Crave 10 May 2013

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FRIDAY MAY 10, 2013 S AT I S F Y I N G

YO U R

W E E K LY

F O O D

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D R I N K

C R AVI N G S

W I T H

Y O U R

C O P Y

O F

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TIME FOR TEA Treat Mum for her special day

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AFTERNOON DELIGH

Indulge in the luxury of afternoon tea at these places with the Queen of the day or just with your girlfr

BOTANICAL

Three -tier goodness

5, Jalan Changkat Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-21441474.

Closed on Mondays.

1F-28 and 1F-K2, First Floor, Bangsar Village 2 Jalan Telawi Satu, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur Tel:03-22876566 Weary shopaholics can escape the shopping mayhem, and partake in a spot of high tea in this quiet oasis. The space is decked out like a garden albeit a plastic one.

High tea for RM59.90++ is presented in a three-tier rack and available daily from 3pm to 6pm with a choice of coffee or tea. Its offerings are enough to feed two persons comfortably. However only one beverage is offered with the set, so add on a pot of T42 tea for RM9.90 or coffee for RM7.90. The scones score top marks for its light texture with a slightly toasted top. Enjoy it with a generous spread of whipped double cream and berry preserves. Other sweet treats include fluffy marshmallows, sweet tasting macarons, and jam doughnuts. The only letdown was the madeline with its toasted and slightly burnt exterior. Work your way down to the savouries, and you will find it’s a tier you should not miss out. The egg mayo sandwich is a creamy treat served on top of a light baby cuboid loaf, which reminds one of a flaky croissant. Savour the solo mushroom bruschetta, as it’s a delicious combination of fungi and sour cream on soft toasted bread. Another enjoyable treat was the caramelised

French dainties dominate this uber pretty afternoon tea offering, available at a reasonable RM38++ for two persons. The afternoon tea is served daily from 1pm to 5pm. Here it is more about sweets versus savouries, as the set only includes a solo smoked salmon sandwich. Rather than the typical English scones, they serve the French favourite, Cannele de Bordeaux, a cake with a rich custard interior enclosed with a thin caramelised shell.

onion and mascarpone vol au vent, with its light flaky texture pairing well with the soft onions laced with tart balsamic vinegar. The finger sandwiches, is made from an interesting mix of white and wholemeal bread. You get delicate sliced cucumber ones, or bolder tasting cheese and Branston pickle. The tea set also comes with a choice of dessert from the display counter. Choose from a large selection of cakes like mille crepe and strawberry chocolate mousse cake.

For an elegant afternoon tea experience, The Lobby Lounge gets our vote with its lush English interiors. Your teatime experience is accompanied by the gentle strains from their resident harpist Yuko San. They push the bar on excellence, with the use of French Bonne Maman spreads, and a large selec-

Scones

tion of aromatic Ronnefeldt teas. As you slowly eat your way through each tier, you will always have a hot cup of tea, as it is kept warm on a special warmer. This Sunday, afternoon tea is served for the Mother’s Day celebrations for RM78++ with a pot of tea, or a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne for RM158++ as a decadent treat for Mum. Start from their scones, a plain and raisin one, served with clotted cream. You can also enjoy dainty sand-

Raspberry tea

Expect roasted apricots in butter sauce, raspberry tart with almonds, multi-layered passion fruit mousse cake, crepe with caramel sauce, brioche with butter, honey and jam, and doughnuts with fillings like chocolate and chestnut, to be served here. Selections tend to vary depending on the chef’s discretion. As you nibble on each item, sip on delicate French Dammann Freres teas for RM14, or the restaurant’s own aromatic brew of chrysanthemum and passion fruit. The restaurant’s simple black and white interiors also give a sense of calm, despite it being in the heart of the bustling city.

Peppermint tea

Aromatic brews

French fancies

SWICH CAFÉ Level G3, Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 018-5995152

THE RITZ-CARLTON 168, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-21428000

MAISON FRANCAISE

wiches made with smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, ham and cheese, or just plain tuna.

Other savouries to nibble on include a delicious quiche and chicken and mushroom pie. For your sweet selection, choose from the dessert trolley that features an assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, chocolates and macarons. Each tea set is entitled to four types of desserts.

Afternoon tea is usually served between 3pm to 5pm except Sundays for RM75++.

Soothing harp sounds

Nestled in Publika, this café offers a weekend afternoon tea for RM55+ per set for two persons, with one pot of tea from 3pm to 5pm. The threetier selection contains hefty portions substantial enough to even cover your dinner.

The first tier consists of two scones generously studded with cranberries rather than the traditional raisins. However, the scones tend to leave a floury after taste, and only light whipped cream is served with berry preserves. The second tier consists of their signature brownie, a decadent chocolate treat. There’s also a delectable and light fruit pavlova, with a crisp meringue nest filled with soft whipped cream, strawberries and a dollop of fresh passion fruit.

You get a choice of cake from the counter, and our choice was the dense hummingbird cake topped with toasted coconut flakes. The last tier is an assortment of messily assembled sandwiches all prepped upon order. You get spicy tomyam chicken, mush-

Value for money set

ONESIXFIVE InterContinental Kuala Lumpur Jalan Ampang, Tel: 03-27826168 Escape the city’s bustle at the serene OneSixFive lounge accompanied by the tinkling piano for afternoon tea from 2pm to 5pm daily. As you sip your tea, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the waterfall and pond filled with koi fish.

You get a choice of two tea menus for RM75++ with a pot of tea – the local “Selera” and the English Royal. Both sets come with two scones served with thick Devonshire clotted cream and berry preserves.

What makes this teatime treat rather special compared to the predictable suspects is their innovative dainty treats.

On its second tier, you have an assortment of pastries.

The Selera selection includes a blush pink durian éclair, red bean and chocolate opera cake, mango panna cotta with coconut sago, egg tart with

Scones

Array of savouries

room and egg sandwiches.

Sip on tea from Teapigs, an English brand, with unusual offerings such as chocolate flakes tea. Avoid the tables at the walkway and opt for those nearer to their service counter for more privacy.

FRIDAY 10 MAY 2013

FOOD BITES

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SAVOURING SICILY THIS May, Villa Danieli’s Chef Alessandro Graziosi will be whipping up a menu full of Sicilian eats. The island just off the Italian coast in the Mediterranean Sea is famed for its simple but flavourful Italian cuisine using grains, fresh seafood and vegetables.

Expect to savour the coean’s bounty like tuna, swordfish, octopus, squid and anchovies.

riends.

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THE MALAY MAIL

The “Selera” local afternoon tea set

pineapple carpaccio, and an extremely clever “kuih lapis” lamington. The Selera set’s last tier, has savouries with a local touches, such as mini beef rendang burger, a fluffy steamed chicken satay pao, tuna and avocado “kuih paiti” using filo pastry, lamb samosa with mango chutney and a butter prawn saffron roll. The Royal selection of pastries features items like lemon meringue tart, caramel éclair, chocolate and pistachio opera, green tea crème brulee and a delicately flavoured hazelnut and tonka bean macaron.

Savouries include the decadent lobster and asparagus bagel, a light crab remoulade roll, a laden smoked salmon and caviar crostini, a soft peking duck with cucumber and hoisin roll and wagyu beef tartatre, wasabi and brioche.

For this weekend, mothers can enjoy a special afternoon tea set with items, such as an ivory pannacotta and tiger prawn and asparagus bagel.

Vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, peppers and cauliflower will also be used. Some of the dishes Chef Alessandro will be making include Spinach and ricotta naked ravioli with sea prawns and tomato fillet, One side seared yellow fin tuna loin with fennel puree, marinated oranges drizzled with anchovies oil, and Crispy deep fried baby octopus, chili and bell pepper puree with thyme cured

LAST CHANCE TO WIN WITH SIMPLOT FOOD bloggers can scoop up cash prizes, and Phillips kitchen appliances and Simplot products by joining the Simplot Award — Best Food Blogger Online Cooking Competition.

The deadline for the competition is May 13, 10am. Participating bloggers have to create innovative recipes using any of the Simplot hashbrown products, like the Simplot Popcorn Hashbrown, Simplot Triangle Hashbrown, Simplot Mini Hashbrown and Simplot Hashbrowns.

It is also encouraged that they use Leggo’s Sauces, a sister company of Simplot.

sea salt. Prices for the dishes start from RM34++ onwards.

Villa Danieli, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 12pm to 2.30pm (Monday to Friday), 6.30pm to 10.30pm (Monday to Saturday). Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Call 03-27179900 ext 6922 for reservations.

Squid ink risotto

GO FOR GREEK

Eight food bloggers will be shortlisted for a cook off on May 21. The winner will walk away with the grand prize of RM5,000 cash, Phillips kitchen appliances worth RM2,000 and Simplot products. The first and second runner-ups will be entitled to RM3,000 and RM2,000 cash, Simplot products and Philips appliances worth RM1,000 and RM600. For more details, visit www.simplygood.com.my

DINE on Greek and Mediterranean treats at Eccucino, Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur from May 9 to 19.

Chef George Diakomichalisa, a fourth generation Greek chef who owns Kalymnos Pattiserie in Adelaide, Australia, is in charge of the delicious buffet spread. This is his second stint at Eccucino following his success last year. This year, Chef George will be showcasing true Greek specialties, like Yiros or spit roasted lamb in pita breads, Moussaka or baked eggplant and meat casserole, Souvlaki or grilled skewers.

Chef George’s specialty is desserts, hence diners must have a taste of his special items,

like Baklava, Cream kataifi or custard cake with shredded filo pastry, and honey drizzled Loukomades. In conjunction with Mother’s Day, Chef George will join hands with his mother Chef Poppy to showcase family reci-

Baklava

Spanakopita

Greek Doughnuts

Kataifi Cake

SAUCE UP

Scones Chef Wan

BOASTING more than 125 years legacy, Lee Kum Kee is a household brand with 200 types of sauces in 100 countries. In Malaysia, Lee Kum Kee have joined hands with Chef Wan. According to Lee Kum Kee Regional Marketing Director for Southeast Asia Middle East and South Africa Danny Khoo, when it came to choosing the right food ambassador, they decided to go with Chef Wan, as he was an experienced chef. In a recent media event, Chef Wan also shared his first experience with Lee Kum Kee sauces. As a culinary student in America, he used to cater for parties during his off-days. “It was so easy to use Lee Kum Kee sauces to cook and give dishes the flavour and nutrition,” he says. He

Pasta Penne Anika Rasa

remembers using the sauce to stir fry prawns as ”it is the best, why would you settle for second less”. The chef also uses Lee Kum Kee’s Panda oyster sauce to enhance his dishes, such as the Pasta Penne Anika Rasa and Udang Seri Wangi, dishes he demonstrated during

EDITORIAL NOTE

by Lee Khang Yi

Serene views as you dine

pes. The buffet dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm is priced at RM98++ per person and children under 12 years old dine for free, with every paying adult. For reservations, contact Tel:03-21708888.

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Udang Seri Wangi

the event. According to Chef Wan, just a bit of the 100% certified halal oyster sauce goes a long way in dishes.

Lee Kum Kee’s sauces are available at leading supermarkets throughout Malaysia.

ADVERTISING SALES

Crave Editor

Pamper Mum on her special day by taking her out for a spot of tea at one of the delectable spots in our round-up. If you wish to treat her with a homemade treat, how about a healthy apple beetroot and carrot salad? The crunchy good-for-you salad is great for the waistline.

For eating out pleasure, how about casual French at Yeast Bistronomy? The Bangsar restaurant serves up classic French bistro fare that will impress but not kill your wallet. Or if you feel like being exotic, how about the Greek and Mediterranean buffet spread at Eccucino at Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur that starts this weekend? It’s a sweet treat, with baklava, Greek doughnuts, and kataifi cake.

Drop me a line at khangyi@mmail.com.my for any queries. Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day!

Rajan Gopal Senior Manager, Direct & Classifieds Direct line: 03 74951282 rajan@mmail.com.my

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FRIDAY 10 MAY 2013

IN THE KITCHEN with EU HOOI KHAW STAY healthy with an apple a day. It’s supposed to lower your blood cholesterol, and your risk of stroke and heart disease.

It’s good for your bowels, and helps fight prostate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma. Its phytonutrients have been proven to improve lung function, so if you are a smoker, you would do well to chomp on at least five apples a week. Quercetin, a flavonoid abundant in apples, may reduce the risk of lung cancer and prevent the build-up of plaque in your arteries. The pectin in it prevents the total absorption of fats in food. Do not peel your apple; a lot of its goodness lies in its skin. If you find the apple waxy, just put a drop of organic detergent and scrub at it with a scourer under running water. The fruit is also high in potassium, a heart-healthy mineral. Apples are as old as creation - remember Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and how Adam’s apple came about (it’s believed to have got stuck in his throat when God called out to him). The Greeks were growing apples by 300 BC,

so were the Romans. European settlers brought apple seeds and trees with them to the New World in the 17th century. There are more than 500 apple varieties, with the more common ones being the green Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Fuji apples. We sometimes encounter Gala apples from France on our supermarket shelves. The expression “the apple of one’s eye” came from an ancient belief that the pupil of the eye was a globe shaped like an apple. And if someone calls you an apple polisher, it means you have been sucking up to a certain person.

Apples have a beauty purpose too - they slow ageing and soften the skin. Try applying grated apple on the eyelids; it apparently stimulates dermal collagen production. You can make a healthy, delicious soup with three green apples, three red apples, 600g chicken (without skin), preferably a kampung one, two teaspoons of salt and a handful of the Chinese herb yok chok, slow boiling it for at least 2 1/2 hours. It’s good for your lungs and skin.

APPLE BEETROOT CARROT SALAD 1 large green apple, cut into julienne 1 medium sized beetroot, peeled and cut into julienne 1 medium sized carrot, peeled and cut into julienne 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

SIMPLY FRENCH

Gateaux de crabe

Magret de canard au jus

Boeuf Bourguignon

Impeccable French fare used to be limited to fine dining restaurants, but there’s a wave of change with the opening of Yeast Bistronomy in Bangsar. The casual bistro owned by Christophe Chatron-Michaud and his wife, Lissan Teh, offers a menu of simple hearty French meals, easy on the pocket. It also serves breakfast and lunch, including items from its bakery, but make a beeline instead for dinner from 6pm onwards, as you get to sample French classics such as Bouef Bourguignon, prepped by their young French chef, Clara Champonnois. The 27-year old French native cut her teeth in America, Monaco, Scotland and Plaza Athenee in Paris, owned by renowned French chef Alain Ducasse Reminiscent of a Parisian café, there’s a cosy vibe with a black and white checked floor, wooden furnishings, and the open kitchen complete with copper pots.

Look through the menu wrapped around your napkin, and you will find a traditional French focused offering, with appetisers from RM15 onwards, entrees starting from RM38 and desserts from RM8. A small selection of pastas is also available, a nod towards locals’ preferences for one-dish

Salade Nicoise

meals. Daily specials are also available, and the soup and catch of the day, are also rotated depending on market choices.

Dinner starts with a basket of warm dense bread that is appetising with butter. The Salade Nicoise (RM22) makes a light start with tuna flakes, black olives, onions, anchovies, greens with soft-boiled eggs. On the same light tone, the Sammon Marine, blinis and crème fraiche ap Echalott (RM32), is a nice combination of marinated salmon gravlax on a pancake and served with piped rosettes of shallot crème fraiche. For a decadent dish, you can opt for Foie gras (RM45), perfectly seared and served with toasted brioche and a mango-ginger reduction to cut through its richness. Equally good is the Gateaux de crabe (RM28), light and sweet tasting crab cakes served with creamy aioli.

For a truly French taste, go for the Boeuf Bourguignon (RM58).

The beef short ribs are braised in red wine, to transform it into a mellow tender chunk of goodness, which is perfect with the creamy root vegetable puree.

Crispy onions top the dish for a contrasting texture. It’s a dish worthy of Julia Child’s praises,

dressing 1 ½ teaspoons grated ginger juice from 1 large lime 1 teaspoon honey ½ teaspoon salt Place the apple, beetroot, carrot and coriander in a large bowl. Combine the dressing ingredients, tasting and adjusting the seasoning accordingly. Pour over the salad ingredients and toss. Serve the salad with grilled salmon or other fish, or roast chicken. If there are leftovers, you can blend the salad with a little water to make a delicious juice.

THE MALAY MAIL

Ille Flottante

Crave pays for all its meals and all its reviews are conducted anonymously.

Vacherin Aux Fruits Rouges

Foie Gras

with its rich flavours. Similarly on the same hearty vein, the Poulet Roti aux 7 epices (RM38) stood out for its tender roasted chicken uplifted by smoked duck lardons, pearl onions, mushrooms and chicken jus. Hot from the oven potato gratin is served with this comforting dish. The French love their duck, and the Magret de canard au jus (RM58) was superb with its perfectly cooked duck breast paired with crushed Jerusalem artichokes, wild mushrooms and duck jus. For those who prefer a lighter meal, the Poisson du Jour Amandine (RM38), a dish with pan-fried fish roasted almonds, diced tomatoes, capers and lemon butter over mashed potatoes, impressed for its clean flavours and the crispy skin.

End the meal with a sweet note, with classic desserts such as the cloud-like Ille Flottante (RM14).

The float-

Poulet Roti aux 7 epices

ing island made with whipped egg whites is a decadent treat drizzled with caramel and served with a silky vanilla crème anglaise. For a tangy treat, go for the Vacherin Aux Fruits Rouges (RM16). Originally a raspberry based dessert, they now use tart passion fruit to top the layers of meringue, vanilla ice cream and sorbet that refreshes the palate.

Other sweet treats include a rich tasting and warm Tarte Chaude Mocha-Chocolate (RM18), made from decadent chocolate and coffee.

Yeast Bistronomy, 24G, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Tel:03-22820118.

Open: 8am to 10pm.

(Tuesday to Thursday), 8am to 10.30pm (Friday and Saturday).

Closed on Mondays.

Clara Champonnois