Contemporary
dining takes centrestage at the stylishly laidback, chic culinary haven known
as Cedar on 15 at Impiana KLCC. The interior is stark but sleekly modernist
with a nice skylight and spacious bar cum patio that looks out to the city’s
skyscrapers.
While
dry-aged steaks take pride of place in the menu and pizzas are baked on-site,
we decided to explore some of the more intriguing, below-the-radar options on
our first visit.
The
appetiser of Seafood on the Salt Rock (RM85) made a splash thanks to its simple but
impactful preso. Served on a chilled salt block, the sumptuous combination
of poached Yabbies, Black Mussels and Jumbo Tiger Prawns was both impressive
yet playful. The seafood’s inherent sweetness is lifted by droplets of Lemon
Olive Oil squeezed from a tiny pipette.
To
lessen our guilt, we loaded up on Gourmet
Salad (RM48) – a posh serving of sautéed artichoke with quail egg, black
truffle, shaved parmesan and semidried tomato tossed in organic green in-house
dressing with raspberry vinegar. Vivid colours and layers of bright,
contrasting flavours made it something to write home about.
Even
the soup section threw up viable surprises, starting with the Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup (RM38).
Imagine a tart tomato broth tempered by lush prawn/lobster stock – sounds sublime
right? Served piping hot in a deep platter with Pine Nut Dumpling and a dash of
Vodka, there was no way we could fault the ambrosial offering.
If
you prefer something more decadent, the Australian
Scallops Veloute (RM52) should fit the bill. Sensuously rich and silky on
the palate, it came with a tasty sundried Tomato Timbale. A few drops of garlic
oil racheted up its big flavour.
Served
with a strong Demi Reduction and Morel Mushrooom, the diminutive Roasted Spring Chicken (RM62) got us
cooing over its pint size and juicy tenderness.
Perfumed with Rosemary Olive Oil, the mini chook was accompanied by unconventional sides of (beef) Bacon Popcorn and Corn Puree. A real showstopper,
this.
Admittedly,
the South Australian Venison Loin (RM138) is no pushover either. Baked in sour cream dough (interesting no?) with Sauce Bordeaux,
Brussels sprouts and candied carrots, the delish chunk of red meat was an
epicurean delight. A squirt of Quince Vinegar did wonders to it.
Deaf to our half-heated protestations, Impiana KLCC’s gracious marcomm lady Carol Chin insisted
we succumbed to Homemade Vanilla Bean
Marshmallow (RM32). Truly no regrets there as the slightly ‘torched’
cloud-soft marshmallow was the crowning glory alongside heavenly Honey Ice-cream, Ganache
and Crumbs with Chocolate Liquor.
Amazingly,
our dessert tummy had room to fit the impossibly light but luscious Triple Layer Cheese Cake (RM38) served with Figs, Tuille and Amaretto
Liquor. It was a befitting finish to a convivial evening of good food and even
better company. Also the moral of the story is it pays to go off the well-trodden 'path' sometimes to unearth diamonds in the rough.
For
reservations, call tel: 03-2147 1111. Cedar on 15 is located at Impiana KLCC Hotel, 13, Jalan Pinang,
Kuala Lumpur.
