MALAY FLAVOURS LEND SHINE AT MADAM LEE

Chef de Cuisine Rizal Sobry has joined hands with Executive Chef Irwan Sutan Chairul to extend the Peranakan palette at Madam Lee Nyonya Private Dining — incorporating timeless Malay recipes with depth, fire and fragrance intact.

The introduction of Malay culinary classics feels more like a homecoming, bringing quiet comfort to the menu. Nestled amidst the grounds of Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya, the restaurant's recessed shelves decked with Peranakan ceramics segue to a soaring high ceiling space and a grand staircase leading to an airy dining space.

Warm and welcoming, we dip and sip on Singgang Seafood Soup (RM30), a coconut milk-based broth cradling prawns, squid, clams, fish and tender vegetables. Modest in appearance but rich in spirit, the creamy and subtly tangy soup leans in with whispers of lemongrass and sweet brine of the sea.

 

Pie Tie (RM28), those crisp little top hats of jicama, mushroom, egg and prawn; Loh Bak (RM25), deep-fried beancurd sheet rolls of meat, vegetables and spices; and Otak-otak (RM25), spiced fish mousse served chilled are ubiquitous mainstays to tickle the tastebuds.

Soft and yielding smoked beef in a golden pool of turmeric and coconut milk—thick, perfumed and almost pastoral in its richness makes the Daging Salai Masak Lemak (RM48) notable. You taste the smokiness first, then the heat of chilli and spices followed by the grassy-citrusy scent of turmeric leaf. It clings to the beef, then lingers long after you’ve set your spoon down.

If that was a murmur, the Paru Sambal Cili Api (RM45) was a roar. Slightly chewy beef lung slices, swimming in a biting-hot bird’s eye chilli sambal, is not a dish for the faint-hearted. But die-hard fans will love it for its fierce honesty.

Take the edge off with Ikan Masak Kicap (RM58), trad fried red snapper doused in a bewitchingly dark sweet-savoury soy glaze. You’d delight in the mellow, gently spiced sauce; sweet at the edges—perfect to go with plain white rice.

 
More amicable options, easy on the tastebuds include golden-skinned Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM32), its spice coating adding appeal to the chook; Chap Chye (RM28), the homey mixed vegetable milieu that tastes like something your Nyonya grandmother might dish up; and a robust, deeply comforting Nyonya Fried Rice.

 
Dessert is whimsical and tropical—Sago Cha Cha with Taro Ice Cream (RM18), creamy and cool on the tongue; and rich yet sticky Pineapple Pulut Hitam Crème Brûlée (RM26), with just the right crackle of burnt sugar on top.

 

At Madam Lee, the spices may flare, the sauces may cling, but there’s always grace in the telling and old flavours bloom anew.
 
For reservations, call Madam Lee Nyonya Private Dining, tel:03-8943 2233 or visit https://www.madamleenyonya.com/
Address: Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya

MERENTASI TRADISI@PENTAS CITARASA MARRIOTT PUTRAJAYA

Local, global and fusion fare will take centerstage throughout the Ramadan month at Zest Lifestyle Restaurant’s Merentasi Tradisi di Pentas Citarasa, from 2 – 30 March.

Welcoming and festive vibes abound as you step into the spacious, warmly lit interior. crafting memorable meals while embracing the spirit of the holy month. Executive Chef Zulkifli Asyul wants to ensure guests enjoy the best possible iftar meals hence his team will pull out the stops in serving up an expansive feast come buka puasa time.

BoomGrow, an innovative AgriTech startup dedicated to sustainable food production, has also partnered with Putrajaya Marriott Hotel; bringing a health-conscious twist to the dining experience. Give BoomGrow’s healthy shot — an energizing blend of electrolytes, Vitamin C, and protein, enhanced with sustainably sourced wheatgrass a go. The specially crafted shot is designed to support hydration, ideal for Iftar.

 

A tantalising array of Malay and Thai Kerabu (think Som Tam, Pomelo Salad) beckon invitingly alongside Continental salads and appetisers such as Smoked Salmon, Chicken and Duck, Cold Roast Beef, Beef Pastrami, and Poached Salmon.

More exotic offerings spanning Middle Eastern Mezze and Breads, Japanese Kushiyaki and Tempura, Thai Steamed Fish with Coconut Cream and Fried Fish Cake, to Italian Pizza and Pasta options add international allure to the line-up.

 

Definite crowd-pullers featuring deliciously rich, well-spiced dishes in large woks billed as Nostalgia 7 Kawah should be worth savouring. You’d find chunks of chicken, duck, beef ribs, and oxtail painstakingly cooked until tender and flavourful; superb with rice and vegetables.

 

Equally compelling will be familiar dishes of Ikan Bakar, Seafood with Spicy Sauce, Ayam Panggang, Kambing Masak Hitam, Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak Ikan Masin, Siput Sedut Lemak Cili Api, Kambing Semur Kicap, Ayam Masak Merah, Mee Rebus with Mutton Shin Bones, Ayam Penyet, Fish Asam Pedas and Nasi Biryani.

 

True to Malaysia’s multi-racial spirit, a multitude of Indian curries, and snacks as well as Chinese wok specialities: Fried Dim Sum and Radish Cake have been included.

The sweet parade is unrivalled too: take your pick from freshly opened durians (look out for the stall by the open patio area) to stalls dispensing freshly made Apam Balik and Ais Kacang should leave sweet-toothed guests on a sublime sugary high.

 

If fruits and cakes are your preference, make a beeline for the jaw-dropping dessert section laden with sweet Bubur Kacang, Serawa Durian, Date Flan, Red Velvet Cake, Fruity Puddings, French Pastries and Fresh Tropical Fruits among lots of other luscious creations. A sweet ending is inevitable.

 

Early bird booking between now and 28 February will enjoy a special rate of RM168 nett per adult and RM84 nett per child. The normal price will be RM218 nett per adult and RM109 nett per child respectively.

For reservations at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, call tel: 03-8949 8888 x 1888 or WhatsApp: +6011 5685 5608 or email
dining.putrajaya@marriotthotels.com