Maison Francaise came into my radar quite awhile ago, I’m always game for foie gras, and escargots which is a French specialty. Maison Francaise occupies a 3 storey bungalow house with a taking view of KLCC Tower from its pool lounge. Choose either to sit in the sparsely white and smart surroundings from the inside or opted for the smoking friendly alfresco with a less uptight atmosphere with best of both view (pool + klcc). French Chef Franck Lamache heads the kitchen and according to its website, used to be a private chef to President of Kazakhstan.
The thing i like about Maison Francaise is their menu stay true to the authentic French flavours, and i think the restaurant deserve more recognition in KL's food industry for its healthy, fresh and light recipes.
The restaurant holds a delightful large menu with a wide range of selection of appetizers and mains which holds an upper end pricing in town. My sight fell to the 10g of premium caviar from France topped with scrambled eggs which looks exciting but with a hefty price tag of RM220. Save it some other special day perhaps? For a gastronomic experience, you may need to dig into your pocket deeper for their degustation which cost RM380 (eek!) for a 7 course meal but hey guess what, it includes that caviar scramble eggs, if that’s enough to convince!
Starting the meal with a cold appetizer, Foie Gras Terrine with onion and apple chutney has a smooth velvety texture which was nice on its own, though chutney melded nicely with the dish. And Gosh you musn’t missed out their mushroom soup here, tasted heavenly with truffle oil and whipping cream. Escargot in Burgundy Style red wine sauce with fried onion rings didn’t hit off with my taste bud, since I can’t accept the “garden” taste of the snails but I do find this problem with many restaurants serving similar dish, so it could just be my preferences. My dining partner swears by their Ravioli stuffed with European Lobster and Spinach in Bouillabaise Sauce, stating that he will not fail to order this everytime he comes by. Granted, the pasta skin was delightfully thin, and the minced inner filling is at its decent portion combine with the saucy and flavourful seafood sauce. Noms!
Foie Gras Terrine with onion and apple chutney (RM72)
Mushroom soup with truffle oil and whipping cream (RM49)
Snails seared in Burgundy style red wine sauce with onion rings (RM80)
Ravioli stuffed with European Lobster and Spinach in Bouillabaise Sauce (RM65/ RM90for main)
Moving on, we have our main courses.
Veal tenderloin in porchini mushroom sauce (RM125), knifing through the meat reveals a nice pink center, and a semi-tender bite. Sufficiently satisfactory for the craving carnivores, however i wished it wasnt pre-sliced before it seared, as that losses out to some juiciness and flavours of the meat.
Pan Seared Red Snapper pairs really well with the ratatouille (RM77), having sampling a few bites off my friend, the sweet delectable flesh with a little acidic hit from the tomato content of ratatouille. This is pure comfort food , and my friend had enjoyed it, it seems
Seared Scallops and parsley sauce and white truffle oil (RM95), I’m generally overly excited for dish with truffle oil. They always tend not to disappoint as the truffle oil generally unearth more flavours into a dish. And it also applies to this dish, though subtle in flavours complement well to the parsley sauce and mascarpone risotto cooked al dente. A little complain here? Scallop is too puny and slightly over seared
For those dessert lovers out there, i'm please to inform that Maison Francaise serve a list of interesting presented and fun desserts. Here's what to look out for:-
The visually arresting dessert and perhaps one of my absolute favourite of the night is
Grand Marnier Souffle (RM35) The perfect light and fluffiness aibeit not too sweet dessert had brings got my heart fluttery for a good moment. That tinge of alkie in this perfected souffle is a definite must order. Alternatively, other flavours include lemon, chocolate, passionfruit and vanilla
Another Special noteworthy dessert is their Mont Blanc chestnut and vanilla ice cream, delightfully light and addictive. (RM28)
For those fig lovers out there, you may find your likings in their Roasted figs from Provence with vanilla ice cream (RM33)
Assortment of Sorbet with Meringue (RM28). A refreshing end to a meal with enjoyable company.
The Cheese Tray- A selection of 4 types of cheese suitable for 2 (RM78)
Went through few wines on 2 occasions- First up, from the restaurant Pascal JoliveT, Sancerre 2009
On a seperate occasion with a smaller group, The Pauillac 2006, societe civile du vignoble de chateau latour, and Australia's Penfold Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, both BYOS.
My Girlies, all passionate foodies!
:)
Ratings:
Food: 6.5/10 + 1 for desserts!
Ambience: 7.5/10
There's a big function capacity here with the pool, and private function room area!
This whole place can easily cater for more than 150pax
Service: 7.5/10
Attentive, but the servers seem not too familiar with their menu
Presentation of Food: 8/10
Enticing to the eye
Overall rating: 7/10
Looking forward to another visit to Maison Francaise
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Maison Francaise
No. 5, Jalan Changkat Kia Peng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-21441474
P/S: if you are wondering, i rate restaurant food in comparison to it's pricing. The higher priced the menu is, it will be expected in higher quality, taste, and ingredients used. Hence you see all the 6's and 7's rating for most of my fine dining post, as i felt that fine dining in Malaysia has not reached its maximum potential. But then again, this is all my personal opinion and with no professional knowledge! Teehee!
