ON CULINARY CLOUD NINE AT NIMBUS

 

Prawn Bisque Noodles and Herbed Crusted Lamb Rack are two heavenly show-stoppers that left an indelible impression during our maiden visit to Nimbus.

Helmed by restaurateur-chef Fred Choong and his business partner Long Seh Yung, Nimbus draws a relatively young, hip crowd for its fine-dining level menus minus bank-breaking prices. At RM388+ for a four-course menu catering for two persons, it’s considered a snip compared to other atas (posh) restaurants in the Klang Valley.

Dinner started on a promising note with the house-made Almond Milk Bread wowing us with its cottony-softness. Slathered with sublime Mushroom Truffle Butter, it was a harbinger of Choong’s culinary artistry. BTW, the bread and butter are available for takeaway at RM10 each and RM45 per 100g.

For the 1^st course, the options listed in the menu included Seared Scallops with Tom Kha Emulsion, Capers and Ikura (supplementary charge of RM15), Turmeric Chicken Terrine, Salmon and Cured Yolk with Smoked Capsicum Sorbet, Prawn Paste and Fungus or the chef’s Octopus and Yam creation.

The natural sweetness of scallops was perked up by the bright, citrusy-grassy and creamy accents of Thai-inspired tom kha emulsion. Subtle bursts of capers’ tartness and salmon roe’s savouriness amped up the dish’s appeal.

Familiar Asian flavours shone through the escargot topped Turmeric Chicken Terrine. Sandwiched between thin, crisp puff pastry, we relished the playful textural combination with salted egg yolk cream.

Salmon and Cured Yolk with Smoked Capsicum Sorbet, Prawn Paste and Fungus proved Choong’s adroit ability at mixing and matching flavours and textures. A most creative French-style dish brimming with intriguing Malaysian accents especially that rojak-like sauce. Unbelievable but it worked like a charm.

Similar to the evergreen yam cake, Choong’s tantalising speciality of Octopus and Yam showed how a local favourite can be levelled up. The chef’s ingenious idea of placing grilled baby octopus atop an oblong chunk of yam pudding incorporating dried shrimps and chilli, and puffed rice crisps was excellent.

For the second course of Oyster Royale, dried oyster-infused oil and jus bestow depths of flavour to dulcet-smooth egg custard topped with herring roe. We also found a pair of plump oysters embedded within silky custard.

Riffs of Penang-style prawn mee made the Prawn Bisque Noodles (supplementary charge of RM28) a stellar crowd-pleaser in our book. Toothsome squid ink wantan noodles cooked in prawn broth made a sublime pairing with a whole grilled river prawn accentuated with zingy gochujang for this signature speciality. Slivers of pickled torch ginger flower and ikura added the finishing touches.

Choong’s personal favourite of Herbed Crusted Lamb Rack (supplementary charge of RM98) had us smitten at first bite. The medium rare lamb rack enticed us in with its juicy tenderness. Tricked up with longan jus and roasted garlic alongside potato dauphinoise, the delectable dish was something to write home about.

No less compelling was Mushroom and Artichoke Risotto with capers, sundried tomato and noisette beurre blanc (hazelnut butter sauce). The sundried tomato’s muted tangy accent tempered the creamy rich risotto whilst lightly grilled eringi mushroom gave the ensemble a slight meaty texture.

We found the Guinea Fowl Tortellini with seaweed beurre blanc, cordyceps flower and goji berries a tad underwhelming. It was still delicious but this speciality was eclipsed by earlier, more stellar offerings.

Choong is a dab hand at both savoury and sweet dishes as we soon discovered when it was time for dessert. His exquisite Sesame and Matcha creation with toasted sesame, summer berries and vanilla ice cream was refreshingly beguiling.

Exuding heavenly lusciousness, we readily succumbed to his sweet iterations of Hazelnut and Chocolate, Strawberry and Cream, and Orange Pudding. These stellar treats succeeded in lifting us up to a culinary cloud nine known as Nimbus.

For reservations, contact NIMBUS, 72G, Jalan SS 21/62, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

BREAK FAST WITH SAJIAN SENJA AT HYATT PLACE

 

Siakap Sayap and Kway Teow Bulan Purnama are two ‘must try’ dishes when you break fast at Hyatt Place Bukit Jalil this year. Available from 14 March to 5 April, the Sajian Senja buffet (6.30pm to 9.30pm) spread is a first for the international brand name hotel catering for buka puasa at the Bukit Jalil area.

According to Bennett Peter, General Manager of Hyatt Place, “the culinary team comprising experienced and young chefs work together in true Muhibbah spirit to prepare the inaugural buka puasa buffet in our beautiful Wira Ballroom. The older chefs rely on their experience whilst the young ones draw inspiration from their mothers’ recipes, to showcase the different dishes served.”

 

Head of Culinary Lee Yew Ken and his kitchen brigade comprising Chef Muhamad Taufiq and Chef Muhammad Afiq will prepare signature specialities like Kway Teow Bulan Purnama, with the golden egg yolk on top resembling a full moon. After sampling the fried flat rice noodles with whole fried egg, we found it deliciously flavourful with a nice smoky char.

Another must try dish is Siakap Sayap or seabass fin curry, blending Malay and Indian culinary influences. The aromatic curry had cumin, garam marsala and other Indian spices in it; making it more piquant and flavoursome. Fleshy parts of the seabass fin and collar are cooked with potatoes and mushroom, yielding an appetising, multi-textural curry.

Notable temptations from the 9 cooking stations and buffet include a most delectable Ayam Percik, sizzling Satay, creamy and well-spiced Lamb Shank Kurma, aromatic Biryani with Roast Lamb Leg, tantalising Deep Fried Fish with Thai Chilli Sauce, zingy Stir-fried Beef with Turmeric and Vegetables, tasty Butter Prawns with Cereal, piquant Ayam Masak Merah and yummy Sotong Masak Kicap Hitam.

Festive feels can be savoured from Lemang and Ketupat Palas accompanied by turmeric leaf-scented Ayam and Daging Rendang, and Serunding Ayam and Daging (spiced chicken and beef floss).

Bubur Lambuk, Steamed and Deep Fried Dim Sum and Tom Yam Soup along with a selection of local Kerabu, Ulam and Sambal can be enjoyed from the line-up.

Sweet endings in the form of Ais Kacang, Malay Kuih and fresh local fruits complete the dining affair. Hot Teh and Kopi Tarik are also dispensed on request whilst a sweet dessert broth of Bubur Kacang Merah rounds off the vast selection.

EARLY BIRD OFFER

Sajian Senja is offering an early bird voucher at RM137 nett per adult in a single purchase before 6 March and can be utilised for bookings until 5 April, 2024. (Normal price is RM167 nett per adult and RM97 nett for children aged 4 – 12)

Advanced booking and payment are recommended. For reservations for Sajian Senja, call: 03 9764 9888, Whatsapp +6012 832 8863 or email: kualalumpur.place@hyatt.com