
Hotel’s festive menu offers new creations amid classics WHEN it comes to traditional dishes, Malaysia is blessed with bountiful options catering to every taste bud and preference. The Ramadan spread at Kwee Zeen, a restaurant in Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara in the capital city, reflected this fact. With a wide selection of main courses, there is something to suit everyone’s palate during iftar.
Take the Nasi Briyani Sunquick Berlauk Johor, which offered an inventive twist to the classic. The fragrant rice, infused with the cordial’s citrusy undertones, carried a subtle yet refreshing flavour. Another noteworthy dish, the Ayam Percik Kuah Merah commanded attention with its balance of sweetness, heat and creaminess.
The Ayam Percik Kuah Merah commands attention. Drenched in a smoky, spiced coconut sauce, its charred exterior locked in juices, offering aromatic flavours. Equally satisfying was the Rendang Daging Rusuk Batu Kikir, a name borrowed from a town in Negri Sembilan.
Braised until tender, the meat absorbed the caramelised flavours of coconut and lemongrass, combined with a blend of spices. In Gulai Kambing Belimbing Buluh, tender lamb met the tartness of starfruit to create a symphony of contrasting flavours. The tangy edge of the belimbing cut through the coconut gravy to keep the dish tasting light and comforting.
Those craving something with a bit more fire should check out the Sambal Udang Harimau Dengan Petai. Something about the pungency of the petai truly fleshed out the seafood profiles to create a balanced taste. Another star dish was the Tempoyak Patin Temerloh.
The sour tempoyak melded seamlessly with the fish’s buttery flesh, producing a bold and rich taste. Other dishes savoured included the Ikan Bakar and Udang Galah Masak Diraja Pahang which were cooked live upon request. For the gravies in which the prawns were cooked, diners could choose between the masak kurma and asam pedas.
The Nasi Briyani Sunquick Berlauk Johor. Other dishes included the Ketupat Sotong Gula Aren, Kambing Golek Nusantara, Asam Pedas Ekor Lembu, and Mee Udang Harimau. There were also festive favourites such as Lemang Jagung, Lemang Pulut Hitam and Ketupat Palas.
Among the many mouth-watering appetisers, the bright, crunchy, and refreshingly tart Acar Rampai was a welcome contrast to the heavier mains. The medley of pickled vegetables, tossed in a sweet-and-sour dressing, cleansed the palate between the rendang and grilled seafood. The Kerabu Ayam Bakar, meanwhile, featured smoky chicken with charred exteriors cooked with fresh herbs.
Equally refreshing, the Kerabu Scallop dan Oyster Goreng offered briny sweetness punctuated by hints of spicy flavours. For beef lovers, the Kerabu Daging Bakar featured sliced grilled meat tossed with fragrant lemongrass, chillies and lime. The desserts were no less stellar.
The Passion Fruit Eclair was a perfect pairing of citrusy custard and buttery choux pastry. Durian Creme Brulee is another must-try. Equally irresistible was the Classic Raspberry Mille-Feuille that combined layers of puff pastry with luscious raspberry cream for a masterful dessert sandwich.
Marrying a local favourite with elegant French patisserie, the Durian Creme Brulee is another must-try. The familiar crack of caramelised sugar gave way to a smooth, custard-like interior and its creamy texture was infused with bold durian flavours. Other desserts such as Caramel Gula Melaka, Agar-Agar Bandung and Sago Gula Melaka are among the top choices too.
Plenty of Malay kuih such as bahulu and dodol were also available. This dining experience, available from 6.30pm to 10pm until March 30, is priced at RM228+ (adults) and RM114+ (children between seven and 11).
For details and reservations, call or WhatsApp 017-511 7725 or email [email protected] KWEE ZEEN RESTAURANT, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, 6,Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2720 6608) Business hours: 6am to 10pm.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro..