ORIENTAL STAR SHINES IN CHERAS

The largest banquet hall in Cheras. That is Oriental Star’s claim to fame; heralding the debut the newest restaurant under the Oriental Restaurants group, to open in one of KL’s most densely populated suburbs.

Personally, I’m overjoyed as Cheras has always been considered a backwater; more renowned for its notorious traffic jams (really? Which part of Klang Valley is not??) and often perceived as a ‘rough and tumble’ ‘hood. It is heartening to know savvy restaurateurs like the Oriental Group realise this huge area has untapped potential, with folks yearning for the latest lifestyle mod-cons.

 

Designed as a wedding and banquet venue, Oriental Star’s cavernous premise boasts an uncluttered setting, complete with a raised stage, mellow downlights and plush underfoot carpeting. Besides dim sum to pull in the lunch crowd, Oriental Star is enticing Cheras residents with a super value Gourmet Set Menu. Priced at RM 798++ per table of 10 pax, the multiple course menu should be the irresistible siren’s call to any food lover’s heart and stomach.

True to the Oriental Restaurants’ Group ethos, the opening volley is already designed to create an indelible impression. No detail is left to chance as the curtain-raising Teochew Style Platter is presented with aplomb, on a custom-made tiered stand to exude that wow factor.

Under the capable leadership of culinary supremo and Group Executive Chef Justin Hor, the kitchen team here proves they have the chops from the get-go. The quartet of appetisers comprising Fragrant Garlic Fish Fillet, Stewed Pork Neck, Intestines & Beancurd, Crispy Crab Meat Dumplings and Sea Clams with Wasabi Sesame Sauce is guaranteed to garner a few 'wow' around the table. Thumbs up to the clever melding of old-school, nostalgic taste and textural appeal with fleeting fusion influences.

My fave out of the lavish platter is the sliced clams complemented by crunchy jellyfish and okra pieces dressed in the nutty-zingy sauce. The other offerings are equally on-point and should bridge the familial generation gap easily.

The stodgy and somewhat fishy Braised Shark’s Fin with Crab Roe is underwhelming IMHO. And let's not wade into hot soup over the key ingredient (you know what I'm referring to) as one's man soup is another man's poison.

Fresh hope resurfaces once we sample the whole Steamed Ocean Dragon Garoupa with Fresh Abalone, Seng Kwa (luffa) & Squid Balls Taishan Style. Inspired by the ubiquitous hot pot of Taishan — a city-level county in Guangdong province — the clear, inherent sweet fish makes a raveworthy splash along with some toothsome abalone scattered with minced garlic, soft-tender luffa with slippery glass noodles and springy squid balls.

As expected, the house speciality of Roast Suckling Pig with Preserved Beancurd alone makes this menu worth every ringgit. Just savouring the impossibly thin, crackly crisp skin is utterly satisfying.

Although I enjoy the plump strands of Stir-fried Asparagus Beans with Olive and Soy Beans, I find the residual oily aftertaste leaves much to be desired. It could be our fault as we had left the dish sitting there too long. Remember, this dish is best eaten piping hot.

Eating Steamed Rice with Waxed Meat & Yam Shunde Style is almost evocative of the Lunar New Year season but such flavour-packed comfort food will undoubtedly hit the spot with the Cheras crowd.

Bringing the curtains down with a flourish are Three Angels, whimsically presented on another triple tiered stand resembling a tree with tiny birds perched on it. On closer inspection, each ‘branch’ bears a different dessert: lemon jelly and osmanthus jelly balls as well as dainty bricks of steamed sponge cakes with dessicated coconut. Ethereally light and subtly sweet, the delicate morsels ensure we leave Oriental Star in blissfully sweet mood.

The Gourmet Set is available for dine-in only until 31 December 2018.

For reservations, call Oriental Star, tel: 03-9134 8488. Address: M-S-01, Level 2, EkoCheras Mall, No. 693, Batu 5, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

CELESTIAL DYNASTY ADDS FLAVOUR TO PETALING JAYA

The opening of Celestial Dynasty Chinese restaurant in Petaling Jaya should please the city residents as they have a new dim sum and Chinese banquet outpost to satisfy their culinary cravings.

 

Officially opened with a firecracker-loud bang and a rousing lion dance performance a fortnight ago, those of us invited were warmly welcomed and ushered into the gold-lit, high ceiling and plushly carpeted dining hall. Upstairs are dedicated private rooms for corporate and personal entertaining.

 

For lunch, Dim Sum is the go-to staple. The full menu boasts up to 40 different items while no less than 25 offerings are served at only RM5 per serving on weekends.

 

For the grand opening, the kitchen brigade outdid themselves with a splendid buffet of the tempting selection available. Choice dishes such as radish and pig's stomach soup, roast duck and siew yoke (roast pork), and braised tea eggs among others jostled for our attention and tummy space.

Classic and trendy dim sum: veerring between siew mai (steamed pork & prawn dumplings) to deep-fried charcoal-black sui gau (prawn dumplings) and baked wou kok (yam puffs) beckoned invitingly. A la carte specialities such as pork ribs, salt and pepper squid, pumpkin slices in salted egg batter, yong tau foo, fried rice vermicelli and stir-fried prawns in soy sauce ensured we left satisfied.

Dessert was varied too, from cendol jelly to mochi and fresh fruits. Although it was my maiden visit, the first impression was positive and should augur well for future repeat visits. The proof of the pudding is in the eating so it's best to pop in and judge for yourselves if Celestial Dynasty measures up to your expectations.

For reservations, please call CELESTIAL DYNASTY, tel: 03-7931 7273, 16, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.