Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Mandarin Grill, Italian at Mandarin Oriental KL

Mandarin Grill KL

Monica Tindall

Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur reopened this week with a new menu by Chef de Cuisine Luigi Stinga. Promising the ultimate Italian dining experience in KL, the cuisine is supported by a stunning setting and impressive wine list to match.

Chef Luigi Stinga joined MOHKL not quite two years ago from the 2-Michelin Starred restaurant Seta in Mandarin Oriental, Milan. Sharpening his cleaver in several highly-reputed kitchens in Italy, he embraces the opportunity to discover local ingredients and transform Italian foundations with a Malaysian touch. He describes the restaurant’s concept as a contemporary Italian grill. The menu offers authentic Italian cuisine alongside innovations on tradition inspired by the provenance of local ingredients.

Italian Steakhouse KL
Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Amuse Bouche & Prosecco

We appreciate our window seat overlooking KLCC’s lush park gardens with a glass of San Feletto Prosecco Extra Dry D.O.C.G from Veneto, Italy. While the foliage is distinctly tropical, the flourishing vegetation reminds us of the rolling green hills from where this bubbly is birthed. Close to 100 years of winemaking and three generations in Valdobbiadene bring Glera grapes to the glass to make sparkling wine with aromas of green apple and spring blossoms. Acidity and fruit are balanced in the mouth with persistent effervescence.

House-made ciabatta, with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and herbed sea salt provide something to nibble on before the amuse-bouche arrives. The simple fried dough topped with tomato, Parmesan and basil is attractively presented with a nod to the host country in a dim sum steamer basket.

Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Amuse Bouche
Italian Steakhouse KL
San Feletto Prosecco Extra Dry D.O.C.G

Antipasti

A decadent entry to Mandarin Grill’s new menu is the Uovo Crema di Scamorza, Scorza Nera E Tartufo (RM 60). It features a slow-cooked organic egg that luxuriously ruptures with the touch of a fork. Surrounded by smoked scamorza cream, it’s a delicate dish and awakens the taste buds with its elegant flavours. A colourful trio of powders – purple sweet potato, green kale and brown burnt shallot – break up the white palette, and deep-fried salsify adds a contrasting crunch to the softness of the cream. Lastly, fresh black truffle is shaved on top just before serving.

Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Uovo Crema di Scamorza, Scorza Nera E Tartufo

Primi

Showcasing the best of both worlds, Cappelletto Ripieno di Beef Rendang E Brodo Di Funghi Alle Spezie (RM 72) wraps a local favourite in a warm Italian embrace. House-made pasta encases gently spicy beef rendang, which sits in an aromatic beef and mushroom broth. With lemongrass in the forefront, the richness of the beef is perfectly balanced.

Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Cappelletto Ripieno di Beef Rendang E Brodo Di Funghi Alle Spezie

Paste

Tagliolini Alla Chitarra Cacio E Pepe Con Ricci Di Mare (RM 155) is made with a tool resembling the strings of a guitar. The strands of fresh pasta are exceptional with a good bite and definite artisan feel. Honestly, the pasta is so good that pecorino cheese and black pepper are all that are needed for seasoning. The Mandarin Grill, however, lavishes guests with the grand addition of sea urchin. Fans of the tasty sea creature can even top up with an extra portion (12gm for RM 90).

Accompanying our pasta is a glass Pinot Grigio, Allegrini Corte Giara Delle Venezie D.O.C. It also hails from Veneto just like our bubbly but this time a little further east to the hills surrounding beautiful Lake Garda. Juicy, crisp apple and floral notes are present in the nosing followed through with good acidity in the palate. It’s a simple wine and allows the food to shine.

Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Tagliolini Alla Chitarra Cacio E Pepe Con Ricci Di Mare
Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Pinot Grigio, Allegrini Corte Giara Delle Venezie D.O.C

Mandarin Grill KL – Secondi

Hubby is ever so happy that I ate every last strand of pasta as well as two slices of bread as he observes me slowing down with the arrival of the main (meaning, he’ll get what I can’t finish). A beautiful pink loin of lamb is the centrepiece of Agnello Su Crema Di Cipollotto, Patate e Limone Nero (RM 192). The edges are dotted with crunchy fans of white onion and potato, and the dish is dusted with black lemon powder just before serving.

Paired with our lamb, Grattamacco, Bolgheri Rosso DOC comes from another picturesque region of Italy, and a relatively new denomination in upper Maremma, Tuscany. It’s in very good company with Tenuta San Guido (producer of Sassicaia) as a neighbour. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese is deep ruby-red in the glass with plentiful aromas of fruit, dark chocolate and a whisper of balsamic thanks to the Sangiovese. Rich and juicy on the palate with ripe tannins and structure, it’s an excellent match to the mild gaminess of the lamb.

Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Agnello Su Crema Di Cipollotto, Patate e Limone Nero
Italian Steakhouse KL
Grattamacco, Bolgheri Rosso DOC

Dolci

We conclude our exploration of Mandarin Grill’s new menu with two desserts. The first, Panna Cotta Alla Vaniglia E Kumquat (RM 35), is actually a trio of spheres each based with pistachio sponge and layered with a thin spread of kumquat. A wafer of dark chocolate surfs the top and white noisettes of cream and cookie crumble complete the dish.

The grand finale, however, is the artfully plated Tiramisu (RM 40). Deconstructed in nature, the dessert is an edible artwork. Mini hills of coffee cream and mascarpone are arranged with sponge and a sprinkling of cocoa powder. The entire sweet is plated atop a giant swirl of chocolate sauce. It’s as visually appealing as it is delightfully sweet.

Italian Steakhouse KL
Panna Cotta Alla Vaniglia E Kumquat
Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Tiramisu

An Excellent Choice for the Ladies

In celebration of the reopening, Mandarin Grill KL has introduced Ladies Day every Wednesday throughout November. Ladies dining in a group of four will only pay for the price of two on the food bill!

Reasons to visit Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur: beautiful setting; exciting new menu incorporating local ingredients; a ladies’ day deal not to be missed.

Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+6 03-2330 8798
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/MOHKL

Mandarin Grill Opening Hours
Wednesday to Saturday
Lunch: 12-2pm
Dinner: 6– 10:30pm

Find more restaurants for special occasions here, and stay up-to-date on KL’s food and beverage scene here and here.

6 Comments

  1. Ooooo…white table linen! Definitely a touch of class. Miss panna cotta – my favourite Italian place here has closed down…and the other place may or may not have it, not that reliable.

  2. Comfortable ambiance and pretty food presentation.

  3. This has left me with my mouth watering!!!! Hope all is well, Have a good week, cheers Diane

  4. I want more red meat & wine sorta dinner again!

  5. Hello Beautiful Monica,

    I want to eat all the dishes!!!! How are things in KL with COVID? Have a wonderful holidays!!

    Hugs,
    Sandy

    • Looks like your plans will be delayed a little longer, Sandy. But don’t worry, we’ll keep tallying up the restaurants for you to try when you do get here. We are under a controlled movement order still. Things are pretty quiet.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.