It’s all about the White Asparagus at Mandarin Grill, MO KL

One evening, mid last week, we were invited to dine on something much revered, and a big part of the French table, history and culture.

Harvesting is part of its mystique.

I am of course, referring to the white asparagus. This fair, and fibrous vegetable has to be dug up while it is still hidden underground. As soon as the furled tips are touched by the sun, they produce chlorophyll and turn color — from mother-of-pearl ivory to lavender-rose to purple to green. Along the way, the taste gets stronger.. more acidic and less sweet. So of course, it follows that the palest version is the most coveted and the most expensive.

Thanks to the advent of spring in Europe, this treasured beauty can now be enjoyed with a selection of dishes at Mandarin Grill from 2 to 15 May 2016. Chef Benjamin Halat had us over so we could experience his various asparagus dishes showcased in this latest MO Grill Promo.

Highlights include, the White Asparagus Salad served with Poached Egg, Heirloom Tomatoes and finished with Herb Dressing and also the White Asparagus Mousse with Home Curd Salmon and Potato Dressing. Diners may choose to warm up to White Asparagus Soup with Duck Rillette. For the main courses, pair the white asparagus with a selection of dishes that include Poached Dover Sole with White Wine Sauce; Grilled Boston Lobster; Black Angus Beef Tenderloin as well as Wiener Schnitzel. Appetizers are priced from RM 46 nett onwards while main courses are from RM 105 nett onwards.

STARTER
WHITE ASPARAGUS SALAD , POACHED EGG ∙ HEIRLOOM TOMATOES ∙ HERB DRESSING (RM 74)

WHITE ASPARAGUS MOUSSE, HOME CURD SALMON ∙ POTATO DRESSING (RM 88)

WHITE ASPARAGUS SOUP,DUCK RILLETTE (RM 46)

MAIN COURSE – CONSISTS OF WHITE ASPARAGUS 250G / RM 105 ; 500G / RM 220
PARSLEY POTATOES ∙ SAUCE HOLLANDAISE ∙ BUTTER and a choice of either, Fish, Beef, Lobster or Schintzel

ADD ON
DOVER SOLE, POACHED ∙ WHITE WINE SAUCE (RM 258)

HALF BOSTON LOBSTER GRILLED (RM 198)

GRAIN FED BLACK ANGUS BEEF TENDERLOIN, 150GR ∙ GRILLED (RM 178)

WIENER SCHNITZEL, LEMON (RM 118)

But if you’re like us, you’d want to try them all! Every main dish was equally delicious, with the white asparagus being the highlight of the show, of course. I loved the Angus Tenderloin as well as the Wiener Schnitzel but that’s just because I really love red meat or game, with my white asparagus! You must have the asparagus with the Hollandaise sauce that just melts way all resistance, especially in the mouth!

This menu can be wine paired, and the wines we had that night were, the Sauvignon Blanc, 60 Drops, Marlborough New Zealand GLS – 52 BTL 242 and also the Grüner Veltliner, “Singing“ Laurenz, Kremstal, Austria GLS – 48 BTL

Grappa di Barolo.. mesmerizing in a crystal bottle. Full-bodied amber elixir with notes of vanilla, candied fruit and not overly sweet to end the evening, paired with a super delectable apple tatin & vanilla ice-cream (not part of the promo the menu).

For reservations – +60(3) 2380 8888 or email [email protected]. Opening hours are 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch and 7pm to 10.30pm for dinner.