This year, my birthday was quiet but memorable. I’ve been celebrating it with a few people on different days starting with a good friend last Friday. We had a session of free-flow champagne (other champagne-based cocktails included) and some nibbles from 7-9pm at Feast Village before adjourning to Grand Palace Restaurant Pavilion for a proper dinner.

When we got there, it was 9.45pm and the kitchen was about to close. But my friend knows as assistant manager there who made sure we got our food. For two pax, we had the bacon-wrapped prawns, baked spare ribs (1 portion each), abalone and foie gras on fried rice cake, and a seafood wat tan hor.

The prawns were batter-fried and delicious; they were succulent, sweet and savoury from the bacon. Some wasabi mayo would have given it a nice ‘kick’, but this tasted pretty good with the chilli sauce provided.

The abalone and foie gras on fried rice cake wasn’t on the menu. Instead, it was prepared via special request. While the foie gras was slightly overcooked, the abalone was nicely chewy with a briny flavour. This went nicely with the crispy rice cake.

Although we only had one spare rib each, that one piece was large and meaty with beautifully charred edges. The meat was tender, slightly fatty and oh-so-flavourful when I sank my teeth into it. Bone-licking good! I wasn’t impressed with the wat tan hor though, as the noodles lacked wok hei. A pity, as the seafood was fresh and sweet.

After dinner, we actually went to La Bodega for a round of margaritas! And because I was so stuffed with food, I still went home sober. To my friend who wants to remain anonymous, thank you for drinks, dinner, and the birthday gift!

Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: N/A
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Chinese dishes with a modern touch.

Lot 6.39.00 Level 6
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
03-2143 1128