CLASSICAL AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SHANGRI-LA KL

Arch Quartet — a string quartet will perform a stirring repertoire of classical favourites to feed the soul from 3pm to 6pm every Sunday, while you savour a fine cream tea in the plush Lobby Lounge of the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

From now until 28 February, the Afternoon Tea theme remains Chinese New Year-centric. Served on a circular-shaped, Oriental-inspired and multi-tier display stand, the dainty selection of savoury and sweet morsels including a miniature KL Tower in chocolate is a sight to behold. Come March, expect a floral theme to burst forth.

 

In their bid to evoke the current festive mood, the culinary team proffers delicious Peking Duck in Crispy Wonton Skin, Grilled Chicken Jerky in Mantou, Pickled Onion and Chicken Floss, and Seared Chicken & Chives Dumpling. While the wonton and mantou hit the spot, the dumpling tends to be a little soggy after sitting in its vinegar dip.

Deliciously crisp Sesame Prawn Toast helps to dial up the nostalgic feel alongside evergreen CNY trad treats of Ninko & Sweet Potato Spring Roll and Steamed Ninko with Grated Coconut. These go marvellously well with our freshly brewed tea.

Since mandarin oranges, tangerines and pineapples are ubiquitous in local CNY celebration, we find the chefs have drawn plenty of inspiration from those fruits for the dessert creations. Besides Plain Scones, the light, buttery Red Dates & Five Spice Scones when smeared with Pineapple Jam & Clotted Cream and Chinese Style Lightly Sweetened Butter Cream got full ‘ayes’ from all present.

A subtle hint of citrus is discernible when I sample the lush filling of the mini Ivorie Mandarin Orange Cream Hornet. The Clementine Butter Cookie is equally on-point. Prefer a dessert treat with playful flavour contrasts? We recommend the delicate Tea, Lychee & Raspberry Tart — a tempting tartlet blending the bitter astringency of tea, the sweetness of lychee and the refreshing tartness of raspberry.

Slightly high on the decadence scale would be Pistachio & Rosella Opera Slice, Prosperous Macaron with Dark Soya & Bitter Chocolate Ganache and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie & Orange Tangerine Cream Frosting. Take comfort the irresistible offerings come in small, titillating portions.

Your walk down memory lane should be accompanied by nice retro-style nibbles like Classic Kampar Cookies, Pineapple Shortcake and Golden Good Luck Coin Chocolate.

The Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge is priced at RM190 nett for 2 persons and at RM320 nett for 2 persons inclusive of 2 glasses of Prosecco.  

For reservations, call Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2074 3900 or visit https://www.shangri-la-specials.com/web/home.aspx

CELESTIAL DYNASTY ADDS FLAVOUR TO PETALING JAYA

The opening of Celestial Dynasty Chinese restaurant in Petaling Jaya should please the city residents as they have a new dim sum and Chinese banquet outpost to satisfy their culinary cravings.

 

Officially opened with a firecracker-loud bang and a rousing lion dance performance a fortnight ago, those of us invited were warmly welcomed and ushered into the gold-lit, high ceiling and plushly carpeted dining hall. Upstairs are dedicated private rooms for corporate and personal entertaining.

 

For lunch, Dim Sum is the go-to staple. The full menu boasts up to 40 different items while no less than 25 offerings are served at only RM5 per serving on weekends.

 

For the grand opening, the kitchen brigade outdid themselves with a splendid buffet of the tempting selection available. Choice dishes such as radish and pig's stomach soup, roast duck and siew yoke (roast pork), and braised tea eggs among others jostled for our attention and tummy space.

Classic and trendy dim sum: veerring between siew mai (steamed pork & prawn dumplings) to deep-fried charcoal-black sui gau (prawn dumplings) and baked wou kok (yam puffs) beckoned invitingly. A la carte specialities such as pork ribs, salt and pepper squid, pumpkin slices in salted egg batter, yong tau foo, fried rice vermicelli and stir-fried prawns in soy sauce ensured we left satisfied.

Dessert was varied too, from cendol jelly to mochi and fresh fruits. Although it was my maiden visit, the first impression was positive and should augur well for future repeat visits. The proof of the pudding is in the eating so it's best to pop in and judge for yourselves if Celestial Dynasty measures up to your expectations.

For reservations, please call CELESTIAL DYNASTY, tel: 03-7931 7273, 16, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.