SAVOUR GLAMOUR KAMPUNG AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

 

Cherished kampung fare with a touch of sophistication mingled with Balinese specialities and Middle Eastern delicacies are front and centre at Curate, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur until 30 March.

 

Nostalgic dishes levelled up with premium ingredients and refined flair will titillate the palate. Choice picks range from Pajeri Nenas Timur, Beef Short Ribs Rendang, Braised Lamb with Spicy Acar, and Salmon Fish Head Asam Pedas to Curry Puffs, Cucur Udang, Satay, Kerabu Umbut Kelapa and Smoked Stuffed Tahu Bakar with Chicken Floss.

Reeling in landlubbers from the luxe Seafood Bar will be extravagant catches of crayfish, slipper lobsters, crabs, mussels, clams, prawns and sashimi.

 

Guest chef Surya Hadinata from Four Seasons Resort Bali shares the spotlight with his Balinese offerings: Gegecok Udang (cucumber prawn salad with toasted coconut), Sate Languan (fish satay), Ayam Betutu, Kambing Menyatnyat (lamb leg in a robust sauce of coconut, ginger, turmeric and chillies).

 

Venturing further afield, exotic Middle East offerings such as the distinctive speciality of Lamb Mansaf – a Jordanian dish of lamb cooked with dried sheep’s milk piques interest with its hearty meaty richness.

 

Aromatically spiced, the Madgout Rice pairs well with Rubyan Meshwi (Emirati grilled prawns), Chicken Shish Taouk, and Spinach Falafel. Delicious nibbles in the form of Potato Kibbeh and Cheese Sambousek also notable.

 

We love Moqueca de Camarao (Brazilian Shrimp Soup – a mildly spiced broth brimming with deep prawn accent like a dialled down tom yam). Meat lovers can look forward to Roast Beef Topside, Kerala Crab Curry, Malabar Avail Lamb Vindaloo, Hungarian Beef Goulash, and Soy Braised Beef.

  
From the live cooking ‘stalls’, we highly recommend unmissable servings of Kambing Golek Utara, Gearbox Soup, Grand Imperial Bidor Duck with pillow-soft steamed buns, Apam Balik and Nasi Ulam with Truffle.

 

A decedent sweet selection to wrap up the evening includes Apam Gula Hangus with Jackfruit, Bingka Ubi, Sparrow Nest Pistachio, Turkish Delight, Babousa, Kol Washkor Cashews, Teh Tarik Mocha Cheesecake, Serawa Durian and Rose Bandung and Pistachio Panna Cotta. Fresh seasonal fruits, stuffed dates, pralines and retro biscuits and tidbits are also available.

Available until 30 March, the Glamour Kampung buffet is priced at RM318+ per adult and RM159+ per child.

 

For reservations, contact Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8602 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com
 

GET SET IN MARCH AT ELEGANT INN

Life’s a continuous feast at Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine. March looks set to be marvellous with the debut of two special set menus: Bountiful Harvest and Golden Harvest at this city’s arbiter of fine Cantonese cuisine.

Highlighting a judicious selection of familiar favourites and newer creations, we were accorded a taste of the Golden Harvest menu recently.

Things got off to a happy start with us savouring Crispy Soft Shell Crabs in Light Spicy Sauce, Hokkaido Scallop Bacon Rolls and E.I. Crispy Vegetable Rice Rolls for openers.

Plump Hokkaido scallop wrapped in crisp, tasty bacon stirred our gastronomic juices with the scallop’s oh-so-delicate sweetness amplified by the bacon’s savoury richness.

Nice contrasting textures came into play from the Hong Kong-inspired jar leong. Instead of yutiao (fried fritters), the smooth flat rice rolls were filled with crispy taro strips. Drizzled with a little soy sauce, this delicious morsel made for a sublime mouthful.

I’m not a fan of deep-fried soft shell crabs so this appetiser was par for the course for me. Dressed in a tantalisingly spicy sauce, there were also crispy onion rings amidst the crab chunks.

Known for its salubrious soups, Elegant Inn reinforces its stellar reputation with a superbly Braised Twin Fish Maw with Sakura Ebi in Flaky Fish Winter Melon Broth. 

We lapped up every drop of that viscously silky broth whilst relishing the slippery suppleness of the fish maw strips. Lending it subtle crispiness and umami accent was some sakura ebi for that perfect finish.

Deserving a gold medal IMO was the serving of Golden Fried Sea Crystal Prawns in Salted Egg Yolk paired with Golden Prosperous Chicken Meat Balls. Springy to the bite, the big prawns had us hooked at first bite thanks to the attendant richly flavourful salted egg yolk crust.

Equally raveworthy were yummy chicken meat balls, reminiscent of classic hai jou (deep-fried crab and pork mince balls). The hearty bites brought back such nostalgic feels.

Heralding a sense of celebration in its wake was the show-stealing Braised Five Treasure Pork Belly with Whole 9-head South African Abalones, Black Garlic, Lotus Seeds and Chestnuts.

It was a stellar showcase of varied textures juxtaposed against a supremely lustrous, full-bodied sauce. We thoroughly relished soaking it all up with deep-fried mantou.

After all those heavy hitters, we readily welcomed the subtler nuances exuded by the Braised Vegetarian Assortment with Cordycep Flower and Housemade Tofu. Spongy and custardy-soft melding with gelatinous and tender textures ruled here.

Claypot Rice with Sea Star Garoupa Fillet, Hong Kong Dried Prawns and Tung Choi instantly garnered effusive praises once we dug into the scrumptious rice. Possibly the next best thing to Elegant Inn’s famed lap mei farn (waxed meat rice), this fish-laden version dialled up the appeal factor with a generous topping naturally umami-sweet HK dried prawns and preserved vegetable.

Lunch finished on a splendid high with exquisitely dainty Bird’s Nest Egg Tartlets and irresistible Nutty Sesame Balls. The latter deserved special mention as each chewy ball was stuffed with coarsely crushed peanuts and sugar, to deliver better mouthfeel. A treat worth going nuts over!

We chased those dessert treats with refreshing bowls of Double Boiled Fresh Pineapple with Lily Flower and Snow Fungus. An on-point, cooling broth to counter the current hot and hazy weather.

The Golden Harvest is priced RM1,188++ for 4 persons, RM1,688++ for 6 persons and RM2,788++ for 10 persons and will be available until end March.

For reservations, call Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine, at tel: 03-20709399 or 03-67379399 or WhatsApp 012-7223518.

BERGEMA SEPANJANG MALAM AT CONCORDE HOTEL KL

 

Fanning the balik kampung spirit at Melting Pot, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, guests will find lots to cherish and savour at the hotel’s Bergema Sepanjang Malam nightly buffet come Ramadan.

 

Available 2-30 March from 630pm - 1030pm, the buka puasa session will integrate the essence of home-cooked meals to the buffet spread, highlighting a cornucopia of cherished kampung favourites, classic Malay and Thai dishes, international specialities and hawker-style offerings.

 

Malay Kitchen Chef Arif Ibrahim and his team will prepare time-honoured recipes such as Asam Pedas Daging Tetel, Rendang Tok, Gulai Tunjang, Nangka Masak Lemak Ikan Bilis, Ayam Bawang, Siput Sedut Masak Lemak, and Sambal Tumis Udang Petai among others.

We recommend sampling unmissable culinary gems such as Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Padi, Gulai Ketam Nipah, Ikan Keli Berlada, Sup Gearbox and the inventive Asam Pedas Kepala Ikan Salmon too.

 

From our northern neighbour comes inspired offerings of Thai Sour & Spicy Fish, Thai Red Curry Prawns, Beef Pad Kra Pao (Minced Beef with Basil), and Seafood Tom Yum. 

 

Typical crowd-pleasing Chinese dishes: Kam Heong Lala, Beef with Ginger and Spring Onion, Kung Pao Chicken and Steamed Seabass Fish with Ginger Sauce along with live cooking stations serving Kambing Panggang with Biryani Rice, Murtabak Ayam, Roti Canai Sarang Burung and BBQ Teppan Theatre add further variety to the expansive selection.

 

Appetising Seafood on Ice station proffering oysters, mussels, prawns and bamboo clams clamour for attention in addition to Japanese Sushi Maki Rolls and slices of Salmon, Tuna and Octopus Sashimi. Noodle fans will find satisfaction in Laksa Johor and Creamy Cheese Wheel Pasta, served on the spot.

 

Before calling it a night, indulge in the plethora of dessert: Serawa Durian made using D24 and Musang King durians, Ais Kacang, Kek Batik, Cendol Pudding, Macarons, Assorted Malay Kuih, Durian Cream Cake, Sago Gula Melaka and Chocolate Walnut Dates.

On 2-4 March and 28-30 March, the Bergema Sepanjang Malam nightly buffet dinner is priced at RM178 nett per person. Normal price at RM198 nett per person; 50% off for children 6-11 years old.

 

Guests will be serenaded throughout the evening by the hotel’s Begema 5 Batak Band, creating a festive atmosphere in the spirit of Ramadan.

For bookings or inquiries, please call Concorde Hotel KL, tel: 03-2717 2233 and 012-399 0734.