Thinker Belle

As thoughts grow in time

Experience Fine Dining at Sampling on the 14th, Berjaya Times Square Hotel KL


When I think of the words 'fine dining', my brain will automatically think of it as something fit for a royalty; which means I have never expected myself to be inside the equation. Considering my usual clumsiness, I always think that 'fine dining plus me' will result in something like this:

*The Princess Diaries, such a classic, I heard the 3rd movie is in the making!*


So, when I got invited to a fine dining review at Sampling on the 14th, Berjaya Times Square Hotel to try their menu for the Malaysia International Gastronomy Festival (MIGF) 2016, I was both glad and scared. My brain started to dig out all the lessons I took during ethics class in matriculation, all the do's and dont's.  So yeah, whoever said that class was not necessary. You are wrong. HAHAHA.


I was served with their Festive Menu worth RM288, which is a 7-course menu dining starting with a delicious Amuse Bouche (definition: a single, bite-sized hors d'œuvre.), featuring a Lamb Tartlet with a Goat Cheese Croquetas. The succulent and soft lamb along with the crispy outside of the goat cheese croquetas that was not too overpowering make the overall texture of the meal interesting. The savoury taste also compliments the lamb well and it made me wish that the dish was 'two bite' sized as well.


My appetiser for the night was a Pan Fried Halloumi, Chilled Marinated Vegetables in Season and Lemon Emulsion.It was my first time to try a halloumi, which is an unripened brined cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, and sometimes also cow's milk. It has a high melting point and so can easily be fried or grilled. Because the pan fried halloumi was creamy enough, the light and foamy lemon emulsion along with the chilled marinated vegetables made the dish to not be too heavy which is perfect for an appetiser.


I had the Green Pea Cream, Artichoke Chips and Tomato Tartar Soup next. The creamy green pea soup is really nice on its own and with the tomato tartar, it adds a touch on tanginess to it, making the flavour, less flat and not boring.


The second appetiser came in as soon as I had the last sip of the soup and it was the Poached Baby Mackerel, Chick Pea Puree, Smoked Garlic Cream and Walnut


We were soon to be served with the main course dish, so the Malibu Lime Sorbet came in next as a palate cleanser. Hmm, desserts.. what can actually go wrong with it right? The sorbet is like a tangier version of the green part of the Tropicana ice-cream (which FYI is my fav). I also scrapped out some of the coconut flesh to go with it. Very refreshing.

Slow cooked lamb

For the main course, you can choose to opt between three 3 different dishes which are the:
1.Pan Fried Halibut Fillet, Smoked Tomato Puree, Parsnip & Shell Fish Froth
2.Slow Cooked Cutlet of Lamb, Baked Stuffed Red Onion, Glazed Root Vegetables and a Jus of Cherry
3.Wagyu Beef Medalion, Pumpkin with a hint of Xeres Vinegar, Duck Foie Gras and Thyme Jus


Wagyu Beef Medalion
Pan Fried Halibut Fillet

My favourite will be the slow cooked lamb. It's so succulent and soft. The stuffed onion gives a more spicy twist to it with the chilli inside. I only try the first two but skipped the Wagyu dish as it contains foie gras which is non-halal for Muslim.


Last but not the least, the icing to that night cake. We were served with the Guanaja Chocolate, Delice, Sea Salt Flakes, Butterscotch and Cream Cheese Moussline. Oh gosh, I love this one so so much! So soft and creamy, while the the flakes gave an interesting texture to it. Crunchy and not overpowering. Just the way I like it!


The meal ended with a choice of a cup of coffee or tea. The restaurant also provides wine recommendations to accompany each dishes for non-Muslim, but I, of course, opted for a good glass of orange juice instead. If you want a shorter course, you can choose their Light Menu instead which comes with 5-courses meals. Their Festive Menu package price starts at RM228 nett per person (foods only) or RM388 (foods with wine pairings) while the Light Menu package starts at RM178 nett per person (food only) or RM288 nett per person (foods with wine pairings). For more information about fine dining in Berjaya Times Square Hotel, do visit www.berjayahotel.com


Samplings on the Fourteenth Restaurant
Berjaya Times Square,
No 1, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel : +603-2117 8000

Till next post, toodles~! ♥ミ

0 Comments

Contact Form (Do not remove it)

back to top