Eat: MIGF Festive Menu at Samplings on The Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel

In conjunction with the Malaysian International Gastronomy Festival, Samplings on The Fourteenth which is an award-winning restaurant located in Berjaya Times Square have customized a special menu for the month-long festival. This menu have been meticulously put together by Chef Val, which is the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine who has 26 years of experience under his belt (or hat, if you get what I mean). ;p

I’ve been privileged to be invited to taste this Festival Menu, with wines pairing too. There is an option without the pairing of wine, which is priced at RM 228. For the menu with wine pairing, it goes for RM 388 per person. I would say, it is affordably priced for fine-dining standards. The restaurant specializes in Western Classic cuisine, which is pork-free too. Now, let me take you on my experience dining at Samplings on The Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel!

|Lamb Tartlet with Goat Cheese Croquetas|

For the Amuse Bouche, we had the Lamb Tartlet with Goat Cheese Croquetas. The croquette is the small breadcrumbed fried food which is filled with goat cheese, above the minced lamb tartlet.

|Pan-Fried Haloumi, Chilled Marinated Vegetables in Season and Lemon Emulsion|

|Poached Baby Mackerel, Chick Pea Puree, Smoked Garlic Cream and Walnut|

This was followed by the two different starters of Pan-Fried Haloumi, Chilled Marinated Vegetables in Season and Lemon Emulsion and Poached Baby Mackerel, Chick Pea Puree, Smoked Garlic Cream and Walnut. The Haloumi, is actually a type of cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, and sometimes also cow's milk, which is more of the salty side of taste. Hence, marinated vegetables are paired together with marinated vegetables, for a combination of varied flavours.

|Green Pea Cream with Artichoke chips and Tomato Tartar|

For soup, we had Green Pea Cream with Artichoke chips and Tomato Tartar followed by a palate cleanser of Malibu Lime Sorbet. I’ve never quite been a fan of green pea, but even so, I found myself finishing the soup. I found it to be creamy smooth, with notes of green pea. Just the right amount, not too overwhelming. The sorbet is refreshingly tropical, given that there is lime and teeny bit of alcohol in it as well. It almost felt like a cocktail, except this was a sorbet.

|Malibu Lime Sorbet|

Moving on to the main course, you have three option where you can choose from Slow-Cooked Lamb Cutlet, Baked Stuffed Red Onion, Glazed Root Vegetables and Jus of Cherry or Pan-Fried Halibut Fillet, Smoked Tomato Puree, Parsnips and Shellfish Froth or Wagyu Beef Medallion, Pumpkin with a Hint of Xeres Vinegar, Duck Foie Gras and Thyme Juice.

| Wagyu Beef Medallion, Pumpkin with a Hint of Xeres Vinegar, Duck Foie Gras and Thyme Juice |

To put it simpler, there is lamb, fish or beef. I actually chose the Pan-Fried Halibut Fillet, Smoked Tomato Puree, Parsnips and Shellfish Froth. I’m usually more of a white meat person. My choice of main course arrived with a generous portion of Halibut fillet. My date for the night order the Wagyu Beef Medallion, Pumpkin with a Hint of Xeres Vinegar, Duck Foie Gras and Thyme Juice. The foie gras was sinfully delicious, especially when paired with both the wagyu beef and the wine.

| Slow-Cooked Lamb Cutlet, Baked Stuffed Red Onion, Glazed Root Vegetables and Jus of Cherry |

| Pan-Fried Halibut Fillet, Smoked Tomato Puree, Parsnips and Shellfish Froth |

| Wagyu Beef Medallion, Pumpkin with a Hint of Xeres Vinegar, Duck Foie Gras and Thyme Juice |

| Guanaja Chocolate Delice, Sea Salt Flakes, Butter Scotch, Cream Cheese Mousseline |

We ended the night with dessert of Guanaja Chocolate Delice, Sea Salt Flakes, Butter Scotch, Cream Cheese Mousseline. For those who know me, I am sure you remember that I don’t fancy chocolate. Most times, I give them a pass. But a fellow diner across me took a bite and raved about how delicious the dessert was and I thought it’ll be a crime to pass on it. One bite into it and I’m hooked. Imagine eating Ferrero Rocher, but the soft chocolate mousse version with chunky, crispy bits of nuts. This has yums yums all over it.

And with that we ended the night of delicious food, good wines and a gorgeous view! For your information, Samplings on The Fourteenth is actually located on Level 14, East Tower of Berjaya Times Square Hotel. Hence, you can imagine what a view it would be. I forgotten to take a picture of the wine, but I do have a picture of my wine glass against it. It’s all bokeh-ed already though.