Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cake. Show all posts

Friday, January 26, 2024

MORE THAN JUST DESSERT AT MADHATTER

 

Banker turned baker Marcus Low shows his creative culinary prowess transcends the dessert realm at the new MadHatter Boulangerie in Kepong.

The 2015 MasterChef Asia First Runner-up remains a wizard at conjuring sumptuous treats as evidenced by the array of luscious dessert creations he plied us with during our visit recently.

Not only does Marcus uses premium and locally sourced ingredients, his artful, judicious pairing of cogent and cohesive flavours readily sets him apart from other pâtissiers in the city.
 
Upon sampling Marcus’ distinctive dessert creations such as Raspberry Rose Lychee, Chocolate and Cherry, Local Chestnut & Coffee Tart, Chocolate Calamansi, Apple Cinnamon and Banana Bread with Caramelised Cardamom Cream, we find ourselves spellbound by his superior skills and knowledge.
Striving to use more locally sourced ingredients, Marcus tells us his supply of rare jungle fruits and other exotic produce is procured from the Orang Asli community and through like-minded partners such as Langit Collective and Chocolate Concierge.
 
A good example is Bidara or Indian jujube, a local fruit that’s rarely if ever used in French pâtisserie. Instead of raisins, Marcus gives bidara the major role in the fruity filling for his Pain Aux Bidara (one of the distinctive items found in MadHatter Baked Boulangerie).
Marcus who made his maiden business debut in 2017, opened his MadHatter Desserts shop in Uptown Damansara to much social media fanfare. Now, post-pandemic times has driven him to streamline and relocate; he is focusing on providing dessert solutions for businesses whilst his ‘food with a purpose’ philosophy continues through attempts to include more locally sourced ingredients into his creations.

The new MadHatter menu also offers a selection of hot dishes in addition to dessert. Top of the list is MadHatter Signature Focaccia with Deli Cold Cuts (RM28). According to Marcus, the two distinctive charcuterie items: Smoked Paprika & Cocoa Husk Lamb and Ayam Kampung Ham with Turmeric Leaves are made on premise. We find the localised tastes punching above their weight; the emerging accents palate-pleasing and instantly cognizant.
Our enlightening culinary sojourn continues with Faux Liver Paté with Cerapu Jam. Whipped up from an ingenious blend of cashew, nam yue (red fermented beancurd) and blackened kulim (jungle garlic or Scorodocarpus borneensis Becc.), the meatless spread is winsome. We like its nutty creaminess accentuated by complex nuances of nam yue and kulim.

Spread onto toasty bread slices and cocoa husk crisps, we couldn’t stop raving over how well it paired with the cerapu (button mangosteen) jam’s delicate tart-sweetness.

According to Marcus, the cocoa husk crisps we tried is made from ground cocoa husk. “Cocoa husk is high in protein and pectin. Ground into powder, it can be used to make noodles and bread just like flour.”
Tasting somewhat woody-earthy like mushroom, the thin Cocoa Husk Crisps serve as a perfect foil for the deliciously creamy Smoked Mackerel Paté studded with salmon roe.
Fast gaining favour among local gourmands thanks to its musky-garlicky-truffle scent, kulim (another local fruit) when infused in olive oil, bestowed depths of flavour in the freshly baked and sliced Focaccia with Tomato and Kulim Olive Oil.
Adventurous eaters should wade into the boldly inventive Deep Fried Pomfret Open Sandwich with Tempoyak Mayo (RM32). Much to our surprise, the fish’s inherent sweetness held its own amidst the pungency of the creamy fermented durian mayo. Possibly not for the faint-hearted but this is a notable option if you seek something off the beaten culinary path.
Offal fans will find much to love in the Beef Tongue Stew with Swiss Cheese, Chimichurri & Bagel (RM36). Irresistible chewy-soft textures and unapologetically big, hearty flavours rule here. The accompanying coleslaw adds refreshing contrast to the ensemble.
Redolent with the warmth of spices, the Johor style Kacang Pool proved on-point. Topped with a sunny side up egg, the comforting bean stew induced us to lap up everything.
 
There is nothing coy about the Kukur Mushroom Pate Pizza Focaccia (RM22). Earthy-woody nuances abound in every mouthful – something mushroom enthusiasts will appreciate.
So if you’re tired of the ho-hum café fare, go give your tastebuds a rejuvenating jolt with the noteworthy and one-of-a-kind savoury and sweet treats from MadHatter.

For more information, please call MadHatter, tel: 03-6734 9632/012-370 4327. Address: 26, Jalan Medan Putra 4, Medan Putra Business Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

GREEN IS THE WORD THIS CHRISTMAS AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

 


From now until 31 December 2023, give to those in need with Dorsett Grand Subang’s Greener Me Charity Tree Project.
The fund-raising initiative features three towering “Christmas trees” built from repurposed wooden pallets, fashioned into multi-level decks holding pots of money plants and festooned with fairy lights. 

Guests of honour (top pix) Vice Chairman of Dorsett Hospitality International (Malaysia), Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng (right) and Area General Manager of Dorsett Hospitality International (Malaysia), Datin Christina Toh (left), together with Datuk Zainal Abidin Putih, Chairman of Telekom Malaysia Berhad g
raced the festive light-up ceremony.

Dressed in red, children from Rumah Charis also added to the merriment with their rendition of popular Christmas songs. Members of the public are invited to pledge minimum RM10 for each pot of plant. The plants can either be taken home or replanted later by the hotel upon request when the charity project has concluded.

Each contributor will have their name(s) displayed on the Christmas Charity Tree until 31 December 2023. In addition, contributors stand a chance to win weekly lucky draw prizes such as complimentary hotel stay and dining vouchers from the hotel.

Names of the donors will then be compiled for the Grand Draw on 2 January 2024, entitling them to win hotel stay vouchers from Dorsett Kwun Tong and Lan Kwai Fong @Kau U Fong in Hong Kong as well as Dorsett Grand Subang.

Funds collected from will be presented to the National Heart Institute Foundation and Subang Jaya Community Ambulance Service.

For further information on the Greener Me Charity Tree Project, WhatsApp +60 12 355 1257 or email: troy.tang@dorsett.com

  

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE FEASTING
 
After the charity project launch, invited guests were treated to a preview of Dorsett Grand Subang’s Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Delights.

Terazza Brasserie has decked its dining hall with a sumptuous buffet, starting with the Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner (6:30 pm to 10 pm) at RM188 nett per adult, RM158 nett for senior citizens and RM108 nett for children.

Expect more tempting delights at the Christmas Day Buffet Brunch (12 noon to 4 pm), priced at RM138 nett for adults, seniors at RM118 nett, and children at RM78 nett.

Usher in 2024 by partaking in a New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner (6:30 pm to 10:00 pm) at Terazza Brasserie. Priced at RM188 nett for adults, RM158 nett for senior citizens and RM108 nett for children.

There’s also a New Year’s Day Buffet Brunch priced at RM138 nett for adults, RM118 nett for senior citizens, and RM78 nett for children.


For the complete list of festive offerings at Dorsett Grand Subang, visit
http://www.dorsetthotels.com/dorsett-grand-subang

Early reservations are highly recommended, so call ahead at tel: 03 5031 6060 or email: 
bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com
 

Saturday, December 02, 2023

EXPLOSIVE SURPRISE FROM CAKE RUSH




Whimsical. Fun. Impactful. Imagine a flock of butterflies fluttering up once you open Cake Rush’s latest Explosion Gift Box.

We were thrilled and delighted to be greeted by those “Flying Butterflies” tucked inside the box. Such a novel and clever way to level up birthday celebrations or special occasions.

Cake Rush allows you to personalise the Explosion Gift Box contents, ensuring a most unique and special celebration for your intended recipient.

Secured with a pink ribbon, the square gift box comes with a little gilt knob on the top lid. Simply open by lifting up the box lid and presto! See your loved one’s surprise when colourful “butterflies” set their hearts fluttering with joy.

Each Butterfly Cake Explosion Gift Box (RM129) comes with your choice of cake: Rainbow Cake, Chocolate Fudge, Pandan Gula Melaka, Walnut Carrot or a Ferrero Rocher dome; four enchanting butterflies, and a customizable message card.

To enhance your gift box further, add-ons such as 4 x extra butterflies (RM10), flowers (RM15), customized pictures (RM15) or extra confectionery (RM20) to satisfy sweet tooth fans are available.

Order your Butterfly Cake Explosion Gift Box from CakeRush today!


Tuesday, October 03, 2023

BOWLED OVER BY SIXTEEN


In years past, Les Deux Garcon was a reliable outpost for flaky croissants and freshly baked scones as well as hearty breakfast fare. Now the café is simply known as Sixteen – a trendier name in keeping with changing times but fret not, familiar staples such as Almond Croissant (RM12) and Raisin Roll (RM10) remain just as good.

The refreshed interior includes a little green nook next to the entrance: assorted potted plants clustered together with some hung overhead beside the glass picture window. Outside the walkway are more oversize pots of foliage, evoking a sense of tranquility.

Instead of run-of-the-mill ‘big breakfast’ fare of sausages, eggs and beans, we feasted on Golden Harvest (RM23) comprising two slabs of delicious sweetcorn fritters. 

Adorned with a rosette of smoked salmon and a wobbly poached egg alongside pineapple salsa and chilli oil, this new offering was akin to bursts of heartwarming sunshine albeit on the palate.
Striving to please office workers and residents from the nearby suburb, Sixteen has various poke bowl-inspired creations for lunch. Red and basmathi rice amp up the healthy, wholesomeness factor in place of white rice.
 
The Taste of Delhi (RM35) creation took us on a culinary passage to India, featuring tender cubes of lamb in an aromatic and mildly rich curry with fluffy, pea-studded pilau basmathi. Cucumber mint raita, boiled egg, diced fried tofu and crunchy papadum added textural appeal to the stellar serving.

Daun kesum (polygonum minus) was the key herb flavouring Sixteen’s special house recipe of Ayam Kesum Chilli (RM25). The bowl of Spanish rice complemented by the fragrant chicken curry was scrumptious. Tempeh, hardboiled egg, pineapple salsa, fried tofu and ulam (blanched long beans and raw local herbs) provided further enhancement in terms of textures and flavours.
 
A cohesive combo of red rice with diced seared tuna, avocado, edamame, and cucumber formed the Japanese-influenced Nippon (RM36). More alluring nuances were discernible with the inclusion of wakame, pickled ginger, spicy mayo, furikake and mildly sweetish gyoza sauce (concocted using soya sauce, lemon juice, honey and chopped spring onion).
 
Fruity-sweet pomegranate seeds and the judicious use of honey soya sesame dressing made the Buddha Bowl (RM23) comprising red rice, fried tofu, tempeh, wakame, edamame, black beans, lettuce and mushroom into a winsome vegetarian-friendly meal.

Baked fresh on premise, the splendid Scone - served with house made Strawberry Jam and Cream (RM7), and buttery Marble or Orange Cake (RM6 per slice) are compelling dessert choices, ideal as a self-pampering treat or for wrapping up your visit to Sixteen on a subtly sweet note.

For reservations and more information call SIXTEEN, tel: 03 7980 0200. Address: 16, Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 8am to 930pm daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Post

EXPLOSIVE SURPRISE FROM CAKE RUSH

Whimsical. Fun. Impactful. Imagine a flock of butterflies fluttering up once you open Cake Rush’s latest Explosion Gift Box. We were thrille...