Augustdiners Wishing Everyone A Propesperous Tiger Year *RAWR*

If you think my drawing sucks, wait till you see Crazieapple's

But please give some credit to the complete computer NOOB here! :D

Augustdiners would like to wish everyone gong xi fa cai!! it's been a good two months here, and my waistline has expanded to a proud inch or two..

ok... maybe three... =(

CNY is around the corner and we're already jam packed with dinners and open houses. We can't wait to show the delicacies to our readers soon, so stay tuned!

From yours truly, Ms. Jazz & Crazieapple & Mr. Crusader

WISHING YOU A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Prime, Le Meridien Hotel

Prime has a reputation around town as a restaurant that serves up one of the best steaks. Their tagline "Prime Grill, Prime Wine, Prime Time" pretty much sums up our dining experience in Le Meridien.
The interior of Prime is an eye-pleaser- charming and elegant. We were literally surrounded by wines and bubblies as they use it as part of their wall décor.

We were greeted by the head chef and a bunch of friendly waiters and were quickly seated in a secluded corner that allows privacy and a visual experience of the chef's works in the open concepted kitchen. The waiters were attentive and highly professional, and I notice that all of them were female?

Their menu features a large selections of beef in different cuts. You can find Australian certified Wagyu Beef (Marble Score 6 and above) or Kobe Beef (Score 9 and above), and for those health concious out there, do try out their organic australian beef. There are also wide selections of Prime USA steaks in the menu. Their range of steaks are priced at RM90 - RM500.
In conjuction to the upcoming valentine's day, Prime also offers a 5 course valentine menu for only RM388++ per pax.

Feel free to scroll through their menu online so you'll know what to expect.

I was going to order a bottle of red wine although most of them do not feel like having liquor that night, after selection of 3 types of wine (the waiter come back 3 times to tell us it was out of stock) dah-lah… very potong stim right? So any urge of having wine was gone for the night.

Compliment Assorted Bread which comes with 3 types of butter, seaweed, unsalted, and sundried tomatoes

We ordered a selections of starters, Classic Caesar Salad (RM45) is a very safe choice considering there was many interesting starters calling out my name.

Australian Crab cake, Chilli Flakes, Garlic Sauce, and Mango Salsa (RM55) was a refreshing change, generous crabmeat that blends well with its salsa

My Lobster bisque (RM45) came with a golden crust, and imagine my excitement of poking through it and scooping up the secret content inside. But unfortunately, this turns out to be my least favourite of the night as the soup is not creamy enough with very little lobster pieces. The golden crust has nothing to shout about. It’s almost like it’s there for visual purpose only. It does not go well with the soup.

There were too many choices for me to select from, i ended up taking a good 10 minutes before deciding on Australian Black Angus- 200 days grain fed Ribeye (8oz/ 220g)- RM120. When it comes to a good piece of steak (not frozen ones!) most would suggest the steak to be prepared medium rare to medium. Mine was medium and it was perfect. With just the right amount of trim fats with its tender meat, I was ready to gobble up everything in minutes, but I’m aware of my manners for once and cut it in small cubes and pop it into my mouth bits by bits while I devour every taste of the juicy steak.

Lamb cooked in three ways. What a way of presentation. I love how you get to sample different flavours in one dish itself.

French lamb cutlet with rosemary flavoured tomato fondue, simply Char-grilled lamb noisette on witted Spinach, Skewer of lamb loin with garlic cream and roasted fingerling potato - (RM125)

Aaron’s Lamb Shank (RM80)- slow braised on grilled polenta and roasted pimiento and crispy garlic bread. Very tender and a total comfort food.

Lamb Rack – Chilli Apricot Smoked French cut Rack of Lamb, BBQ lamb kofte, potato-feta cheese croquette (RM90) came with generous portion and is beautifully presented. I did not try but Winnie gave her thumbs up for this.

Looks like we have sample most lamb dishes on the menu for the night! And I thought they are famous for their beef?

Xavier ordered Norwegian Salmon Fillet (RM75) which came in somewhat miserable size for the price, but he commented that it tasted fresh and liked it enough.

The steak is flavorful by itself, but we were given 3 selections of sauce recommended by the waitress. Caramelized Balsamic-shallot jus, Bearnaise Sauce, and Mint Sauce for the lamb

We ordered sides to complement our mains- Truffled mashed potatoes is my absolute favourite! (RM15), Asparagus with Australian broccolini ragout (RM15), and Roasted pumpkin

All in all, It had been a truly enjoyable meal, word of advice: don’t let the prices scare you off, they are worth it, and the lamb was commented to be really fresh. If you are looking for a good lamb without a strong pungent lamb smell, I’d suggest you to go for PRIME.

We ended up not having dessert as we had to rush off although i really wanted to try that MUD PIE! Boo, next time perhaps?

Our bill came up to approx RM700+ between 5 without dessert (discounted with starwood privileges card)

Ratings:

Food: 7.5/10

(will try the wagyu next time!)

Service: 8/10

Ambience: 8.5/10

Presentation of food: 7.5/10

Overall: 8/10

~*~*~*~*~*~

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

2 Jalan Stesen Sentral

Kuala Lumpur Sentral

50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(next to Hilton KL)

Tel: 03-22637434

Man's Guide to a Perfect Valentine's Date

V-day is coming up in a few days. We know it will be a torture for most guys as they scratch their heads furiously on where to bring their partner to dine, and to find the perfect gift to impress their gfs.

Personally i think Valentine Day is overrated. I mean if you love someone, you will spend every single day in sweet wonderland. It doesnt take THIS day to show your partner your appreciation or how much you love them. (and the gift exchange.... it should be done everyday too, right girls?? *grins*)

Apart from the hiked up prices in restaurant and the false pretense of romance with annoying decorations, i don't see what else to be appreciated about this day. Perhaps im being a sour grape because im not in a relationship *if i am, i will most probably eat up my own words*

 So many have asked us to recommend where to go and what to buy during this V-day (and if you havent already bought them, *whack* why soooo last minute larh)

~*~*~Man's Guide to a perfect Valentine's Date~*~*~

(uh-huh, listen to THE guru who is single for.... "N" years... hahaha)

Im just going to list down 3 easy options to save you from many headaches:

1. Woo them to a nice dinner and buy them expensive gifts

2. Cook them a heartfelt dinner and buy them expensive gifts

3. Or you can do it our dear Augustdiner writer MR. CRUSADER WAY by bringing your gf to a luxury oversea holiday in a 5star hotel and still buy her expensive gifts. pls pls pls can i tag along? *puppy eyes*

See, Guys should already be researching way ahead of the date. It all end up to buying expensive gifts really. The more expensive, the happier. How can girls not like gifts like tiffany & Co. accessories, prada wallets  or chanel handbags?

But word of advice is NEVER start off your first valentine with really extravagant gifts, because girls tend to expect more the next time round, and it'll probably take a DEEEEEP pocket to satisfy their growing appetite.

But then again, its really worth it to keep us girls HAPPY just because we bite! *rawr*

On a serious note though, it should be pretty easy to search for a gift, like i said guys should be attentive to details maybe one or 2 months prior V-day. When bringing your gf to shopping, dont just standing around doing nothing! Take note of things she touched but put down and look back before exiting the shop. Or minor comments she made of things she may need for daily usage but doesnt have. Or do something with personal touch.

I know some people compile photos into a photoalbum, and decorate it with captions to express their feelings. Some create a love songs and plays them on the guitar for their gfs. These are relatively inexpensive but still cheesy and romantic.

 (well, unless your gf is someone like me who has a WANT list hidden in the secret closet and ready to supply to the partner upon request.. i have no shame! :D)

GUYS PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE AND STRICTLY FOLLOW THEM!!

"buying roses is a must must must!" Just earlier this morning, the radio announce that there was this woman who wants to file a divorce because his husband fail to buy her any roses for valentine's day. so don't say i did not forewarn you!!

"never be late!!! and pick up your dates please!!!" Leave house one hour earlier if you have to beat the traffic and DONT BE LATE. Also... please do not be stupid and ask your date to meet you at a restaurant.

If you decided, NO i dont want to pay a hiked up price because im broke or i didnt save up money 2 months prior as Augustdiners advice... then you may refer to our next option: Cook a nice heartfelt dinner.

Time for the guys to pick up their wok and give it a vigorous shake!

Making dinner isnt as hard as you think. After all be thankful that Valentine's falls on this Sunday (so you have the WHOLE DAY to mess up, clean up and re-do)

1. A nice piece of grilled steak with mashed potatoes or greens would be an easily impressed dish.

2. Or how about BBQ baby back ribs that almost cant go wrong? Just marinated with BBQ sauce and pop it in the oven for couple of hours for a fall off the bone texture.

3. For those seafood lovers, you can always hop over to your nearest supermarket to buy a nice piece of salmon and again oven baked it (the most stress-free method!)

Some easy to do desserts include creme brulee, and tiramisu

(please let me know if you need stress-free recipes of the above!!)

If you have serious dose of cash and don't know what to do with it, your next option (3) is to spend it on ME! (j.k)

There is no proper guide as to how to spend your money overseas in lavish hotels, you just do. The rest of the action will be in the hotel already.

Resort i strongly recommend: Four Seasons Langkawi Resort, its super romantic

Please refer to Kampungboycitygal's blog entry on expensive dining and budget dining  that gives a comprehensive recommendations of restaurant to dine during valentine's day. (be ready to pay 30% more than regular price)

*note: This post has nothing to do with food blogging whatsoever, how it ended up here is because i decided to give guys a good wake up call, and do the right thing for once!!!