Nowadays a meal at The Ming Room come with some
dramatic flair. Due to the ‘camera eats first’ maxim, restaurateurs and chefs have to work much harder,
to ensure the dishes not only taste good but are fanfare worthy of
TikTok and Instagram.
Highlighting a combination of April specialities and
choice picks from Oriental Group’s Parents Day set menus, our lunch started on
delightful note with Prawn Salad Honeydew Bowl with Wasabi Cream Prawns.
One of the curtain-raisers from the upcoming Parents’
Day menu (RM1,888++ per table of 10 persons), the dish arrived trailing wisps
of dry ice for ethereal effect.
The mayo-coated prawns with fresh honeydew
dices teased the tastebuds with subtle sweetness whilst the wasabi nuance
dialled up zingy notches, lending extra appeal to the appetiser.
Finicky parents will find the premium Stuffed Bird’s
Nest Chicken Wing and Bamboo Pith in Superior Broth (RM78++ per person) right
down their alley.
The collagen-rich broth was succour for the soul, a splendid
canvas to accompany the chicken wing stuffed with luxe clumps of bird’s nest. Sublime.
Also igniting interest with its dramatic ‘flaming’ presence was the Fiery Cherry Duck (RM118++). Infused with a myriad of Chinese spices, the crisp skin and juicy, tender duck was a joy to eat. No sauce necessary although we did sample it with plum sauce and mustard. Personally, I find the duck delectable enough sans dip.
While steamed fish remains a tried-and-tested option at
most Chinese restaurants, the flavour bomb of Braised Live Garoupa with Chef’s
Special Sauce (RM298++) had us hooked at first bite.
We happily lapped up every drop of that hearty, tasty
sauce; its complexity richly nuanced with shimeji and black mushroom, fuchuk
(beancurd sticks), kum jum (dried lily buds), Chinese cabbage,
capsicums, and garlic pips.
Meat lovers will find ample satisfaction from picking
the bones clean off Oriental Group’s scrumptious Iberico Pork Ribs in Banana
Leaf. Slightly smoky and savoury with hints of sweetness, the delish ribs is
another stellar inclusion for the Parents’ Day (found in the RM1,888++ per
table of 10 persons menu) celebration.
Steamed Rice with Pork Ribs, Hong Kong Chinese Liver Sausage and Preserved Vegetable (RM88++ medium, RM178++ large) unfailingly evoked Chinese New Year vibes again when we sampled the superb dish. We like how the punch of chilli heat in the rice tempered the dish’s fatty richness.
Musang King Ice Cream and Mango Tart and Dang Ying (lamp
shape) Red Bean Pumpkin Balls with Banana wrapped up our lunch preview on a light
yet palate-pleasing note. Both dessert creations are featured in the Parents’
Day menu.
Although the banana dices didn’t make an impression amidst
the red bean filling, the crisp yet chewy pumpkin balls scored highly.
IMO, durian die-hard fans will be more than happy to
devour the former as its discernible aroma may not appeal to all and sundry.
Spacious and contemporary with a seating capacity for
500 persons and several private dining rooms, The Ming Room is event-ready for
small, intimate weddings and significant celebrations.
Cheery lighting, scores of bamboo accents set against
rustic backdrops and plush underfoot carpet with floral motifs dominate the
interior. Lines of terracotta horses draw attention inside private dining
rooms. Whether it's a casual lunch or a big do, The Ming Room is ready to roll out the red carpet for discerning lovers of excellent Chinese cuisine.