The Two Chef Menu at Xin Hwa Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta

It was splendid that I had the chance to participate in the Two Chef Lunch Courses Menu at Xin Hwa Restaurant just yesterday and what's even more exaggerating is because this guy myself was capable of dipping my sense of appetite to the two master chefs duet: Chef Ricky Thien and Chef Jeff Lee's signature courses!

Chef Jeff Lee is the executive chef of Xin Hwa restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Jakarta and its "duet partner" for the whole week is a multitalented executive chef of Lai Po Heen restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Chef Ricky Thien. Undoubtedly master of Cantonese and Teochew dishes, Chef Ricky Thien is not someone you could mess with when it comes to chinese cuisine, not to mention his mastery of the field has led him to win multiple awards and recognitions in several competitions including the 5th  World Golden Chef Competition for Chinese Cuisine 2005, Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF) 2009 with an Award of Excellence for the Most Outstanding Festival Cuisine and The Most Creative Dining Experience amongst others!

There were six courses presented on the day of the lunch and let me tell you upfront: NONE DISAPPOINTED ME! and I mean, NONE!

Chilled Fragrant Goose Liver wrapped in Rice Paper Roll

served with cress, tomato caviar, fruits and sweet sauce

This is a one awesome appetizer! The Goose liver or more well known as Foie Gras was cooked perfectly on a decent consistency, juicy and still having that signature liver flavor to it. I think it was such a genius idea having Foie Gras along with fruits because it was such a play of flavor in the mouth! The tomato caviar has this popping texture! This course was accompanied with a sauce that actually was Peking Duck sauce. Such an awesome opening.

"Cantonese style" Braised Bird Nest with Seafood Dumpling in Supreme Broth
Another decent appetizer course, the soup was uber tasty with rich flavor of the supreme broth. The dumpling was pretty generous along with generous filling. Another not-to-miss.

Braised Fish Maw, Baby Abalone, Spinach and Superior Oyster Sauce
Okay, first of all, stunning presentation. Baby Abalone's cooked perfectly, frankly speaking the top 3 best I've had in life (so far). The spinach is predictably to be sauteed and lightly seasoned before being formed. The Braised Fish Maw's also delicate: smooth jelly like texture but when it got in mouth, it melted!

Chef's Pan Seared Wagyu Beef Sirloin (Sarawak Black Pepper Sauce)

Juicy premium Wagyu with wok-sauteed vegetables (believe me, even the lightly seasoned veges were nice, the smoky flavor tells it all!). The Blackpepper sauce was on a decent consistency and balanced flavor, appropriate company to the whole course.

Mee Sua Noodles with Scallops in Kung Fu Soup
The noodle was deep fried for seconds, that's why it has that smoky scent and flavor to it, also the reason behind the golden brown color. The scallop's adorable and juicy and the soup is just... top notch!

LPH Signature "D24" Durian Pancakes
D24 is the top premium grade for durians, according to Chef Thien, the top 3 best states in Durian grading, well it's proven from what I had here, it was such a sweet and sort of memorable closing! I'd die to have another portion of this! In case you're wondering, those gold layers on top is 24k edible gold paper! The texture of this dessert was creamy with rich durian flavor and moist skin! Two thumbs probably not enough.

Six courses and six straight A-s! The lunch was incredible and just like what I've said earlier, no negative comments made to the courses, oh probably one: I COULDN'T GET ENOUGH! :).

Don't worry guys, if you want to enjoy the same lunch or dinner experience exactly like mine, you can go to Xin Hwa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta for this 'Two Chef Menu" promotion until the November 23rd! Mark your calendars! The menu will include some of Chef Thien's signature dishes and the price starting at IDR 588k++

Thanks Xin Hwa for such a splendid afternoon and for Chef Thien, since you're very kind to my tummy...

Tribute to you :).

Xin Hwa Chinese Restaurant || WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

2nd fl. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta

Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya

Jakarta Pusat 10310

FACEBOOK || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM

email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com

Shang Palace at Shangrila Hotel Jakarta

I was fortunate enough to attend a splendid breakfasting dinner hosted by Shang Palace Chinese Restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta. Shang Palace restaurant is totally the gold standard of chinese restaurants in Jakarta, starting from the classy venue to the great quality of premium food they're serving.

Shang Palace offers you the most vibrant dining session with 327 seats, 6 private dining rooms for your private events and Lotus Ballroom for a special occasion like wedding reception to hold around 200 people. I was stunned by how classy-looking the venue is, with majorly gold and red colors. Red and gold mixed together creates this expensive sense to the eyes and heart.

Lobster with Spicy Sauce
IDR 229k
Comes with a great presentation, this course was the perfect opening for the night. The lobster's meat is perfectly cooked, great moist consistency. The usage of mango for this dish needs to be appreciated, totally a play in my mouth.

Minced Beef Soup with Spinach
IDR 60k
Just before I knew the name of this menu, I presumed that this soup contains celery or green-onion, but in fact the green leaves were spinach. The minced beef is the bomb of the soup, they're pre-seasoned so when you have it with the soup, you're going to spot the original flavor from the beef.

Deep Fried Boneless Chicken with Almond Flakes on Lemon Sauce
IDR 78k
In most cases, almonds are chicken's best friend, I've had some courses where chicken's mixed with almonds and they both make perfect love for one another, and the same thing happening to this dish. The almond was super crunchy, but I was expecting a more juicier texture regarding the chicken was dry-fried.

Chef's Special Stewed Pork Rib served with Chinese Bread
IDR 88k
If I'm allowed to choose my most favorite dish of the night, then it'd be this Stewed Pork. This is the yummiest, juiciest pork dish I've ever had period. I'm in love with this good old pork, the meat was uber juicy and moist, my God I'm melting right now. There's no certain rule of eating this dish along with the buns, you can have them your way, the deliciousness is the same.

Braised Whole Abalone and Goose Web with Bailing Mushroom
IDR 188k
Fell in love instantly from the first try of the Abalone, very juicy! Everything served here are juicy, don't reall yknow how many times I've abused the word "juicy". If you're curious about the reason why they named the mushroom "Bailing", it's because they're impressed by its beautiful pure white body and its similarity with "Glossy Lanzi" in shape. "Bai" itself means 'white' in Chinese and "Ling" refers to the valuable edible fungus.

Live Crab with Chilli Sauce
IDR 38k/100gr
The biggest friggin crab I've ever had in my life period. The meat was so thick, rich and yummy! It's totally going to fulfill all crab lovers appetite and cravings for giant crabs. Loving the fact that they used spicy sauce because it's my favorite flavor or a crab beside "blackpepper". I have a picture to show you guys! Don't worry!!!

Just look at that crab chunk. I am hungry now.

Homemade Bean Curd with Vegetarian Ham, Shimeiji, Mushrooms and Dried Scallops
IDR 78k
Thumbs up for the bean curd, it's so moist and fluffy. Just by looking at the picture, you can tell that it's totally a huge load of ingredients used here, but overall they blend with one another perfectly. The only negative I can say is that I can't really find and taste the scallop.

Shang Palace Yang Zhou Fried Rice
IDR 88k
I am always excited when it comes to restaurant's signature fred rice, it's like each and everyone of them has their own style, taste and magic touches. This one is certainly on my top five list. Please remember that this dish contains pork, but for non-moslem foodies, this one is certainly the top notch menu. Recommended.

Almond Bean Curd with Mixed Fruits
IDR 35k
This dessert is served cold, you can definitely spot the almond flavor in this dish. While this one doesn't ring 'fantastic' to me, this is still nice to try.

Chilled Avocado Puree topped with Coconut Ice Cream
IDR 35k
I sort of like this one, especially the coconut ice cream. It's just a lovely dessert for a sweet tooth like me.

Chilled Lemon Grass Jelly with Lime Sorbet
IDR 35k
The lime sorbet is just brilliant, and I gotta give it to the kitchen for making such a beautiful dish with Lemon Grass, this is for me another succesful invention from Grass Jelly, remembering it's not very easy to create an impecable dish with that ingredient.

Chilled Mango Pudding
IDR 35k
One of my favorite desserts since I am a huge mango lover. The texture is so soft, smooth and definitely melts in your mouth.

Chilled Mango Sago Cream
IDR 35k
Hands down to the best dessert of the night, a good old Mango Sago, Shang Palace style. This one is certainly not to be missed. Highly recommend this one for you all, the flavor just simply bursts in your mouth.

If you're noticing the food from the beginning until the end, that's a lot of food! I am super full but I am totally happy. Happy fats are always the best!

For a family restaurant, the prices of the courses in this restaurant is relatively affordable, regarding to the portion and the impressive dining experience, certainly worth sharing with your loved ones.

Special thanks for Shangri-la Hotel, Shang Palace Restaurant and crew, especially to the talented Chef Benson Fok Ping Kong (executive chinese chef of Shang Palace).

Shang Palace at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta || FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
Level 1 Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta
Kota BNI Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1
Jakarta 10220
021 - 2922 9999

FACEBOOK || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM

email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com