Cosmo Lounge,
Hilton Kuala Lumpur,
3, Jalan Stesen Sentral,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2264 2592/2596 or
visit www.life.hiltonkl.com
Business hours: 10.00am to 11.00pm.
High tea is from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
WHEN we think of French desserts — bavarois, creme brulee, profiteroles, petit fours, eclairs, macarons, made-leines and crepes are some of the enticing delights that transport the sweet-toothed confection lover to a heavenly place.
In fact, dessert enthusiasts who enjoy biting into flaky pastries, savouring creamy custards or delighting in smooth mousse flavours might want to see for themselves if the French High Tea affair at Cosmo Lounge, Hilton Kuala Lumpur meets the mark.
With up to 40 items, the high tea spread is cautiously speaking skewered for those with an inclination for petite and sweet desserts.
Delectable finds such as Hazelnut Cream Eclairs, Mille Feuille, Crème Brulee Pistachio, Almond Meringue, Apple Tart Tatin, Praline Cream Cake, petit fours such as Large Biscotti, Tuile Aux Amande, Plamier, Raspberry Financier and Nougat, are some of the sugary treats that are bound to tantalise your taste buds.
On the day of our visit executive sous chef Michael Elfwing introduced the spread that had been conceptualised by executive chef Benoit Chargy.
Professional touch: Elfwing prepares a crepeala minute for a guest.
The French High Tea, he said, was unlike international buffets that most Malaysians were accustomed to, as theme buffets encouraged diners to get acquainted with flavours from a particular country.
“Chef Chargy being French wanted to introduce a spread that was fun and different, and decided on French pastries and cakes for our current high tea promotion.
“Our menu has items that people are familiar with, like macarons, crepes, French cheese, sandwiches and pastries,” he said as he offered to prepare Crepe Sarasin of Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche and yet another buckwheat crepe filled with tuna, the latter of which I preferred.
The crepe action station, chef Elfwing said also served up the classic Crepe Suzette with caramelised orange tangerine sauce, for those who would rather relish the tangy sweet version.
Being rather finicky about desserts, there are not many sweet items that swoon me over but the Chocolate Fondant stopped me in my tracks, dominating my palate for a good 10 minutes!
At this particular action station, chefs work a little magic with liquid nitrogen and creme anglaise to create instant ice cream which in this case, featured the distinctive taste of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.
Macarons, which are all the craze these days, are cleverly presented in clear glasses or strung through skewers to entice diners.
Delectable: A selection of macaron sat Cosmo Lounge’s French High Tea.
There is a wide variety of flavours such as lavender, pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate and many more.
Other favourites on the menu are Smoked Duck Rillette ala Crouton, Chicken Terrine in Sage Jelly, a selection of fine cheese and freshly baked breads.
However, I did mention to chef Elfwing that the serunding sandwich on the sandwich tray seemed misplaced, which also took him by surprise.
There is a choice of bubbly, wines or beers to add to your French dining experience but if it is too early for alcohol, the selection of Ronnefeldt teas that include signature black teas such as Earl Grey, Black Assam, Orange Pekoe, Lapsang; fruit teas wild cherry, Strawberry Fields, green teas, herbal infusions and more, will excite any tea lover.
The high tea affair is available on Saturdays and Sundays, priced at RM109++ per person. Alcohol drinks are priced separately.
Hilton Premier Club Cardholders enjoy discounts of 20% off total food bill. CIMB World MasterCard, Visa Infinite and Visa Signature, CIMB Platinum, Gold and Classic Credit Cardholders are entitled to a 15% discount off the total food bill.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
