Forgot to post this earlier. When I was at Connoisseurs Restaurant, I was introduced to something huge…
Having gone through a wedding myself and having so many friends who have gone through it, we feel that it is always challenging to pick the correct venue for a wedding or even events in general! ... and then try to decide whether the food is good or not?! This blog is dedicated to trying to share options to soon-to-be-wed couples, event organizers on venue and menu choices.
My blog focuses on providing information, in hope that it would give you better insights into restaurants, their food, their limitations, their general price factors and many more. This is so that it could help you in choosing the next venue for your event.
Friday, 19 October 2012
Connoisseurs Lounge & Restaurant
THE RESTAURANT
Connoisseurs Lounge & Restaurant is a modern French style place that in my opinion is classy and private. There is a private area that is perfect for small functions that has 3 karaoke rooms that can fit about 10 people in each room. The private function area can fit comfortable about 200 people which connects out to a nice balcony. They have a well stocked Cigar and Wine Bar. Its just a shame I don’t smoke cigars.
Connoisseurs is located at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) near Damansara. But its not only for members! so it is a public restaurant and can be used to hold small wedding functions. When you walk in you will feel like you are in luxury!
When you enter, the small lounge areas are already so cool…
More views of the lounge area and the classy antique style sofas…
They even have a stage equipped with a full drum set , keyboards and amplifiers!…
This is one of their private karaoke rooms. There are 3 of them.
From the private function area, you can walk out to the balcony…
Comfy pink chairs at the balcony!…
You can roughly imagine that even the balcony looks nice to entertain guests for a function.
From the balcony you have a nice cool view of the KLGCC Golf course. I wonder if I can tee off from here?…
Going back inside, this is the private dinner room. Gold and Classy…
They also have a few of these small private rooms for small meetings perhaps.
The Cigar Room. Looks expensive!…
Nicely laid out Wine Cellar. I think I should hangout here more often. I saw a RM20,000 bottle of wine! how cool is that!
This is where the Party is! The main bar!…
THE SPECIALTY DRINKS
Well.. it is obvious that their specialty drinks are the Wine! I had a good lesson in Wine appreciation going through all the different bottles. Luckily I managed to drive home. I have many years more to go before I can become a Wine Sommelier, so I got some help to describe some of those good tasting wines…
- Castello dei Rampolla 'Sammarco 2000'
A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of high class cigar tobacco intermixed with smoke, minerals, black currants and vanilla. Medium to full bodied dense wine with superb richness, purity and overall harmony. Really kicks in on the fresh bright finish. Perfect with game, red meats and aged cheese. - Warrenmang Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Bright pale straw in colour, this wine has complex aromas of pineapple passionfruit and melon with a hint of grassiness. The grapes were picked at two stages from a near perfect 2009 vintage for Sauvignon Blanc. The palate exhibits ripe passionfruit and melon flavours mixed with tangy lime and lemon fruit. The wine finishes with a hint of grassiness and a racy mineral backbone. - Kabminye Kerner 2010 (dry white)
Kerner is a hybrid grape variety, cross bred from Riesling and the late ripening black grape, Trollinger. Our Kerner was grown by the sixth generation grape growing French family in the hills behind Angaston in the Eden Valley region. It has thrived here since planting in 2005, coping well in extreme weather conditions. The 2010, our best crop so far, is again a crisp, bone-dry white with lively tropical fruit aromatics that lead into zingy pear, citrus and lychee flavours. Delicious with natural oysters on a hot afternoon. - Warrenmang Black Puma 2004
Warrenmang's flagship Shirazz sourced from the 20 year old shiraz vines at the Avoca vineyard. Deep dense purple red in colour, the nose exhibits huge spice, berry fruit and a touch of mint, together with some white pepper and liquorice. The palate displays ripe berry and spicy varietal flavours, together with the liquorice overtones typical of Pyrenees Shiraz. - Warrenmang Estate Shiraz 2004
Following in the tradition of its highly awarded predecessors, this is a complex, stylish and well balanced wine made from 100% estate grown fruit and aged in French barriques for 18 months. The Shiraz exhibits sweet, ripe fruit flavours together with chocolate, spice and white pepper overtones. Soft oak from ripe tannins and a generous finish complement the intense fruit flavours - a truly powerful red wine.
MENU CHOICES FOR FUNCTION
The Chef over here specializes in French Italian Fine cuisine. You can have a choice of Italian style buffet menu or Set Menu for your function. They are definitely different and even serving buffet style for your function can be stylish as their menu choices are unique. When I had a chat with the Chef, he mentioned something that captured my attention. He says that his principle is that ‘Everything served must be fresh!’ and ‘Everything must MATCH… even simple ingredients’. That to me kind of tells you how important they treat their food and their guests.
1. Insalata Di Fruitti – Salad with Seed Honey Mustard Balsamic Vinaigrette & Fruit.
This is an Entrée dish and its pretty refreshing when I tasted it. It’s a good starter and definitely increased my appetite.
2. Pan Seared ‘Messe’ Foie Gras – Foie Gras with Sweet Pineapple & Wild Honey Hollandaise
So I had a little tasting lesson here. I was told that the best Foie Gras has to be nicely crispy on the outside and the insides should almost melt in your mouth! Well.. that happened to me! If you are a Foie Gras fan… this is definitely a must order for you and your guests.
3. Clam Chowder Soup – Venus Clam Chowder with Summer Vegetable
The clams were fresh and this is pretty important, I guess, so it doesn’t taste ‘fishy’. I’m not a big fan of soups but this one was pleasant
4. Duo Aglio Olio Seafood – Black and White Pasta with Scallops, Prawn, Vernus Clams, Half Shell Mussel and White Asparagus
As you can see in the picture below, it’s a seafood extravaganza! This being an Aglio Olio dish makes it light and Chef told me the White Asparagus are imported from Holland.
5. Canadian Cod – Oven Baked Cod with Wild Honey Hollandaise & Mango Mamataro
In case, like me, you are wondering what Mamataro means?… It is a Type of tomato from Japan. It’s a colorful dish as you can see, and the sauce is fruity and I like how it blends with the crispy oven baked texture.
6. Charbroiled Rack of Lamb – Rack of Lamb with Grilled Pink Eggplant Confit with Pineapple Mint and Caper Finish
Lamb… is my Favourite meat! so I have to be a little bias on this dish. I love how the Mint sauce and the fruits tastes. Lamb and the sauce goes perfectly well together. Can I have another one please?
7. Madagascar Crème Brulee
Although I’m not a Desert person, I actually finished it! the Vanilla is not too sweet. The portion wont make you too full. Its just nice.
8. Chocolate Volcano
RICH! Eruption of oooozing chocolate! Comes with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream which I felt was a good balance.
9. Peach & Banana Crumble – served with Almond and Vanilla Ice Cream
By the time they brought this out.. you can imagine how FULL I was already! So according to my friend that went with me, it’s a nice fruity desert blend.
HEAD CHEF – MOHD AZIZAN
The man behind it all is originally from Taiping. His expert skills was picked up working in a French/Italian restaurant in Dublin since 1990. When he came back to Malaysia, he continued his learning at several Italian restaurants where he refined his skills.
VenueMenu Recommendation for Weddings
Event Capacity: max 300 persons for Buffet Style and 50 persons for Fine Dining Set Menu
Event Option: Whole restaurant can be booked for events. This includes usage of the karaoke rooms, bar and outdoor balcony.
Location Convenience: Damansara, easily accessible from KL or PJ. Its in a quiet location so you don’t have to worry about loud surrounding noises.
Halal/Non-Halal: Pork Free
Type of Cuisine: French/Italian
Price Range*: $$$$
*price range is my personal rating system out of the overall venues that we have been to. It is a rating of between $ to $$$$$
Connoisseurs Lounge & Restaurant
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club,
First Floor East Wing,
Jalan Bukit Kiara 1,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
For bookings call +603 20949888
photos by Edwin Tan