7atenine Indulgence Series with Chef Nicolas Isnard
It was the first chef & mixologist pairing in Malaysia hosted by 7atenine, and I was invited to sample the culinary wonders of Michelin Star Chef, Nicolas Isnard.
Oyster Vichyssoise
This was a beautiful amuse bouche. The oyster was plump and ‘burst-y’, and the tangy sour cream and chives topping gave it a crisp, summery flavour.
Starter
Scallop carpaccio with quinoa & citrus fruits
The scallops were sweet and fleshy, while the quinoa gave it a nice, chewy texture. However, I found the diced tomatoes very, very salty.
Paired with Monkey Gland
Soup
Soupe a l’oignion
I’ll be honest; I was surprised when the bowl of ‘soup’ was placed in front of me. There was no broth on that porcelain white bowl, except a blob of cold, creamy matter, croutons and an onion ring on top. My waiter then came with a jug and poured the hot onion broth into my bowl. The creamy matter turned out to be onion ice cream. This was interesting to eat; the heady broth was subtly flavoured by the ice cream (which tasted like vanilla ice cream, if it wasn’t for that hint of onion aftertaste). The soup was consumed cold and I enjoyed this.
Main course
Low temperature cooked seabass, hommous, ginger-lemon broth
Diners were given a portion of both main courses to try – much to my delight. The seabass was prepared in the simplest manner and elegantly presented on a bed of hommous. Its delicate flavour and firm white flesh paired well with the grainy hommous and ginger-lemon broth.
Paired with Chombard Cosmopolitan
Loin of lamb, eggplant cannelloni, garlic confit
The lamb was my favourite of the two mains. It was beautifully prepared with a layer of melt-in-the-mouth fat. While some people cut away the fat before devouring the lamb, I polished off everything, promising myself I’ll make it up for the extra calories and cholesterol this dish came with the next day.
Paired with Apple Martini
I loved the Apple Martini. This was sweet, tangy and potent – I asked for another glass of this!
Dessert
Raspberry soup, gingerbread espuma with orange olive oil
Dessert took some getting used to, as I usually associate soups with Chinese restaurants. Although delicious, the raspberry soup didn’t quite register the way I hoped it would. However, rif enjoyed this.
After dinner digestif — Grappa Limoncino
Chef Nicolas Isnard
Chef Nicolas Isnard hails from Burgandy and is based at the one-Michelin-star L’Auberge de la Charme in the little village of Prenois. During his career, he worked under three Michelin-star Chef Gilles Goujon for three years, as the Chef de Cuisine for L’Auberge du Vieux Puits. He then joined Le Chateau de Curzay, where he re-launched the hotel’s culinary direction to the level of haute gastronomy and was rewarded with his first Michelin star.
Nicolas is a master at re-inventing classic and traditional French dishes, and he enjoys creating dishes with distinctive rustic flavours. The four-course dinner was paired with cocktails from 7atenine resident mixologist, Frankie P Anthony.
Happy diners
Ascott Kuala Lumpur
No.9, Jalan Pinang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2161 7789, 012-210 3055
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2161 7789, 012-210 3055
3 Responses
The soup looks really interesting! Onion ice-cream??? I personally dislike onions but I LOVE ice-cream! So I'm interested to know how the combination works for me! Hehe
the scallops looked almost divine!
Everything just like an art masterpiece…too pretty to eat 😛