(From top left) Alaskan crab with avocado, French escargot ragout, hazelnut crusted butter turkey roll and double boiled essence of quail ginseng root are all well-matched with fine wines from Australia and new Zealand.
AT the forefront of fine dining trends, The View at Hotel Equatorial Penang offers outstanding French cuisine enhanced with matching wines while diners feast their eyes on stunning city scapes.
Executive assistant manager (F&B) Jérôme Carrouée said the restaurant would organise a wine pairing event at least once every two months to accord Penangites something out of the ordinary.
“Our chefs will first sample the wine before coming out with the dishes to create the ultimate tasting experience.
“Every pairing is designed to engage your imagination.
“We are also constantly reviewing and refining our wine list, featuring at least 100 labels from around the globe at any one time,” he said, adding that the restaurant can also customise wine pairings upon request.
The View recently hosted the Wines of the South in collaboration with The Wine Shop, Evian and Badoit.
The six-course dinner paired wines from Australia and New Zealand with exquisitely plated creations by executive chef Horst Kocsisek and chef de cuisine Looi Soon Lee.
Executed with flair and passion, each dish has its own individual character to stimulate the senses and elevate the wines.
Alaskan crab with avocado, and Roma tomato and Beluga caviar salsa were paired with Tempus Two Blanc De Blanc Sparkling, a zesty and refreshing wine with enticing fruit flavours.
Matched with Hole In The Water Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the French escargot ragout with chanterelle in a Golden Filo cup was indeed a showstopper.
Savour a touch of the Orient with the double-boiled essence of quail ginseng root, wolf berries and root vegetables.
Nourishing with every spoonful, the soup was complemented by Cranswick Estate Chardonnay, a smooth white with tropical fruit notes.
Next served was hazelnut crusted butter turkey roll with foie gras glazed chestnut and oven-roasted Brussel sprouts.
The bold flavour was further accentuated by the raspberry and plum characters of the Angove Organic Merlot.
The main course of pan-seared venison medallion with roasted pumpkin puree and Manuka honey went well with Angove Muscle Man Shiraz, a stunning bouquet of blackberry and plum fruit with a touch of savoury spice at the finish.
Dessert is a delightful indulgence. A dark and white Christmas log sprinkled with sugar cinnamon dust is beautifully paired with Cranswick Lakefield Pink Moscato, a delicious wine that bursts with fresh cherry, tangy sherbet and sweet red apple flavours.
The View is open from 6.30pm to 10pm daily.
For more information and reservations, contact 04-6327000 or email to fb_reservations@pen.equatorial.com.
