DIFFERENT EATS OF GREEN AT ELEGANT INN

The curtain-raiser of Truffle Radish Puff with Twin Purple Sweet Potatoes from Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine’s Unique Vegetarian Set looks almost too pretty to be eaten.

An artistic creation featuring crisp, deep-fried purple sweet potato slices arranged around a flaky domed puff stuffed with truffle oil-scented radish and carrot julienne, the pastry’s outer layer is similar to that of a traditional Teochew mooncake crust: delightfully feather-light and crisp to the bite.

It’s one of the many inventive specialities showcased in the restaurant’s special set menu to commemorate Gau Wong Yeh – the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, a major Toaist religious celebration held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Devotees usually observe a strict vegetarian diet with many flocking to the Nine Emperor Gods temples in Ampang, Selangor and Butterworth, Penang for prayers.

Elegant Inn HK Cuisine is one of the rare Chinese restaurants in the city to offer a specially composed vegetarian set menu to mark the said festival. According to proprietress Jeanette Han, “our vegetarian menu is increasingly popular with diners who adhere to vegetarianism during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Since I’m not fond of greens, I challenge my chefs to create unique vegetarian dishes for this period.”

Her culinary team deftly rises to the occasion with that opening volley. The subsequent soup course proves equally show-stopping; a masterful demonstration of nifty knife skills that has beancurd ‘blooming’ into an  otherworldly blossom with fine, wavy tendrils in the Double Boiled Soup of Tofu Blossom with Fresh Beetroot & Carrot.

True to the Cantonese preference for clear, uncomplicated flavours, Han says she prefers to serve soups with a natural, delicate sweetness culled from the ingredients used; through 4-6 hours of double-boiling. Hence one sip of the dark yet beguiling broth is enough to suffuse the palate with the inherent sweetness of beetroot, carrot and wolfberries chosen for its preparation.

Another clever masterstroke comes in the form of Trio Treasures Stuffed with Organic Beancurd & Quinoa. A more refined vegetarian version of ‘yong tau foo’, the pan-fried wedges of brinjal, bittergourd and red capsicum come stuffed with mashed organic beancurd with quinoa instead of fish paste. The slightly nutty and appealing stuffing is further enlivened by a tantalising dressing concocted using lychee vinegar and sesame sauce.

Crunchy like asparagus, plump groundnut sprouts is a new ingredient that rouses much interest among our dining party. The sweet subtlties of the Groundnut Sprouts Wok Fried with Sweet Peas & Premium Cordycep Flowers make it a noteworthy dish.

Springy hand-made noodles are stir-fried with porcini mushrooms and leafy greens result in a tempting serving of Premium Wild Porcini Noodles. Touched with truffle oil, the noodles leave us happily satisfied without feeling bloated.

Such hazy weather calls for a soothing dessert broth and the Double Boiled Snow Pear with Chuan Bei and Citrus Peel is roundly welcomed as chuan bei mu or fritillaria bulbs is known for its lung-soothing efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine herb.

The mildly fruity-sweet broth is also cooling for the body, making it a nice panacea for the hot, smoggy weather. Complementing it is Yan Xi Lotus Bloom Pastry – a flaky, multiple layer flower-shape pastry with sweet lotus seed paste centre. We learned the artful creation was inspired by the hit Chinese drama series, Yan Xi Palace.

Priced at RM138++ per person (minimum 2 diners per table), the Nine Emperor Gods Festival Unique Vegetarian Set from Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine is available from September 29 to October 7, 2019.

For reservations, please call Elegant Inn HK Cuisine, tel: 03-2070 9399. Address: 2.01, 2nd Floor, Podium Block, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P Ramlee, KL.

TIME FOR FINE COFFEE & FAB FOOD AT JAMAICA BLUE

 

A Blue Latte seems like a befitting drink to mark our visit to the cosy Jamaica Blue café at Setia City Mall in Setia Alam. Adorned with a delicate latte art ‘tree’, the pastel blue beverage tasted similar to warm vanilla-scented milk; its unique colour rendered by blue Curaçao (a type of bitter orange) syrup with white chocolate and frothy milk used to create the velvety, caffeine-free treat.

 

Established in 1992 by Foodco in Australia, Jamaica Blue was inspired by the majestic Blue Mountains of Jamaica — one of the best coffee producing regions in the world and home to Wallenford Estate® Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. Todate, Jamaica Blue boasts an international network of more than 170 cafés in Australia, New Zealand, China, the United Arab Emirates, UK, Singapore and Malaysia.

 

In Malaysia, Jamaica Blue has 9 outlets; thriving on its ‘fine coffees and fabulous food’ concept. The Jamaica Blue café at Setia City Mall is one of the bigger outlets, cosily furnished with plenty of comfortable seating. True to its name, Jamaica Blue strives to evoke the laidback spirit of the Caribbean with an idyllic oasis-like setting complemented by the premium taste of award-winning coffee and seasonal fresh menus.

The ardent coffee lovers in our group had nothing but praises for the smooth medium roast Jamaica Blue Mountain Cappuccino (RM23.40). Made from 100% Arabica beans, the Jamaica Blue Signature Blend Cappuccino (RM11.70) held its own; its medium, well-balanced body proffering a creaminess with subtle chocolate aftertaste.

Even our choice of non-caffeine beverages such as the chocolatey Gone Banana Smoothie (RM14.50) and Mango Smoothie (RM14.50) came up trumps. Perfect pick-me-uppers to counter this sweltering hot weather!

Breakfast fare is now popular among city folks at all hours of the day. At Jamaica Blue, you can enjoy crowd-pleasing Eggs Florentine with Smoked Salmon (RM26.50) anytime you step in. If you’re a light-eater, a serving of the poached eggs, wilted spinach with smoked salmon and warm hollandaise sauce on toast is ample enough to feed two. We enjoyed every scrumptious mouthful of this offering.

 

A special handcrafted recipe from the Jamaica Blue kitchen that’s healthy and heartwarming we sampled is Warm Forest Mushroom, Feta & Spinach Bowl (RM20). Before you diss it as yet another boring salad, we can vouch for this unexpectedly good bowl of healthful eats. 

 

Who would have thought earthy mushrooms, feta crumbs, sunflower seeds and wilted spinach contrasted so well with quinoa and almond 'porridge', chickpeas and poached egg? Throw in a dusting of herbs and dukkah and presto! it was culinary magic made in heaven.

However, local tastebuds seeking more familiar fare may prefer the delectable Vintage Ground Beef Burger (RM28.90). Featuring Jamaica Blue's own housemade beef patty, the toasted burger is guaranteed to satisfy as it's packed with briny beef strips, cheddar cheese, pickles, aioli, fresh rocket leaves, tomato slices and caramelised onion. A fresh green salad is also served on the side.

Italian style ciabatta forms the basis for the Classic Steak Sandwich (RM28.60), another viable option to consider when you feel peckish. The moist, juicy filling comprises grilled scotch beef fillet with beef strips complemented by sliced tomato, rocket, caramelised onion, aioli and gherkins.

Non-beef eaters can take comfort in the Jerk Spiced Chicken, Avocado & Mozzarella Roll (RM20). Lean chicken breast meat tossed in creamy chipotle (Mexican-style spicy dressing) sauce and coriander.

Don’t be surprised to find no creamy sauce drowning the pasta when you order Jamaica Blue’s Traditional Pasta Carbonara (RM22.90). Here, it’s whipped up the trad Italian way with just egg, garlic, olive oil, turkey strips and parmesan cheese. We relished every forkful of the deliciously al dente, flavourful pasta down to the last strand.

Mindful of local preferences for robust tasting dishes, the Chicken Laksa Pasta (RM20.90) should prove bang on. Slathered in lush santan-rich and spice-enhanced sauce with a touch of coriander, the pasta with chicken pieces got enthusiastic thumbs up from us.

Sweet treats are aplenty here too. Two dessert we’d recommend are the Sticky Date Pudding (RM14) and the luscious, fudgy Dark Chocolate & Walnut Brownie (RM12).

 

The former proved its irresistibly factor when my partner — a non-dessert fan —sought repeat helpings of the date-studded pud with warm butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. Other baked goods such as croissants, lemon yoghurt loaf and scones are also available daily.

 

For more information on Jamaica Blue, visit www.jamaicablue.com.my or Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamaicabluemy/