The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur defines the new concept of fine dining for European cuisine in Kuala Lumpur. The Library is definitely one of the most desired fine-dining destinations in Kuala Lumpur that genuine foodies will fall for. Why? Let Gourmet International unveil the charm of The Library to you.

Concept of The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur somehow reminds me of the Trinity College Old Library in Dublin. Framed with wall-sized book shelves with approximately 2,000 titles of different genres, ranging from films and arts to architecture and travel, these books are not merely for decoration. Diners can read any books they like in The Library during their meals. The idea is to let them slow down their pace of life and enjoy their every moment at The Library.

Dining ambience of The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

The warmly-lit dining area is spacious and elegant, suggesting an intimate and leisurely dining atmosphere. Each dining table is finely set up to allow utmost comfort for the guests to genuinely enjoy the taste of food. A sense of elegance and serenity fills the air in The Library with live classical music that gently leads the guests into a gourmet world of indulgence. The Library is not only a perfect venue for romantic dinner, but also a perfect place that epitomises what fine-dining ambience is all about.

Dinner Menu of The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

To offer unparallel dining experience, the dinner menu is a daily menu creatively crafted by Chef Shamsul based on the fresh ingredients he can source that very morning. Diners are given the option to choose either a 3- or 4- course dinner with or without wine pairing. What’s really put me in awe is that each course even comes with two or more options for diners to choose from. 

How’s the dinner? How’s the cuisine?

After all, the taste of the food constitutes most scores for a restaurant. One simple word can conclude my dinner at The Library – unforgettable!

Neng, photographer for Gourmet International, and I picked a 4-course dinner with wine pairing

(1) Amuse-bouche: Beef cheek and risotto
The melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek was the star in this dish! I was once told by a chef not to eat the process of the food, but I couldn’t help wondering how much sweat and time had been put into this little piece of beef cheek.

(2) Appetizer: Two choices are provided.

Warm Vegetable Terrine paired with Ingolby Chardonnay
Each layer of the vegetable terrine was slightly charred to give an extra aroma to the whole dish. All flavours were harmoniously balanced. It’s a light but flavoursome starter. The brilliant selection of Ingolby Chardonnay complemented the taste of this starter with its crisp acidity on the palate.

Crab Cake with Asparagus paired with Huntaway Sauvignon Blanc
Before savouring this dish, smell the crab cake first. The magic of the aroma stimulated my appetite. The butter Hollandaise sauce, which was surprisingly light in texture, enhanced the flavour of the crab cake, which was full of crab meat. Crispy on the outside, but soft and moist on the inside, this crab cake, though deep-fried, did not put a full stop to my appetite.  The choice of Huntaway Sauvignon Blanc was awesome. Its nice floral and tropical notes completely diminished the taste of oil.

(3) Soup: Two choices are provided.

Pumpkin with Pasta
The sweetness of this soup pleased my photographer’s taste buds.

Cannellini Bean Soup
This soup triggered my craving for it. Thin-sliced fried almond added an explosive effect on the aroma, texture and taste of the soup.

(4) Main Course: Four choices are presented in the menu. Our choices are the following:

Hazelnut Crust Wagyu Fillet Champs Mash, Glaze Beetroot paired with Narrow Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Meat lovers, if you really are a meat lover, this Wagyu steak will surely tattoo ‘The Library‘ in your heart. Its tenderness is beyond words. The hazelnut crust, which took more than ten hours to prepare, cast an unforgettable nutty flavour and texture to the steak. I also like the choice of the wine pairing. On the nose, it has intense ripe black and red fruit aromas. It is fruity and has a soft and velvety feel in the mouth that lingers on once swallowed.

Carvery of the Day paired with Metala Shiraz Cabernet
Carvey of the Day, a signature dish that features in the Sunday brunch at The Library, was highly recommended to me the moment I sat at my dining table. I did doubt its tenderness when I was shown how big the lamb leg was. The moment I cut a slice of it on my plate, my doubt and fear instantly vanished. It’s an effortless cut. No gamey smell, medium-rare, easy-to-chew-and-swallow are the obvious characteristics of this roasted lamb leg. Metala Shiraz Cabernet is a full-bodied wine that goes hand-in-hand with the lamb leg! Nice pick.

(5) Dessert: Two choices are provided.

Chef’s Selection of the Day
Our attentive server, Tariqul, offered dessert choices to us. As we were already loaded with a lot of meat, we picked some fruity dessert – a fruit tart and a cheesecake. I don’t think I really need to tell you if they are tasty or not. Your mouth probably waters when you see the photos. They flawlessly completed my dinner.

Will Gourmet International recommend The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur?

The Library possesses all qualities that a fine-dining restaurant is all about – attentive service, elegant dining ambience, awesome food and an unforgettable dining experience. I highly recommend The Library to you all.

Tips that help you decide to dine at The Library:

1.  When should I dine at The Library?
   • For a romantic dinner with your darling
   • For family gathering
   • For friends’ gathering
   • For a night without your cell phone
2.  How much?
   • Three-course at MYR 250 nett, with wine pairing at MYR 375 nett
   • Four-course at MYR 300 nett, with wine pairing at MYR 450 nett
3.  How tender is the steak and lamb leg?
   • I am sure my 70-year-old grandpa can chew it and enjoy
4. Why should I dine in a hotel?
   • The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur is the very first luxury hotel in Malaysia, and has hosted many eminent guests including the Former U.S. President Barack Obama, the Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and famous artists such as Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. So, why not?

Who in Gourmet International team reviewed The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur?

Chelsea Chan ~ A food lover, golfer, fun lover, and adventurer
Chelsea was born in Hong Kong and is a genuine food lover. Her palate is especially sharp on Cantonese food, delicacies from Hong Kong and meat (especially beef, chicken and lamb). She is able to taste how the food is cooked and prepared. Besides, she is also a pro buffet gourmet because of her unlimited appetite. When she says ‘too sweet’, it may not be sweet for you as her preference for chocolate is 72++ dark chocolate.

Where is The Library at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur?

The Library
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur
Address: 168, Jalan Imbi, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: +60 3-2142 8000
Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/kuala-lumpur

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