EAT LIKE A VEGETARIAN AT ELEGANT INN HK CUISINE

In conjunction with the Nine Emperor Gods’ Festival, Elegant Inn HK Cuisine (E.I.) will proffer vegetarian cuisine for those who observe a vegetarian diet for the nine-day festival. Restaurateur Jeannette Han and her team have painstakingly created a Unique Vegetarian Set (RM138++ per person, minimum of 2 diners per table) and some a la carte dishes; available from 15 to 23 October.

Having sampled E.I.’s plethora of delicious offerings, I’d happily go vegetarian any day. Nice presentation and great taste are de rigueur here, starting with the platter of appetising Chilled Fresh Chinese Yam Konjac ‘Cherry’ with a centre of sour plum- marinated cherry tomato, a dainty Radish Flaky Puff and E.I. Crispy Vegetarian Rice Roll.

Every item drew our effusive praises as we savoured the chef’s delicate culinary handiwork. FYI, the konjac cherry and airy-light taro-radish puff can be ordered a la carte at RM23.80 per person (min 2 person per order), whilst the silky-smooth E.I. Crispy Vegetarian Rice Roll is RM6.80/pc (min 4 pcs per order).

Sweet and crisp wawasai blossom (miniature napa cabbage) took centrestage in the soup course of E.I. Double Boiled Soup of Murrill Mushroom (a la carte RM29.80 per person). Those earthy mushrooms lent flavourful depth to the salubrious broth, with organic soy beans providing delicate textural interest.

The inventive Fiery Cordyceps Flower Organic Beancurd with Lightly Spicy Cucumber Pickles (RM26.80 per person, min 2 person per order) was memorable for its soft and slightly crumbly texture. We love the discernible zing on our tastebuds as the tofu-cordycep flower mixture was spiked with a little chilli oil.

Presented in a square, chequered board pattern, the visually pleasing Braised Taro, Winter Melon and Hand-made Plant Based Patty with Hong Kong Liu Ma Kee Fermented Beancurd Sauce (RM23.80 per person, min 2 person per order) was a wonder to behold and savour. The masterstroke was the reddish discs of plant-based patty, made from quinoa, chickpeas, red yeast rice and beetroot. They formed an irresistible combination with the powdery soft taro and winter melon cubes, slickly covered by some glossy savoury sauce. 

Just when we thought nothing could outshine that, we encountered the show-stealing Truffle Oil Teriyaki Eggplant Steak with Organic Cabbage Rice (RM23.80 per person, min 2 person per order). Meltingly tender eggplant brushed with housemade teriyaki sauce and scented with truffle oil, the sumptuous ‘steak’ left us spellbound with its uncanny similarity to unagi kabayaki.

Housemade Cashew Nut Cream with Australian Pumpkin (RM19.80 per person) and Golden Banana Osmanthus Water Chestnut Cake (RM4.80/pc, min 4 pcs per order) brought our exquisite vegetarian meal to a sweet finale. The specialities’ ethereal sweetness and delicate textures left us on a heavenly high.

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

 

A REGALICIOUS HOT POT EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER

TBH, I’m not a fan of hot pot but Regalicious Pot proved to be a mind-changing experience. It was love at first sip once I tasted the resto’s flavoursome Regal Golden Chicken and Fish Tripe Broth (RM139.90, additional soup RM49.90).

Do notify Regalicious at least a day prior to your visit if you wish to sample this golden yellow, smooth and creamy-gelatinous soup. According to CEO Stanley Chew, the team needs time to prepare the salubrious broth using cordycep flower, goji berries, red dates, chicken feet, and dried scallops. Rest assured; the wait will be worth your while.

 

Chew recommended we savoured the purity of the soup before dipping chunks of the “ma cao” (horse grass) chicken into it. The sublime soup and succulently tender chicken left an indelible impression, whetting our appetite for more.

The second pot of Regal Seafood Porridge Broth (RM68) was lighter and its clear, delicate sweetness soon intensified once an array of ingredients: Handmade Squid Balls (RM9.90), Handmade Pickled Pork Balls (RM14.90), Handmade Abalone & Fish Paste (RM25.90), Fresh Squid (RM12.90), Handmade Assorted Balls Platter (RM49.90), and Ring Rolls (RM8.90) among others were added in.

We also sampled slices of Fresh Pork Shoulder (RM19.90), Premium Smoked Bacon (RM20.90) and Premium NZ Lamb Leg (RM28.90). Just cooking them briefly in the bubbling hot soup were enough for optimum texture and taste. The ingredient selection especially the various seafood and meat balls are made in-house hence the taste is better than those commercially produced ones.

In line with Regalicious’ food for health preservation approach, several premium soup base such as Regal Black Truffle Fungus Broth (RM98), Regal Coconut Chicken Broth (RM98), Regal Fish Broth (RM68) are available; to offer some differentiation from other hot pot restaurants. Other choices include Regal Nourishing Broth (RM25), Regal Hot and Spicy Soup (RM25), Regal Tomato Broth (RM25.90) and Regal Pickled Cabbage Broth (RM25.90).

Aside from the main dining area which are tastefully conceived with booth-type seating, Regalicious has 12 private dining rooms on premise. A standard VIP room for 4 requires a minimum expenditure of RM100 per head.

 

Catering for groups of 4 – 30 persons, the VIP and VVIP rooms are luxuriously furnished with chandeliers, plush furnishings and even in-room karaoke system. The toilets are no less impressive, outfitted with vanity mirrors and gilded sinks and loos.

Depending on the size of your dining party and budget, the resto has hot pot sets for 2 – 8 persons. The Hot Pot Set for 2 (RM98 upwards) proffers Dual Soup Hot Pot, Fresh Pork Shoulder, Boneless Chicken, Handmade Fish Balls, Prawn Balls and Dumplings, Bursting Pork Balls, Cuttlefish Pork Balls, Sea Urchin Balls, Handmade Ramen, Beancurd, Brown & White Shimeiji and Vegetables.

A set for 4 (RM168 upwards) features Dual Soup Hot Pot, Fresh Pork Shoulder, Premium Smoked Bacon, Handmade Squid Balls and Pickled Pork Balls, Handmade Abalone Paste, VPork Balls, Fish Balls, Lobster Balls, Premium Japanese Crabstick, Handmade Ramen & Carrot Noodles, Brown & White Shimeiji and Vegetables.

The September promotional Special Seafood Set (RM288): Japanese Oyster (sashimi grade), fresh Prawns and Abalones, Clams, Handmade Lucky Pockets, Handmade Pickle Pork Ball, and Handmade Black Truffle Seafood Paste delivers great value for money.

Share this dessert treat on social media when you dine at Regalicious

Register as a lifetime Regalicious member for a one-time fee of RM50 per person, to enjoy exclusive benefits such as welcome treat worth RM288, a free dish worth RM19.90 on each visit, and free upgrade to a private room.

 

For reservations at REGALICIOUS POT, call/WhatsApp: 011-51693441. Address: 52, Jalan Eco Santuari 8/2A, Eco Santuari, Telok Panglima Garang, 42500 Selangor.

 

GOOD EATS WITH HIGH SPIRITS AT D’ATAS BISTRO

Lunch started with a dramatic flair on our maiden visit to the newly opened D’Atas Bistro. Presented in a smoking cloche, the signature D’Atas Whisky Sour (RM40) left us smitten with its tangy, boozy taste with a tinge of smoky peat.

It was a captivating twist to the classic cocktail of John Jameson whiskey, fresh lemon juice, gula melaka syrup and Angostura bitters crowned with frothy egg white and a dried orange slice.

Ladies will adore Fly with Chan (RM38) – an Insta-worthy tipple of shaken gin, raspberry puree, limoncello, lavender syrup, lemon juice and egg white prettied up with edible flowers.

Teetotallers can seek solace in Curry Mama (RM18) – a creamy curry leaf-scented mocktail of coconut milk, coconut puree, and lime juice, with a topping of pineapple juice. Such an inventive and invigorating drink.

D’Atas (literally a contraction of Damansara Uptown in Malay) also serves Toddy (RM12 per glass, RM60 per bottle) – local palm wine sourced and tapped from the restaurant’s own palm trees in Nilai. This rare albeit delightful find tasted mildly sweet and fizzy with faint whiffs of fermented rice.

A refreshing tweak comes in the form of Connor’s Draught Stout & Toddy (RM16). It should go down well with those who prefer to have the palm wine tempering the stout’s inherent bitterness.

 

Made with butter roasted mushroom, the unctuous Cream of Mushroom (RM18) is one of the curtain-raisers here. Overall, I thought it was too peppery but hey, you should be the judge and jury of this popular mainstay.

Smoky and tender Grilled Lamb Skewers (RM20) drizzled with mint-mayo sauce got the thumbs up; the delectably moreish bites, well-spiced and on-point. Hardly surprising then it’s chalked up as one of D’Atas’ crowd-pleasers.

Instead of ho-hum tomato or mushroom bruschetta, D’Atas updates this appetiser with an Asian slant, featuring pan-fried sardines paired with chilli shrimp paste atop crusty slices of French bread.

The Shrimp Paste Sardines Bruschetta (RM11) were rather salty but in a good way; a perfect accompaniment with your favourite ‘poison’ from the bar.

Ikan Masak Lemak & Rice (RM28) stole the show with the boneless seabass fillets immersed in robustly spicy and lemak-rich coconut cream, bird’s eye and green chillies. The zingy-hot gravy together with white rice was a match made in culinary heaven.

Mutton Sub-Monster (RM32) – scrumptious mutton varuval with red onion, tomato, and fresh lettuce slathered with mint-mayo on a slab of crusty French baguette proved another winner in our books.

The thin-crust Kimchi Pizza (RM23) passed muster; the tart and distinctive pickled cabbage kicking the flavour quotient several notches up. A definite appealing option to go with boozy drinks.

Cooked cockles, tofu puffs, long beans, and a hard-boiled egg lend substance to Curry Laksa with Sambal Belacan (RM18). We didn’t fancy the yellow mee but it’s the only noodle option available. The aromatic curry gravy passed muster; a dollop of the sambal helped add greater depth and flavour.

Two grilled housemade beef patties with melted cheese, fried egg, onion rings, sliced tomato and gherkins in-between a sesame bun form the Smoking’ Double Beef Burger (RM33). Unfortunately, our beef patties were overcooked and dry but D'Atas promises this hiccup will be rectified.

Spice and chilli fiends will enjoy Asian Style Chilli Chicken Pasta (RM16) – spaghetti tossed with spicy-hot pan-fried chicken breast with chilli flakes, wild rocket and cherry tomatoes.

Topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, the Molten Lava Cake (RM18) hit our sweet spot with its airy-light chocolate cake oozing with luscious, melted dark chocolate at its core.

Lighter on the palate is Tri-Crepe Cakes (RM18) – soft, paper-thin crepes filled with a choice of durian, chempedak, blueberry cheese or red velvet sponge and cream. 

In its bid to draw the white collar crowd, D’Atas serves Set Lunch from 12pm – 2.45pm daily. Priced from RM16 upwards, diners can choose from 12 main course options and enjoy free flow of ice lemon tea.

 

Membership is available for regular patrons. Enrolment is easy and benefits await such as 15% discount for food & beverage at D'Atas.

For reservations, call D’Atas Bistro, hp: 010 248 1356. Address: 108G, SS21/39, Damansara Utama 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Business hours: 12 noon – 12 midnight daily