Tuesday, May 01, 2018

FANTASTIC FOUR AT THE EMPEROR


A chef’s work is never done. Just ask Executive Chinese Chef Bryan Teh from The Emperor. As we hurtle into the second quarter of 2018, the affable chef has continued to cook up new temptations to entice diners back to the restaurant.

Our recent lunch gathering reveals the chef has four fabulous specialities up his sleeve. We had to restrain ourselves from over-indulging on the perennially delicious dim sum in order to ensure ample stomach space for Chef Bryan’s latest culinary gems.

Nicely smoky and mouth-wateringly tender, the Smoked Farm Village Chicken (茶香煙焗菜園雞) priced at RM128 is a dish fit for royalty. The chicken is first blanched then smoked with Ti Guan Yin tea leaves, sugar and rice grains for 15 minutes to render it superbly succulent to the bite with the smoky aroma clearly discernible.

Inspired by Hong Kong’s famed dish of ‘bei foong thong’ (typhoon shelter), Chef Bryan reinteprets it into Wok-fried Lamb with Crispy Garlic and Dry Chilies (避風塘炒羊架). Priced at RM25 per piece, the meaty egg-coated, fried lamb cutlets come smothered under a generous heap of fried dried chillies and aromatic fried minced garlic. Zingy with hints of Sichuanese peppercorns, every mouthful is a flavour bomb of strong, robust accents. Top notch!

Priced at RM58.30 per 100gm, the hefty serving of Poached Pearl Grouper with Taro, Radish and Superior Stock (上湯香芋浸珍珠斑) is a surefire palate-pleaser that transcends generational barrier. Imagine savouring the fish’s natural sweet essence; a superior stock bearing traces of wolfberries, ginger and tong gwai amidst pieces of taro, enoki, beancurd and wolfberries. Such soulful succour is rare and good to the last drop.

Completing the quartet of new offerings is Double-boiled Peach Resin with Snow Fungus in Young Coconut (椰盅雪耳燉桃膠) at RM42 per bowl. A wholesome, nutritious dessert broth to tease the tastebuds with a myriad of interesting textures; it serves as a delightful conclusion to a heartily satisfying meal.

For reservations at The Emperor, please call tel: 03-5033 7400. Address: Level 1, Dorsett Grand Subang, Jalan SS12 /1, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.





Friday, April 27, 2018

SELERA ASLI MALAYSIA TO BREAK FAST WITH AT CHATZ BRASSERIE


Sarawakian flavours dominate the buka puasa buffet at Chatz Brasserie this year. The Land of Hornbills is famous for its Sarawak laksa and the version dished up here by the Parkroyal chef hits the spot. The gravy and sambal are similar to what we had savoured in Kuching. So sedap we asked for repeat helpings.
 
Also available is Kolo Mee, the Sarawakian version of wantan mee (egg noodles) with chicken ‘char siew’. It’s served dry with the fragrance of deep-fried shallot oil bestowing the noodles with lush flavour.

A good variety of Sarawakian specialities: Umai (raw fish/prawn/squid marinated in lime juice), Manok Pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), Dayak Black Pepper Beef Stew, Fried Oyster Pancake, Nasi Goreng Dabai and colourful Kek Lapis gives us a delicious overview of the East Malaysia state. Local spices and herbs are discernible in the myriad of dishes, evoking bright, palate-pleasing depth of flavours.
 
On the local front, Chef Joseph Kuan and his team cook up a bountiful spread including an aromatic Nasi Kerabu speckled with finely cut herbs, complemented by assorted curries, main dishes and barbecued items.  


Culinary buka puasa gems worth sampling from the expansive spread range from Kerabu Jantung Pisang and Udang Masak Tempoyak (love the shelled prawns in the mellow, rounded fermented durian curry with hints of fresh turmeric leaves) to Gulai Tetel Melaka (slightly gristly but the meaty chunks in tangy curry are droolworthy).

Familiar faves of Gulai Siput Batang Keladi and Ayam Percik alongside Rendang Rusa (diced venison simmered to tender richness in toasty chilli-spice blend, coconut milk and kerisik) are also highly recommended.
Barbecue cravings are easily satisfied by the wide selection of freshly grilled meaty items: whole Roast Lamb, Satay, BBQ Giant Skewers of Beef and Chicken. These are cooked outside at hawker-style stalls by the patio so keep your eyes peeled for them.
Icy cold Sirap Bandung, Air Jagung, Cendol and Longan will help to wash the goodies down before you dive into dessert. A cornucopia of traditional and modern delights await, from a la minute Apam Balik and Kuih Lopes, to pretty Mango Pudding, fresh fruits and ice cream.

The Selera Asli Malaysia buka puasa buffet at Chatz Brasserie is served from 18 May to 14 June 2018. Price: RM148 nett per person and RM74 nett per child (4-11 years old).

For reservations at Chatz Brasserie, please call tel: 03-2782 8301. Address: Lower Lobby, Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.

Featured Post

EXPLOSIVE SURPRISE FROM CAKE RUSH

Whimsical. Fun. Impactful. Imagine a flock of butterflies fluttering up once you open Cake Rush’s latest Explosion Gift Box. We were thrille...