Valentine Set Menu @ Em by Tedboy, Hotel Transit

5-Course Valentine Dinner to WOW your Date!

Romance is in the air in the month of February as Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Take your loved one on a delicious evening of affordable French delights at Em by Tedboy on this special day to set the mood for romance.

Em by Tedboy, located in the bustling area along Jalan Pudu, is the sister of the famous Tedboy Bakery in Bangsar. Named after Matilda, the owners’ other child, Em by Tedboy serves an honest menu filled with Mediterranean with a dash of Asian flavours as well as Breakfast treats.

The quaint bistro, set in Hotel Transit, sets out to attract the tummies of foodies, local and travelers with its variety of dishes. Helming the kitchen with the culinary team is Consultant French Chef Pierre MC, whose former Croisette Café had us all enjoying affordable French dining in the city. Chef Pierre has whipped up a special 5-Course Valentine’s Dinner Menu priced at RM168+ (for 2 pax) to set the mood for romance.

The interior at Em by Tedboy reflects the raw industrial outlook. Cement walls left bare in its natural form are dressed up with posters of food and murals. Insta photos of diners from all over the world are set on one large mural of world map. Eclectic mix of furniture, artsy lightings, chalkboard menu and an open kitchen sums up the interior.

We like how the bistro has various sections of dining area so that one has more privacy as well as privacy for private functions. The mood is casual and yet eclectic chic as one dines in comfort at Em by Tedboy.

Since it’s a day for romance, the bistro will be set with special settings befit the mood for some love.

The Valentine menu comes with Pink Lady Cocktail to kick off the evening. Our giggle juice may sound feminine but rest assured, this one is pretty potent with cranberry, lemon, triple sec and vodka. Pretty at sight and gutsy in taste!

Accompanying the cocktail is a four canapes of Prawn & Mango Salsa, Mushroom Soup, Pesto Rice Salad and Olive Tapenade. Savor little bites of deliciousness to whet the appetite. The prawn and mango is enjoyable and fruity while the mushroom soup is superb with its rich, earthy and intense mushroom flavour. The pesto rice on crisp lettuce was light and the rich and moreish olive tapenade is yummy on toast.

There are two choices for the appetizer course. The first one is Fresh Salmon Tartare with Mirepoix in Blood Orange Dressing. Raw cubes of salmon, smoked salmon and butterfish are mixed with chopped gherkin served on a bed of salt cured cucumber. The result is a creamy and sublime tartare of savory, smoky and tangy flavours. Finished with a colorful sprinkling of chopped hardboiled egg, tomatoes and fresh dill, the tartare is delicious if you are a fan of salmon.

The next choice of appetizer is great for vegetarians with the Beetroot & Feta Chantilly Mille-Feuille with Pomegranate Dressing. I adored the bold flavours of feta cheese with the tangy beetroot. The feta has been whipped into a fluffy creamy lightness that is very enjoyable while the crunchy bits of pomegranate and micro herbs added delicious bites of textures to the dish.

For a palate cleaner, the Tomato Vodka Granita is gorgeous. The bold punchy notes of fresh tang of tomato with hits of vodka does wonder for the senses as well as the soul!

There are also two choices for mains with the first one being Pan Fried Duck Breast with Raspberry Sauce, Potato Gratin & Vegetable Tian. Slices of duck breast, cooked medium rare, goes nicely with the luscious tangy raspberry sauce. The sides of vegetables makes great fillers. If you prefer your duck more cooked, do let the wait staff know in advance.

The Butterfish Fillet with Red Capsicum Coulis, Potato Gratin & Vegetable Tian featured a lovely thick butterfish cooked till just right and served with a savory and sweet red capsicum sauce. I enjoyed the butterfish a lot and it also goes really well with the vegetable and potato gratin.

Dinner ended with Chef Pierre’s desserts with a choice of Em’s Signature Pavlova. For those you haven’t been to Chef Pierre previous eatery, he does such amazing desserts! The Em’s Signature Pavlova has just the right sweetness for my palate. Crispy meringue with a soft center is heavenly with thick berry coulis, fresh cream, fresh berries and kiwis.

If pavlova is not your thing, then opt for the Mille-Feuille Strawberries. Layers of golden puff pastry sandwiching velvety custard with fresh strawberries and berry coulis are layers of sweet love meant to be shared with your loved one.

Coffee or Tea will be served as well.

Do call for reservation for this 5-Course Valentine’s Dinner Menu priced at RM168+ (for 2 pax).

EM by TedBoy

Ground Floor, Hotel Transit

42, Jalan Pudu

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Website: www.tedboy.com/em

Facebook: www.facebook.com/embytedboy

Business Hours: 10am to 10pm

Chatz Brasserie, PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Affair

Egyptian Guest Chef Ayman Ibrahim Presents a Menu of Sumptuous Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Favorites!

A sumptuous Egyptian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu is now available at all F&B outlets in PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur till 31 October, 2016. Proudly presenting Egyptian Guest Chef Ayman Ibrahim, diners are in for an exotic treat at Chatz Brasserie, Hot Gossip, Klix Lounge, Pool Bar and even room service.

With a list of over 37 dishes available daily from 12 noon to 12 am daily, diners should not miss this opportunity to savor appetizers, main course and desserts whipped up by Chef Ibrahim right in the middle of our bustling city.

Born in Egypt, Chef Ibrahim has over 25 years of culinary experience in the food industry. Chef Ibrahim has garnered numerous awards internationally as well as locally through his culinary career. He has also appeared in various television programme shows as well as hosting workshops on Middle Eastern cuisine.

Members of the media and bloggers were treated to a sneak preview of what the sumptuous menu by Chef Ibrahim has to offer during these few months at PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur recently. The evening kicked off with Anab, a Middle Eastern beverage that showcases Hibiscus. Sweet with a subtle tang, it was refreshing and fruity.

For appetizers, there are few classic must-haves when it comes to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The Falafel (RM20) or chickpea croquettes are simply delicious! Great for vegetarians too, these crispy fritters with a creamy and nutty inside are so good when snacking or tuck them into soft warm pita bread for a lovely sandwich.

Chickpeas are used a lot in the Middle Eastern cuisine and the most famous dish that comes to mind would have to be the Hommous (RM16). This creamy, garlicky and nutty dip has such an enticing flavour that it’s quite hard to stop mopping up the dip with warm bread. Chef Ibrahim’s version is superb and delicious.

One should love the freshness and vibrant herb flavours of the Tabouleh (RM20). The dish is one of my favorite as there’s plenty of robust citrusy and herb flavours that really lifts up all the other heavy dips and appetizers in such a cuisine.

Warq Einab (RM22) may not be familiar to many here but this is a classic appetizer that is much beloved in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Brined grape leaves is filled with minced meat and rice and cooked till tender with a lovely lemony tang. It is also similar to the Greek dish of Dolmades.

For soups, we tried a vegetarian and non-vegetarian version of lentil soup. The Shorbah Harirah (RM30) has bits of lamb, chickpeas, assorted lentils and pasta all cooked till very soft and creamy with an earthy nutty note. The Shorbah Adas (RM26) is a vegetarian version and is lighted and has a clean and lighter note of creamy nuttiness.

For mains, there’s certainly plenty of options to choose from.

Lamb is a favorite meat option and so there’s plenty of lamb dishes available on the menu. Savor Lamb Kabsah (RM48), succulent pieces of roasted lamb to be savored with bukhari rice or go for the meaty balls of Lamb Kofta. Both very well cooked, there is really not any gamey aroma but just mouthwatering ones.

If lamb is not your choice, there’s also chicken. Enjoy juicy and well-marinated chooks in Shish Tawook (RM30) or Dajaj Ala Elhaham (RM36). Shish Tawook, skewered chicken cubes are bitey and tasty but it was the Dajaj Ala Elhaham or Grilled Spring Chicken that turned out to be a crowd pleaser. The spices on the spring chicken was moreish and succulent while the meat was tender. Such a great comfort food…

If you prefer seafood, there is also a choice of Samak Mashwi (RM46) or Pan Fried Salmon Fillet with Tahinah or Jambary Mashwi (RM55) which is Grilled Prawns with Saffron Sauce. The crisp fish skin on the salmon is very yummy while the fish was a tad on the dryer side. Nevertheless, the fish is still very tasty. The prawns are superb. Grilled with shells on to retain the juiciness and sweetness of the oceanic note, the prawns are simply a must order here.

All main courses are served with a choice of rice, bread or potatoes.

Stews are quite the popular option in these cuisines and so we also sampled Bamiah Bil Lahm Ejal (RM50) which is Stewed Okra with Beef and Tomato. The stew is not overly heavy and has a nice tang of tomatoey notes. The beef pieces are just as tender as the okra. The dish is great with rice.

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine does feature lots of lentils and pulses in their cooked and the next dish of Fooll Akhdar (RM28) or Broad Beans stew is a great example. The beans are braised till tender in what looks to be a thin tomato sauce.

To go with all the heavy dishes, there’s choices of Roz Boukhary (RM25) which is Bukhari Rice or Roz Saladiah (RM18) or Fried Onion Rice. There is also Roz Mandy or Smoked Saffron Rice.

One should not end the meal without something sweet. For desserts, there’s the sensational Almond Pudding or Kashul (RM25), the classic and popular Baklava (RM25) or a Semolina Cake called Basbosah (RM18).

Besides a la carte, there is also Middle East Specialities Set Menu which includes one appetizer one soup, a choice of Mandy (RM88nett), Dajaj Kabsah (RM85nett) or Samak Saiadiah (RM85nett) and one dessert. It is available from 12.00pm to 12.000am daily.

*Promotion is valid from 22 July to 31 October 2016 only

The Middle Eastern menu is also available for banquet events and Chef Ayaman’s Whole Lamb Briyani is a must try from the menu. For reservations or enquiries, please call 03 2782 8389 or email agnes.kok@parkyoralhotels.com.

For reservations or enquiries for the a la carte and set menus, please call 03 2147 0088 or email chatz.prkul@parkroyalhotels.com.

CHATZ BRASSERIE

PARKROYAL KUALA LUMPUR

Jalan Sultan Ismail,

50250 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2782 8301

Email: chatz.prkul@parkroyalhotels.com

Website: www.parkroyalhotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/malaysia/kuala-lumpur

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Parkroyalkualalumpur

Moussandra Mediterranean & Tapas Restaurant @ Solaris Dutamas

A Beautiful and Delicious Mediterranean Experience

There aren’t many Mediterranean restaurants around but luckily for us, the few ones like Moussandra Mediterranean & Tapas Restaurant have been around since 1996 and is continuing to serve up authentic Mediterranean dishes to cater to our adventurous palates. Having been relocated from its original location to Publika at Solaris Dutamas, Moussandra is one of those restaurants that diners can count on. When a restaurant has stand the test of time in the F&B industry, you know they are very good, it’s as simple as that!

Moussandra’s owner Alphonse takes pride in Moussandra. I can certainly see why. It’s a restaurant that really evokes a place to relax and enjoy a good hearty meal with family, friends or even businesses. Walking into Moussandra, diners are greeted warmly by their staff. The family-style ambiance is set with much warmness of earthy browns and reds to evoke a casual and warm Spaniel home. From his travels over the years, Alphonse displays his collections of Mediterranean items at the restaurant. Green vine leaves are also added for some charm as well as large posters of European artwork.

The restaurant also has a large private room perfect for functions. That private room is nicely decorated with a Greek theme. From the Greek status to the bright blue door and Grecian ornaments, it would certainly be nice to dine in for any occasion.

Moussandra’s menu features a long list of classic Mediterranean favorites from tapas to the usual appetizers, pasta, pizza, mains and desserts. We had a few of everything and kick started our evening dinner with glasses of Moussandra’s Red Sangria. Simply a must when dining Mediterranean as Sangria is the perfect wine and fruit concoction to go with all the rich dishes to come. There is also a white version at the restaurant.

Tapas first with a very delectable Chicken Liver Pate (Terrina De Pollo) kicking of the evening’s meal. It’s a darn awesome pate. Silky smooth, creamy and rich buttery notes spread on baguette worked wonders as a starter. I can’t get enough of this pate, simply because I do happen to enjoy pate. Give this a try before you make any decisions about this dish because it’s a darn delicious pate!

Garlic Bread is also good here. Quite the unusual cut, one gets long strips of toasty and crispy baguette fused with lots of buttery garlic and herb notes.

During my college days abroad, I have been exposed to a lot of Greek food as my sister married a Greek. My brother-in-law’s mom would always cook or take us out for Greek food. So when I saw that Moussandra has Saganaki, I was pretty stoked. Our order of Egg coated Feta & Mozzarella Cheese, flamed with Pernod, served with Pita Bread (Saganaki) was set in flames right before our table!

Saganaki or flaming fried cheese is usually Greek cheese fried in hot pan and flambéed with alcohol at table side with a big warming shout of ‘Opa’! I have had Saganaki with Halloumi cheese and flambéed with Greek Ouzo. The version here uses sheep’s milk feta cheese and mozzarella with an egg wrap and flambéed with Pernod. As soon as the flames died out, dig into the melted oozing cheeses with fluffy pita bread. It’s a cheese lover’s dish plus one gets some tableside flaming actions for some thrill. Cheesy and great for sharing…

The next tapas features Lamb Meatballs in Brown Sauce (Cordero Albondigas En Salsa De Café). Juicy tender meatballs cooked in a tasty brown sauce is always a favorite on the tapas list. I can’t quite figure out but when I see meatballs on a menu, I tend to associate it with comfort food. This one too was deliciously comforting and great as snacks with wine or beer.

I think this one is one of the most ordered tapas on the list. Who can resist a scrumptious Garlic Prawns in Olive Oil (Gambas Al Ajillo). Moussandra’s is indeed what every garlic prawns should be. Lots of rich savory and garlicky flavours with succulent sweet prawns is a sure crowd pleaser. We happily savor this and almost wish for bread to mop up that flavourful garlicky oil fused with crustacean flavours.

The next two tapas are vegetarian treats of Pan-fried Eggplant with Chili & Tomato (Berenjenas Picantes) and Mixed Mushrooms Sauteed with Herbs (Setas Salteadas). Both are decent with good hits of flavours. The eggplant is very soft and has soaked up all the piquant tomato sauce. The mushrooms have earthy and garlicky notes. These two makes a good balance for all the other heavier meat, seafood and cheese tapas.

Alphonso recommended the Beef Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Almond (Datiles Con Bacon), saying this one rocks. True enough, after I tried one, I found myself echoing his words. The salty and smoky bacon was countered with a burst of sweetness from the dates as soon as one bites into it. It is such a pleasant bite of flavours and textures. The sticky sweet dates paired so well with bacon and there was also a hidden element of surprise of almond inside. A must order unless you don’t take beef!

I love the Greek Spanakopita. When my sister’s mother-in-law first made it for me, I thought it was such a great pastry. Using phyllo pastry brushed with melted butter and stuffed with a filling of spinach, cheese, eggs and cream, it was baked till golden and crisp. It’s been a while since I had this and when the dish arrived, it was so aromatic that everyone raved about it immediately. Beautifully coiled and baked, the Spanakopita was indeed tasty with lots of spinach filling. My only gripe is that I wished for more feta cheese as I cannot seemed to taste the cheese in this one, which I did feedback. It is still worthy of an order as the Spinach Pie with Feta Cheese (Spanakopita) here is well made and makes great tapas for sharing.

Lamb Dolmades (Dolmades de Cordero) is another Greek dish that is well-known in the cuisine. I was also surprise to find this dish on the menu and can’t wait to try this. The lamb dolmades is served cold with tangy pickled vine leaves wrapped with a minced lamb and rice filling. It is usually cooked in stock with lemons so one gets a vibrant fresh citrusy note to balance the heavy lamb flavours. Moussandra serves their lamb dolmades with a creamy red pepper sauce.

Mains arrived and we had two pizzas of Pizza Primavera and Pizza de Salmon. Pizza Primavera has lots of grilled eggplant, roasted sweet peppers, spinach and anchovies paired with oozing melted mozzarella cheese and herbs while Pizza de Salmon has salmon and mushrooms with cream on a tomato sauce and cheese pizza. It’s a thin-crust version here, making the pizza just right and not overly heavy from too much bread base.

We also tried two pasta dishes of Prawns Aglio e Olio and Linguine Al Pesto. At Moussandra, one gets to choose between the regular pasta or the freshly made pasta. Do check with the wait staff if you prefer soft and tender fresh pasta opposed to the al dente dry pasta. Though the Prawns Aglio e Olio was good, I preferred the Linguine Al Pesto for its bold rich flavours of fresh herbs, strong cheesy notes with garlic and buttery pine nuts.

Souvlaki is a classic Greek fast food of meats marinated Greek flavours and grilled over hot coals. At Moussandra, one can opt for their various souvlaki featuring beef, chicken, lamb or a mixed. We had their Mixed Souvlaki, a long skewer of the three meats well-seasoned and chargrilled. The bbq is Greek Salad, Roasted Capsicum Sauce, Tzatziki & Pita Bread. Flavoured with hints of spices, garlic and lightly sauced up with rich barbeque sauce, the souvlaki here is delicious. I enjoyed the familiar flavours of tender souvlaki and thought it was well prepared by the team at Moussandra.

More Greek dishes followed and we had another favorite Greek dish of mine of Lamb Moussaka. Similar to lasagna except this one has a layer of potato instead of pasta and minced lamb is more often used than beef. The creamy and decadent layers of cheesy béchamel sauce with rich tangy tomato lamb sauce is sinful and pure comfort flavours. Great for sharing but if you happen to love rich cheesy sauces, then go all out for this on your own!

One of their best sellers on the menu is their Paella. A popular Spanish rice dish cooked on the typical paella pan, it’s a well-balanced single dish meal varies within the areas in Spain. Moussandra offers three variations of the paella of seafood with meat, meat alone and a vegetarian one.

We had their Paella Valenciana, a gorgeously saffron rice studded with lots of seafood, chicken and chicken sausages with vegetables and spices. The rice was indeed very flavourful from all the seafood and chicken. It was a crowd favorite that evening as well as we happily savored the rice despite being quite full from all the tapas and other main dishes.

Moussandra has quite a few desserts on their menu but two of their best sellers were Rum & Raisin Ice Cream (Helado del Ron y de la Pasa) and Vanilla Creme Brulee.

Made in house, the Rum & Raisin Ice Cream is such a treat. It’s got solid notes of strong rum in luscious cream and well studded with rum soaked raisins. Heavenly…

The Vanilla Crème Brulee proved to be so good, no one wanted to share this dessert. We had extra orders of the gorgeous thick baked cream set beneath caramelized sugar. A light tap on the caramelized sugar to crack it revealed silky smooth thick cream nicely sweetened. Such a perfect way to end a delicious Mediterranean meal!

MOUSSANDRA MEDITERRANEAN & TAPAS RESTAURANT

A1-1-8 1,, Jalan Dutamas 1,

Solaris Dutamas,

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +60 3-6206 4999

Website: www.moussandra.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moussandra

Business Hours:

Lunch 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Dinner 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Closed on Tuesdays