Valentine’s Day 2017 Menu at Samplings on the Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel


[Valentine’s Day]

 
My partner in crime and I headed over to Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant at Berjaya Times Square Hotel recently to try their (2017) Valentine’s Day menu. The restaurant will be offering a 4-course dinner prepared by Chef Val which is available only on 14th February 2017 from 6.30pm till 10.30pm and priced at RM298 nett per pax (or RM596 nett per couple) inclusive of dinner, photo booth, door gift and lucky draw.
 
 Samplings on the Fourteenth has won many awards throughout the years including from the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival
 The tables are spaced out nicely so you won’t be overhearing the next table’s conversation

 If possible, try to get a table by the window which offers a nice view of the KL skyline
 The view from Samplings on the Fourteenth which is on the fourteenth floor of Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur
 Surprised my partner in crime with a nice bouquet of flowers from Cest La Vie Florist

Appetizer
Pan-Seared Foie Gras, Balsamic Jelly, Dried Cherry Confit and Butterscotch
I love a well cooked piece of foie gras and Chef Val cooked this one to perfection! Loved the piece of toasted brioche as well as the other components in this dish like the balsamic jelly and dried cherry confit which cut through the earthy richness of the foie gras. Look out for the butterscotch swipe which will impart a lovely sweetness balancing out this dish. The mixture of tastes (earthy, sweet and piquant) combined with the variance of textures makes this a very ingenious appetizer indeed!
 

Soup
Chicken Consomme Flavoured with Sherry and Quail Egg Garnish
After the richness of the foie gras in the appetizer, Chef Val decided to go with a soup that didn’t have cream in it for fear of overwhelming the palate. Thus he concocted this chicken consomme (which is a French style of soup making) that was flavoured with sherry while a little quail’s egg bullseye was swimming in it. A surprisingly healthy soup but a welcome one instead of the rich and heavy soups that most Western restaurants churn out.
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Main (Choice of)

Pan-Fried Cod Fillet, Artichoke Cous-Cous and Saffron Aniseed Reduction
My partner in crime had most of this one but I did try the perfectly cooked cod and cous-cous but the really awesome component of this dish was the saffron aniseed reduction which really complemented the fish! It’s not easy to cook cod and can easily be overcooked but this one was really beautiful judging from the opaque flesh which retained the juice and flavour.
 
Or
 

Braised Beef Cheek with Smoked Garlic, Mashed Potatoes and Truffle Jus
I had this one and I really couldn’t get enough of it! Super tender beef cheek braised for over two (2) hours until its melt in the mouth atop a bed of mashed potatoes and truffle jus. Not a super overwhelming truffle jus mind you, but just enough to give it a hint of luxury without overpowering the beef. Leave the garlic if you intend to kiss your date later though.
 

Dessert
Vanilla and Brie Panna Cotta, Elderflower Essence and Honey Comb
A very Insta-worthy dessert indeed! A really pretty and firm panna cotta with hints of vanilla and Brie (cheese) which gave it an extra dimensions contrasted against the piquancy of the berried while the honeycomb added a touch of sweetness to this dish. No doubt this dessert was made for the fairer sex.
 
Price: RM298.00 Nett per pax
 
 My partner in crime with Chef Val
 Calling it a night
 
Another winning menu by Chef Val and as I’ve tried his menus year after year I’d say that his consistency of coming up with creative and innovative dishes makes Samplings on the Fourteenth a very potential option for a memorable Valentine’s Day dinner.
 
Samplings on the Fourteenth is located at:
14th Floor, Berjaya Times Square
1, Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
 
Telephone: +60 (3) 2117 8000 ext. 8131
Website: http://www.berjayahotel.com/kualalumpur
Email: bth.samplings@berjayahotel.com

 Thanks for having us Samplings on the Fourteenth!