BOWLED OVER BY SIXTEEN

In years past, Les Deux Garcon was a reliable outpost for flaky croissants and freshly baked scones as well as hearty breakfast fare. Now the café is simply known as Sixteen – a trendier name in keeping with changing times but fret not, familiar staples such as Almond Croissant (RM12) and Raisin Roll (RM10) remain just as good.

The refreshed interior includes a little green nook next to the entrance: assorted potted plants clustered together with some hung overhead beside the glass picture window. Outside the walkway are more oversize pots of foliage, evoking a sense of tranquility.

Instead of run-of-the-mill ‘big breakfast’ fare of sausages, eggs and beans, we feasted on Golden Harvest (RM23) comprising two slabs of delicious sweetcorn fritters. 

Adorned with a rosette of smoked salmon and a wobbly poached egg alongside pineapple salsa and chilli oil, this new offering was akin to bursts of heartwarming sunshine albeit on the palate.

Striving to please office workers and residents from the nearby suburb, Sixteen has various poke bowl-inspired creations for lunch. Red and basmathi rice amp up the healthy, wholesomeness factor in place of white rice.

 

The Taste of Delhi (RM35) creation took us on a culinary passage to India, featuring tender cubes of lamb in an aromatic and mildly rich curry with fluffy, pea-studded pilau basmathi. Cucumber mint raita, boiled egg, diced fried tofu and crunchy papadum added textural appeal to the stellar serving.

Daun kesum (polygonum minus) was the key herb flavouring Sixteen’s special house recipe of Ayam Kesum Chilli (RM25). The bowl of Spanish rice complemented by the fragrant chicken curry was scrumptious. Tempeh, hardboiled egg, pineapple salsa, fried tofu and ulam (blanched long beans and raw local herbs) provided further enhancement in terms of textures and flavours.

 

A cohesive combo of red rice with diced seared tuna, avocado, edamame, and cucumber formed the Japanese-influenced Nippon (RM36). More alluring nuances were discernible with the inclusion of wakame, pickled ginger, spicy mayo, furikake and mildly sweetish gyoza sauce (concocted using soya sauce, lemon juice, honey and chopped spring onion).

 

Fruity-sweet pomegranate seeds and the judicious use of honey soya sesame dressing made the Buddha Bowl (RM23) comprising red rice, fried tofu, tempeh, wakame, edamame, black beans, lettuce and mushroom into a winsome vegetarian-friendly meal.

Baked fresh on premise, the splendid Scone - served with house made Strawberry Jam and Cream (RM7), and buttery Marble or Orange Cake (RM6 per slice) are compelling dessert choices, ideal as a self-pampering treat or for wrapping up your visit to Sixteen on a subtly sweet note.

For reservations and more information call SIXTEEN, tel: 03 7980 0200. Address: 16, Jalan 2/109E, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 8am to 930pm daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTERNOON TEA APPEAL AT PALM COURT, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Tea time at the new Palm Court of Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) Penang harks back to the halcyon days when well-heeled ladies, lovey-dovey couples and even an immaculately garbed gentleman or two gather for a cuppa and light refreshments prior to dinner.

Named after the legendary Palm Court Bar that used to operate below the echo dome in the lobby during the Sarkies Brothers’ era, the new Palm Court retains its charming old world ambience: overstuffed sofa lounges, wingback chairs, ottomans and coffee tables intersperse with starched white tableclothed tables make it a welcoming haven to escape the tropical weather.

 

In the old days, bachelors, planters, traders and sailors converge at the Palm Court for their glass of stengah (equal measures of whisky and soda water, served over ice), today it's business and leisure travellers, close girlfriends and small families who are drawn to the resto's a la carte assortment of Indian and Malay inspired dishes, Chinese noodles and casual international favourites for lunch or dinner.

The Afternoon Tea (RM88 nett per person) is a favourite mainstay here, featuring triple-tier stands of finger sandwiches and dainty pastries. For a touch of luxe, the Champagne English Afternoon Tea is RM168 nett per person inclusive of 1 glass of champagne. 

Out of the 13 varieties of tea, we selected Orange Passionfruit, Japanese Sencha and Organic Earl Grey to accompany our selection of savoury and sweet temptations.

From the appealing assortment of sandwiches presented, it was obvious much thought has gone into the whole repertoire. Upping the ante on the plain ol’ cucumber sandwich, the Palm Court team proffered Cucumber, Dill and Cream Cheese Pullman Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Tartare Wholemeal Finger Sandwich, Marinated Tuna Flake Sandwich, Crab Meat Slaw Sandwich, Corn Fed Chicken Ragout Gougères (cheese choux pastry), Truffle Scented Egg on Poppy Seed Butter Bun, and Organic Spinach Quiche to set the ball rolling.

Being waited on hand and foot, luxuriating in the hallowed setting made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. After the on-point savoury appetite pleasers, we made short work of the Raisin and Plain Scones with clotted cream, house-made strawberry jam and for a touch of the tropics, pineapple jam.

By the time we were ready to hit on the Red Velvet, Opera Cake and Fruit Cake, we had struggled a little. There were still Fruit Tartlets and Millefeuille to contend with but alas, it was a lost cause as having downed copious cups of our tea, we were hard pressed to make short work of everything. Overall, it was an exceptional afternoon to remember.

Note: Review conducted prior to Malaysia's Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The English Afternoon Tea is now available every Saturday & Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at Palm Court, E & O Hotel Penang.  Limited seats available; to reserve click: http://bit.ly/PalmCourtBooking

AFTERNOON TEA WITH TIFFANY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

 

An epitome of luxury, love and joy for over more than 175 years, the signature robin egg blue of Tiffany & Co. makes its presence felt at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with The Lounge’s Afternoon Tea with Tiffany experience, available now until 16 June.

 

Through the Hotel’s collaboration with Tiffany & Co., an authentic Tiffany’s table setting replicating the charming ambience of The Blue Box Café™ back in Fifth Avenue, New York takes pride of place.

For the uninitiated, The Blue Box Café™ — located on the 4^th Floor of Tiffany & Co. New York flagship store — has a 6-month waiting list for those who yearn to sample the legendary breakfast, lunch and tea at Tiffany. The dream eats list includes The Ten Carat Breakfast (USD100), a platter of buttermilk waffle luxed up with 30g Siberian Ossetra caviar and lemon crème fraiche.

Closer to home, I was ecstatic when Dato’ Rosemarie Wee of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur extended an invitation for moi to experience the Tiffany-inspired afternoon tea. The show-stopping cache centres on a beautifully laid table set with limited edition Tiffany tableware in white and robin egg blue, specially brought in from The Blue Box Café™. This sophisticated setting befits the Tiffany-inspired tea menu curated by Executive Chef Junious Dickerson.

Inspired by Tiffany’s latest Believe in Love jewellery line, the gorgeous handcrafted afternoon tea treats come clad in that iconic robin egg blue and white hues. Hats off to Chef Junious Dickerson and team for getting the hallmark shades down pat.

 

Presented on a tiered stand, we couldn’t stop gushing over the lovely creations. The most pix-worthy is undoubtedly the dainty candied peel-studded Royal Spice Cake in a beribboned, fondant Tiffany Box. Another gem is the luscious Chocolate Praline with Mandarin Orange Gel shaped like a multi-faceted, gold-flecked turquoise jewel.

My favourite is Gateau Napolitaines with Raspberry Jam, a disc of icing-covered buttery shortbread biscuit topped with lush vanilla mousse and raspberry jam. Coming in a close second is the ethereal Chocolate Gianduja Plaisir Sucre Cake — wafer-thin chocolate praline layered with chocolate whipped cream on hazelnut cake base coming in a close second. An airy-light Elderflower Choux Puff adorned with a white chocolate feather and crisp Blueberry Macarons with Mascarpone Crème complete the on-point selection.

The Lounge’s Signature Tea Blend, brimming with discernible peach and tropical fruit nuances, is a perfect accompaniment for the array of marvellous morsels. No classic cream tea is complete without scones and we dare say the warm Plain and Raisin Scones here doesn’t disappoint. All the scones need is a liberal spread of Devonshire Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam and Lescure Butter.

On the savoury front, the winsome quintet features miniature New York Ruebens with Peppered Pastrami, Sauerkraut and Provolone, Egg Salad with Poached Asparagus and Truffle Crème on Pain au Lait (French milk bread), Foie Gras Mousse in Bouche with Blue Pea Flower Jewels, Cucumber with Aged Feta Cream, Fennel Pollen, Olive Oil Pearls on Sundried Tomato Bread and Cured Salmon Rillettes on Purple Potato Blini. Nothing is more satisfying than sampling thoughtfully curated, detailed creations in the company of good friends.

An Afternoon Tea with Tiffany is priced at RM158 nett, will be served at The Lounge daily from 2.30pm to 5.30pm until 16 June. Limited edition Tiffany tableware will be used exclusively for reservations of 8 guests or more. Reservations are highly recommended.

Please call Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8650 for reservations and information.