Shook! The Starhill Dining
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Rich Callahan
After extensive renovations, The Starhill Dining has reopened its doors. Located on the lower ground floor of The Starhill and part of the greater complex encompassing the J. W. Marriott, the dining level launched its new digs with three food and beverage concepts.
Two well-loved concepts, Luk Yu Tea House and Shook!, were given a makeover and the introduction of The Alchemy, a New York-themed bar, make up the forerunners. Tonight we’re dining at Shook! It’s the first night of the opening, and the staff are excited to see guests once again.
Shook! The Starhill Dining
While Shook! may have undergone a stunning transformation, it’s heart remains. Underneath the marble, art deco geometrics and polished surfaces, heartfelt service and old-fashioned hospitality keep their foothold in firm foundations.
Chef Ho, formerly at YTL properties in the UK and a contestant in Master Chef London, heads the kitchen. He brings globally-inspired recipes to the table while ensuring the old-favourites continue to delight guests.
Cocktails
With The Alchemy (specialising in gin) servicing cocktails to Shook!, it makes sense to begin with a gin aperitif. The New York-style bar showcases a significant collection along with gin-based cocktails. I opt for a martini on No.3 (RM 40), a little wet and with a twist of lemon peel. Hubby chooses the Butterfly (RM 40), The Alchemy’s recipe with butterfly pea-infused gin. Paired with sweet elderflower liqueur and lemon juice, it’s just as tempting as it looks.
Appetisers
We begin our meal with some healthy salads and a Shook! legend.
While the salad is a classic, there’s nothing traditional about the Caesar Salad’s (RM 40) presentation. Charred baby romaine hearts, crispy whitebait and shaved bottarga are all the essentials, but they’re served separately with the dressing and condiments apart in a glass bowl. The Refreshing Quinoa Salad (RM 40) is similarly presented. The greens of kale and baby arugula are on the plate drizzled with pomegranate molasses. In the glass bowl and cone are the vinaigrette, roasted butternut squash and pomegranate seeds. Both are light and fresh.
Connecting the old with the new, Shook! Dancing Prawns (RM 60) has been on the menu since inception. Crispy, hot, wok’d prawns sport a thin batter coat and a generous slathering of citrusy aioli emulsion. The secret is in the sauce, but a sprinkling of crystalised walnuts sure elevates the profile too.
Mains
The mains at Shook! provide a balance of East and west, but our tastebuds are up for comfort food hence the more international choices.
The 58 C Sous Vide Osso Bucco (RM 120) is a hearty, rich meal sure to comfort every corner of the tummy. With cliche fall-off-the-bone meat and creamy Jersey potato-polenta, glazed onion and heirloom baby carrots, it’s a satisfying meal.
From Sea To Grill
On slate framed by a wooden border, Barramundi (RM95) is cooked Mediterranean style and is striking in its whole fish presentation. Moist, flaky flesh is complemented by a juicy, grilled lemon. Cauliflower Gratin (RM 20) and Creamed Spinach with Garlic (RM 20) furnish bold, creamy partners to the light fish.
Land to Grill
Although simply plated on a chopping board, the Wagyu Ribeye (RM 275, 300gm) is quite eye-catching. The sizeable steak covers half the tray with arugula, grilled tomato and portobellos (x 3) taking up the rest. Both the sides, Braised Portobello (RM 20) and Alsatian Style Ratatouille (RM 20) are done to a high standard.
Dessert
To conclude, Baba Au Rhum (RM 45) is recommended by the staff. It’s a traditional recipe with rum and syrup-soaked yeast cakes the star attraction. A local spin enhances the dessert with cooked mango scooped over the top.
Reasons to visit Shook! The Starhill Dining: stylish new digs; menu catering to a variety of tastes; Dancing Prawns; grill menu; cocktails from The Alchemy; although wine by the glass is not particularly impressive their vertical collection of Chateau Mouton Rothschild dating back to the 1940s is worth at least a little envy.
Shook! The Starhill Dining
181 Jalan Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.thestarhilldining.com
enquiries@thestarhilldining.com
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