Lunching @ Cilantro, Micasa Hotel, KL

Finally, it's happened to me....

Cilantro had been the darling of fusion fine dining in KL for a long, long time until they took a fairly long hiatus (for renovation). Now reopened, I had heard so much about Chef Takashi Kimura's brilliance with seafood that I was dieing to try it out:
Lovely ambience inside....
Of course, it's fine dining... and with my salary (AND the fact that I wasn't being taken out on a date by a guy trying to impress me), I opted to go try out the Friday 4 Course Set Lunch, instead of dinner (which can be a lot more expensive).
:)

- THE BREAD and TRUFFLE BUTTER:
HAPPINESS....
Of course this isn't officially part of the set lunch (it's just the normal complimentary bread and butter served while you wait) but without exaggerating: This was GLORIOUS:
I WANT MORE....
3 varieties of yummy bread, when spread with a healthy dollop of the creamy, smooth, melt in your mouth butter that had just the perfect balance of truffle fragrance = B.L.I.S.S.
(I very unapologetically finished up the rest of Min's pot of butter since she didn't want it... and NO, I don't care how many calories are in 1 and a half pots of butter :P)

- THE BUBBLY (Kir Royale):
Bubbly makes things better?....
What better to wash down the decadent butter than some bubbly, right? :)

- THE STARTER (Cold Cappelini with Panache of Seafood and Mentaiko):
Perfection....
You could tell by the silence and quiet sighs in the room - this starter was AWESOME.

A swirl of perfectly cooked pasta, coated with a light yet creamy mentaiko sauce and topped with cubes of super fresh (almost melt in mouth) fish, prawn, and a generous dollop of (lightly) briny caviar - all mixed together into blissful mouthfuls of textures and flavours that I wish I could eat EVERY DAY.
(And mind you, I usually don't like raw fish and caviar - normally it's too "fishy" for my tastebuds)

- THE SOUP (Hokkaido Scallop with Artichoke Soup and Truffles):
Loved the cute little "pot"....
This was another favourite that day with the creamy soup being heavy enough but not stodgy and the scallops plump and perfectly cooked, all accentuated by the light fragrance of truffles.

- THE MAINS
1) Pan Fried French Rouget Fillet with Baby Squid and Rouille:
Pretty mix of colours....
(OR)

2) Fricasse of Free Range Chicken with Maine Lobster:
High class chicken....
(In my humble opinion) Unfortunately, both mains were good but not exactly rave-worthy. :(
(It could also be that my expectations were WAY too high after being blown away by the butter, starter and soup)

- THE DESSERT (Roasted Plum with Vanilla Ice Cream):
Simple dessert....
Dessert was a simple but overall a good mix of flavours and textures - roasted plum (sour) with served with a crispy brittle (sweet) and vanilla ice cream (creamy).
(Overall, a good mix of flavors and textures)

- LASTLY: Coffee or Tea :)

Admittedly, RM 150 (nett) price tag for the set lunch** (only Fridays) isn't exactly what I would define as affordable (for normal cubicle minions such as I)... but it's a nice treat once in a while. :)
(** BTW: The menu changes every week, served with a glass of bubbly Kir Royale. You can check it online at their official website)

Don't be mistaken and think that you can just saunter in and get a table though - it was pretty packed when we went that day... about 90% full?
(So, I would strongly suggest booking a table)

Anyway, I had a brilliant time that day, having taken the day off and enjoying a very long lunch and delicious food surrounded by such wonderful company.
(*waves to Mr Android, Minchow, PureGlutton, Joan and Marian*)

So it's: Nice classy yet unpretentious ambience, lovely food (although the starters were much better than the mains), friendly and knowledgeable staff BUT boo hoo hoo it's not very cheap, is it? :(.....

PS/ Sorry for the lack of updates - It's been a long couple of weeks and I'm slowly but surely getting back to the normal swing of things. :)

Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:

Cilantro @ Micasa All Suite Hotel, KL
368B Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

Taste: 8
Ambience : 7
Service : 9
Price** : RM 150 per person (for this lunch)
Parking: OK

** Friday Lunch set - 4 course meal, served with 1 glass of Kir Royale and Coffee/Tea
Telephone No.: 03-2179 8082
Opening Hours:
Lunch - Fridays only (12.00pm-2.00pm)
Dinner - Monday-Saturday (6.00pm-10.30pm)
(Closed on Sundays)

NO PORK SERVED

MAP:

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OTHER REVIEWS:
- Paranoid Android
- Cumi dan Ciki
- food.recentrunes.com
- Deliciouslogy
- Niche
- My Tummy n I


TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Cilantro, Fine Dining, Micasa All Suite Hotel, Chef Takashi Kimura , Fusion French Japanese, KL, Kuala Lumpur