Sometimes last month, one of the readers of this blog, Lilian, sent me a “be a member for one day” coupon to Shangri-La hotel for the second time in as many years (Thank you Lilian!) Since I have dined in their Japanese restaurant Zipangu before, I decided to head to their acclaimed French restaurant, Lafite

Lafite at Shangri-La, KL

The membership benefit works a little differently at Lafite, 50% discount is provided for lunch, while only 20% for dinner (for 2 person). I figured dinner would be too much of a drag for the wallet and decided to try their showcase lunch instead.

The very sweet Grazie decided to join me for lunch since both of us work not far from the hotel, and Lafite is closed for lunch on weekends.

mini loafs, salmon sandwich, seared tuna, beef

The whole lunch process is a little different here. To start with, there’s the familiar mini loafs with butter, then some 10 different appetizers and teasers from the showcase (ala buffet style), a main course we get to pick from 6-7 choices, and finally a predetermined dessert as the conclusion.

Grazie and I must have tried at least half a dozen appetizers, I find the beef and seared tuna to be particularly good, and the salmon sandwich pretty special in a slightly odd way. The mini loafs were really good as well, but due to limited stomach space I only had one of those.

main course: duck confit & citrus scallop

I ordered Duck Confit (duck thigh) and the lady went for the Citrus Scallop. The duck is served with pomme puree with mushroom ragout and some green beans. While I normally think duck breast tastes better, the duck confit was surprisingly good. Very savory and tasty.

The Citrus Scallop was very good as well. Seared scallops with orzo, lemon, and tomato olive reduction. The sweet seafood taste of scallop mixes well with tangy citrus reduction, unique, light, and delicious.

Grazie and Damon’s dessert sampler

To conclude our lunch, Damon’s Dessert Sampler is served. The server politely told us that chef recommended dessert to be consumed from right to left.

The first item was a sort of sorbet that is very, very sour. The sort of sourness that makes a 3 year old goes all wrinkly. As it turned out, it was a perfect way to wash our taste buds anew for the next item, a creamy hot chocolate. Then came a little piece of sweetish pastry, strawberry with cream, and finally a soft candy. It was all presented very nicely with the taste that matches.

Shangri-La Hotel is just a short walk from KLCC

Full price for the showcase lunch is RM 68++ per person. With the 50% discount, lunch for two came to less than RM 100, a pretty good deal for the food, the ambiance, and of course, the company (your mileage might vary).

Address:
Shangri-la Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.152139, 101.709419
Tel: 03-2032 2388

Tags:  french,  grace,  grazie,  hotel,  lafite,  shangri-la

Posted by KY | 42 Comments »

Because I know Suan, an immensely talented and famous blogger who sometimes gets invite to special events and such, 5 of us (hot chick, ST, Kim) found ourselves at the Dionne Warwick concert/dinner at Shangri-la Hotel last Monday. An event we would otherwise not be able to afford to get in with our own money, considering it is geared towards the high society and attended by people like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

Since I didn’t bring my camera and the camera phone doesn’t do justice to the occasion, pictures below were taken by ST.

how do you like my green batik? Do I look like an apek going to casino?

We were seated at the far corner, not the best listening location, but hey, our table only cost RM 10,000, cheapest of the some 100 tables in the magnificent grand ballroom. The evening was very enjoyable, we were served good food, and Dionne Warwick put up a great show. Her songs were truly the types that penetrates your heart, and the old lady had very good showmanship that made the evening that much better.

These are what you eat if you are one of those rich fellas

And then there’s the food, we were served with:

• Rock Lobster Tian with Pomelo an Avocado, Flamed Maguro and Wasabi Soy Vinaigrette
• Petit Poi’s Cappuccino with Foie Gras Dumpling and Dust of Cepe
• Cod Fillet Papillote and Chicken Roulade with Potato Mash, Baby Vegetables, Teriyaki Glazed
• Anis and Coffee Cappuccino with Almond Cake Flavored with Orange, White Chocolate Black Truffle Ice Cream

I particularly love the lobster starter with the maguro (tuna); the very buttery cod fillet and the sophisticated chicken roulade too lived up to the reputation of Shang’s finest. However, I find that the small foie gras dumpling did not come close to the foie gras experience that I had at my Zipangu visit. This was the night that I tasted truffle ice cream for the first time too, it was good, but I think I am missing my foie gras.

Tags:  concert,  dining,  dionne warwick,  event,  shangri-la

Posted by KY | 28 Comments »

A while back a reader of this humble blog was kinda enough send me a one day Shangri-La hotel prestige membership coupon. This coupon entails me to be treated as if I am one of those people who frequent this hotel chain enough to be given the membership, which also means I get to eat at the various restaurants in Shangri-La for up to 50% discount. I chose to go to Zipangu, the Japanese restaurant that has the reputation to be one of the finest in Klang Valley.

very classy design, and my membership coupon

The interior of the restaurant is most impressive. There is a huge selection of wine, with a dedicated room surrounded by walls made of wine cellars, there is even a dedicated cigar room. The ambiance is mellow and yet classy, no rowdy crowd nor screaming babies.

After checking out the menu, my old pal horny and me decided to order the set dinners as they look enticing, and probably one of the more affordable choices to experience the Japanese style haute cuisine. We ordered the beef teriyaki with tempura and the sushi set.

this foie gras appetizer is to die for

We were first served with a piece of tofu and some vegetable as starter. The texture of the tofu was somehow closer to cheese than tofu and really has the added sophistication. Then came the soup with a slice of lime and some mushroom that carries a tangy taste that I usually don’t associate with hot soup, it was very good nonetheless.

The next item on the menu was foie gras. I have heard and read about this French delicacy for a while now and this was the first time I came face to face with it. For the uninitiated, foie gras: “the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened by gavage” (as defined by French law).” It was served on a piece of winter melon and lightly seared. The texture is akin to butter and yet just ever slightly more solid. The taste was subtle but yet so good, it was as like a taste I never knew existed. Kinda like the first time you had orgasm, just new, exciting, and addictive (if your wallet is fat enough). You just have to try it.

beef teriyaki with tempura, sushi set with very fatty cuts (best)

The main dish did not disappoint either, the beef teriyaki and tempura was succulent and the sauce that came with the meat so delicious horny was basically in cloud 9. As for the ten pieces of sushi on my plate, I can tell you that I had never had sushi this good before, you could see from the picture that the salmon cut was from the belly, and so was the tuna. It was of course, very fresh, and absolutely delectable.

map of Shangri-La Hotel at KL

Even after the 50% discount, the bill came to around RM 200. However, it was really a dining experience that is worth every cent. They serve buffet lunch on Sunday for around the same price as Jogoya I believe. I must bring the hot chick there one of these days.

Address:
Shangri-la Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.152139, 101.709419
Tel: 03-2032 2388

Tags:  cuisine,  foie-gras,  goose-liver,  Japanese,  shangri-la,  sushi,  tempura,  teriyaki

Posted by KY | 16 Comments »