PRIME,
Level 5,
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur,
Jalan Stesen Sentral,
Sentral Kuala Lumpur,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2263 7434
Business hours: Noon to 3pm (Monday- Friday),
6.30pm to 10.30pm, daily.
Pork-free.
WITH a name that practically shouts out its pride in serving fine cuts of meat, Prime has been known as a popular place to go to for a good plate of steak.
What many do not know is that its weekday lunch set menu allows chefs to get creative with the dishes, as the menu changes every two weeks.
The idea for such a menu comes from the belief that face-to-face business meetings are becoming more valuable with the advent of lightning-fast communication technology, hence one should make an effort to leave a lasting impression with every meeting.
The interior of Prime.
Leaving diners with a lasting impression matters, too.
Creating an impression is partially accomplished when greeted by an attractive masculine decor with dark finish and a list of Old and New World wines.
The task of impressing the guest further goes to the kitchen crew, who must whip up a sumptuous and memorable meal, be it from the express set, two or three-course meals designed for lunch.
The grilled chicken tortilla is applauded for its unique taste.
Executive chef Antoine Rodriguez said the set meals were a great way to liven up the kitchen and tables as different dishes were featured, every two weeks.
“You will not find the regular a la carte items on the set menu.
“Changing the menu fortnightly makes it interesting for our regular guests as they have something new to try out at lunch,” he said.
For my lunch pick, I tried the Grilled Chicken Tortilla with Chilli Mango Salsa and Micro Cress; Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Cured Beef and Creme Fraiche, as well as Quail Egg and Arugula Fennel Salad for the appetiser.
I enjoyed the salad, which was crisp, fresh and slightly savoury, but I found the tortilla slightly messy to eat and the soup, plain.
The roasted butternut squash soup has just the right hint of sweetness.
Next came the main course. I started off with the Chimichurri Rubbed Rack of Lamb with Soft Basil Polenta and Wilted Green Vegetables with Balsamic Jus (top pic).
The rack of lamb was not only tasty, it was also juicy and cooked medium with the pinkness of the meat coming through.
The other option was the Grilled Beef Fillet with Garlic Mashed Potato and Buttered Green Asparagus with hints of the aromatic truffle jus that was again an enjoyable dish.
The mashed potato, in particular, was silky and definitely toothsome.
If red meat is not for you, rest assured that the menu usually comes with other options.
During my visit there, the restaurant featured Roasted Barramundi Fish with Marinara Sauce, Mushroom Risotto Cake and Cameron Highland Mesclun as the other main course dish.
The macadamia cheese cake.
Lastly, and arguably the best part of any meal for me, is dessert.
This time, the choice rested between the Chocolate Marquise with Sour Cherry Compote Sauce, Mango Almond Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream or Macadamia Cheese Cake with Berries Coulis.
The diner is offered a cup of Illy coffee or fine tea with dessert.
The first has a nice balance of sweet and sour that perfectly matches the rich and creamy marquise while the second may have had too much going on to be able to properly savour the unique tart filling.
The cheese cake was simply divine and rich, melting in the mouth with each spoonful.
For those interested in wines to go with their meals, there is also the novel Sommelier’s Table where diners can taste some of the specially chosen wines with the wine manager before making their choice.
The three-course set is priced at RM92++ (an appetiser, main course, dessert and choice of fine tea selection or coffee) while the two course meal offers a main course with either an appetiser or dessert, and with tea or coffee for RM75++.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.