CC Food Travel» American Asian Fusion

Hennessy XO Appreciation Grows, Chef Edward Lee @ Equatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur

ciki — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:38 +0000

Getting to the Hennessy XO Appreciation Grows Event at Equatorial KL early was a bonus. We got to chat with Chef Edward Lee for a good half hour, and found him to be a rather sociable, down to earth and overall, cool guy.

Quick chat with Chef Edward Lee, before he had to disappear into the kitchen to start the night’s events

It is true that his favourite knife is a Sabatier knife that he bought when he was 22, and that he also has a passion for copper pans in the kitchen. Chef Edward Lee muses that he must probably have spent his entire life savings on copper pans. Best known for being the winner in the Iron Chef challenge versus José Garces, Chef Edward Lee was born and raised in New York, and this well traveled, 39 year old, Korean American chef now lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

What does this presentation have to do with Hennessy XO? Watch to find out!

The purpose of this dinner is quite obviously, to appreciate the cognac with the food. Man has been pairing wine with food since the dawn of time, so why not cognac? In fact, the CHINESE have been drinking cognac with everything, since the dawn of time, so there you go. For the Hennessy XO Appreciation Dinner, specifically, Chef Lee would be talking us through the courses and telling us how best to pair the cognac, but this would just be a recommendation. It was pretty much left to the guests, how they might want to pair the food with their drink.

As the night’s events unfolded, we realized that we would be taken on a journey that would deepen our appreciation for the heritage of Hennessy XO.

The new curvy Hennessy XO bottle

pre-dinner drinks at an unrecognisable Equatorial interior

Care for some Hennessy XO? Yes, yes and YES!

The table is set, and the stage is ready! Will this be the dinner that everyone will be talking about for months to come?

swanky image players on each table introduced the courses and the cognac

Will Quah, the MC for the night

Frederick Noyere, Managing Director of Moet & Hennessy Diageo

Before each course, the chef appears on the screen to explain the inspirations behind the dish

First up, Mosaic.

The starter was colorful, whimsical.. aptly named and rather reminded me of grandma’s patchwork blanket that kept me warm, on many a rainy night. Perfectly symmetrical squares of ahi tuna & kona kampachi, matched edge to edge with sliced tropical fruit, was a sight for sore eyes! Flavour wise, it was hard to fault the ensemble, perfectly finished off with ginger, watercress, yellow blossoms, roasted banana puree & rice vinegar. I really liked it. This paired beautifully with the Hennessy XO on the rocks.

live kitchen action! No screaming, swearing Chefs, thank God!

Enter Course Two, Piquant.

The next course of lobster, sea urchin & salmon skin was my favourite dish for the night. This was beautifully presented and we were allowed to add the finishing touches ourselves – a paprika-spiced chilled sweet corn soup. The Chef was generous with the shellfish. Plump, succulent morsels of crustacean delight – the garnishing of shiso leaves, black sesame seeds and the zing of some red chili gave this soup an unexpected sensual dimension. One dish I won’t soon forget. Again I had this with Hennessy XO on the rocks .. a marriage made in heaven.

The same heavenly dish drenched with soup. Gorgeously tasty as all diners around us agreed.

And we are rolling on to – Oriental.

This next course of seared scallops was overcooked. Flavor wise, it was terrific – a lovely lemongrass-chili vinaigrette heightened with pickled jicama & Japanese eggplant, all came together perfectly on the plate. This was the perfect pair for Hennessy XO on the rocks.

Choice of Mains – Provocateur.

Cumi had the steak tenderloin cooked with chocolate, jalapeno and decorated with toasted sesame seeds, with sides of spinach & mushrooms. Tasty enough, but slightly overcooked. This paired well with the Hennessy XO neat.

Choice of Mains – Seductrice.

I had the duck breast, which I loved! The flavour was exquisite, and whilst the foie gras was overcooked, the duck more than made up for it. This served with a pureed smoked sweet potato & Chinese cabbage, went superbly well with the Hennessy XO neat.

Final course – Allure.

Dessert was served – a brioche crusted dark chocolate genoise cake, served with red beet syrup, and lightly sprinkled with pistachio & walnuts. A terrific ending to a great meal.

A riveting dance performance on the original story of the Heritage of Hennessy XO. Performed by international dancer and choreographer Soufiane Karim

Salud!

The rather ostentatious revealing of the Hennessy XO Mathusalem cognac bottle and casing

Hennessy have released a limited edition Methusalem of their Hennessy X.O. cognac. This quintessential cognac comes packaged in a custom made lamb skin covered traveling case. Each case contains a six litre decanter of Hennessy X.O. and a glass dropper to dispense the correct amount of cognac. Each year, production of this special edition cognac is limited.

Check out the photo – this is how you use your Rod, to extract the precious fluids.

And Ciki has a go too!

Liquid gold

A songstress jazzing the night away

the shiny pouty happy people, with high cheek bones..

Top to Bottom, L-R: Ciki, Sean of EatDrinkKL, Alison of Aly’s Wonderland, Meena of AWhiffoflemongrass, Karen Ong, Director of Moet & Hennessy Diageo with CY of Fatboybakes, Cumi & Ciki

Us, with Chef

futuristic sexy cognac

the after party crowd – this chef can really sing!

This guy, is a natural.. where did he learn to sing like that?

Will Quah steals the show(and the mike). Some people have all the talent.. it ain’t fair;) After him Chef Edward Lee Sings.. No footage sorry… too talented to showcase here!

chatting and drinking more XO with international dancer and choreographer Soufiane Karim (third from right)

Me and Cumi gonna go visit Edward in KENNN- TUCKAY!!!

We had a great time X-O-ing the night away!

Chef Edward Lee hits our shores – Hennessy XO Appreciation Grows 2012

ciki — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:56:54 +0000

Chef Edward Lee is the chef and co-owner of 610 Magnolia, a restaurant known for Southern fare and a focus on farm-to-table cooking. Apart from the Bravo channel cooking competition, Chef Lee also has been featured on “Iron Chef America,” CBS’ “The Early Show,” BBC’s “The World,” Martha Stewart Living Channel and Mo Rocca’s “Foodography,” as well as being named a finalist, in 2011, for the Best Chef Award Southeast from the James Beard Foundation.

So.. what’s the big deal? The big deal is that Chef Edward Lee will be cooking his signature dishes at the coming Hennessy XO Appreciation Grows 2012 event, held at Equatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur, this week, and we have the great honour of attending this party!

This installment of the Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows dinner series, will showcase the prowess of Chef Edward Lee, from the 18-21 April 2012. The Hennessy X.O’s “Appreciation Grows” campaign itself is aimed at defining excellence, quality, originality and the heritage of Hennessy X.O.

Realized by Hennessy X.O, the journey of Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows continues this year with a gastronomy experience featuring creations celebrating the spirit of the brand. Diners will definitely be in for a fantastic time, and should look forward to an exclusive encounter with brand evolution, i.e. the introduction of the Hennessy New Pack and Hennessy X.O Mathusalem.

Chef Edward Lee’s story – and his food – could only happen in America. One part Southern soul, one part Asian spice, and one part New York attitude, Lee is a Korean-American who grew up in Brooklyn, trained in classical French kitchens, and has spent the better part of a decade cooking in Louisville, Kentucky.

Lee’s passion for food is only surpassed by his sense of adventure; it is, after all, what took him to Louisville from a successful career in New York City. In 2001, on a cross-country road trip, Lee wound up in Louisville during Derby Week, the busiest dining week of the year. On a tip from a friend, he sought out the eccentric chef of a local gem called 610 Magnolia, finagling an invitation to work in the kitchen for the week. Impressed with Lee’s passion and skill, the chef offered him the restaurant less than a year later, and his Southern adventures began. The rest is history.

Cantina @ La jolla, California – American Asian Fusion at

ciki — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:42:00 +0000

Wow! So… today, I got to try American Asian Fusion… (can you say that fast with your mouth full or marbles..)

Cantina is an amazing place for weekend breakfast…

Especially if you are undecided on whether you want the whole American do… e.g. pancakes, toast and eggs… or the Asian style breakfast… e.g. curry noodles…

Well, at this place you can have both!

Ok, so the Buddha Bowl is Cantina’s version of Curry Noodles… its pretty close to a cross between Malaysian Curry laksa and Thai laksa… spicy and yummie!!

It was the 1st time I felt the heat.. in my food and on my tongue… this entire trip… and so, I was happy

Spicy noodles…

And huge pancake portions…

And… even puzzles for the kids… as they eat their pancakes….

Pretty ideal for a nice family

Sunday breakfast, in a great location in La Jolla…

The only complain was that is place has lousy

acoustics… Once the place fills up, u need to shout to be heard…

I mean, the walls just amplify sound like you cannot imagine (Like fish market!)

Eat early before the crowd comes…

You have been warned !

Food : 7/10
Service : Average (sulky waitress)
Ambiance : Poor (loud sounds and high ceiling gave a non-cosy, warehouse feel to the place)
Price : Moderate

Next stop… DEL MAR !

La Casa del Camino @ Laguna Beach & Geisha House – LA, California

ciki — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000

I have never been to the states . I was told that if I ever went to California, to get out of LA town, as soon as possible! I was told to visit places like Laguna Beach, Coronado Island in San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar and Monterrey, San Francisco in the North. When I got there, I realised that the geographical spread of these locations spanned like 500 over miles … and then some. Anyway, in what little time I had, I was lucky enough to cover LA and San Diego.Well.. what can I say… ? I loved LA, but… i left my heart in San Diego… The first night I landed in LA, I had dinner by Laguna Beach. It was gorgeous.. Before dinner, as is the norm for Orange County folks (OK, not all OC folks, but the ones I was with were cool:P), drinks at La Casa del Camino…

Built in 1927 as a retreat for Hollywood stars (guests included Humphrey Bogart, Douglas Fairbanks and Howard Hughes), this hotel is the classic Laguna Beach experience. Used as a location for the movie “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Evangeline”, La Casa del Camino is an elegant Mediterranean style hotel with a nice mix of “old-world” charm and modern amenities.

The setting sun was amazing… My camera did not do it justice.. should have brought my tripod…

The roof top pub – tres spectacular!

the beer was great, but the cocktails were better!!!

I didn’t want to leave, but it was a TAD cold. Like 10 degrees Celsius.

Incidentally, LA is almost never cold. Well, maybe mildly cold.. However, lucky me… being Malaysian and all… landed right smack in the middle of one of the coldest winters they’ve had in years! And on that same weekend, I was scheduled to travel to San Diego, there was a RAIN alert.. ! I mean like, for a place that rains on average, only 8 times a year, San Diego that is, rain is like a BIG DEAL … The news said things like… 3 inches of rain … or 5 inches of rain… imagine! Rain depth measured from the ground upwards… how chronic is that???

Lucky in Malaysia we have such good drainage system and never have to report rain like in California… (not!) ( yes, i am being sarcastic)

My hosts then brought me to some swanky Mexican joint… but I cannot remember the name because I was busy talking to some people… but as with most Mexican restaurants in the States, they start you off with chips, salsa, and an assortment of vegetables (bell peppers, carrots) covered in cilantro. The chips and vegetables were good, the salsa was a bit on the salty side, but it was still pretty tasty.

As for entrées, I ordered a cheese enchilada and fish tacos. The food was good but not even remotely spicy. Being Malaysian and all, I was expecting their mexican chili to give our chili PADI a run for its money… but no way man. Not even , close.

As it was still happy hour, we ordered our margaritas in jugs, since it was that restaurants speciality.

We were all satisfied with the food. When I asked my friend what he thought of the meal, he said, “It’s Mexican food.” That pretty much sums it up.
After Mexican… drinks…

and more pub hopping… and more drinks.

then….. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.

The next morning… I was told that the best remedy for a hangover was a nice big hearty American breakfast… in a dingy trailer diner !!!

It was cool….

It had baby blue plastic seats and all…

complete with stained gray carpeting..

It smelt of coffee , lard, eggs… and some other strange, petrified, unidentifiable aromas…

I had the most wholesome, greasy breakfast you can imagine, and I will just leave it at that
(no pictures to turn your stomach..)

Next stop… LA!!!

The home of the Academy Awards, the Kodak Theater is the world’s only live broadcast theatre, custom-designed for Oscar Night. The stage measures a massive 36.5m.

It has a seating capacity for up to 3,400 people.

Patterned after the grand opera houses of Europe, it is decorated with elegant deep plum upholstery, making it a grand setting for concert, musical, symphony and opera alike.

Did I go in? No… no need la… just watch the Oscars and you can see what it’s like innit?

Here’s me.. getting ready for a night about town… I still think staying at the hotel situated right smack on the Walk of Fame was a terrific idea….
just roll out of bed… and roll into fame.. hahaha.. not quite…

I was pretty unlucky…

walked all around town….

and didn’t even see…

one…

celebrity…! boo hoo… no luck at all man. Like I stopped at the Roosevelt for drinks… no sign of Celebs…

The Roosevelt is a 12 storey, Spanish-style hotel which caters to the Hollywood elite and discerning travelers since its premiere in 1927. After renovations by famed designer Dodd Mitchell, this perennial hot spot boasts sleek mid-century modern style and a enviable guest list that has become a favorite haunt for entertainment business moguls.

Foodies will want to drop by steakhouse-with-a-twist Dakota for roasted pineapple French toast or luscious cuts of prime beef. After dinner, those lucky enough to make it past the velvet ropes can enter Teddy’s, one of the hottest clubs in Hollywood.

As for moi… , I had dinner at the Geisha House…
Tres chi-chi…The people were friendly, and I made friends easily..

This place is a Modern Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge that embraces the flavor of traditional Japan while catering to the hip, sophisticated clientele of Los Angeles.

Taking the cue from Japan’s popular sake bars and traditional Geisha Houses of entertainment, GH serves Japanese cuisine as well as fresh sushi and sashimi dishes with a contemporary spin.

The Christmas decorations were gorgeous, and there are 2 levels of dining, the top floor doubling up as a dance floor with DJ console. Apparently celebs (groan.. not again.. ) are known to hang out here…

well… surprise.. surprise… I didn’t see ANY.
Coldest winter. Rain alert.

Not my week .. u think??!

here is the bar… and silhouette of a friendly barman.. and I met some cool Aussies too, who were only too happy to buy me drinks … (hello boys from down under) …

the cocktails were classy and delicious…

and my favourite dish on the menu….
The Marilyn Monroll!

And yes… I think I spotted her (Marilyn) in the crowd… ahem…. ;P

the rolls were spectacular…

and I was stuffed by the end of the night….

no matter…

live to eat another day eh?

Food : 5/10
Ambiance : 7/10
Service : 5/10
Cocktails : 7/10