Showing posts with label heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heritage. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

SAJIAN DARUL EHSAN FOR BUKA PUASA AT MERCURE KL GLENMARIE

 


Heritage food from the nine districts of Selangor steal the limelight at "Sajian Darul Ehsan" buffet by Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie come Ramadan this year. 
Crafted by Executive Chef Zaharullail Ashari or Chef Awie, the spread pays tribute to the land and the people of Selangor at Warna, the All-Day Dining restaurant, from 14 March to 7 April 2024.

Chef Awie says “Sajian Darul Ehsan is inspired by the rich culinary diversity of Selangor. Darul Ehsan, meaning 'Abode of Sincerity' pays tribute to the land and its people. From the resilience of Sambal Taun, symbolising the ability to thrive against the odds, to Nasi Ambeng, a dish echoing togetherness and authenticity, each item reflects a chapter of my culinary journey and resonating the true essence of family."

The chef’s favourite signature dishes to sample include:


Nasi Ambeng
One of Selangor's heritage foods, this communal dining offering consists of white rice surrounded by fried noodles, soy or turmeric and lemongrass braised chicken, serunding ayam (coconut and chicken floss), pergedil (potato and herb patties), Javanese stir-fried beans, mixed beancurd with glass noodles, fried tempeh, and salted fish.

Punten
A Selangor Javanese snack of quenelle-shaped soft mashed cooked rice eaten with Sambal Hijau Ikan Bilis (spicy anchovies and green chili dip). The rice quenelles are formed using a plastic spoon due to the rice stickiness. For the spicy-hot green sambal, little anchovies are used for  its savouriness with a paste of green chillies and bird's eye chillies, and coconut milk to make it. 
Sambal Taun
Also known as Sambal Tahun, this Javanese heritage dish, prevalent in the Sabak Bernam district, is similar to masak lemak cili api. Pounded galangal, kampung chilli padi and coconut milk are cooked with beef skin, beef tripe, cockles or anchovies. Tempe and black eye beans are also included to add greater substance. This dish is meant to last as traditionally matriarchs will just add more coconut milk and chillies to it.
Kambing Salai and Ayam Bakar Perchik
Most diners will be drawn to sample the whole roasted lamb and  aromatic spice-infused roasted chicken. Chef Awie explains the spices in the rub and marinade used transcend local boundaries to elevate its aroma and taste.

Ikan Purbakala
This dish captures the chef’s personal journey in overcoming life's challenges and celebrating his triumphs. Sourcing the freshest seabass from the fishing villages of Selangor like Sekinchan and Klang, the fish is accentuated with 27 local herbs and spices, stuffed then deep-fried with beaten eggs.

Wadai Kipeng
A sweet embodiment of Chef Awie's Banjarese heritage in Sabak Bernam, this hot dessert of glutinous rice flour dumplings with sweet pandan-flavoured broth of coconut milk and palm sugar is simple yet heartwarming.
Other tempting specialities for buka puasa include Dates, Seafood on Ice, Rojak Kelang, Assorted Kerabu, Gulai Kawah, Ikan Bakar (grilled fish), Rendang with Ketupat and Serunding, Shawarma, Roti John and Satay among others. 
In addition, Ayam Goreng Rempah, Fried Kway Teow, Ayam Masak Merah, Murtabak and Assorted Fried Fritters await.

Sweet succour in the form of Bubur Cha Cha, Apam Balik, Assorted Kuih, Cendol, Fresh Fruits, and Chilled Beverages wrap up the meal on a high.
Early birds can enjoy an exclusive rate of RM118+ per adult for Mercure’s "Sajian Darul Ehsan" Ramadan Buffet (6.30 pm-10.30 pm). Voucher purchases must be made before 14 March 2024.
Regular Sajian Darul Ehsan buffet is priced at RM138+ per adult, RM69+ per child (7-11 years old) and RM98+ per senior citizen (60 years old and above).

For reservation and Early Bird Voucher, please contact or WhatsApp Mercure KL Glemarie’s Warna All-Day Dining team at hp:+6011 3148 2889.

  

Friday, October 20, 2023

AN UNFORGETTABLE ESCAPADE AT TEMPLE TREE LANGKAWI


Never in my wildest dream did I think I’d be staying in Temple Tree Langkawi. After seeing all the alluring social media posts of the resort, I was ecstatic to be invited for a staycation.


Resort Manager Irene Vairo (4th from left) and team welcomed us within Temple Tree Langkawi’s reception lounge within the imposing Ipoh House – the first of several heritage houses found here.

Originally owned by wealthy tin miners from lpoh, Perak, this Grand Dame of the resort comprises the colonial-style front portion built in 1903 and an Aceh-style back portion built in 1900.
Rustically beautiful with modern touches, the reception lounge is flanked by a walk-in wine cellar. Steps away is the retro chic restaurant and bar is aptly named Paloh, the Cantonese name for Ipoh.

Roaming around Paloh Restaurant and Bar, we found numerous picturesque nooks and corners; its retro-inspired soft furnishings, brass fittings and a distressed wood beamed Bar dominating its heart.

Another eye-catching centrepiece here is a 150-year-old barn door propped up on antique sewing machine legs, repurposed as a dining tabletop.
Steps away at the lawn is the verdant banyan tree with a little red shrine at its foot that gave Temple Tree Langkawi its name.

Our attention is drawn to the elongated swimming pool set amidst lush green lawns. Tucked at the furthest corner is Pool House, a traditional wooden kampung house on stilts; the resort’s distinctive therapeutic haven for massage and foot reflexology sessions.
Having recently bagged Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Awards for Best Boutique Hotel, Temple Tree Langkawi boasts 21 suites located within 8 Heritage Houses, two swimming pools, and the newly opened Paloh Restaurant & Bar (separate story to follow on the resto’s F&B offerings).
I was assigned to Penang 2; one half of the quaint Penang House. I marvelled at the painstaking care, committed efforts and time it took to relocate and rebuild this 1930s bungalow from its original Gurney Drive site to Temple Tree Langkawi.
The white façade with green trimmings and two entrances have been retained. Upon entering the rustic interior, I love the wholly whitewashed scheme. 

A central skylight in the high-ceiling, cozily furnished living room brings in plenty of natural daylight. A welcome basket filled with tidbits from yesteryears brought back good childhood memories; cherished treats proffered by my grandparents.

Much to my surprise, the jalousie windows with wooden louvres still work! Tilting the louvres not only controls air-flow into the house but one can also surreptitiously check the surroundings outside without opening the main door.

Comfortably furnished with a king bed, the air-conditioned master bedroom made me felt right at home. In addition to ceiling fan, bedside lamps, wardrobe and clothes stand, the resort has thoughtfully provided two batik sarongs and a canvas tote bag (available for purchase) for our use. The second room is also air-conditioned and has a single bed in it.
My favourite space has to be the spacious bathroom with its separate rain shower cubicle. A languorous soak in the huge wooden tub with bath salts was a splendid experience I’d highly recommend.
Mod-cons include WiFi, fans, flat screen TV, safe deposit box, iron and ironing board, coffee/tea making facilities, a mini bar, and a wicker basket filled with mozzie repellent stuff.

The following day we toured the different heritage houses on-site. A stone’s throw away from Ipoh House is Estate House which exemplifies typical housing in the 1940s for rubber plantation workers in Pasir Puteh, Ipoh.

Painted pastel blue with yellow trims, the single level, long house layout consists of five separate suites. Each one has a front verandah and tastefully integrates a myriad of rustic touches and essential mod-cons as well as a little private rear garden.

Facing the main elongated swimming pool is Johor House, an imposing hundred-year-old, double-storey dwelling with a wraparound verandah at the front and sides – this inviting space offers splendid sea/mountain views. Formerly a Chinese farmhouse, Johor House used to belong a Taiwanese family in Batu Pahat, Johor so Chinese design influences are apparent from the exterior.

Guests can either book the ground level Johor 1 or upper-level Johor 2, or the whole house. Space won’t be an issue here as one practically has the run of either the upper or ground floor.

Once a Malay artisan’s dwelling, the grand two-storey Plantation House was built in Penang back in the 1930s. Later sold to a Chinese Hakka family who owned rubber and durian plantations, the house’s notable features include colonial style window shutters, high ceiling, thick wooden support beams and a central courtyard.


Three separate common areas with vintage furnishings are found within, with six units (Plantation 1-6) available for separate booking. The entire Plantation House can also be taken as a single unit to accommodate a group of 18.

Built by Penang’s Arab goldsmith traders in the 1920s in Georgetown, the stately double-storey, five-room Colonial House incorporates intricate European cornices, Peranakan floor tiles and the front porch bearing a fish-scale patterned canopy.
 
The Colonial Hall alone can fit a party of 20 whilst the cavernous living area includes a bar, a ten-seater dining table and several lounge spaces.
 
Separate entrances and outdoor private gardens with sun loungers and wooden bath tubs add extra allure to the two ground level bedrooms.

The villa’s showpiece upper-level patio is adorned with a shuttered verandah. Besides a separate living area, there’s a spacious suite with a separate bath hall and wooden bathtub.


Straits House used to be a charming 90-year-old Eurasian dwelling originating from Penang. Its sunny yellow and vibrant sky-blue living room leads to cozily furnished bedrooms; each with its own ensuite bathroom.

Negeri Sembilan House used to be a family home in Mantin, Negri Sembilan. This ornate, raised single-storey house with beautiful colour stained-glass windows and a spacious front verandah was built in the 1920s.
Now, it features two bedrooms, a living/dining area, and an outdoor porch. The shared ensuite bathroom comes with twin basins and a separate walk-in rain shower.

You can enjoy an Unforgettable Escape 3 days/2 nights’ package at Temple Tree Langkawi. Priced from RM1,700 upwards, the package includes:

• 1 x “Dinner under the Stars” romantic dining experience for 2 persons (1 time per stay)

• Complimentary romantic room decor and additional bath bombs (for room with a bathtub)

• Daily buffet breakfast

• Return Airport Transfer for 2 persons

• 1 x time Floating Breakfast

• 1 x Malaysian High Tea set for 2 persons

• 1 bottle of champagne/sparkling juice OR 1 slice of cake for the occasion

• Island hopping day trip for 2 persons

• 20% discount on laundry services

• 15% Food & Beverage discount voucher (one time usage)

• Malaysian “Childhood Memory” welcome amenities

• Stocked selected non-alcoholic minibar (upon arrival)

The above package must be booked via Temple Tree resort’s website – www.templetree.com.my or email: enquiries@templetree.com or WhatsApp/Call: +6017 5995935. Additional terms & conditions apply.

TEMPLE TREE LANGKAWI, Lot 1053, Jalan Pantai Chenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah




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