Thursday, June 11, 2015

TEMPTING DISCOVERIES FROM THE EATERY



Sang Har Meen (river prawn noodles) was the unlikely show-stealer at The Eatery all-day dining hub at Four Points by Sheraton Puchong. The man responsible for this scrumptious king of hawker’s dish is Executive Chef Yap Kim Hon who heads the newly opened hotel’s overall kitchen operations.

Doused in rich clear sauce strewn with wispy strands of egg similar to kong foo chow or Cantonese fried noodle, the crispy noodle nest has sizable sang har in it, interspersed with sliced ginger and spring onion. Best of all, the noodles had great wok hei – that elusive charred smokiness every Chinese cook worth his salt strives to imbue into their cooking.
It was a nice introduction to The Eatery for us first-time visitors to the hotel. That chef's signature dish is part of the a la carte menu which packs some notable culinary gems. Our  jaded palates actually were piqued by the Oriental Hawaiian Pizza featuring a satay-inspired riff on the perennial chicken and pineapple combo. The well-baked thin crust rendition stole our hearts with chunky tomato sauce, melted cheese and sweet onion covering every available surface.
Seared Tuna with Mango - another delicate speciality we enjoyed - is ideal for light eaters or as a starter to whet the appetite. Served in bite-size squares on a slate platter with fresh arugula, the cubed mango atop meaty slices of lightly seared tuna lent the morsels some fruity sweetness with subtle acidity.
If you're not in the mood for lavish buffets, try Chef Yap's tried-and-tested Salmon with Pasta. A well-acquitted dish which has al dente tomato sauce-laced spaghetti teamed with a slab of grilled salmon boasting a perfectly pink centre.
Yap came with impeccable credentials too as he was personal chef to F1 luminaries such as Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard among others when they were in Malaysia for the Grand Prix season in 2006 & 2007.
 
The affable chef also takes great pride in leading his team to cook up a storm daily - The Eatery's buffet spreads bear apt testaments to their efforts. Friday and Saturday nights are Seafood and Grill Buffet (RM92+ per person) so seafood lovers should dive in on those nights for their fill of oceanic delights.
From robust seafood tom yum and mini salmon roulade to assorted shellfish and crustaceans on ice, you'd find plenty of fish and seafood catches in the palate-pleasing parade, leaving you spoiled for choice. 
Fromage fans will swoon over the good cheese board with all the requisite condiments. My personal choice picks ranged from crisp bruschetta and dim sum morsels to fresh salads and mini servings of dainty dessert.
Most all-day dining restos now flaunt live cooking stations and The Eatery is no different.
You can get the chefs to prepare a bowl of piping hot noodles for you or stir-fry selected dishes or carve slices of roast beef...interactivity is now part and parcel of today's dining experience.
Look out for the 'fried' ice cream counter where a chef on duty will whip up cool confections filled with your choice of fruit, candy and nut mixtures. An indulgent treat to revel in, with the various textures and flavours melding in the resultant offering.

No need to beat yourself up on succumbing to sweet treats here. Just go easy and selective as everything comes in sampling portions; be it local kuihs and French pastries.
Decor-wise, the streamlined interior slants towards modern chic with splashes of bright colours, wood accents and muted backlighting.
For reservations at The Eatery, please call tel: 03-5891 8888. FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PUCHONG is a 249-room hotel located at 1201, Tower 3, Puchong Financial Corporate Centre, Jalan Puter 1/2, Bandar Puteri, Puchong, Selangor.

Sunday, June 07, 2015

CHIT CHATZ OVER 'SELERA KAMPUNG'




For most Muslims who observe the day-long fast during the holy month of Ramadhan, the best eats during buka puasa centre on nostalgic kampung dishes harking back to mother’s cooking. The chefs at Chatz Brasserie, ParkRoyal KL aim to bring those beloved flavours alive through the Selera Kampung themed dinner starting 18 June.

This year, 18 types of savoury and sweet porridge will take centrestage at the main buffet. The mainstay is Bubur Lambuk Sayuran - Malay rice porridge with vegetables, mixed local herbs and spices but we found equally tempting variations to savour. You'd do well to go with Lobster Porridge, Bubur Menguh Bali, Bubur Isi Ketam, Bubur Kacang Hijau Durian and Pengat Pisang.


Few diners can resist the lure of a whole Barbecued Lamb...but who can blame them as this speciality is hardly prepared at home. That's the best part of a buka puasa buffet - you can easily eat your fill of the tender, mildly gamey meat with black pepper, mushroom and barbecue sauces. Even better, complement the juicy slices with aromatically spiced briyani rice.
Chatz serves up splendid briyani generously scattered with crisp fried shallot, coriander and chunks of spice-marinated chicken to boot alongside fruit pickles, dalcha and papadom. Also try it with heartwarming curries and rich gravy-based dishes from the daily line-up: Ikan Masin Lemak Nenas, Kari Telur Ikan Sentul, Rendang Paru dan Hati, Ayam Kuzi, Daging Kerutub, Udang Lemak Belimbing, Ketam Borlado Nogeri and Sayur Manis Masak Lemak Putih Keledek among others.
 
Local herbs help to balance protein and carbo overload so remember to get your fair share of Nasi Kerabu and also the plethora of healthy, piquant Ulam such as Daun Selom Pucuk Ubi, Nangka Muda, Pucuk Pegaga and Ulam Raja - staple greens during meal times in most kampungs. 



We like the wide range of mixed local salads, pickles and condiments such as Ikan Sepat Masin, Paru Goreng Sambal, Hati Goreng Kicap, Sambal Tempe Berkentang, Pasembor Berlauk with Peanut Gravy, Kerabu Pucuk Paku, Kerabu Ayam Daun Kesom and Kerabu Jantung Pisang.
 
Marinated a day earlier to ensure the chicken is thoroughly suffused with its flavourful marinade makes the Ayam Percik Iftar a noteworthy dish to partake. Again you can enjoy the moist chook with some briyani rice if desired. 
 
Have a penchant for fried food? Two notable recommendations come to the fore: Ikan Goreng Belanda and Udang Goreng Mamak which tickles your tastebuds with punchy spice accents whilst retaining the inherent sweetness of both the fish and prawns.

A small selection of Western delights such as Hungarian paprika chicken and baked oysters is included to give the expansive parade of buka puasa goodies an international slant. Action stalls dishing up Mee Rebus, Asam Laksa, Prawn Mee and Laksa Johor as well as grilled fish with home-made sauces: asam, kicap pedas and Thai chilli should leave you amply satisfied.


The nostalgic factor is further enhanced with perennial sweet treats nobody tires of eating: Kuih Cara Berlauk, Kuih Seri Muka, Tepung Pelita, Badak Berendam and Kuih Bakar - the perfect conclusion to a typically rustic feast.
 
‘Ramadhan Selera Kampung’ is available from 18 June to 16 July, from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Priced at RM128 nett per person from Sunday to Thursday, and RM138 nett per person on Friday and Saturday with unlimited flow of juices and soft drinks. Early birds enjoy a 20% saving with advance payment made before 12 June.


Prior reservation is required. For reservations or enquiries, please call CHATZ BRASSERIE, PARKROYAL KL, tel: 03 2147 0088 or email chatz.prkul@parkroyalhotels.com.

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