Ushering CNY 2011 with Extravagant 8 at Li Yen

As we all know Standard Chartered has special promotion of Extravagant 8 in only 8 of the restaurants, Li Yen is one of the few. As mentioned in other post, the campaign will run only from the 20th of January until 17th of February 2011. Thanks to the gracious invitation by Meena and Tim to gather all of us together. Let me tell you that Li Yen’s menu is specifically crafted for this promotion. As usual, what’s better to start of the dinner other than Yue Sang?

Above: Prosperity Yue Sang

Above: The outcome of the merciless tossed !

The appetizer served was was Double Boiled Assorted Seafood Soup with Bamboo Piths, a clear broth with fish maw, grouper fish, scallop, mushroom and prawns boiled for a good 7 hours! The result was a bowl of delicious and wholesome soup, powered by the taste of a myriad of seafood – light and sweet!

Above: Double Boiled Assorted Seafood Soup with Bamboo Piths

For skin lovers, you’ll love the next dish - Peking Duck with Steamed Sesame Pancakes. Only the skin will be sliced and wrapped. Now, I wish I could have the whole leg (with the meat) for myself. Why waste the meat for other dishes? I can have it now, I mean now just like that ! Don’t you agree? It’s torturing me to see the whole duck was carried away after the all skin was sliced off.

Above: Glorious and golden Peking duck

Above: Carving of the Peking duck

Above: Peking Duck with Steamed Sesame Pancakes

Next was the Steamed Patin Fish with Superior Soya Sauce – huge, fresh and flaky smooth. I love fish as long as they are fresh. Also, not the deep fried version, please. So, best way to cook fresh fish is just to simply steam it. Don’t you agree?

Above: Steamed Patin Fish with Superior Soya Sauce

Above: My plate of fresh fish – flaky and smooth

After the nice and fresh fish, time for something lighter with Braised Dried Scallops with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss. Sea Moss, also known as ‘Fat Choy‘ in Cantonese, resembles black hair and has a very soft and delicate texture. The pronunciation of this vegetable in Cantonese (Fat Choy) means prosperity and for that reason, it is a popular ingredient in Chinese New Year dishes.

Above: Braised Dried Scallops with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss

Above: Black moss, pork, oyster and scallop

Next dish to balance out the diet was Stir fried Assorted Mushrooms and Asparagus. If you know me, I love mushrooms and asparagus, provided they are well-cooked of course ! This dish hit my soft spot straight away. Superb !

Above: Stir fried Assorted Mushrooms and Asparagus

Next dish is pretty weird dish, I would say. Normally we would have friend rice or noodles but the Chef offers something different than ordinary. It was later revealed to be the Hokkien Fried Rice which actually look like “Lam Pui” (in Hokkien). The rice was nicely fried with duck, chicken and mushroom cubes before being drenched all over with a starchy sauce. Nothing to shout about about this one except a healthy feeling compared to the fried rice/noodles, of course.

Above: Hokkien Fried Rice

Above: Hokkien Fried Rice

As for desserts, what other than Nian Gao, right? You guess it right ! The version was Deep Fried Yam with Lunar Cakes (Nian Gao), which reminds of my mom’s version. Even though her version is not as pretty and tidy as below, but it tasted the best !

Above: Deep Fried Yam with Lunar Cakes (Nian Gao)

Perfect slices of yam sandwiching the nian gao

This amazing dinner set was made possible thanks to Master Chef Leung Kwai Hong from China, who, at 61 years old, has had more than 45 years of culinary experience and still “cooking” !!

Above: Master Chef Leung Kwai Hong
Of course, dinner was made more pleasant with the presence of delightful company!

Above: Wifey and Meena

Above: Gorgeous interior of Li Yen Chinese Restaurant

Standard Chartered Extravagant 8 Menu is available only for Standard Chartered credit card holders from 20th of January until 17th of February 2011.

Note: Black out date is on 2nd Feb. 2011. Menu is design for 8 diners and the minimum charges is RM888++ for the set menu. For additional number of guest, it will be chargeable at RM111++ per head for a maximum of 12 persons. So hurry up and grab your table !

Other reviews: The Witch, KY Speaks, J the Chocoholic

Address:

Li Yen Chinese Restaurant
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur
168, Jalan Imbi,
Kuala Lumpur 55100
Malaysia
Tel. No: +603-2142 8000
Fax No.: +603-2143 8080