aly's wonderland

Valentine’s Day @ Hilton Kuala Lumpur

It’s one of those years when everything is too close together. Hari Raya and Christmas. Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day. And Oh My G**!  The biggest celebration of the year, the biggest money making day of the year!

“The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. “

That’s not including Flowers, and Candy, and Chocolates… and the immense amount of cash that goes into a ‘Romantic Meal’…

Well, I suggest staying away from the overpriced cards, and the fat chocolates wrapped in red ribbon, and the cheesy cakes fashioned into fake heart shapes…. STAY AWAY!!! Opt instead to take your loved one, (or the one you want to impress) to Hilton KL.

We were given a tour of the hotel upon arrival, and discovered Level 7, a whole floor dedicated to making your business meetings and conferences perfect.

We headed back to the private dining room in Chynna, and waited for the tasting session to begin.

Chinese? Japanese? Modern Australian? It’s all there, waiting for you, at Hilton KL. Yes, you do have to fork out a good chunk of your wallet, and yes, it’s gonna hurt, but you know what? How many times, in your lifetime, are you going to get to combine Valentine’s Day AND Chinese New Year together?

For that Romantic Valentine’s Day Meal, from the 12^th – 14^th February, Iketeru, Chynna, Senses and Boardwalk will be preparing some lip smacking delights for you and your loved one to indulge in. We sampled two dishes from each restaurant’s menu.

All menus are priced at RM 888++ per couple and are inclusive of half a bottle of Gosset Champagne, roses and chocolates.

For an Oriental touch… with red lanterns and stacks of dim sum baskets, Chynna provides a chic and cozy setting.

From 15 January to 28 February 2010, at usher in the year of the Tiger at Chynna. Choose from four specially designed Chinese New Year set menu’s, which include signature dishes from Chef Lam Hock Hin.

Prices range fromRM 88++ per person to RM 388 ++ per person.

We tried two different kinds of ‘yee sang’ from Chynna’s Reunion Dinner Set Menus, specially prepared by Chef Lam Hock Hin. The first was the Norwegian Salmon with Korean Honey Pear with Extra Virgin Olive Oil ‘yee sang’.

The next was a sweeter version, Roasted Dried Chicken Meat & Pear ‘yee sang’.

It was incredibly fun (and messy!) as we picked up our chopsticks, and tossed the ‘yee sang’ chanting “Come Money-money, come… come Honey-honey come!”

Good quality, very tasty and healthy too with the use of olive oil.

The Valentine’s Menu at Chynna includes the following:

CHYNNA

Tuna Belly ‘yee sang’

Lobster Salad, Assorted Fruits, Golden Shrimp Ball & Beluga Caviar

‘Hai Hu’ Sharks Fin concentrates broth with Chicken & Yellow Bean

Seared and Roasted Canadian Sea Bass, sauté vegetables with thyme

Portuguese Cream Baked Rice with Fried Dace, Shrimps, Tomato, Egg Plants and Egg

Hot Sweetened Soya Bean with Hasma & Sesame Dumpling with Pan Fried Durian ‘Nian Gao’

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Meanwhile, if you fancy Japanese instead with romantic outdoor seating, Iketeru is the place for you.

IKETERU

Various kinds of Sushi Canapes

Chef Ricky presented us with a selection of tasty sushi.

Hokkaido Bay Scallops & Salmon Carpaccio

Homemade Octopus croquette “Takoyaki” Style

This was an unusual dish with a sour tinge, that really awakens your senses!

Very delicate, fluffy octupus balls soaked through with the Takoyaki marinade.

Kakuni style Short Rib served with Cream Inaniwas Noodle

Homemade Cheese Cake

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If Modern Australian Cuisine is what you would like for this special day, head to Senses where Chef Michael Elfwing will guarantee a romantic, memorable evening with his 5 course menu.

SENSES

Raspberry Puff

Tuna & Caviar Noodle

Japanese Somen Noodle with Sevruga Caviar on Sashimi of Bluefin Tuna

Alaskan King Crab

Picked Alaskan King Crab dressed with fragrant herbs, Citrus droplets

This was a wonderful taster for the quality meal you will get.

The crab was so fresh, and so moist, having been vacuum packed with butter to give it a rich texture. And it’s oh, so pretty!The amount of work in the detail is astounding, and it tasted wonderful.

Veal Rack

Tender Veal Rack roasted with Echire butter & thyme, sided by glazed heirloom carrots

Smoked La Ratte Potato Puree, Veal Jus

Strawberry Pillow

Minute Frozen Wild Strawberry Ice Cream, Banana dust

Sweet Korean Strawberries marinated with Vanilla Bean & Lavender flowers

Chef Michael even demonstrated the art of freezing the ice-cream with liquid nitrogen. First he squeezes the ice-cream mixture into a ladle, with a dollop of strawberry puree in the centre.

He smooths over the top, and dips it in liquid nitrogen for a few seconds.

The effect is quite dramatic, and the taste, phenomenal.

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If you can’t decide between those three fantastic menus, head outside to Boardwalk for a cozy and intimate dinner under the stars. A 5-course set menu, with a Seafood Tower where you can sample oysters, prawns, tuna, salmon and sushi from a 2 tier-rack.

Make your Valentine’s day the best one yet, and head to Hilton KL.

For reservations, please call 03 2264 2592/2696

Hilton KL

3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50470