THE GREAT BRITISH CARVERY BRUNCH AFFAIR AT SHANGRI-LA KL

Executive Chef Scott Brands leads the culinary charge with a Carvery Buffet Brunch at Arthur’s Pub & Grill for the Great British Affair promotion.

Satisfy your tastebuds with the much sought-after Black Angus Beef Wellington (RM128 a la carte) in Puff Pastry. The flaky, buttery pastry encasing wild forest mushroom duxelles, foie gras and Black Angus tenderloin is adroitly prepared. Accompanied by mashed potato and gravy, this speciality should hit the spot for ardent Anglophiles.

The equally tempting Boneless Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Fresh Thyme is second-to-none. Tender with the merest hint of gaminess, try savouring it with lamb jus, dollops of mustard and mint sauce alongside Roasted Oatmeal with Fried Onions.

Side dishes of Yorkshire Pudding, Roasted Baby New Potatoes and Roasted Autumn Root Vegetables are served to lend substance.

From the a la carte selection, we were smitten with the cold oak-smoked Scottish Smoked Salmon (RM25). Succulent and slightly briny, the salmon slices were complemented by horseradish crème fraîche and pink peppercorns. A quenelle of salmon mousse with caviar and lemon dill dressing was also included for textural contrast.

Chef Brands uses Omega eggs to create the English picnic classic of Scotch Egg (RM25). Encased within a crisp breadcrumb crust, the hard-boiled egg had a scrumptious mixture of spiced minced beef and lamb surrounding it. Served with salad and pickled relish, it was a cracking option worth sampling.

Good ol’ Blighty puddings such as Sticky Toffee Pudding (RM25 a la carte) and Warm Baked Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream make for compelling sweet options to finish on a high.

Salted caramel ice cream adds a touch of lush creaminess to the baked sponge cake with dates, treacle and caramel sauce.

For the latter, you’d be smitten by tender, soft slices of cinnamon-scented apples; the speciality’s mellow tartness balancing the sweet accent.

Available every weekend until 31 October 2024, the Great British Affair Weekend Carvery Brunch buffet is priced at RM280 nett per person.

For more information and reservations, call Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2032 2388.

DANISH COMFORT FOOD AT DENHYGGE

Smørrebrød or sandwiches is popularly eaten in Denmark. Cold dishes are also prevalent according to Niels Jensen, the owner of Denhygge, a Danish restaurant.

Together with his wife Olga, Jensen takes great pride in serving traditional, home-style Danish comfort food at Denhygge. 

Hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh or hoo-ga) is the sense of comfort, cosiness and conviviality; creating a feeling of contentment and well-being within the Danish home. It’s part and parcel of the Danish lifestyle and the Jensens hope their customers will enjoy an immersive hygge experience at Denhygge.

 

After retiring from the corporate world, Jensen decided to open Denhygge with the aim of introducing Danish food to local customers here. “Sandwiches, cold dishes and pork are commonly eaten. However, we serve some hot specialities as well,” said Jensen.

 

Opened in November 2022, Denhygge boasts clean lines, austere décor within: an open-plan kitchen served as the key focal point alongside a faux fireplace with mantelpiece. A spiral staircase decked with miniature flags, rustic wood accents, and large picture windows blend cohesively to create a welcoming, homely setting.

A made-to-order artisanal nuts and seed-laden dark rye bread forms the basis for their range of sandwiches. Accentuated with a mildly sweet and aromatic curry spiced mayo, sliced red onion and crispy pork lard, the Marinated Herring on Rye Bread with Egg (regular RM26, large RM32) won instant approval with its tantalizingly tart-tangy-briny-sweet accents.

 

The Roast Beef on Rye Bread (regular RM24, large RM30) also proved on-point. We gave two thumbs up to the tender, blush-pink slices of roast beef topped with creamy remoulade, zingy horseradish and fried onion.

Delectable sliced pork belly seasoned with spices played a leading role in the delicious Rullepølse (regular RM22, large RM28); layered atop rye bread with onion and diced aspic. Those diminutive dices of savoury meat jelly packed sublime, full-bodied flavour thanks to it being a solidified reduction of pork jus and browned onion.

 

Equally notable was the Pork Liver Pate (regular RM20, large RM25) sandwich. Lending textural contrasts to it were pickled cucumber and crisp-fried bacon pieces; the flavoursome combination balanced out the paté’s indulgent richness.

 

Jensen also offered his fish cakes and cubes of pork in aspic to sample. The Danish version of fish cakes incorporates potato mash in it, rendering its texture softer compared to local one which is springier.

As for the pork cubes, they were brimming with rich meaty flavours. Unsurprisingly to be honest as Jensen had devoted hours of preparation into its making.

Hot dishes are offered and changed often in the Jensens’ attempt to cater to local patrons. During our visit, the week’s speciality of Stegt flæsk or Danish-style Fried Pork Belly (RM55) could have been a stand-in for local roast pork. Served with boiled potatoes and creamy parsley sauce, the customary Danish Christmas dish was rather delectable albeit texture-wise, we found it harder and drier.

Danish dessert tends to be simple as underscored by the Danish-style Apple Pie (RM18). The apple compote used a mixture of red and green apples for the pie filling’s requisite sweet-sour taste profile. Served with crushed macaroons (almond flour cookies), red currant jelly and lightly sweetened and vanilla-accented whipped cream, the light dessert was a nice option to conclude our maiden visit to Denhygge.

For reservations at DENHYGGE DANISH RESTAURANT, call mobile no: 012-824 0020. Address: F13, Empire Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Business hours: Mon-Sat 10 am to 10 pm (last order 9 pm), closed on Sundays.

 

MALAYSIA TAKES A SHINE TO FRESH APPLES OF POLAND

European apples from Poland drew thousands of visitors at the recent Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair in Kuala Lumpur. The famous orchards of Grojec took centrestage at the beautiful Polish pavilion where a trade mission of Polish fruit growers interacted with trade fair attendees.

President of the Fruit Union Association, Piotr Janota (left) said: “After meeting with representatives of several large fruit importing companies, we are happy to know Malaysians are eager to buy Polish apples. After two years of marketing campaign, we will be able to increase the sales of Polish apples to Malaysia.” 

Poland is the biggest producer of apples in Europe and globally, its production is second only to China and on par with the US and Turkey. Good soil and mild climate make the country conducive for growing apples whilst cultivation technology and the growers’ know-how and experience help to Polish apples stand out in the international marketplace.

 

Co-financed by the European Union campaign “Gift from the Polish Orchards, Apples from the Heart of Europe”, Polish apples entered the Malaysian market last year. Currently, only Gala Apples – medium sized apples with smooth, slightly shiny and yellow-red skin are imported into Malaysia. The sweet taste and delicately crunchy flesh make it popular with locals.

As part of the campaign, an Apple Day event was held at Taman Tugu Park in June with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Several hundred kilograms of Polish apples were distributed to park visitors; denoting Polish apples as a great companion for walks and as a travel-friendly snack.

Janota said Polish fruit growers take care of every production stage: from growing, sorting and packing to transportation. Environmental protection and sustainable production methods coupled with a rigorous control system ensure the eating quality and safety of the apples for consumer consumption.

For more information on Polish apples, visit: www.bestapples.eu