Restaurants of Malta 5: TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar.

Saturday, 19th November, 2011.
Restaurant of the week: TemptAsian Restaurant.

Asian Temptress.

TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar at The Palace Hotel in Sliema, is probably and most possibly one of the very best venues in Malta for Oriental and Asian cuisine with gastronomic delights from such regions as China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam.
Situated on the 9th floor of The Palace Hotel, this restaurant offers a new experience in fine dining, panoramic views of Sliema and the fortifications, and chic surroundings, with private dining areas if one opts for it, as well as a splendidly appointed open restaurant.

The restaurant is staffed by a good team of well trained, and elegant service staff, supervised by the restaurant manager who seems to scrutinize every table without being overbearing in any way, but who ensures that every client and every table recieves the staff's attention in an efficient, no fussy way. The staff in a restaurant are the key to a successful top market venue, and at the TemptAsian the management and staff deserve our top accolade for excellence.

The cuisine at the TemptAsian Restaurant is illustrated in various Menus, starting with:
The main menu in which every dish on offer by the restaurant is detailed and described under headings such as: Sushi, Chirazi Zushi, Makimono, Tempura, Temaki, Platters, Salads, Hot Starters, Main Courses which in clude a Teppan and Charcoal grilled selection of dishes, and the usual side dishes of rice, noodles, vegetables. Trying to detail and describe here the literally 101 different dishes on offer is not possible, but one would need to go to this restaurant with an open mind, to relish the choices available to the fullest. The choices here are designed to suit most pockets and depends on the number and type of course selected.

Sampaguita.

Tao.

Then there are two excellent set menus on offer with minimum order for two to share. One is titled Sampaguita (which is the Arabian jasmine and which has originated in India). This menu offers a fusion of Asian cuisine from, Japan ( Sushi and Makimono Platter), and India with courses covering Beef Oyster, Indian Butter Chcken, Lamb in yellow Curry, Kashmir aromatic rice, Singapore style noodles ( a bit away from India with this), and Pumkin and Coriander Cheese cake for dessert. This menu costs Eur35 per head.

The second set menu titled Tao (peach flower in Chinese),  offers a veritable feast of Chinese cuisine for two persons at Eur50 per person, and after discusing the various choices on the three menus, we opted for the Tao selection, which did not disappoint.  I shall try to decribe the selections which are all served as part of this menu through the following photo illustrations which have all been taken by myself for this purpose:

Wanton appetizers.

Sushi and Sashimi..

Whilst savouring a splendid welcome cocktail we were served a sample of Chinese wantons, and Japanese Sushi with ginger and wasabi, which were delicious. Delicious.

Prawn Katalfi.

Malaysian Laksa Lemak.

The first course of this menu was the Prawn Katalfi consisting of a splendid presenation of chicken and prawn lolipop and duck parcel, followed by a delicious Malaysian Laksa Lemak soup. Both excellent.

The Peking Duck.

Duck on pancakes prior to rolling.

Then it was the turn for the Peking Duck - traditional Chinese duck served with pancakes, scallions, cucumber and hoisin sauce. Deliciously crispy Very Good.

Main courses.

Phad Thai - noodles.

A feast of main courses followed, consisting of good portions of Gu Lao' Xi Lie-sweet and sour pork with fresh pineapple and oriental vegetables; Mo Gu Ji- stir fried chicken served with shitaki, oyster and wood-ear mushrooms; Prawns- jumped in wok, fried in apple and soy sauce Japanes style; Japanese Fried Rice with chicken and vegetables; Phad Thai- rice noodles with chicken and vegetables. Served on a dish to share between two persons. We could not finish all portions presented, although all were tasted, savoured and enjoyed. Very Good.

Personal Main course platter selection.

Dessert.

Finally an excellent dessert combination of fresh lyches in mint syrup on tapioca with young coconut mango ice-cream was served. Very Good.

The wine.

The dinner was complemented with an excellent bottle of a Louis Bernard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009 selected from the extensive wine list which offerred wine choices to suit all tastes, and some three bottles of water; and espressos to finish off. Full marks are given to the very elegant wine waitress who served the wine in exact portions throughout the dinner, as well as to the very attentive and knowledgeable waiter who took a great interest to explain and describe each dish as it was served. Well done.

The Main Menu.

It is to be noted, that for diners opting for selections from the a la carte menu, a seperate dessert menu is available.

Value: The main menu offers an extensive choice of dishes as has already been mentioned earlier, and diners can make up their own dinners to suit individual tastes, which would range in price from anywhere near Eur35 for a three course selection to well over that amount for different choices. The set menus are priced at Eur35 per person for the Sampaguita and Eur50 per person for the Tao, both of which have to be ordered for a minimum of two persons. The latter menus are veritable feasts in their own right and are of course priced accordingly. The prices indicated here do not include wine, water and/or other drinks and beverages.

REVIEWERS IMPRESSIONS:

Ambience: Excellent.
Service and staff attention and efficiency: Excellent.
Cuisine quality: Very Good.
Preparation and presentation: Very Good.
Wine List: Very Good.
Value for money: Up-market category Very Good.

RATING: 9.5/10 Asian Cuisine Category.

Highly recommended.

Contact Details:
TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar,
The Palace Hotel,
High Street - Sliema.
Tel: 2133 3444/ 2262 3409.