LONDON TEA EXCHANGE DEBUTS AT SHANGRI-LA KL

 

The Great British Affair promotion by Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur got off to a tea-rrific start with an exquisite London Tea Exchange Afternoon Tea experience at the Lobby Lounge.

 

Available now until 31 October 2024, a fine selection of premium tea from London Tea Exchange will be served to complement delicious afternoon tea treats by the Shangri-La team.

 

At an exclusive preview to mark the debut of London Tea Exchange into the South East Asian market, the luxury tea brand hosted a tea tasting session at the Shangri-La KL.

London Tea Exchange Group Chairman Sheikh Aliur Rahman who joined the event virtually via live stream from London said: “London Tea Exchange has some 3,400 some premium teas sourced from over 40 countries across the globe. Our established, longstanding relationship with many individual tea estates mean some of the rarest tea are exclusive to London Tea Exchange.”

According to Aliur, London Tea Exchange is low-key but a purveyor of fine teas to numerous royal households around the world. “We’re proud of the instrumental role London Tea Exchange played in raising the daily wage of tea plantation workers. As part of the Fair Pay Foundation, we’ve helped to raise the income threshold for tea plantation workers, almost all of them women who earn less than USD4 per day.”

 

The tea tasting session saw us beginning with English Breakfast, a classic tea popularised in 1800s. On the palate, we discerned earthy Sri Lankan tea nuanced with the maltiness of Assam tea leaves and the smokiness of Indonesian black tea.

Another quintessentially British favourite, The Earl Grey captured our hearts with its refined blend of Yunnan black tea and Ceylon tea, gently scented with pure bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy. It was an enlightening discovery as we learned more often than not, the bergamot flavour is usually sprayed onto tea leaves hence the resultant aroma and flavour tend to be heavier and overpowering on both the nose and tastebuds.

My favourite has to be Milk Oolong which comprised hand-rolled Oolong tea leaves. The withered, slightly wet tea leaves are heated in milk steam to bestow the Oolong tea with a distinct creamy taste. 

Fruity tea lovers will take an instant liking to Bora Bora, a sweet, tangy tea made with strawberries, tropical papaya and a myriad of fruits to bright, palate-pleasing tea which can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

Floral with hints of raspberries, rhubarb and cherries, the Sea of Blossoms blend incorporates an array of carefully selected exotic blossoms to produce a soothing tea.

There’s a playful and inventive side to London Tea Exchange as well. The team took over two years to develop and perfect the Pistachio & Truffle blend, paying homage to the Middle Eastern culture. Using real pistachios and chocolate truffle, the subtle nutty-rich tea proved intriguing and luxuriant on the tongue.

LONDON TEA EXCHANGE AFTERNOON TEA AT LOBBY LOUNGE

To further showcase its range of fine teas, London Tea Exchange is partnering with Shangri-La KL’s Executive Chef Scott Brands and his team to proffer a limited time Afternoon Tea (3pm-6pm) at RM220 nett per set for two persons.

Most of the savoury creations flaunted pink hues, in tribute of Pink October. We sampled delicious Savoury Snow Crab Rolls, Diced Apple and Mustard Cress, and Norwegian Salmon Pinwheel for openers.

Top marks went to the Smoked Duck and Foie Gras Croquette with Cherry but no less appealing were the Trout Caviar with Beets Brioche and Summer Truffle Egg Salad.

Rose petal and cherry accentuated Sencha Sakura tea was chosen by the chefs to imbue its delicate flavour into the creation of Rose Ivoire Chocolate Mousse Meringue whilst the Sea of Blossom Tea lent its ethereal floral-berry notes to the crisp Wild Berries Macarons.

A stellar Dark Chocolate Mousse with Paillete Feuilletine (crisp leaf-like flakes) Victoria Cake infused with Orange & Cinnamon Tea grabbed our attention at first bite. It was well seconded by the enticing Sea of Blossom Mille Feuille.

We did adequate justice to the pink-hue Dried Fruit Scone with Bora Bora Tea and Plain Scones, piling a generous amount of Raspberry Jam, Clotted Cream and Whipped Butter on them. 

The tea treats made excellent pairing with Milk Oolong but the Premium Emperor’s Palace Tea – a Fujianese green tea with subtle honey notes won’t go remiss either.

For reservations at Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, call tel: 03 2786 2378.

JOYOUS MID-AUTUMN FEST WITH FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

 

Covered in gold brocade on top and crimson print on the lower tiers, the limited edition mooncake gift box from Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur can be used as a beautiful jewellery box after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Meticulously crafted by award-winning dim sum maestro Chef Ng Meng Loong who has over two decades of culinary expertise, the Four Seasons’ mooncakes mirror a full moon – symbolising unity and completeness – come in a sumptuous array of baked and snowskin variants.

This year’s most outstanding snowskin creation has to be the Black Truffle Lotus Seed Paste with Pine Nuts and Kelulut Honey (RM68 each) mooncake. The chef has ensured a harmonious blend of flavours especially with the bold inclusion of black truffle into the snowskin mooncakes. We love the distinct pine nut and kelulut honey combo with lotus seed paste.

Returning snowskin favourites include luscious Musang King Durian (RM80 each), exquisite Bird's Nest with Black Sesame and Almond (RM58 each) and White Lotus Seed Paste with Seaweed, Black Sugar and Macadamia (RM50 each).

For those partial to classic baked mooncakes, satisfy your cravings with delectable Red Bean Paste with Almond Flakes (RM44), Traditional Mixed Nuts (RM44), Pandan Lotus Seed Paste with Yolk (RM44), and White Lotus Seed Paste (RM44).

Ideal as gifts for family, friends and business associates, this year’s elegant Mid-Autumn Fest gift boxes are available from MYR288+ up to MYR388+ per set.

To place orders for Yun House mooncakes, please call Four Seasons Hotel KL, tel: 03 2382 8602 or drop an email to: yunhouse.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com.

 

 

NEW CHEF’S SPECIALITIES WITH PLAYFUL FLAIR AT YUN HOUSE

 
Familiar yet fresh. Inventive yet timeless. Chef Jimmy Wong and his Yun House team have rendered fresh Hong Kong-style twists to some classic recipes, resulting in visually striking and tastefully exquisite dishes with playful spins to captivate guests.

Presented on a chic canvas of modern tableware, we readily succumbed to Crispy Rice Vermicelli with Foie Gras and Oyster. How could we fault the artful melding of shatter-crisp texture with luxuriantly rich foie gras and the mollusk's plump suppleness?

Instead of the usual square deep-fried toast, we nibbled on lightly breaded, ball-shaped Prawn Toast with Caviar. Tiny pops of brininess from the lustrous caviar pearls heightened our enjoyment of the springy prawn stuffing and crispy toast.

Likewise, we enthused over the slick black vinegar sauce which exuded mellow, well-rounded tanginess; a nice masterstroke to complement the Mini Beef Steak, tempering its meaty richness.

The spongy-softness of fish maw segued to the delicacy of bamboo charcoal skin when we bit into the Fish Maw Dumpling with Cordycep Flower and Black Garlic. Umami accent from cordycep flowers merged with earthy complexity of black garlic on our palate the more we chewed.

Diminutive dices of barbecued duck lent an unexpectedly delicious twist to the filling for the red topped, wispy Deep-fried Yam Puff with Roasted Barbecued Duck. The faintly savoury-sweet taste of nam yue (fermented red beancurd) was discernible when we devoured the yam puff.

Primed up with a whole deep-fried Alaskan Crab Meat Wonton, we lapped up every drop of the stimulating Hot and Sour Soup with Sea Scallops and Tofu. Hats off to the chef for employing the scrumptious dumpling and scallops to level up the crowd-pleasing broth.

Equally stellar was Steamed Black Cod with Chopped Chilli. We were reeled in by the fish's natural sweetness and satiny smooth texture, touched with an aromatic superior soy sauce dressing.

Soul-satisfying Braised Hong Kong Ee-Fu Noodles with Wild Mushrooms and Truffle Paste left us replete. Nuanced with lush woodsy and musky accents, we slurped up every salubrious strand.

Miraculously, our close to bursting tummies found room to fit in the luscious Yin Yang Black Sesame Ice Cream with Chilled Almond Milk. Redolent with the distinct nuttiness of both ingredients, the alluring dessert proved too irresistible especially since I'm partial to almond milk.

Suffice to say, the selection of new chef’s specialities are befittingly worthy of the Michelin selected restaurant.

To reserve a table at Yun House, contact tel: 03 2382 8602 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com.
 

SAJIAN KAYANGAN KITA AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

Homegrown talents of Four Seasons Hotel KL (FSHKL) take the limelight this Ramadan at Curate. Chefs Hanif Ahmadiah, Putri Farisya Amirza and Mohammad Alif Muazzam Saffarudin explore and honour Malaysia’s diversity, indigenous ingredients and familial heritage through their renditions of cherished dishes: Curry Laksa, Nasi Ulam and Apam Gula Hangus, to name a few.

Billed as Sajian Kayangan Kita, this year’s buka puasa charge at Curate is led by Sous Chef Hanif’s Curry Laksa. Luxe up with salmon and caviar, he recommends crispy egg noodles for greater textural interest. The santan-rich gravy exudes tantalising scent of ground chillies, lemongrass and local spices.

Using her Perlis-born mother’s Nasi Ulam recipe, Sous Chef Putri Farisya elevates the traditional herbed rice dish by topping it with shaved truffle and century egg; two ingredients rarely eaten by the Malay community.

“Truffle adds a touch of luxury to my version of nasi ulam,” said the young chef. “It lends a depth of flavour to the rice. As for century egg, I’m partial to it so I hope to persuade more guests to try it with nasi ulam. The selection of local herbs used will depend on whatever is fresh in the market: cashewnut leaves, tenggek burung (Melicope ptelefolia) and ulam raja among others.”

 

Chef De Partie Alif is a sweet rebel who dares to rock the crème brûlée boat. Reinterpreting the classic French dessert by adding cubes of yam and sweet potatoes and substituting regular sugar with gula melaka, his Coconut Cha Cha Brûlée emerges as a winsome palate-pleaser.

The young chef also proffers caramelised spongy Apam Gula Hangus; best savoured with jackfruit strips, caramel sauce and coconut ice cream.

Do keep your eyes peeled for Egyptian specialities of Chef Abd El Rahman from Four Seasons Resort Sham El Sheikh. This is a good opportunity to sample distinct delicacies such as Muammar Rice, Vegetable Moussaka, Beef Kofta, Slow-cooked Lamb Shank and Seabass Sayadieh.

In addition, curtain-raisers to break your day-long fast range from Arabian Mezze and Local Kerabu Salads to Assorted Sashimi and Poached Premium Seafood.

To assuage the call of hearth and hometowns, make a beeline for Kambing Panggang Utara, Sup Daging Berempah, Lontong, Tuaran Seafood Noodles and Apam Balik, serve upon request from the festive stalls manned by FSHKL chefs.

The kampung-style plethora of Malay fare includes Rendang Daging Hitam; Beef, Lamb and Chicken Satay; Fish, Beef and Chicken Floss; Curry Puffs; Ketam Bakar Cili Api; Ikan Patin Tempoyak and Pajeri Nenas Timur amongst others.

Spicing up the dinner spread are popular Indian specialities: Mushroom Biryani Rice, Chicken Tikka, Goan Crab Curry, Fish Ghobi Manchurian, Tandoori Prawns Masala and Spiced Lamb Rack.

Continental dishes of Roast Prime Rib, Fish Fillets with Paprika Sauce, Swiss Meatballs with Wild Mushroom Cream, and Steak Au Poivre on Burnt Shallot Cream add international appeal. 

Local dessert broths: Pengat Kacang Hijau and Bubur Pulut Hitam beckon invitingly alongside Malay Kuih, Fresh Fruits, Macarons, Chocolate Dipped Dates, Assorted Baklava, Turkish Delight, dainty servings of Cendol Jelly, Cakes and French Entremets.

 
Priced at RM289 per adult and RM145 per child, Sajian Kayangan Kita buka puasa buffet at Curate is available until 21 April 2023.

For reservations, contact Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382-8888