For you Beemer fanatics out there, don't jump the bandwagon just yet. BMW is still all-things Bavarian and Motor.
Was at the launch of the all-new sixth-generation 5 Series at KLCC. Working as ushers there meant that we got to see the new model first-hand! And best part is, I got to steal a peek at their gastronomical menu!
Ooohh..it's gonna be French! A 5-course meal specially concocted by chef Chris Bauer of
Frangipani Restaurant & Bar. This should be very interesting.
Tables set up in amazingly long rows.....breathtaking!With the French flair for delicate details and their secret touch of making everything look/hear/sound/taste OH-SO-ROMANTIC, I was very excited to see how
sexy the dishes will look.....and of course, how tantalizing it'll be on the tongue..... Mmmm...
Freshly Chucked Oysters with Caviar, Lemon Pearls &
Pickled Japanese CucumbersTold ya' they're gonna be sexy. First dish and it's an aphrodisiac. Every dish is served with a different wine and for this dish, it was served with
Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Semillon 2008.
Oysters were fresh but the temperature was a bit off. Would have liked it a tad bit more chilled. Liked how the
Lemon Pearls would just burst in the mouth, causing a mini explosion of citrus-tangyness. Definitely lent a helping hand in neutralizing the extreme creaminess of the oyster.
Tea-smoked Salmon with Echire Creme Fraiche,
Confit Potatoes & Salmon RoeSalmon's texture was slightly chewy on the top half and the bottom half which was slightly more cooked, falls off nicely. Potatoes were really tasty and though its shape still remained, it was soft enough to just melt-in-the-mouth. This dish was served with
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007.
Black Rice Risotto with Grilled Prawns,
Baby Squid & Black Mussel I liked the sound of
Baby Squid (try spotting the teeny weeny baby squid in the pic). All food with the word 'baby' in it or has association with babies (means they're young) sounds extra delicious, extra tender and extra juicy, no?
You're just in self-denial if you said 'No'.
This dish was my favorite for the night (not just because there's BABY squids in them ok!). It was really, really tasty. The risotto was a greedy monster and absorbed all the flavor from the broth it was cooked in and still, managed to take in the sweetness and saltiness from its seafood friends. However, I must say that the prawn was slightly over-grilled and was a bit tough. This dish was served with
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2007.
Grilled Betel Leaf Wrapped Tenderloin with
Savoy Cabbage & Indonesian Black Nut SauceDidn't enjoy this AT ALL. I think if I had to eat something from this plate, I would have eaten the cabbage. Tenderloin was much too tough and the betel leaf gave a distinct, unpleasant taste to the meat. Not sure if it was the cooking method that made the betel leaf infused that kinda odor or it was the betel leaf itself, but it just didn't go. Heard quite a number of guests complaining about this dish on their way out as well.
That black thing which looks like a Shitake mushroom is actually the shell of the Indonesian Black Nut. Nothing much to comment on the sauce as there was nothing fancy about the taste. Just slightly salty and an earthy aroma to it. This dish was served with
Cape Mentelle Zinfandel 2006.
Chocolate Terrine with Pistachio Mousse;
White Chocolate Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Sauce;
French Toast with Roast Apple & Dulce de Leche SauceMmmm...dessert was relatively good. The cheesecake was not too sweet and the dark chocolate overcoat helped take the intense richness away cos' of its slight bitterness. Loved the tangy raspberry puree! The pistachio mousse was creamy and a bit too sweet for my liking.
Dessert was served with
Hennessy XO.
The launch of the new BMW F10 was rather spectacular. There were revolving thingymajiggies on stage, waiters at hand, excellent service and hospitality and of course, beautiful cars. Well, expectations are high. It's BMW after all.
Maybe it was because of the whole setup and ambiance that got my expectations really high for the food. I wouldn't say it was bad, but it was nothing to shout about as well.
Can't comment much on the selection of wines as me is no wine expert. Will need to brush up in that area. My excuse to drink more! HAH!
Supposedly the 'highlight' of the day...
Cold, boiled prawns. My fav! Good thing it was fresh too!
Otak-otak stuffed in crab shells... really good! 
Some duck thing which was REALLY yummy.....
Jelly fish
Cherries simmered in dark red wine. Loved this.....
