A funny thing happened at dinner last week - I went there ready to pay for my food but it ended up being complimentary. So, I guess this counts as an invited review? (Here are my usual disclaimers)
1) I have not been paid to write this, but neither have I paid a cent for my meal,
2) I will still be as objective as possible re. the food/ restaurant, and
3) If I go back to the restaurant incognito and find that the food/service is horribly different from this experience, I will amend my ratings here...
I'd been to Hoofed before, and really enjoyed the food there... So, when I heard that they were having a wine pairing dinner, I excitedly made my way over.
(I don't know much about wine, but I've always been curious and what better way to learn than to taste it first hand, right?....)
As I understand it, they hold these wine pairing dinners once a month and it's priced at RM 160++ per person. It's not cheap, but it's pretty reasonable as it gets you:
- a 3 course meal,
- 4 glasses of wine (2 for the starter, and 2 for the main course), and
- coffee or tea.
The wine is expertly matched with the food by their knowledgeable suppliers (trained sommaliers). Usually, they will also be there during the dinner, mingling and answering any questions you may have about the wines.
What a small world though, as it turned out the Wine Expert on "duty" that night was none other than the affable Mr Jonathan Cheah from Albert Wines, whom I'd met before at another wine related event.
STARTER:
- Prawn Bisque
Matched with a Castillo de Molina Chardonnay
The soup was robust (thick, prawn-y in a good way). At first I thought it was a bit too salty but as I took another sip, the bits of savoury bacon and sour pickles helped balance it out well.
The wine managed to hold its own, complementing the briny flavour with its crisp, slightly sweet/fruity taste.
(Perfect match!)
MAIN:
- Pan Seared Salmon served with Pineapple Sauerkraut and Hoegarden Beurre Blanc
... OR...
- Blue Cheese Crusted Tenderloin served with Bacon Mash and Black Pepper Sauce
Matched with Castillo de Molina Pinot Noir
I tried a bite of the salmon (stolen from a generous fellow diner *grin*) - Fresh, moist fish perfectly grilled and brought to the next level with the really good white sauce that was creamy without being cloying.
I enjoy my beef much more though as:
1) I'm a bit of a red meat lover/ carnivore
2) It was the perfect doneness! Seared on the outside but still moist and tender on the inside, and
3) Wonderfully accentuated with a dash of the spicy black pepper sauce and slightly pungeant blue cheese crust.
*BLISS*
The magical thing about the wine was that although it is a red wine, its berry undertones and medium body matched well with both the beef and the fish.
:)
DESSERT:
- Red Wine Poached Pear served with Ice Cream and Wine Reduction
This was a refreshing way to end the night - the tart, cinnamon infused flavour of the pear (slightly sweet but with a sour edge) went well with the slightly thick wine reduction and ice cream.
What a wonderful night. :)
I am a novice (or worse?) when it comes to wine, but I managed to learn a bit more that night, all kindly explained to me in the friendliest of manners.
(That, and MMMMMMMMMMMmmmm, the food was delish!)
SHOUT OUT
Thank you to:
1) Colin, Shawn and Chef Tim of Hoofed for the wonderful meal.
2) Jonathan, and everyone from Albert Wines for making it even better!
3) My fellow diners - thanks for the wonderful company!
BTW: If you want more details on Albert Wines (they export, wholesale and retail a wide range of spirit and alcohol brands), do check out their official website: Click here.
Summary Sheet:
Hoofed @ TTDI, KL
18A, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14 (on top of Tom Dick & Harry’s), Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 KL.
Price** : RM 160++ per person (for this wine pairing dinner)
Parking: OK
** 3 course meal, 4 glasses of wine, and coffee or tea
Telephone No.: 03-7728 8567
Opening Hours: 4pm till late
Parking: Limited
NOT HALAL
MAP:
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TAGS: Food, Blog, Weblog, Malaysia, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviews, Chilean Wine, Hoofed, TTDI, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Pork
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Glad you had a good meal. :)
ReplyDeletelooks charming and delicious. will slot that into my may dinner plans:D
ReplyDeletethe blue cheese crusted tenderloin sounds awesome. can't wait to try that one out!
passionate prawn, succulent salmon, blissful beef, pristine pear ... definitely delicious dinner? :D
ReplyDeleteto Michelle Chin:
ReplyDeleteHaha... Thanks. Me too! :)
to missyblurkit:
Me too - I kinda hope they have the same beef dish again or put it on the menu! It's yummy.. :D
to Sean:
Haha.. Yeah, that and some wonderful wine, are the ingredients for a mouthwatering meal!
Perfect done-ness! Alas, this is one thing I shall probably not ever experience this lifetime. I will never know the wonders of steak!
ReplyDeleteto minchow:
ReplyDeleteOh, you can't eat beef, right?... Ah well, there are still plenty of other delicious meats in the world - (the yummiest of which is pork) so I don't think you are missing that much, dear. :)
I really like your web site.. extremely great shades & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Plz reply back again as I’m looking to create my own web site and would like to know wheere u received this from. many thanks
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous:
ReplyDeleteI didn't really create anything - this is just one of the many standard templates provided by Blogger. Only thing is that I changed the header picture to the photo of flowers that u see :)