Makan Kitchen at Doubletree by Hilton
1 Feb 2011
First impression: It’s a beautiful setting. The open-plan restaurant is easy on the eye and I couldn’t help but have my expectations lifted by the modern, comfortable décor and furnishings.
Expectations are a dangerous thing when it comes to eating out but thankfully Makan Kitchen delivered where it really matters: on the plate.
They have a menu that ambitiously takes on cuisines including Chinese, Indian, Malay, Nyonya, Kristang and Iban but there are no compromises when it comes to flavour.
This may be a hotel restaurant – a flagship one at that – but nothing has been toned down in the spiciness or taste departments. Take the Portuguese-Malaccan grilled fish (seriously, take it).
It’s topped with a sambal sauce that drives its spice into every corner of your mouth, delivering the perfect hit to compliment the tender, juicy white fish underneath.
Our butter chicken enthusiast didn’t mind admitting that she went back for seconds, although she may be less pleased if I told the truth that by ‘seconds’ I mean ‘thirds and fourths’. The gravy was unusually rich and perfectly creamy to soak through the rice.
The chicken seemed a little over-cooked but with such a good sauce it was difficult to tell and even harder to complain. In fact, the whole Indian spread was of very high standard, which poses an interesting conundrum for Doubletree when Spice of India open on site soon.
The Malay section is the largest and most popular, although being a higher end establishment might lack a degree of authenticity for the purists. However, in my opinion, nothing was lost in the taste and their fish dishes were divine. And honourable mention for the meatiest satay I’ve eaten anywhere.
Doubletree seems to be the happening new place of the moment. As well as several excellent dining outlets and a cracking wine bar called ‘The Cellar Door’, the hotel is the official hotel for the BMW Malaysian Open WTA tennis tournament and the Masters Football tournament, both partnered by Expatriate Lifestyle.
I suspect that means that I will have plenty of excuses to go back to eat at Makan Kitchen in the weeks and months to come. And this writer has absolutely no problem with that at all.
Details
Address: Doubletree by Hilton, 182 Jalan Tun Razak, KL
Telephone: 03 - 2172 7272