EAST MEETS WEST WITH FINESSE AT JAVA TREE, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Pineapple Prawn Curry. Salted Cod Fillet. Blackened Top Hats. Beef Wellington. Apom Bongkwa. East meets West with culinary aplomb at the new Java Tree restaurant, Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang, making it a notable outpost to dine in.

Named after a historical java tree planted in the hotel’s garden promenade even before the E&O Hotel was established in 1885, Java Tree sets a stately stage for the showcasing of Nyonya specialities and classic European dishes.

The iconic tree – immortalised on an expansive feature wall – draws the eye when you step into Java Tree. Accentuated with dark wood trims and sparkling chandeliers, the resto’s understated ambience is further enlivened by wall sconces, the occasional gilded columns, starched white linen-sheathed tables and earth toned upholstered chairs.

Otak Otak also available a la carte at Java Tree

An appetising trio of Blackened Top Hats (pastry shells stuffed with shredded jicama, carrot, cuttlefish and egg with salmon roe), Lobak (stuffed roll of chicken, shrimp, yam, shredded egg and salmon roe) and Otak Otak (steamed spiced local mackerel mousse with coconut cream, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves) from my Nyonya Signature Set (RM135) makes an great impression from the get-go. 

The Otak Otak deserves special mention as I find the mousse's spice quotient distinct on the palate, with subtle bursts of heat to set the tastebuds tingling. Spoonfuls of the soulful Itik Tim (pickled mustard vegetable with duck soup) summon up childhood memories of meals partaken at my grandparents’ house, a fond reminder that old is indeed gold.

More titillating temptations: Oxtail Gulai (braised oxtail, mustard seeds, vinegar and spices), Pineapple Prawn Curry (deep-sea tiger prawns with pineapple curry) and Terung Tempra (eggplant with lime, soya sauce and chilli) call for plain white rice – the best canvas to capture the dishes’ plethora of bright, piquant flavours. IMHO, the collective servings are generous enough for two light eaters.

A pretty floral shaped Sago Gula Melaka (sago pearls served with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup) brings the sumptuous meal to its sweet conclusion.

On the European Classics front, no appetiser evokes more nostalgia than Prawn Cocktail (RM30). Presented in a cocktail glass with tender romaine lettuce lining the base, Java Tree’s version has three cooked prawns in cocktail sauce (concocted from mayo, ketchup and lemon juice) perched over the rim. Mango dices and mustard sauce give the ensemble a touch of zippy sweetness.

Sweet caramelised onions makes the French Onion Soup (RM30) a siren’s song for the soul. Two gratinated gruyère toasts add depth and richness to the savoury broth, leaving us smacking our lips with satisfaction.

Poached in milk and wholegrain mustard, the signature Salted Cod Fillet (RM125) with baby spinach, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce is an on-point palate-pleaser. Although the dish sounds indulgent, any scepticism proves unfounded once you sample the fish’s lush yet delicate creaminess.

Meat lovers should sink their teeth into the scrumptious Entrecôte 10 oz Steak Café de Paris (RM80) with Baby Vegetables – my partner’s request for medium rare doneness is acquitted with aplomb. We also give thumbs up to the Butter Grilled Asparagus (RM30) with poached egg and truffled mushroom.

Other scrumptious options include Beef Wellington (RM85), Lamb Rump (RM75) and Chicken Fricasse (RM75) among others.

Remember to save stomach space for Java Tree’s seductive sweets from the dessert cart. Succumb to decadent creations of mildly tangy Lemon Tart or a sumptuous Paris-Brest – a circular shape choux pastry with praline-hazelnut crème, or the classic Crème Brûlée. Also recommended is the Apple Streusel Tart (RM28), a yummy crumble-topped treat with custardy apple worth the extra calories.

 

 

 

Currently, Java Tree is open for dine-in from 6.30pm to 10pm. For reservations, please call 016-419 8923 or click: http://bit.ly/JavaTree

DELICIOUS FINDS AT DELICIOUS

Guests of the E&O Residences Kuala Lumpur are spoiled for choice when it comes to satisying their culinary expectations. Several restaurants and bars at sited at St. Mary’s Place itself including Delicious, a casual dining haven exuding laidback, breezy vibes. 

 

 

Daily breakfast for E&O Residences KL guests are catered by the Delicious team but for a better grasp of what the resto can deliver, it’s better to pop in for lunch or dinner.

We did just that during our recent staycation, nabbing the banquette seats set against an Instagram-worthy feature wall. Cafe Manager Siow Kok Leong recommended some of the house thirst-quenchers and Deep-fried Salted Egg Fish Skin (RM17) for openers. Coated in creamy salted egg sauce and tufted with chicken floss, the crunchy bites amped up our anticipation for a Saturyay lunch to remember.

Not sure if it was our valiant attempt at healthy eating or was it the appeal of the dish’s simple, back-to-basics approach but the day's crowd-pleaser was the downhome Roasted Pumpkin Salad (RM25).

We love the pops of tanginess from the boba-like balsamic vinegar ‘caviar’ juxtaposed against the pumpkin’s delicate sweetness; imbuing bright, tantalising flavours to the melange of fresh baby spinach, arugula, toasted pine nuts, feta cubes, croutons and tomato strips.

According to Siow, the Nasi Kerabu with Ayam Percik (RM33) is a firm crowd fave with Delicious' patrons. Tinged blue with the juice of butterfly pea flower, the rice came surrounded by a whole grilled chicken drumstick smothered in a piquantly spicy sauce, a heap of chopped ulam (raw local herbs), fried keropok (crackers), half a salted egg and side dips of sambal belacan and budu (fermented fish sauce).

When the different components are mixed and eaten together, you'd find hot and zippy accents mingling cohesively with savoury and briny nuances amidst soft, crunchy, crispy and tender texures. What’s not to like?

 

The other sought-after local dish, Mee Goreng Mamak (RM28) also came up to scratch. Relying on its own tried-and-tested formula, Delicious augmented the spiced noodles with chicken, squid, tiger prawns, beancurd, tomatoes and cucur (fried fritters), to ensure hearty satisfaction.

Partial to more Western-oriented fare? We’d recommend Chicken Chop (RM28) – the slab of battered fried chicken fillet with tangy sauce, garden veges and fries got the stamp of approval from the Hainanese in our dining party.

 

Personally, I’m partial to the simpler, healthier Baked Salmon (RM38). The pared-down approach of pairing citrus and grapefruit segments with grapefruit reduction worked like a charm with the rich taste of the Norwegian salmon fillet.

A familiar fave to bank on is the Classic Cheeseburger (RM35). The scrumptious secret lies in the seared, juicy US Black Angus 80% meat and 20% fat ratio beef patty. Sandwiched between a sesame seed bun with cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles and a special house sauce, the burger proved on-point.

 

 

Sweet indulgent treats such as Pavlova (RM18), Onde Onde Cake (RM15) and Brownie with Ice Cream (RM18) should please dessert fans. They passed muster although I found the slice of cake underwhelming.

For reservations, call Delicious, tel: 03-2856 6136. Address: G-7 & G-8, Tower A, St Mary’s Place, No.1 Jalan Tengah, Off Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.