HIGH NOON LUNCH CHOICES AT NOBU KL

Nobody would expect a simple dish of Cauliflower Steak with Corn Salsa (RM58++) to steal the limelight at lunch. Especially at Nobu Kuala Lumpur atop Petronas Tower 3. It’s one of the unexpected gems we glean from Nobu’s Set Lunch – the subtly smoky ‘steak’ captures Nobu’s trademark philosophy of infusing Japanese and Peruvian influences into the freshest ingredients perfectly.

Depending on what catches your fancy, the Set Lunch list Grilled Chicken with Nobu Sauces (RM60++), Sushi & Sashimi (RM95++), Beef Tenderloin (RM130++), Dry Age Prime Rib Eye (RM130++) and Lobster Wasabi Pepper (RM145++) as the main course.

 

Each choice of main is accompanied by miso soup, salad, tempura, housemade Nobu biscuits and complimentary green tea – a complete meal to leave you happily replete.

Ladies and gentlemen who lunch have more than the abovementioned set lunches to look forward to with Executive Chef Philip Leong’s latest drive to elevate the ‘Noon at Nobu’ experience. The expanded midday dining selection now includes pre-fixe menus, bento boxes, cold & hot dishes in addition to soups, noodles and dessert.

Priced at RM168++, the Pre-Fixe parade inclusive of miso soup and green tea features a choice of appetiser, a main course and dessert. Among the five appetisers, the plain-looking Butter Lettuce Salad Dry Miso stands out for its palate-pleasing umami appeal.

 

Coming in a close second in the popularity stake is Seafood Ceviche, a healthy yet delicious mixture of quinoa, prawns, fish and squid with baby greens, tomato and cucumber. The Umami Chicken Kara-age is underwhelming by comparison. Both the Salmon New Style Sashimi and Yellowtail Jalapeno are distillation of Nobu’s signature dishes so no surprises there. 

Shrimp with Spicy Garlic (its zingy heat makes it a hot favourite), Snapper with Black Bean Sauce (notable), Beef Tenderloin with Wasabi Pepper, Mushroom Toban Yaki and Grilled Chicken with Truffle Teriyaki beckon in the main course options.

All the dessert choices are exceptional. I’m partial to the sublime Japanese Whisky Cappuccino which packs a nice flavour punch that left me hankering for more. Pure white and foamy, the former proves to be a revelation as the heavenly creation constitutes coffee creme brulee with cocoa crumble, vanilla ice cream and Japanese whisky foam.

The Yogurt Sub Zero pairs scoops of tangy yogurt ice cream with fresh berries, raspberry sauce and sesame crisp. A perfect pick-me-upper to cleanse the palate post-lunch.

Playful textures and delicate flavours meld wonderfully in the Chocolate Sata Andagi – dark chocolate filled Japanese doughnut with caramelised pistachios is complemented by pandan ice cream on coconut sablé.

Completing the tempting line-up are Green Tea Fiji Shave Ice – Fiji water and organic soy milk shaved ice soused with green tea syrup, red bean paste, green tea mochi and green tea tuile, and Banana Harumaki – crispy banana spring roll with dulce de leche, white sesame ice cream and passionfruit sauce.

For those who want a little of everything, the substantial Bento Box (RM175++) will tickle the tastebuds with Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing, Assorted Sushi, Rock Shrimp Tempura with Butter Ponzu, Nobu’s signature Black Cod Miso and Vegetable Spicy Garlic with Rice. A serving of miso soup is included.

Also available is Donburi, served with miso soup and salad. Of the four options listed, the Wagyu Short Rib Teriyaki Donburi (RM120++) is a heartily satisfying choice worth considering. Poached egg and assorted mushroom add to the dish’s comforting appeal.

 

Nobu Kuala Lumpur is open for lunch Monday to Friday, 12.00pm to 2.00pm.

 

For enquiries or reservations, please call NOBU KL, tel: 03-2164 5084 or WhatsApp: 019-389 5085.

A CHRISTMAS FAIRY TALE FEAST AT LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

Chicken Mushroom and Sweet Onion Pie. Norwegian Salmon with Apricot Gravlax. Whole Roasted Turkey with Bread Chestnut Stuffing. Christmas Mince Pie and Pudding. Gingerbread Men. Stollen. Chocolate Madeleines.

A fairy tale parade of festive food to leave year-end party revellers replete awaits at Le Meridien Putrajaya. The culinary team has gone and pulled out the stops, creating a mesmerising wonderland to please the eyes, tease the tastebuds and satisfy growling stomachs.

 

Get off to a fresh start with healthy and delicious salads such as Smoked Duck Cubes, Orange Segments and Pomegranate Salad, Microgreens with Roasted Garlic and Poached Pears, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, and Edamame with Seafood Salad. The multitude of textures and bright, tantalising flavours are light yet distinct; a splendid way to prime the palate for more substantial mains.

As with any buffet spread, it pays to be selective. Encased in buttery-rich pastry crust, the Chicken Mushroom and Sweet Onion Pie is delectable enough to warrant a second helping.

 

Tender with a hint of honey sweetness, the succulent slices of Norwegian Salmon with Apricot Gravlax hits the spot too. For finger-licking goodness, sample some Louisiana BBQ Short Ribs with Roast Vegetables.

 

Fans of ‘big bird’ will be ecstatic to know the Yuletide buffet won’t be complete without Whole Roasted Turkey with Bread Chestnut Stuffing. The meat is scrumptious; best savoured with giblet gravy, cranberry sauce and a hearty portion of herb-dusted bread chestnut stuffing.

Pastry Chef Hansraja Jayaraman and his team also step up to the plate with a cornucopia of cherished Christmas treats. One of the show-stealers is Poached Peach Buche De Noel – a luscious French yule log with a creamy filling of poached peach instead of chocolate ganache.

Another on-point favourite is Stollen – its bread-like texture studded with bits of dried fruit. Touched with spices and slightly nutty to taste, the Assorted Christmas Cookies make compelling nibbles to sweeten the celebratory meal.

 

 

 

Whimsical accents abound with little chocolate men adorning glasses of Chilled Berry Jellies, cute marzipan figurines perched atop a snow-white Gingered Christmas Fruit Cake, and mini gingerbread men flanking Gingerbread Houses.

 

 

A Christmas Mince Pie, Chocolate Madeleines, Mini Christmas Puddings, Macarons and an Eclair Tower complete the irresistible dessert parade.

The Christmas Eve dinner buffet is priced at RM168 nett per adult and RM84 nett per child. The Christmas Day brunch is priced at RM148 nett per adult and RM74 nett per child, while the Christmas Day buffet dinner is priced at RM138 nett per adult and RM69 nett per child.

For reservations, call LATEST RECIPE, tel: 03-8689 6888/6862. Address: Le Meridien Putrajaya, Lebuh IRC, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Sepang, Selangor.