What a privilege it was to be invited to dine with the former President of Chile, His Excellency, Mr. Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle during his holiday in Malaysia. It's also a good break after several days of meetings with him, moving our conversations away from business to more casual topics like food and wine.  As he was staying at The Majestic Hotel, what better place  have our dinner than at the Dining Room, a private dining experience in the hotel itself. After all, with all the traveling around in KL's traffic, felt that it would be a good choice so that Mr. Eduardo and wife can skip traveling around and just relax within the confine of the hotel itself.

Ignore my crumpled blazer, it was a long day and I forgot to tuck it properly before this photo was taken.


 Located in a nice private room at The Smoke House, it's quite secluded away from the rest of the hotel and like all Private Dinner at the hotel, it is pretty quiet and a very personalized experience as the Chef and the Waiters preparing and serving each dish in front of us. The dinner was prepared by Chef Mohd Zaidi based on the choice of wine we chosen prior the dinner. According to him, each dinner is personalized based on the diner's request so not all dinner is the same. So I'll save you some time here and say that price of the dinner is dependent on what you choose as the whole experience is exclusive.



As we enjoyed our wines, the Chef step up with the first dish of the night, Amuse Bouche Colonial Sampler, exquisite presentation and fresh too. I think Chef Zaidi knew he is in for a long night as I kept heading over to the Prep table and watch him work instead of remaining at my seat and wait for the food to be served.

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Following the sampler was the Alaskan King Crab Tian with Organic Heart of Cos and Brûlée Garlic Mayonnaise paired with Carmen Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh crab meat that blends very well with the caviar, the caviar isn't too salty so it blends pretty well with the sweet crab meat. Paired with the Carmen just made it all the more better. Wasn't a big fan of the greens though but Mrs. Frei mentioned that it's pretty sweet and fresh.

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The only dish of the night that I didn't touch, the Cappuccino of Wild Mushroom Puree, never a big fan of Mushroom puree and the heavy amount of fresh cream just made it even  more unappetizing to me. But I was told that it's nice so I just have to believe what I was told.

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I have to say that I had doubt about the Oven Baked Dried Shrimp and Ham Crusted Red Grouper on XO Angel Hair as I was worried about the Dried Shrimp being too dry for the Grouper but my worry was unfounded, the dried shrimp and ham is crispy but isn't too dry and when consumed with the grouper, it gives a crunchy texture to the smooth meat, and when paired with Arana Old Vines, it gives off a nice blend of sweetness and spice. The Angel Hair texture is very well controlled too, isn't too soft yet it still melts in the mouth.

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Now, the very dish I was waiting for, the Wagyu Rib Eye with Medley Vegetables, Duping Potatoes and Truffle Jus paired with Frei Presidential Blend. Requested for medium, the meat literally melts in my mouth, each slice easily sliced off without much effort and the truffle juice blends in well with the meat. I do wish I could have extra helpings of the meat but then, it's a fine dining experience so I've to be well behaved. Especially on such a special occasion.

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For dessert, we were served with Assiette of Valrhona Chocolate Desserts, nice slightly bitter Belgium chocolate with a very smooth chocolate mousse that made the end of the dinner so much more perfect.

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Dinner didn't really end with the dessert as we sat around the Smoke House area and enjoy a bottle of the Frei Presidential Blend, a money can't buy bottle of red wine. I was presented with one and Mr. Frei decide to open another one for us to enjoy through the night. A blend specially created by His Excellency and produced in limited numbers (I think only 1,000 bottles are produced with each bottles clearly numbered). The bottle was only presented by H. E. to his guests and selected people he meets. So to get one from him is pretty unique. It's an easy to drink and sweet aromatic wine, with a nice mild spiciness to taste. The finish lingers on slightly but just enough that it fades off before the next dish is served.

Verdict:



Now, after spending the evening there, I do feel that it is an excellent place if you want to have a unique fine dining experience with a customized menu and a private space to enjoy. No doubt that when price is concerned, it isn't a place we can dine in often but that only make each occasion all the more special. Definitely would want to dine there again but it'll be for a very special occasion.

The Dining Room @ The Majestic Hotel KL

5 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin,
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603-2785-8000
Waze: https://waze.to/lr/hw283f53zp

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