst toothsome vermicelli noodles.

Turning up the luxe factor was Slipper Lobster and Seaweed with Shanghai Noodles in Superior Soup (RM148 nett per order). The umami-packed broth melded well with the sweetness of slipper lobster whilst straw mushrooms lent textural variation.

The viral ‘flying noodles’ also made an appearance here much to our delight. Both young and old alike should relish digging into the crispy noodles immersed in an eggy sauce. Pin-drop silence ensued when we were busy gobbling down the Flying Noodles with Deep-fried Fresh Water Prawns and Crab Meat in Egg White Sauce (RM188 nett per order). Proof it was an all-round winner in terms of presentation and taste.

For reservations and booking, contact The Emperor Restaurant, Dorsett Grand Subang, tel: 03-5031 6060 ext. 1954 or email:bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

CITA RASA RAMADAN MALAYSIA AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

Traditional Malay and kampung specialities await diners come buka puasa time this year at Dorsett Grand Subang. The extensive Cita Rasa Ramadan buffet, offered from 13 March to 9 April, will also highlight hawker and bazaar food-inspired fare where chefs on duty cook, grill and serve popular dishes on the spot.

When confronted with a vast selection, the trick is to be discerning and choose rare and cherished specialities for the best experience. Our recommended choices include the myriad of Ulam-ulaman, Kerabu Jantung Pisang and Seafood on Ice.

Fans of Sup Gearbox will be stoked to find a dedicated stall dishing it up with offal, beef bones and tripe. Sizzling Satay, a whole showpiece of Kambing Bakar, Nasi Biryani Gam Kambing, hot-off-the-grill Chicken Shawarma, Mee Goreng Mamak, Roti John and Murtabak beckon from various stalls manned by chefs on duty.

If you enjoy Tandoori Chicken and freshly made Naan, you’re in luck too. Curries to fire up the tastebuds include Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak, Kari Kambing, Ayam Rendang, Kari Kepala Ikan and Ayam Percik among others.

In addition, you’d find Pajeri Terung, Ayam Goreng Kunyit, Sotong Masak Kicap and Seafood Marinara to complement rice.

 

Dessert run the gamut from assorted Malay Kuih and Bubur to colourful jellies, decadent cakes and glasses of frothy Teh and Kopi Tarik to cold drinks: Soya Bean, Sirap Bandung, etc. to leave everyone replete.

Cita Rasa Ramadan is priced at RM188 nett per adult and RM150 nett for senior citizens 60 and above. Children between 6 to 12 years old is charged at RM90 nett. Early Bird pricing at RM158 nett per adult is available from now till 13th Mar 2024.

Prepare for your Hari Raya shopping with local designer apparel at the Mezzanine Floor of Dorsett Grand Subang. Dress up to the nines with fashionable creations by Masrina Abdullah, Maswira Majid, Evita Mairesse, Izwani, Huda Hassan and Hasfitri Yusof.

For reservations at Dorsett Grand Subang, call tel: 03 5031 6060 or email: fnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com