Wednesday, August 19, 2020

DAILY MAKANTHON AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG


Dim sum. Chinese dishes. Barbecued items. Noodles. Appetisers. Soup.  Western and local fare. Dessert. Close to 50 tempting culinary choices are yours for the picking at only RM68 nett per person when you partake Dorsett Grand Subang’s newly launched Makanthon promotion.

Available daily from 6pm to 10pm at The Emperor Restaurant, the unlimited, 'eat all you can' feast is a boon if you want your wide array of dim sum and other specialities in one sitting. New norm SOPs are in place to ensure you dine in comfort and safety with family and friends. The trick is to go slow and steady; take your time to sample the extensive variety available. Portions are kept small so you can try as many dishes as possible then go for repeat servings on those that catch your fancy.

 


Family-friendly and wholesome appetisers to tease the palate include Loaded Potatoes (stuffed and baked potato with creamy-cheesy filling), Dorsett Wings (scrumptious with the housemade sauce), Caesar Salad (great for loading up on your greens quota) and Marinated Jelly Fish with Mini Octopus (piquantly flavoured with a toothsome crunchiness).

Friends who tried the Dorsett Mushroom Soup gave it the thumbs up while the Double Boiled Soup of the Day (it was Lotus Root with Chicken on the eve of our visit) ticked all the right boxes for us too.

Youngsters partial to Western fare will enjoy Pan Pizza Mahalo and Mini Cheese Burger. Both exceeded our expectations; the former generous with melted cheese and the latter, a mini, delicious beef patty with medium-rare doneness.


While the Grand Mee Mamak and Char Kway Teow pass muster, the Chinese Specials (a serving is good for 2 persons) are rave-worthy. The punchy flavours of the Sweet & Sour Fish makes it a show-stealer while the Salted Egg Prawns and Stir-fried Green Vege with Garlic get the thumbs up too.


Equally noteworthy to savour are Pei Pa Duck with Traditional Condiments along with the Roasted Sesame Chicken. The duck’s inherent gaminess is subtle, tempered by the nice sauce complementing it. If chicken holds more appeal, the meat’s smoky-brininess should you’re your appetite. These along with noodle options come in a serving for 2 persons so be sure to avoid food wastage or you’d be charged for leftovers of 150gm and above.


 

Known for its pork-free, Muslim-friendly dim sum creations, The Emperor highlights a plethora of its signature delights for Makanthon. Again, each serving is good for 2 persons so it pays to strategise those items you wish to try. Our top picks include Steamed Prawn Dumplings with Coriander, Steamed Siew Mai Emperor Style, Mui Choy with Chicken Meat Cheong Fun (flat rice noodle rolls), Deep-fried Prawn Rolls with Cheese and Mini Loh Mai Kai (steamed glutinous rice with chicken).





Lovely dessert for a rousing finish ranges from Baked Mini Custard Egg Tarts and Assortment of Seasonal Fruits to Almond Beancurd Jelly with Longans and Mini Tiramisu. One cannot go too far wrong with the sweet treats except for the danger of overindulgence.

 

For Makanthon reservations, please call tel: 03 5031 6060 ext 1954 or email: bookfnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

 

 

 

Monday, August 03, 2020

READY, SET, PIVOT...XIN CUISINE DELIVERS RM15 SET LUNCH

Hainanese Chicken Rice. BBQ Spare Ribs with Rice. Stewed Chicken with Chinese Wine with Rice. Sweet Corn Puree with Fish Fillet with Rice. Minced Pork and Pickle Omelette with Rice. These are the new temptations available from Xin Cuisine’s Set Lunch for Takeaway and Home/Office Delivery.

Launched in June 2020 during the Movement Control Order (MCO), each Set Lunch (RM15 per serving) is a delicious one-dish meal of rice and meat. Available for takeaway or delivered right to your home or office doorstep, it comes with FREE soup of the day. For an additional RM5, you can enjoy the Chef’s Choice Dessert. This dessert is free for Concorde Cash Card and Priority Plus Members.
We find the various options featured in the menu superb value and reflective of the hotel's uncompromising quality. The yellow ‘oiled’ rice for the Hainanese Chicken Rice is good enough to be eaten on its own. Complemented by succulent smooth poached chicken, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser. There’s also a chilli dip to give it a punchy finishing touch but unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to try that.

Those hankering for a taste of hearth and home will be drawn to the Minced Pork and Pickle Omelette (choy poh jin darn) with Rice. A defyingly simple dish, its evergreen appeal lies in the combination of pickled radish (choy poh) and eggs, creating a homey staple that had withstood the test of time.

Most of us are familiar with pai kwat wong – literally translated as king pork ribs – a perennial Chinese restaurant staple with different chefs and restaurants proudly touting their own version. Xin Cuisine’s BBQ Spare Ribs with Rice ticks all the requisite boxes for us: chunky and glossy with sticky, flavourful sweet-tangy sauce, the meaty ribs beg to eaten with plain rice.

Slightly boozy-gingery on the palate, the Stewed Chicken with Chinese Wine has plenty of crunchy wood ear fungus for textural contrast. Personally, I’d prefer a stronger Chinese wine accent but understandably, the Xin team opts to strike a middle ground with its clientele.

Sweet Corn Puree with Fish Fillet with Rice will reel in pescatarians. If you like deep-fried, battered fare with creamy mayo-type sauce then this should hit the spot.

Todate, Roasted Pork & Hong Kong Kailan with Rice remains the most sought-after dish on the Set Lunch menu. The various dishes featured in this review will be available until 9 August. New temptations will be revealed on a fortnightly basis whilst certain saleable dishes will be retained by popular demand.

Dessert fans will be pleased to know a choice of three types of tong sui (sweet broths) is available daily. The selection may include Barley with Beancurd Skin, Honey Dew Sago, Waterchestnut with Snow Fungus, Longan White Fungus with Monk Fruit, Black Glutinous Rice, Wheat Porridge with Coconut, Sweet Mung Beans, Peanut Puree and Black Sesame Seed Puree.

Xin Cuisine's RM15 Takeaway/Delivery Set Lunch is available from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm. No minimum order is required. Delivery fees starts from RM5 (0-5km from Concorde Hotel KL) upwards. For a single receipt amounting to RM150, the hotel will accord complimentary delivery (within 10km from the hotel). 

There are also two Set Menus available for lunch and dinner daily, priced at RM148 nett for 4 persons and RM188 nett for 4 persons. The 4-course and 5-course menu are for dine-in, takeaway or delivery until further notice.

For information and to pre-order, WhatsApp: 012 399 5007/016 906 3220.

Sunday, July 12, 2020

TIPPLES & TREATS AT FARQUHAR'S BAR

Lovers of Happy Hours and discerning bon vivant who yearn to slake their thirst can make a beeline for the much-loved Farquhar’s Bar. Remodelled as a vintage cocktail bar, Farquhar’s Bar at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang is relocated further down the marble and French doors walkway at the newly refreshed Heritage Wing.
Subdued, mellow lighting coupled with deep teal blue hues and white cornices evoke a rarefied atmosphere similar to a gentlemen’s club and private study. The oak and brass-finished long bar serves as a focal point near the entrance whilst the inner sanctum boasts studded leather Chesterfield sofas, retro arm and wing back chairs, antique fittings, and collections of monochrome prints. Scenic views of Penang’s waterfront beckon beyond its expansive picture windows.
Cocktail o’clock has never been more atas...the resident mixologists are adept at whisking up classic and contemporary tipples. To wet our whistle, we opted for Gin Setengah (RM45) – London Dry Gin with Grand Marnier, longan and a splash of pineapple juice (3rd pix below); Pink Lady (RM50) – London Dry Gin with Applejack, lemon juice, housemade grenadine and egg white (2nd pix below); and Moscow Mule (RM45) – Vodka, lime juice and spicy ginger beer (pix below).
Moscow Mule
Should you wish to chase your drinks of choice with light refreshments, the snack creations are worth the calorie intake. Simplistic in approach but lush and big on flavour is Potato & Caviar (RM28), airy-light potato crisps with sour cream and caviar dip.
Heartier but a definite palate-pleaser is the sumptuous and melty Gruyère Cheese Sandwich (RM28). Savoury rich with a smoky aftertaste, the brioche toast triangles were sublime and satisfying.
Delectable options to stave off hunger pangs include Peranakan Sliders (RM20) of braised duck breast sandwiched in crispy mantou with chilli dip, and
Beef Lollipop (RM28) – superbly tender and juicy marinated beef cubes with saffron and garlic aioli. 
Having sampled them, the snacks hit the spot well. We even ordered additional portion of the Beef Lollipop and Gruyère Cheese Sandwich.
Note: Farquhar’s Bar is open daily from 230pm to midnight during the pre-Covid19 days. To sample the Sundowners' Tapas mentioned above, head over to Palm Court from 4pm to 7pm daily (refer below pix).
For more information and reservations, please call Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang, tel: 016-419 8923 or visit:


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