Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF) 2013 – Taste MIGF, Restaurants & Menus

It’s that time of the year again. A full month of special menus carefully crafted by the many chefs in some of the top restaurants in the country; all ready to tantalize the tastebuds of the country’s hungry gourmands.
This year a total of 28 F & B establishments are involved; making a gourmand’s choice pretty straightforward, one restaurant for each night in the month of October; with a break of 2 days in between! :DD

1. Arthur’s Bar & Grill – Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (Continental)
2. Lafite – Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (French/European)
3. Bunga Emas – The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur (Malay)
4. Dynasty – Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Chinese – Non-Halal)
5. Sagano – Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Japanese)
6. Five Sen5es – The Westin Kuala Lumpur (Chinese – Non-Halal)
7. Prego – The Westin Kuala Lumpur (Italian)
8. Qba Latin Bar & Grill – The Westin Kuala Lumpur (European/steakhouse)
9. Grill 582 – BEST WESTERN PREMIER Dua Sentral (Western)
10. Lai Po Heen – Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur (Chinese – Pork-free)
11. Mandarin Grill – Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur  (European/steakhouse)
12. Nook – Aloft KL Sentral (Contemporary/International)
13. Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant – Berjaya Times Square Hotel KL (Contemporary/International)
14. The Restaurant – The Club, Saujana Resort (European)
15. Tuscany Restaurant – Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa (Italian)
16. Midori Restaurant – Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa (Japanese)
17. Seasonal Tastes – The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa (Contemporary/International)
18. Blu Med – Blu Med Ristorante e Bar (Japanese/Italian/Mediterranean)
19. Chakri Palace – Rotol Food-Chain (M) Sdn Bhd (Thai)
20. Cuisine Gourmet By Nathalie – Nathalie Gourmet Studio (French/European)
21. Kelantan Delights – Kelantan Delights Sdn Bhd (Traditional/contemporary Malay)
22. Kiraku Japanese Restaurant – Shaftsbury Capital Sdn Bhd (Japanese)
23. Marini’s On 57 – Mont Oro (M) Sdn Bhd (International/European)
24. Minori – Multiple Reward Sdn Bhd (Japanese)
25. Nerovivo – The Nero Group (Italian)
26. Tanzini – Sonata Vision Sdn Bhd (European)
27. Ten Japanese Fine Dining – Sushi Train (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd  (Japanese)
28. Tarbush Restaurant – Restoran Tarbush Delicacies Sdn Bhd (Middle Eastern)

The theme is “Cool Chefs –Cooking With Attitude” and I must say that it did gives the culinary world a sense of glamour and flair. I had worked in kitchens before and frankly it’s nothing glamorous. Pressure is high, work is fast and tempers are usually short. But none of that matters, for at the end of the day, the food speaks for itself.

Having witnessed ever-increasing success each year since its inception in 2001, MIGF is the region’s premier and most celebrated fine food event, and now officially a part of Tourism Malaysia’s “Fabulous Food 1Malaysia” initiative.

I have been blogging and following the MIGF development year after year and it has not shown any signs of decline. In fact, this year the festivals are bigger and better with Epicure International Gourmet Village, Taste MIGF, Theatre of Cuisines and the sponsors’ booths – there’s just so much more to see and discover. Some of the participating restaurants did showcased very intriguing menus and culinary creations that are worth a visit in the month of October.

The Restaurant is again on my favoured list. The tasting portions of Foie Gras, Duck roll, Granny Smith Apple and Smoked Rack of Lamb & Confit Lamb Shoulder indicates that a proper dinner here is warranted. Last year’s MIGF menu as well as the foie gras ice cream left a memorable impression til today.

Nook of KL Sentral is a newcomer to the scene and is determined to impress. And it did. I loved the scallops, the superbly tender beef rendang and the soba sarawak laksa.

My Japanese food cravings are hitting through the roof. I have always been turning up my nose at the local KL Japanese restaurants as I know I could get better Jap fare in Tokyo/Osaka itself. This year my annual Japan trip is canceled due to work and other media trips. Looks like Ten Japanese Fine Dining might have to do the trick for now.

I must have my steaks. The Qba Latin Bar and Grill had not disappoint so far after 3 visits. I hope to try the new menu since I had sampled almost everything on the current menu.

I wonder what Chef Pearl is up to next? She’s a bundle of cheer and energy! 🙂

Qba’s menu comprises of Grilled Lamb Breast, Australian Wagyu Eye Fillet and Slow braised “Oaxacan Mole Black Angus” Beef Short Rib. I must not miss this! 

Five Sen5es menu is not to be overlooked as well. I’ll be reviewing the menu next week so stay tuned! 🙂

The humble but fiery Thai food is not left out again as the Chakri Group is on board this year.

Tanzini.
Now the Tajima Wagyu Tenderloin is to die for! I had bite sized portions of it and I’m craving a full portion now. Look out for Chef Johnny Fua and Chef Eugene here.

I stepped in Arthur’s at Shangri-la recently for the first time. And I liked what I ate. Full post on that visit soon. Meanwhile, do the MIGF menu by Chef Charles seems promising as well.

Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio. I remembered how obsessed I was when the first studio opened in Publika. I was a loyal patron every month because the menu changed monthly.

The name Nathalie is synonymous with macarons in KL.

Her desserts are always good but I have always favoured her savouries. She marries ingredients beautifully and it’s always a pleasure to sample her food as she uses really premium ingredients.

Another place to watch out for is Marini’s on 57. I had the duck and the mango dessert and both of us went ‘Wow’. Well, that probably explains the RM1,057 ++ per person without wine price tag!

There are so many more restaurants and it won’t be possible to feature them all in one post. If I do sample any of the MIGF menus soon you know you’ll be reading the review here! :DD

I had a fabulous at the MIGF Gala Launch, rocking my new hairstyle (I came straight from Centro Salon) and stuffing myself silly with some really good food.

Here’s the site that you should be surfing over to for more details of both menu and prices for the MIGF 2013: http://www.migf.com/menu-list/2013

Last but not least, a totally unrelated photo to the MIGF but trust me, ‘she’ was there!