Argentina is surging up the travel bucket lists for young and old alike (including us!). From the glaciers and sky-scraping peaks of the Andes to the vineyards of Mendoza and the bustle of Buenos Aires, there’s so much to see in this dynamic and incomparably unique country. A trip to Argentina is also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some serious feasting – including asado (barbecue) meat, topped with chimichurri, and paired with Malbec.
While we are still dreaming about a trip to Argentina; Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and the Embassy of Argentina are showcasing the best of Argentine cuisine specially curated by Argentine Chef Patron Diego Jacquet. This is in conjunction with the National Day of the Argentine Republic and in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Malaysia.
The specially curated three-course menu is available from May 23 to 26 from 7pm until 11pm, and priced from MYR250 per person.
We started our meal with some empanadas, much like our curry puff but is filled with sweet and savoury stuffing, depending on the province.
Currently Chef Patron is stationed at London’s ZOILO and boCHINche in Singapore. He began his career in Buenos Aires and has great passion for food and wild products – something that transpires into the menu at ZOILO. He has worked alongside Argentine legend Francis Mallman and Ferran Adrià of three Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli.
Appetiser
Cangrejo Y Humita Norteña (Crab on Toast, Humita, Pickled Radishes, Coriander)
Paired with Argentine White Whine (Chakana Torrontes 2015)
Creamy humita (corn puree), tangy pickled radish and sweet, briny crab make this appetiser delicious and memorable.
Main Course
Ojo de Bife (Grilled Argentine Rib Eye, Chips provenzal, Chimichurri)
Paired with Argentine Red Wine (Luigi Bosca Malbec 2015)
Argentina is renowned for its steak and I really looked forward to the main course. Air-flown in specially for this event just 3 days ago, the Argentine rib eye came in quite a generous portion.
My steak was cooked to a beautiful medium rare and served with chimichurri. The fat content, the marbling, is what gives flavour to the steak, from the fat melting as it cooks. Great, great “beefy” flavour (in a good way) that I really adore! My only gripe was the occasional gristles that I bite into, I just cut them away, no big deal.
For dessert, we had the Torta de 3 Leches (milk cake, coffee, citrus crumble, passion fruit). A lovely balance of sweet and tart. What a perfect ending to our meal.
The Argentine Gastronomic Week is available from May 23 to 26 from 7pm until 11pm. The three-course dinner is priced at RM250 nett per person (food only) or RM375 nett per person (with wine pairing). For reservations and enquiries, please call +60 3 2142 8000 or email dining@ritzcarlton.com.my.
