DORSETT DINING CONVENIENCE AT HOME

Mmm…do you miss dining on piping hot dim sum? Imagine sinking your teeth into freshly made and steaming hot siew mai, prawn dumplings and BBQ chicken bao buns.

Pix courtesy of Dorsett Grand Subang

Now you can dine-in at The Emperor Chinese Restaurant, thanks to the resto’s Table for 2 and Table for 4 – Dorsett Grand Subang’s new norm dining experience.

If you prefer to #dinesafe and #eatwell in the comfort of home, opt for Dorsett Dining: Dim Sum Indulgence and Chill & Cook and range. We highly recommend The Emperor’s Muslim-friendly dim sum which is ready-to-eat after a quick steaming.

 

Hygienically packed in covered foil trays with simple reheating/cooking instructions, we find the Steamed Siew Mai Emperor Style (RM36 per 8 pcs/pack) utterly delicious when savoured piping hot off the steamer. Dotted with ebikko, the tasty minced chicken and prawn dumplings are second to none.

 

Whole springy prawns from the Steamed Prawn Dumplings with Coriander (RM36 per 8 pcs/pack) hit the spot with their natural sweetness. 

 

Bao fans will find the fluffy soft Steamed BBQ Chicken Buns (RM26 per 10 pcs/pack) irresistible. Trust me, it’d be hard to eat just one as the pillowy-soft buns are stuffed with flavourful, subtly sweet BBQ chicken filling.

After deep-frying the Deepfried Prawn Rolls with Cheese (RM42 per 1o pcs/pack), the crispy little parcels are simply scrumptious. For added substance, try the classic Yang Zhou Fried Rice with Shrimps and BBQ Chicken (RM 25 per serving for 1-2 persons) from the Wok Home @ The Emperor selection. Hearty and satisfying, you’d polished off every last grain.

 

 

The Emperor Chinese Restaurant is open from 12 noon to 10 pm daily for a-la-carte orders and for dim sum from 10 am to 6 pm daily from now until further notice.  For reservation, call 03-5031 6060 extn 1954.

Pix courtesy of Dorsett Grand Subang

Residents in the Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas suburbs will be happy to know The Emperor’s Muslim-friendly dim sum will also be available at Dorsett Hartamas from 15^th June for dine-in at Table Talk and in-room dining as well as for online order, delivery or self-collection.

 

More convenient Chill & Cook options from Terazza Brasserie featuring popular Malaysian faves such as Kambing Marsala (RM65 per 500g pack) and Chicken Rendang (RM50 per 500g pack) among others.

 

Again, the Chill & Cook food packs are prepared by the Dorsett culinary team then kept chilled in sealed packaging. They save you the hassle of slaving in the kitchen as all you need to do is open the packaging and reheat the food.

Our first-hand experience is proof of its convenience and most importantly, the taste is as good as home-cooking with the spices retaining their flavoursome accents.

 

Available daily from 9am to 6pm for orders by phone, tel:03 5031 6060 ext 1954 or WhatsApp 016 2011 248. To order online for delivery or self-collection (by 5 pm) from the Dorsett website, click 

https://www.dorsettbooking.com/web/ OR terazzabrasserie.beepit.com

EAST MEETS WEST WITH FINESSE AT JAVA TREE, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Pineapple Prawn Curry. Salted Cod Fillet. Blackened Top Hats. Beef Wellington. Apom Bongkwa. East meets West with culinary aplomb at the new Java Tree restaurant, Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang, making it a notable outpost to dine in.

Named after a historical java tree planted in the hotel’s garden promenade even before the E&O Hotel was established in 1885, Java Tree sets a stately stage for the showcasing of Nyonya specialities and classic European dishes.

The iconic tree – immortalised on an expansive feature wall – draws the eye when you step into Java Tree. Accentuated with dark wood trims and sparkling chandeliers, the resto’s understated ambience is further enlivened by wall sconces, the occasional gilded columns, starched white linen-sheathed tables and earth toned upholstered chairs.

Otak Otak also available a la carte at Java Tree

An appetising trio of Blackened Top Hats (pastry shells stuffed with shredded jicama, carrot, cuttlefish and egg with salmon roe), Lobak (stuffed roll of chicken, shrimp, yam, shredded egg and salmon roe) and Otak Otak (steamed spiced local mackerel mousse with coconut cream, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves) from my Nyonya Signature Set (RM135) makes an great impression from the get-go. 

The Otak Otak deserves special mention as I find the mousse's spice quotient distinct on the palate, with subtle bursts of heat to set the tastebuds tingling. Spoonfuls of the soulful Itik Tim (pickled mustard vegetable with duck soup) summon up childhood memories of meals partaken at my grandparents’ house, a fond reminder that old is indeed gold.

More titillating temptations: Oxtail Gulai (braised oxtail, mustard seeds, vinegar and spices), Pineapple Prawn Curry (deep-sea tiger prawns with pineapple curry) and Terung Tempra (eggplant with lime, soya sauce and chilli) call for plain white rice – the best canvas to capture the dishes’ plethora of bright, piquant flavours. IMHO, the collective servings are generous enough for two light eaters.

A pretty floral shaped Sago Gula Melaka (sago pearls served with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup) brings the sumptuous meal to its sweet conclusion.

On the European Classics front, no appetiser evokes more nostalgia than Prawn Cocktail (RM30). Presented in a cocktail glass with tender romaine lettuce lining the base, Java Tree’s version has three cooked prawns in cocktail sauce (concocted from mayo, ketchup and lemon juice) perched over the rim. Mango dices and mustard sauce give the ensemble a touch of zippy sweetness.

Sweet caramelised onions makes the French Onion Soup (RM30) a siren’s song for the soul. Two gratinated gruyère toasts add depth and richness to the savoury broth, leaving us smacking our lips with satisfaction.

Poached in milk and wholegrain mustard, the signature Salted Cod Fillet (RM125) with baby spinach, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce is an on-point palate-pleaser. Although the dish sounds indulgent, any scepticism proves unfounded once you sample the fish’s lush yet delicate creaminess.

Meat lovers should sink their teeth into the scrumptious Entrecôte 10 oz Steak Café de Paris (RM80) with Baby Vegetables – my partner’s request for medium rare doneness is acquitted with aplomb. We also give thumbs up to the Butter Grilled Asparagus (RM30) with poached egg and truffled mushroom.

Other scrumptious options include Beef Wellington (RM85), Lamb Rump (RM75) and Chicken Fricasse (RM75) among others.

Remember to save stomach space for Java Tree’s seductive sweets from the dessert cart. Succumb to decadent creations of mildly tangy Lemon Tart or a sumptuous Paris-Brest – a circular shape choux pastry with praline-hazelnut crème, or the classic Crème Brûlée. Also recommended is the Apple Streusel Tart (RM28), a yummy crumble-topped treat with custardy apple worth the extra calories.

 

 

 

Currently, Java Tree is open for dine-in from 6.30pm to 10pm. For reservations, please call 016-419 8923 or click: http://bit.ly/JavaTree

AFTERNOON TEA APPEAL AT PALM COURT, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Tea time at the new Palm Court of Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) Penang harks back to the halcyon days when well-heeled ladies, lovey-dovey couples and even an immaculately garbed gentleman or two gather for a cuppa and light refreshments prior to dinner.

Named after the legendary Palm Court Bar that used to operate below the echo dome in the lobby during the Sarkies Brothers’ era, the new Palm Court retains its charming old world ambience: overstuffed sofa lounges, wingback chairs, ottomans and coffee tables intersperse with starched white tableclothed tables make it a welcoming haven to escape the tropical weather.

 

In the old days, bachelors, planters, traders and sailors converge at the Palm Court for their glass of stengah (equal measures of whisky and soda water, served over ice), today it's business and leisure travellers, close girlfriends and small families who are drawn to the resto's a la carte assortment of Indian and Malay inspired dishes, Chinese noodles and casual international favourites for lunch or dinner.

The Afternoon Tea (RM88 nett per person) is a favourite mainstay here, featuring triple-tier stands of finger sandwiches and dainty pastries. For a touch of luxe, the Champagne English Afternoon Tea is RM168 nett per person inclusive of 1 glass of champagne. 

Out of the 13 varieties of tea, we selected Orange Passionfruit, Japanese Sencha and Organic Earl Grey to accompany our selection of savoury and sweet temptations.

From the appealing assortment of sandwiches presented, it was obvious much thought has gone into the whole repertoire. Upping the ante on the plain ol’ cucumber sandwich, the Palm Court team proffered Cucumber, Dill and Cream Cheese Pullman Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Tartare Wholemeal Finger Sandwich, Marinated Tuna Flake Sandwich, Crab Meat Slaw Sandwich, Corn Fed Chicken Ragout Gougères (cheese choux pastry), Truffle Scented Egg on Poppy Seed Butter Bun, and Organic Spinach Quiche to set the ball rolling.

Being waited on hand and foot, luxuriating in the hallowed setting made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. After the on-point savoury appetite pleasers, we made short work of the Raisin and Plain Scones with clotted cream, house-made strawberry jam and for a touch of the tropics, pineapple jam.

By the time we were ready to hit on the Red Velvet, Opera Cake and Fruit Cake, we had struggled a little. There were still Fruit Tartlets and Millefeuille to contend with but alas, it was a lost cause as having downed copious cups of our tea, we were hard pressed to make short work of everything. Overall, it was an exceptional afternoon to remember.

Note: Review conducted prior to Malaysia's Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The English Afternoon Tea is now available every Saturday & Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at Palm Court, E & O Hotel Penang.  Limited seats available; to reserve click: http://bit.ly/PalmCourtBooking