GET SET FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR AT EQ

It was love at first bite the minute we savoured the Apple Wood Smoked Chicken Roulade with Barbecue Sauce. Served with Mashed Potato and Mixed Mesclun Lettuce, the show-stealer is one of Golden Phoenix’s Chinese New Year (CNY) menu specialities.

Light barbecue sauce enhanced the smoky-briny chicken roll whilst creamy potato mash and toasted sesame dressing laced mixed mesclun lettuce salad lent a refreshing spin to the dish.

The first salvo opened with a 10-head Abalone Yee Sang to herald a boisterous start for the impending Snake Year. Yee sang choices at EQ this year range from Norwegian salmon and jellyfish to advance orders of fresh Canadian geoduck and Austrian lobster. Portions start from RM128 for a small serving (4-6 persons), to RM668 for a large portion (6-10 persons).

 

Drawing from its 50-year-old culinary heritage, Golden Phoenix returns annually for Chinese New Year as a pop-up, serving familiar classics as well as debuting new dishes for the Year of the Snake.

 

Soul-satisfying umami flavours from Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Matsutake Mushroom and Fish Maw warmed our hearts and tummies with every sip. We relished the assorted ingredients’ contrasting textures and their warm, rustic depths.

Hot on its heels came Steamed Tiger Grouper with Cordycep Flowers and Red Dates. The fish’s fine flesh flaunted on-point doneness; its subtle sweetness dialled up by plump red dates with earthy cordyceps flowers providing textural variation.

More of the appetising dark soya sauce would have ensured the Fried Tiger Prawns with Dark Soya Sauce leave a more robust impact. Luckily that element can easily be adjusted.

 

Little ‘money bags’ – fried tofu skin pouches filled with diced water chestnuts, carrots and seafood – amped up the festive speciality of Braised Sea Cucumber with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss. The smooth, translucent sea moss-laden sauce sheathing the sea cucumber’s slippery supple texture was notable. Hints of the ocean emerged as we sampled the dried oysters.

Instead of melding seamlessly, the subsequent Braised Seafood with Noodles in Crab Meat Sauce tasted disparate. Also, the noodle strands appeared disconcertingly short and dry, making this particular offering underwhelming.

Things went swimmingly well with the fish-shaped Golden Phoenix Rice Cake. Accompanied by a delicate Baked Peony Lotus Seed Paste Pastry and a bowl of winsome Chilled White Peach with White Fungus and Red Dates, these dessert treats drew rave reviews.

The Hong Kong-style rice cake had some crushed peanuts and desiccated coconut to dial up its taste. Top marks for the paper-thin layers of lotus seed paste pastry too.

 

Golden Phoenix’s celebratory set menus will be available for the Reunion meal. The Happy Reunion menu is priced at RM288+ per person, Prosperous Atmosphere menu at RM388+ per person, Wealth Treasures menu at RM488+ per person, and Great Prosperity menu priced at RM688+ per person. A vegetarian menu, priced at RM188+ per person, is also available.

For more information, contact EQ Kuala Lumpur via https://www.eqkualalumpur.equatorial.com/chinese-new-year/

 

KENDALL-JACKSON WINE PAIRING DINNER AT SHANG PALACE

 

Kendall-Jackson partnered with Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur recently to host a wine pairing dinner with Chinese food. As guests arrived for the event, they were plied with chilled glasses of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s 2023 Reserve Pinot Gris. Fresh and crisp on the palate, we detected fruity aromas and creamy notes of juicy peach, pear and honeydew from the pale straw gold wine.

The curtain-raiser of Shang Palace Combination Platter comprising Lobster and Seafood with Truffle, and Grilled Foie Gras with Honey Sauce came paired with Kendall-Jackson 2022 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay.

The white wine’s lush tropical fruit flavours (think pineapple and mango) with citrusy nuance melded wonderfully with the delicate tasting seafood and rich foie gras. Fleeting scents of vanilla and honey accompanied by rounded notes of toasted oak and butter emerged alongside the tipple’s long, lingering finish.

These characteristics made it a match made in culinary heaven with the soulful serving of Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Fish Maw, Dried Scallops and Matsutake Mushroom.

Interestingly, Kendall-Jackson 2022 Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir was the unconventional choice for the omega-rich Steamed Garoupa with Superior Soy Sauce drizzled with Garlic Oil.

Decanted earlier to allow the wine to breathe, we were enamoured by luscious dark cherry and raspberry accents; the oak-aged red exuded soft, supple tannins amidst toasty vanilla notes making the red wine a superb match for the fleshy fish.

Likewise, those big characteristics elevated the sumptuousness of our Fried Prawns with XO Sauce, Asparagus and Fresh Wild Forest Mushrooms.

Voluptuous black cherry and plum aromas with hints of strawberry supplemented by silky rich tannins from Kendall-Jackson Outland Ridge Pinot Noir proved stellar in heightening the delectable Pan-fried Lamb Cutlets in Chef’s Special Sauce.

Redolent with dark cherry, cassis and red currant flavours edged with some minerality and elegantly soft tannins, Kendall-Jackson 2019 Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon was an on-point partner to amplify the hearty taste of Stewed Hong Kong Ee Fu Noodles with Shredded Duck Meat and Mushrooms.

It was a befitting wrap-up before we segued into the evening’s sweet ender of Chilled Mango Puree with Sago and Pomelo, and two pieces of Chinese Pancake with Lotus Paste and Red Bean Paste.

CLASSIC AMERICAN DINER EXPERIENCE AT KGB

 

Channelling retro American diner vibes in blue and white, the KGB Diner at Tropicana Gardens serves more than run-of-the-mill burgers. Once we stepped into the cheery, brightly lit outpost, the menu reveals a wide array of burgers with either flame-grilled beef or chicken patties, fried chicken fillets and even breakfast options for early birds.

Topping our list of ‘must try’ eats here is Cluck Cluck Baby (RM23.80), an offering sure to have diners seeking a novel spin clucking with approval. Dusted with Korean red pepper flakes, the two crispy fried chicken thigh patties sandwiched between spicy Jjapaguri (mixture of two South Korean instant noodles), tomato slices, fresh lettuce, melted mozzarella cheese and KGB’s secret sauce slaps; delivering a riot of robust flavours with each mouthful.

The generous portion is enough for us light eaters to share but younger diners will find utmost satisfaction from devouring it. Personally, I like the unexpectedly agreeable pairing of slightly spicy noodles with the hearty taste of fried chicken.

Another winsome feather in the KGB’s cap has to be Sizzling Buldak Wings (RM22.80). Served in a sizzling skillet of triple melted cheese, the spicy Korean soy glazed chicken wings look deceptively lethal but the demure heat quotient makes them alluring. Slathered on the creamy cheese sauce and the delish wings instantly hit the spot.

Cool aid comes in the form of Asamboi Lemon (RM7), lemonade spiked with salted preserved plums, or Pink Lemonade (RM7), strawberry purée and lemonade.

Parties of two may want to sample The Jabba Set (RM69.90 set for 2, RM49.90 a la carte), KGB’s festive twist on melding juicy burger with beef Wellington. A thin pastry crust encased a humongous burger of flame-grilled patty oozing with cheese, layered with tomato slices and fresh lettuce.

Complemented by cheese-drenched Texas jalapeno steak wedges and garden salad, this huge ensemble includes in two drinks of your choice (add RM5 for a milkshake). For those who eschew beef, feel free to ask KGB swap the beef patty to a grilled chicken patty.

Again, this oversized burger exceeds our expectations. The beef patty was deliciously juicy; its taste appeal dialled up by the cheese, tomato and lettuce. You’d be replete if you can polish off the serving of wedges in addition to drinks.

Those seeking a typical Americana experience should consider Philly Cheesesteak (RM16.90). Sink your teeth into two slices of toasted sourdough filled with pastrami (salt beef) slices, caramelised onion, mozzarella and garlic ranch sauce. A messy albeit yummy affair guaranteed.

Can’t get enough of that skillet of melted triple cheese? We suggest digging into KGB’s Skillet Cheese Burger (RM22.90 + RM2 for grilled 120g Angus beef patty or +RM6 for grilled 180g Angus beef patty). The scrumptious beef burger comes with fried onions and shack sauce atop a pool of burbling melted cheese.

Prefer the ‘less in more’ approach? You’d find the aptly named Big Daddy (RM25.80 double patty, RM19.80 single patty) ticks all the requisite boxes. Savour two flame-grilled patties dressed with zingy black pepper sauce sandwiched between soft yet sturdy brioche buns. A sprinkling of fresh onion adds fresh, sharp piquancy to the offering.

Wash it down with the house Oreo Milkshake (RM14.90), a towering concoction of milk, cookie and cream ice cream, cookie crumbs finished with Oreo cookies and whipped cream.

Complete your American diner experience with KGB collectibles from the Merchandise Corner. Take your pick of specially designed canvas tote bags and cute enamel pins as fond reminders of your visit to KGB Diner.

KGB Diner is located at Lot CC-83, Concourse Floor, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Lorong Tropicana Mall, Tropicana Indah, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.