GAB’s Oktoberfest Chinese food pairing @ Tai Zi Heen, Prince Hotel KL

If you think that food pairing is limited to tried-and-tested wine, think again. As part of the on-going Oktoberfest celebration, Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) and Chef Wong of Prince Hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant, Tai Zi Heen came up with a special 3-course beer pairing promotion to go with exquisite Chinese dishes.

Here’s what on the menu, available throughout the month of October:

Wok-seared 5-spice salt dusted foie gras and Beijing smoked duck wrap drizzled with passion fruit vinaigrette. Absolutely exquisite and sublime, paired with a nice cold Guinness. The sweet and savory combination of the dish (passion fruit vinaigrette? Really nice one..!) washed down well with Guinness and its slight bitter aftertaste.

Hot and sour seafood soup with unagi-parmesan stick was quite rich with full character. Paired with Strongbow whose sweet, slightly acidic taste is much welcome after a heavy dish.

Honey soy glazed oysters on asparagus, one of the 3 options for main course is paired with Paulaner. A recommended combination for on its own, the dish may have been slightly too sweet for my liking. When taken with Paulaner, the sweetness is nicely balanced out.

Second option for main course is baked cod with garlic crust, my favourite. Fresh cod with a crusty garlicky (though not overwhelming) top, great on its own and perfect with a Paulaner.

Kongpau-style chicken with dried chillies and cashew nuts in yam ring is a strong contender for my first choice of mains. This traditional dish, done so well at the restaurant (loved the light, crispiness of the yam ring!) is paired with the much-loved Tiger that neutralises the dish’s natural hot and spicy aftertaste.

For dessert, it’s Chef Michael Wong’s signature dish, the purple sweet potato with mango ice-cream and lotus paste Chinese pancake. The presentation of this dish was magnificent, what with the colours and dry ice effect. The taste was excellent as well, every taste of the potato paste should be accompanied by a small scoop of ice-cream. Complete the sweetness with a glass of Strongbow, perfect to cleanse your palate after your meal.

So obviously this photo was taken after one too many beers. Spot the fried spaghetti.

Tai Zi Heen’s ‘For the Love of Beer‘ promotion is available throughout GAB’s Oktoberfest celebrations (until Oct 31st) at RM150++ per person. Each delicious dish will be paired with Tiger, Guinness, Strongbow and Paulaner. You’ll also take home an exclusive limited edition GAB’s Oktoberfest 1L ceramic mug! Make your reservations already :)

Tai Zi Heen Chinese Restaurant
Level 2, Prince Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur
4 Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 2170 8888
URL: http://www.princehotelkl.com

This photo was also taken after one too many.

Besides this, GAB has also lined up many activities and specials (read: promotions, value deals) for Oktoberfest this year. For more info, check them out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OktoberfestMY