If you are in search of a romantic candlelight dinner to celebrate the love of your life this coming Valentine's Day, then Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is definitely one of the restaurants that you should consider.

With its dimly-lit setting decorated with elegant furnishing and a view overlooking the KLCC Park, the establishment fits the bill for a romantic dinner for two.

At the price of RM898++ per couple (inclusive of wine pairing) or RM698++ per couple (without wine), you will get to enjoy a 5-course meal featuring chef Benjamin Halat's unique creations including a trio of beetroot delicacies, passionate Manjari chocolate melt and duck foie gras ravioli in Madeira wine foam.

Also, couples will receive a mysterious gift for Him and Her that will only be revealed on the night itself.

Read on for our full review of the five course 'Liquid D'Amour' menu:

 

A trio of beetroot
To start, Chef Halat has prepared a trio of beetroot delicacies as the amuse bouche. This dish features a heart-shaped beetroot candy, beetroot with quinoa popcorn and foie gras mousse with beetroot espuma. Tying in with the theme of love with its heart shapes and red colours (from the beetroot), the sweet and savoury trio makes a good teaser to the meal ahead.

Start with the crunchy beetroot candy that has a sweet flavour and then followed by the savoury heart-shaped beetroot on quinoa popcorn to create a blend of tangy flavours and crunchy textures. Finally, end it with the fluffy foie gras mousse with beetroot espuma for a light finish that calms down the heavier notes from before.

Lobster Medallion
For appetisers, Chef Halat prepared a lobster medallion served with avocado cream, ponzu and tapioca. The freshly poached lobster medallion has an unexpected refreshing taste when served with cubes of ginger and pomelo jelly. The combination has a stroke of zest and earthiness that adds excitement to the lobster meat.

Another way to eat it is with the ponzu and wasabi sauce that will help elevate the lobster natural freshness and create an explosion of nuances that adds dimension to the dish. Finally, a cup of dashi (broth) is served to help relax the palate before moving on to the next dish.

Duck foie gras ravioli
As one of the signatures in Mandarin Grill, diners can never go without the foie gras ravioli. Here, instead of the usual which sports touches of black and white truffles, the ravioli is served with only Madeira wine foam to create a simpler but more concentrated taste for the dinner. Fluffy foam of wine flavour reinvigorates the palate as you bite into the ravioli, which melts almost immediately inside your mouth to give a lingering milky aroma and texture.

Poached black cod
Following the punch of flavours with the foie gras, a chunk of poached black cod is served on Sarda rice. The Sarda rice is cooked to a consistency that is similar to risotto but sports a much bigger spherical grain with tapioca-like texture. The soft and juicy cod has a seared crispy surface that compliments the rice with its smoky flavours, while the fergula sauce on the rice adds a tangy hit to the palate that resembles paella sauce.

Australian Black Angus tenderlion
Yet another signature to Mandarin Grill, the steaks here are always the highlight of its menu. A sizable slab of tenderloin is seared to a medium rare and served with mellow portwine jus. Rich in flavour and tender in texture, the steak overwhelms the palate with savoury punches but thanks to the use of broccoli puree, the overall taste is balanced out nicely with a touch of bittersweet taste.

Passionate Manjari chocolate melt
Similar to a chocolate lava cake, the chocolate melt features a firm exterior that opens up to a moist and gooey chocolate centre. By itself, the cake might be a touch too sweet for some. However, using the acidity of the raspberry sabayon and creme fraiche ice cream, it becomes a harmonious balance that makes a perfect end for the night.

 

Priced at RM898++ (with wine) per couple and RM698++ (without wine) per couple, the Mandarin Grill Valentine's Day menu is available on the 14th February 2015 from 7PM to 1030PM. For more information and reservations, please call +603 2380 8888 or email mokul-fb@mohg.com.

We recommend:

• Aphrodisiac foods to set the mood for Valentine's
• Nobu set to win hearts with special 7-course dinner