SSSSPECIAL CNY OFFERINGS AT SHANGRI-LA KL

Auspicious Yee Sang primed up with 2-head abalone, Hokkaido scallops, poached lobster, and Scottish smoked salmon will elevate your Chinese New Year celebration. We had first dibs of this fab opening salvo for the 9-course Immense Wealth Set Menu at Shang Palace recently.

 

Hints of kaffir lime leaves emerged as we sampled the luxurious combo of premium ingredients embodying opulence, vitality, joy, and unity.

Warming up the celebratory meal further is Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Chinese Herbs, Fish Maw and Red Dates. Redolent with savoury-sweet marine flavours and subtle aroma of Chinese herbs, the nutritious soup bears testament to the painstaking care put in by Executive Sous Chef Chew Tai Beh (left) and his culinary team.

Abundance is assured when you savour Steamed Soon Hock with Crystal Noodles, Tangerine Peel and Black Bean Sauce. This year, the fish is locally sourced in line with Shangri-La’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) efforts.

The notable use of crystal noodles is a masterstroke as the slippery strands absorb the fish’s delicate sweetness nicely. Also noteworthy is the sumptuous sauce nuanced with aged tangerine peel and black beans, dialling up the dish’s overall deliciousness.

Easing the way for fortune and prosperity is a sumptuous platter of Braised 6-head Abalone with Sea Moss and Sun-dried Oysters. Brimming with alluring umami richness, we reckon you’d enjoy the varied textural delights of this classic speciality.
 

Tender with an irresistible mouthfeel, the chicken coupled with the slightly crunchy black fungus in the Simmered Locally Sourced Yellow Chicken in Ginger-infused Sauce with Black Fungus proved to be another stellar offering. We find the punchy sauce superbly addictive, with delicate goji berries' sweetness coming through.

Wine lovers may wish to sample Clarendelle Bordeaux 2017, a ruby-red wine with vibrant fruity aroma and notes of blackcurrant and cherries on the palate. The wine label even features the Shangri-La logo thanks to a collab between the Hotel and Domaine Clarence Dillon. It’s a well-structured wine with smooth tannins, noticeable minerality and a wonderfully long finish.

Sichuan influences are the rage among Chinese chefs currently. This is  reflected in the Sauteed King Prawns and Asparagus in Golden Yam Ring; the burst of zingy-heat when we bit into the prawns is unmistakable.

A generous sprinkling of Sakura Prawns topped the Organic White and Red Rice with Minced Seafood. The crunchy-crisp crustaceans add splendid contrast and depth of flavour to the nutty rice grains mixed with bits of seafood.
 

Concluding the special menu is Sweetened Broth of Snow Fungus with Six Flavoured Glutinous Rice Dumplings. Complementing the dessert broth are delightful Deep-fried Crispy Rice Paper Wrapped Nian Gao with Yam and Sweet Potato, and a piece of Steamed Trehalose (a type of naturally and commercially produced sugar used as sweetener) and Coconut Nian Gao.

Available from 6 January to 12 February 2025, Shang Palace’s Chinese New Year promotion feature special Yee Sang creations (from RM148 nett upwards), classic Chinese delicacies, and festive set menus (from RM228 nett per person), crafted for family, friends, or business celebrations. Also available will be simplified à la carte and Dim Sum menus  from 29 to 31 January 2025.

For dining reservations and inquiries, contact Shang Palace, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03 2032 2388 or email: enquiries email: dining.kl@shangri-la.com

HOP OVER TO DORSETT GRAND SUBANG FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR FEASTS

Three Lunar Set Menus, Prosperity Yee Sang and Festive Dim Sum will have you jumping for joy this Year of the Rabbit at Dorsett Grand Subang (DGS).

DGS Chinese Executive Chef Eric San and his team showcased Health Set B (RM1,688 per table of 10 persons) during our recent media preview; a lavish 9-course meal incorporating premium, healthy and symbolic ingredients befitting the auspicious Lunar New Year celebration.

Denoting fame and recognition, we tossed and stirred the refreshing platter of Prosperity Yee Sang with Salmon and Shredded Young Mango with much gusto before relishing the melange of freshly shredded fruits, vegetables, crisps and crackers dressed in a fruity-plum sauce.

With promises of career success, the subsequent tureen of Double Boiled Wild Mushroom with Bamboo Pith and Farmed Village Chicken was warmly welcomed. The concentrated sweetness of the various ingredients was a soothing balm for the soul.

Heralding an abundance of blessings, the Roast Crispy Chicken with Barbecue and Chilli Oil proved on-point with its crispy skin and juicy meat. The accompanying barbecue-chilli oil dialled up its appeal factor, adding some tantalising spicy heat to the chook.

Eaten to symbolise hope and abundance for the Lunar New Year, we thoroughly enjoyed the delicate sweetness of the Hong Kong Style Steamed Live High Fin Patin with Superior Soya Sauce. The smooth flesh coupled with the garlicky and mildly sweet soy sauce made it something to write home about.

When it comes to evoking laughter and happiness, Chef Eric San banked on his crowd-pleasing Wok Fried Tiger Prawns with Superior Soya Sauce. Suffice to say, the delicious crustaceans brought out the smiles at first bite.

Fervent wishes of good things and prosperity were foremost in our minds when the Braised Sea Cucumber with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss was served. A perennial Lunar New Year dish eagerly partaken by everyone, this luxurious dish ticked all the right boxes for us.

A joyful reunion of Steamed Organic Brown Rice with White Rice and Smoked Duck garnered two thumbs up in place of the more traditional glutinous rice. 

The inclusion of diced yam, peas, corn kernels, and peanuts lent the rice dish a myriad of textures whilst the diced smoked duck lent a nice smoky savouriness to it.

To ensure a sweet year ahead, we feasted on Doubled Boiled Red Dates with Sweet Peach Resin and Snow Fungus accompanied by Deep-fried Chinese New Year Cake and Glutinous Dumplings Shanghai Style. It was a relief to find these treats are restrained on the sweetness level.

The Emperor also serves five variants of Prosperity Yee Sang (from RM98 upwards) in addition to two other Set Menus: Prosperity Set A (RM1,388 nett per table of 10) and Wealth Set C (RM1,988 nett per table of 10).

Adding to the festive merriment, Dim Sum Master Chef Chan Chee Loong has also created a Lunar New Year Selection of Dim Sum.

Available now until 5 February for lunch (except Mondays) from 12noon to 230pm at The Emperor, you can sample cute rabbit-shaped Steamed Prawn Crystal Dumplings (RM28) or delicate Steamed Blue Pea Flower Dumplings (RM28).

Other tempting options include Steamed Siew Mai with Dried Oyster & Sea Moss (RM28), Steamed Beancurd Skin Stuffed with Seafood (RM25), Steamed Stuffed Green Mussels with Oriental Butter Sauce (RM25), and Deep-fried Banana with Red Bean & Prawn (RM22).

For gifting and takeaway, you can order DGS Radish Cake (RM48 nett each).
 
For reservations and booking, contact The Emperor Restaurant, Dorsett Grand Subang, tel: 03-5031 6060 ext. 1954 or email: bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com