MID-AUTUMN PASSION AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

 

Take a shine to new variations of Mini Premium Musang King Durian Crystal Skin Mooncakes (RM33 each piece, RM198 per gift set) or Mini Baked Dragon Fruit & Black Sesame Paste Mooncakes at Dorsett Grand Subang this Mid-Autumn Festival.

The festive delicacies make great celebratory gifts when packed in sustainable and practical Dorsett Deluxe Tiffin Gift Sets — pretty yet pragmatic 4-tier enamel tiffin carriers adorned with 2 different designs in baby blue, lilac or orange.

Chef Bryan Teh and his team require 2 days advance notice for the highly sought-after Musang King mooncakes as the luscious treats are made fresh to order. The aroma and taste of this indulgent creation comes close to the real deal.

In addition, Dorsett’s classic and crystal skin mooncake assortment (RM22 – RM36 per piece) will also be available from now until 13 September 2019.

PRIZE-WINNING SPECIALITIES

At the 2018 and 2019 Salon International De L’alimentation (SIAL) Shanghai, Executive Chef Bryan Teh triumphed with two of his signature specialities: Wok-fried Ribeye Beef with Grape Sauce and Deep-fried Chicken Wings stuffed with Otak-otak.

We like how the unctuous grape jus alleviates the ribeye’s rich meaty flavour. Dices of mixed capsicum and grapes lend fruity freshness, giving the dish subtle textural contrast.

Typical Malaysian spice accents dominate the chicken wings, turning them into drool-worthy nibbles. There’s a nice interplay of soft and crunchy textures too as we munch on the crispy fried chicken bits before the softer spiced fish paste stuffing hit our palate. Most delicious!

These culinary award-winners are now served at The Emperor for lunch and dinner from RM25 per serving until 31 August 2019.

Other notable house specialities to savour at this pork-free Chinese restaurant include Steamed Fish with Superior Soya Sauce and Shredded Ginger, Fried Brown Rice with Conpoy & Pine Nuts, and Poached Mandarin Fish with Sichuan Preserved Vegetables.

 

More durian indulgence beckons for dessert. Coated with airy light, crispy batter, the heavenly Deep-fried Durian Fritter with durian custard and durian ice cream filling is a surefire crowd-pleaser for durian fans.

For reservations at The Emperor, call tel: 03-5031 6060 x 1912 or email: bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

MID-AUTUMN FEST WITH TROPICAL ALLURE FROM HILTON KL

Tropical Allure is the theme of Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s Mid-Autumn Festival packaging series this year.

In collaboration with local fashion designer Christy Ng (top pix above), the hotel is touting Ng’s rounded faux leather bags adorned with a hibiscus print – a proud tribute to Malaysia’s national flower in Crimson Red or Royal Purple.

Trimmed with gilded zippers, the statement-making mooncake boxes can be transformed into trendy cross-body bags with the addition of a handbag strap which is sold separately.

Each of the gift box bag can hold 4 pcs of baked mooncakes priced at RM168. The Snow Skin Mooncake Package retails for RM178 (4 pcs per set) while ardent durian lovers may take a shine to the Heavenly Gold Package (RM280), comprising 4 pcs of Musang King snow skin mooncakes.

Fashionistas can also buy the Hilton KL X Christy Ng’s Tropical Allure designer bags at RM148 each. An optional Tropical Allure Handbag Strap is available at RM20 each.

Signature Chynna Rose

At the launch of Tropical Allure, the Chynna Restaurant team demonstrated how

Chynna Rose — Hilton KL’s signature mooncake this year is handcrafted.

Also known colloquially as China rose, the hibiscus takes pride of place in the form of hibiscus jam inside the lavender-hue snow skin mooncake. The floral jam’s subtle tanginess balances the rich creaminess of the mooncake’s filling of ginseng-infused lotus paste studded with almond nibs nicely.

In keeping with tradition, an array of classic baked mooncakes (all halal) with five classic fillings is also available at RM35-38 each. Popular snow skin variants such as Blue Moon (snow skin amaretto lotus paste with blueberry cheese mooncake, RM35 each) and Flower Drum (snow skin lotus paste with soft custard egg yolk, RM35) are also making a comeback.

The entire range of baked and snow skin mooncakes are now sold at the pop-up store in the Hilton KL’s lobby until 13 September 2019. Similar pop-up counters can be found at Pavilion KL (23 Aug-12 Sept), Mid Valley Megamall (22 Aug-13 Sept) and One Utama Shopping Centre (29 Aug-12 Sept).

For more information, call Hilton Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2264 2006, email KULHI_Chynna@hilton.com or visit: www.takehome.hiltonkl.com

JASON MRAZ GOOD VIBES TOUR LIVE IN MALAYSIA

Photo credit: Eric Morgensen

Multiple GRAMMY® Award winner JASON MRAZ will be bringing his Good Vibes Tour to Malaysia on Monday, 13 May@8.30pm at Axiata Arena.

In 2002, Jason Mraz shot to flame with his debut album Waiting For My Rocket To Come and since then, Jason Mraz has amassed a diverse fan-base around the globe, bringing his positive message and folk-pop sound to rapt audiences through his vibrant recordings, humorous live performances, and philanthropic efforts.

Jason Mraz has earned numerous platinum and awards for his various releases, made pop history with his record-breaking singles, “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up”, won two Grammy Awards, received the prestigious Songwriter Hall of Fame Hal David Award, and sold out amphitheatres and arenas across the globe (including sell-outs at The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, and London’s O2 Arena).

Jason Mraz first performed in Malaysia in 2009, followed by Tour Is A Four Letter Word in 2012. On playing for his Asian fans, Jason says: “I enjoy travelling to and performing for listeners in Asia. I feel a sense of gratitude and enthusiasm unlike anywhere else in the world, which makes a performance feel more like an event than a recital. The audience participation in Asia is harmonic and supersonic. I am thrilled to return, reconnect and re-experience the joy.”
 
The Good Vibes Tour announcement follows the release of Jason’s sixth studio album KNOW. on 10 August 2018, becoming his fifth consecutive studio album to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Photo credit: Justin Bettman

Know. was produced by Andrew Wells, who brings an organic and groovy feel to the album’s classic, acoustic rock sound. “I see it as a sonic evolution from my last album, YES! ”Mraz says. “It’s just got a bit more caffeine, whereas my last album was a bit more herbal tea.” Know. reteams Mraz with his longtime collaborators, Raining Jane. “We thought it’d be fun to make ‘No’ as the follow -up to YES!, but instead of ‘N-O,’ the negative, it’d be the positive, ‘K-N-O-W.’”
 
The Good Vibes Tour started in North America last summer. This tour continues in Asia where Jason Mraz will perform in Manila, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei in May 2019. 

Catch Jason Mraz Good Vibes Tour live in Kuala Lumpur:
Date : Monday, 13 May 2019
Time : 8:30pm
Venue : Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Ticket prices : RM198, RM298, RM398, RM498, RM598 and RM698 (VIP)
Tickets are available NOW on www.myticket.asia
 

ORIENTAL STAR SHINES IN CHERAS

The largest banquet hall in Cheras. That is Oriental Star’s claim to fame; heralding the debut the newest restaurant under the Oriental Restaurants group, to open in one of KL’s most densely populated suburbs.

Personally, I’m overjoyed as Cheras has always been considered a backwater; more renowned for its notorious traffic jams (really? Which part of Klang Valley is not??) and often perceived as a ‘rough and tumble’ ‘hood. It is heartening to know savvy restaurateurs like the Oriental Group realise this huge area has untapped potential, with folks yearning for the latest lifestyle mod-cons.

 

Designed as a wedding and banquet venue, Oriental Star’s cavernous premise boasts an uncluttered setting, complete with a raised stage, mellow downlights and plush underfoot carpeting. Besides dim sum to pull in the lunch crowd, Oriental Star is enticing Cheras residents with a super value Gourmet Set Menu. Priced at RM 798++ per table of 10 pax, the multiple course menu should be the irresistible siren’s call to any food lover’s heart and stomach.

True to the Oriental Restaurants’ Group ethos, the opening volley is already designed to create an indelible impression. No detail is left to chance as the curtain-raising Teochew Style Platter is presented with aplomb, on a custom-made tiered stand to exude that wow factor.

Under the capable leadership of culinary supremo and Group Executive Chef Justin Hor, the kitchen team here proves they have the chops from the get-go. The quartet of appetisers comprising Fragrant Garlic Fish Fillet, Stewed Pork Neck, Intestines & Beancurd, Crispy Crab Meat Dumplings and Sea Clams with Wasabi Sesame Sauce is guaranteed to garner a few 'wow' around the table. Thumbs up to the clever melding of old-school, nostalgic taste and textural appeal with fleeting fusion influences.

My fave out of the lavish platter is the sliced clams complemented by crunchy jellyfish and okra pieces dressed in the nutty-zingy sauce. The other offerings are equally on-point and should bridge the familial generation gap easily.

The stodgy and somewhat fishy Braised Shark’s Fin with Crab Roe is underwhelming IMHO. And let's not wade into hot soup over the key ingredient (you know what I'm referring to) as one's man soup is another man's poison.

Fresh hope resurfaces once we sample the whole Steamed Ocean Dragon Garoupa with Fresh Abalone, Seng Kwa (luffa) & Squid Balls Taishan Style. Inspired by the ubiquitous hot pot of Taishan — a city-level county in Guangdong province — the clear, inherent sweet fish makes a raveworthy splash along with some toothsome abalone scattered with minced garlic, soft-tender luffa with slippery glass noodles and springy squid balls.

As expected, the house speciality of Roast Suckling Pig with Preserved Beancurd alone makes this menu worth every ringgit. Just savouring the impossibly thin, crackly crisp skin is utterly satisfying.

Although I enjoy the plump strands of Stir-fried Asparagus Beans with Olive and Soy Beans, I find the residual oily aftertaste leaves much to be desired. It could be our fault as we had left the dish sitting there too long. Remember, this dish is best eaten piping hot.

Eating Steamed Rice with Waxed Meat & Yam Shunde Style is almost evocative of the Lunar New Year season but such flavour-packed comfort food will undoubtedly hit the spot with the Cheras crowd.

Bringing the curtains down with a flourish are Three Angels, whimsically presented on another triple tiered stand resembling a tree with tiny birds perched on it. On closer inspection, each ‘branch’ bears a different dessert: lemon jelly and osmanthus jelly balls as well as dainty bricks of steamed sponge cakes with dessicated coconut. Ethereally light and subtly sweet, the delicate morsels ensure we leave Oriental Star in blissfully sweet mood.

The Gourmet Set is available for dine-in only until 31 December 2018.

For reservations, call Oriental Star, tel: 03-9134 8488. Address: M-S-01, Level 2, EkoCheras Mall, No. 693, Batu 5, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.