Dining With Robust Italians
March
28, 2018
From
April 9 to May 13, Trace@Element KL offers Wine Pairing In The Sky, a curated 6-course
dinner with Mazzei wines. The House of Mazzei in Tuscany, Italy, is over 600
years old and starting making wine in 1435; the present winemakers are the 24th
generation to do so.
Element
Kuala Lumpur by Westin is Kuala Lumpur’s tallest eco-friendly hotel and Trace
is its only F&B outlet. As it’s located on the 40th floor, with
floor-to-ceiling glass windows, diners are assured of an amazing view of the
city skyline.
First,
we nibble on freshly baked bread. Granted, the bread is nothing to get excited
about but generous swipes of the earthy-scented truffle butter on the crusty bun
perks it up to no end.
 |
| Cauliflower Mousse with a crisp prosecco |
The
first course is Cauliflower Mousse topped with a dollop of tobiko, to go with
tall glasses of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Dry, a vivacious prosecco from
Masottina. The fruity aromas of green apple, pear and apricot are given a lift
by delicate floral hints.
 |
| Two of the Mazzei wines with Tonic Water Poached Prawn |
Then
we move on to three Mazzei wines. The first is a white Mazzei Belguardo
Vermentino di Toscana IGT 2016. The medium-bodied vermentino, with the hue of
light, golden hay, has exotic fruit and yellow peach aroma with just a hint of
citrus. Pairs well with the Tonic Water Poached Prawn with Citrus Gelee. The
prawn comes coated in a crispy black crust.
Then
we sip on a hot Parmesan Consomme. Having been told earlier that this is
everything about cheese, I certainly am not expecting a consommé so clear that I
can see a tortellini at the bottom, despite the foamy cheese espuma on top. Bite
into the tortellini and it releases a cheesy burst of aroma.
 |
| Foie Gras with Poached Rhubarb, Pear Compote and Quince Jus, |
Since
it’s Foie Gras next, our glasses are filled with Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti
Classico DOCG 2015, the main offering from the winemaker. With an intense flush
of dark cherry and blackberry flavours, this medium-bodied Chianti tangoes well
with the lightly panfried foie gras, tempered by sweet sidekicks of poached
rhubarb, pear compote and quince jus.
 |
| Refreshing Green Apple Granite |
After
such rich flavours doing a twirl on the tongue, it’s time to refresh the palate
and the Green Apple Granite does a wonderful job here, leaving us in
anticipation for the main course.
 |
| 48-Hour Braised Angus Short Ribs |
 |
| Grilled Rack of Lamb |
For
most diners, this will be a 48-hour Braised Angus Short Ribs with baby carrot,
charred onion and beef au jus but since beef is not my meat, a Grilled Rack of Lamb is a delicious option. Initially, I thought the lamb looked a bit too well
done but no complaints; the meat is tender and juicy.
Of
course Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012, with its strong
structure and subtle smokey nuances, does add character to the lamb.
 |
| Manjari Emulsion Twist makes a light, yet satisfying dessert |
For
dessert, we have Manjari Emulsion Twist with chocolate soil, crushed sable,
Murray River pink salt caramel. The Manjari is a long finger of smooth-as-silk chocolate
mousse carefully laid in a twist on crushed sable with slivers of dark
chocolate, strawberries, mango and kiwi.
We
end the meal with dark Chocolate Truffles before we leave on a happy note.
TRACE@ELEMENT
HOTEL
(no pork served)
Ilham Tower, 8 Jalan Binjai
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603-2771 3388
PROMOTION
Wine
Pairing In The Sky
April
9 to May 13, 2018. From 7pm. Price: RM188 nett per person
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