MERCHANTS ALL DAY DINING AT CROWNE PLAZA KLCC

 

Specialities from four corners of the world beckon from Merchants All-Day Dining restaurant at the new Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).

Located on Level 13, this modern and inviting outpost serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and even brunch to both hotel guests and the public daily. Neutral tones reign within: pristine white tiled walls with contemporary light fixtures, rustic communal tables, open kitchens and eye-catching décor evocative of a bustling marketplace form an inviting backdrop for dining, entertaining and relaxing purposes.

Open 6.30am to 10.30 pm (operational time applicable for various meal sessions), Merchants also has a tastefully furnished private dining room, available for reservations.

Pix courtesy of Crowne Plaza KLCC

Currently, the Selera Kampungku Buffet Dinner (RM188+ per adult) is served for ‘buka puasa’ (6.30pm-10.30pm) until 7 April.

On our maiden visit recently, lunch can be had from Merchants’ a la carte menu offerings of local classics and international fusion options. We opted for Gambas Al Ajillo (RM50), Grilled Australian Angus Beef Burger (RM55) and River Shrimp Curry Noodles (RM60) as there was only two of us.

Lunch started on a positive note with toasted baguette slices as the perfect accompaniment for the delicious tiger prawns. Cooked in olive oil, garlic and chilli flakes, the crustaceans were yummy and tasted even better when paired with the crusty bread soaking up the robustly flavoured oil.

That appetiser paved the way for the scrumptious burger. Sandwiched between a sesame seed bun, the juicy mince Angus beef patty was enhanced by caramelised onion, melted Cheddar cheese, smoked beef slices, sliced tomato, lettuce and gherkins.

For different taste variations, we tried sampling the burger with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and sweet chilli sauces in miniature bottles on the side. Chopped onion and jalapeno also provided sharp albeit welcome flavour accents. These condiments worked well with the burger. Our only complaint was the rather dry thick-cut fries.

If you choose to have the curry noodles, you can pick either wantan noodles, yellow noodles or rice vermicelli. We preferred rice vermicelli and it was a good choice to absorb the aromatic spiced broth.

The river shrimp imbued the soup with its rich, natural sweetness; its meaty texture adding textural appeal to the equation. Varied textural interest was drawn from the inclusion of chicken, beancurd puffs, long beans and beansprouts.

We completed our meal with Sago Gula Melaka (RM25), a pretty creation of moulded large sago pearls complemented by mildly creamy coconut milk with palm sugar syrup. As desserts go, it passed muster as we personally prefer the smaller sago pearls for nicer mouthfeel.

To work off our lunch a little, we went on a quick tour of the hotel, starting from the rainforest-inspired RhymBa Lobby Lounge & Bar where huddle spots and solo pods accord guests a nice respite or double up as functional work spaces.

The different room categories were pleasantly modern and versatile, designed to blend work/life travel needs for productivity and relaxation. Furnished in neutral tones to suit today’s business and leisure traveller expectations, each room come with spacious and well-appointed bathroom, comfy sofa couches, and tactile rainforest element décor.

Up of level 32 we were shown to Le Midi, a modern brasserie cum bar with expansive views of the city skyline and a speciality menu of French fusion fare.

Relaxation reaches new heights with the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and cutting-edge gym. Also available is a spacious ballroom and five well-equipped function rooms with all the essential mod-cons.

For more information and reservations, call Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre, tel: 03-27828888. Address: No 22, Menara 8 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur.

 

TASTY AUSTRALIA SHOWCASE AT ISETAN KLCC

A total of 12 new brands with more than 80 products made their debut at Tasty Australia 2019 at Isetan KLCC, officially launched by Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, Michael Growder (pix below).

 

 

Also present at the launch were Koji Oyama, Director/Managing Director of Isetan Malaysia (2nd from left), and Vivien Lee, Executive Director of The Model Cook (far right).

 

A collaboration between The Model Cook and Isetan Malaysia, Tasty Australia 2019 showcases the best of regional Australian food & beverage from 30 August to 11 September. It’s the sixth year Tasty Australia has been held in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Vivien Lee said: “Our passion is to promote healthy eating by offering GMO-free and healthier alternative food with real health benefits.  We always strive to ensure the healthier food alternatives present its value for money and nutritional content in the actual products themselves.”

 

 

Apart from The Model Cook’s traditional best-selling 25 brands from South Australia, Tasty Australia 2019 highlights primarily food, drinks, products and brands from South Australia and Western Australia. Most of the new brands have chosen Malaysia as their first country of export.

 

To emphasise Tasty Australia 2019’s focus on clean eating, sustainability and a conscious choice of GMO-free foods, several founders of the new brands were also at the event to meet and interact with Isetan customers, and to share their respective brand stories.

Among them were Bevan Eatts, Director of Southern Forest Flavours (top pix) who touted his high flavonoids, ready-to-eat and good-for-the-heart dried Bravo apple slices and 100% natural dehydrated fruit straps; Mei Yong, Director of Turban Chopsticks (2nd pix above) whose range of bottled Asian sauces and convenient easy-to-cook meal kits won us over within minutes; dynamic duo Elizabeth Simaliak with Issy Bilal, Founders of Nestar & Ms Sweetie Vegan Chocolates, and Kim Fewster, Founder & CEO of Fewster’s Farm Honey who promoted his indigenous Western Australia certified organic Jarrah honey.

 

Us food lovers also had a field day shopping for fine Australian products including Western Australia’s iconic superior class black Perigord truffle oil and seasonings, raw Southern Forests honey, gluten-free kettle-cooked tasty Jonny’s Popcorn Delight, gourmet vegan chocolates, 100% Australian grown quinoa, Australian produced cheeses, muesli and multi-grain cereals, biscuits, bottled drinks and wines from Australia, and even premium frozen seafood.

 

The Isetan Food Market will be bustling with activity during Tasty Australia. Besides a striking Popcorn Fountain, Tasty Australia 2019 will offer lucky draws with prizes comprising RM500 gift vouchers, food hampers and Australian souvenir giveaways with purchases.

Shoppers can also sample a selection of typical Aussie dishes like Salt Beef Sandwich, Burgers, Seafood Pasta and Fish & Chips at the Australian Gourmet pop-up restaurant from 11am to 9.30pm. Value buys of certain Australian food and beverage products especially during the one-hour “Meet the Makers” period will feature extra special buys so keep an eye out for that.

For more details on “Tasty Australia” best buys, please visit TheModelCook Facebook page.