There will always be some dishes that some of us can’t fathom nor accept. It could be the taste, the presentation or the origin of the ingredient.
It takes some understanding of ingredients, history or perhaps even consideration of the venue to help us comprehend the justification of prices for the food we pay nowadays.
Much has been said about the RM75 Hainanese Chicken Chop and the RM55 plate of chicken rice balls with, well, a quarter poached chicken.
While some might balk at the prices, there are fortunately some of us who appreciate the finesse in the execution of a meal experience here and understand that it is not merely about the plate of chicken.
The price enables you to savour the careful recipes that have been carefully passed on to the chefs at Colonial Cafe by Puan Sri Kai Yong Yeoh, wife of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay.
The Hainanese Chicken Chop sauce is a tightly guarded recipes of hers, and suffice to say, it is the only place you would be able to taste it.
Other classic colonial cuisine of the Hainanese origin peppered the menu, alongside with British options like Spotted Dick and Old Style Faggots.
This price also enable you to enjoy your meal in the recreation of the ambiance of a colonial era many many years ago, housed in an immaculate restored building.
The astonishing warm and attentive personalized services was second to none. We felt genuine enthusiasm and a truly helpful attitude from the staff, and this particular outstanding spirit was extended to all and everyone that step into Majestic Hotel.
As you enjoy your meal, The Solianos serenade you with soulful jazz, classics and contemporary melodies.
Here’s our dinner that evening.
Prices are no doubt on the high side, but it is really for you to decide if it’s worth it.
Classic Prawn Cocktail – Fresh shredded lettuce, chopped cucumber , spicy cocktail sauce (RM35++).
** The height of fashion from the 1960s to 1980s, the prawn cocktail was so entrenched in Britain’s culinary landscape that no dinner party was complete without it.
Equally popular with British expats , the prawn cocktail remained the starter to have and was an essential item on the menu of any western restaurant in Malaysia.
Hainanese Chicken Chop – Cracker -crumbed deep fried chicken, garden peas, handcut fries, tangy spiced onion gravy (RM75++).
An authentic colonial creation, the birth place of the Hainanese chicken chop, with its fusion of both Chinese & western flavours, is British Malaya.
Bathed in glossy Worcestershire sauce seasoned onion gravy, sprinkled with peas as a tribute to the Hainanese chefs, based on a closely -guarded family recipe, handed down over 3 generations.
I had the boiled beef which was superb and yes, I would pay RM130++ for this .
I opted for the back ribs and it was superbly tender and the broth is delicious.
The beef used is imported Australian Angus Beef and I estimated that there were about 300 – 400 g worth of beef in that pot. I was very hungry that evening and I love beef, but I couldn’t finish it!
The broth and ingredients came in a separate pot from the somen, which make sense since that prevents the somen from potentially getting overly soggy if soaked in soup for too long.
Traditional Hainanese Boiled Beef – (RM130++) – with a choice of cuts: sirloin, brisket or back-ribs.
**Asian sliced beef broth, radish, somen.
And the somen was so, so silky smooth and soft. It was a fine, elegant option to the more humble and plebeian beehoon/kuey teow/mee and was an excellent pairing with the superior beef broth.
Oh, I requested for some chilli and look what I got?
A pretty set of 4 different dips, all spicy and packing a punch!
Naturally the chilli paste (sambal) was my favourite.
The Colonial Cafe is a gorgeous place to dine in, both in the afternoon and night.
It is classy, yet warm and inviting.
The white interior, the crisp linen, the accents of timber, leather and rattan for its furnishing, it all adds up to recreate the atmosphere of the halcyon days of the planters of Malaya.
Located in the Majestic Wing, it seats 120 both indoors as well as in outdoor covered courtyards.
COLONIAL CAFE
The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
5, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin,
50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
+603 2785 8000
[email protected]
Noon to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm, daily.
