Sam Leong at Tao, InterContintental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Celebrity Chef Sam Leong and Tao Chinese Cuisine at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

Hammers have been a pounding and walls have been a crashing
at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur over the last few months. A spanking new
lobby, lounge and brasserie brought the year to a close and a sparklingly overhauled
Chinese restaurant has opened the current one.
Tao, named after a peach tree originating in China, brings a
refreshed contemporary look to the restaurant with an eye teasing crystal
ceiling, contrasting shelves of Chinese ceramics and panels of flower blossomed
walls lightening the mood. The menu too has been revamped and guests can look
forward to traditional dishes such as Peking Duck spruced up with the additions
of foie gras, eringi mushrooms or truffles!
This post though, is focused on one of a series of events to
celebrate the opening of Tao Chinese Cuisine – a contemporary Chinese set menu
by Celebrity Chef and Master of Modern Chinese Cuisine, Chef Sam Leong. Awards,
TV shows and books fill his resume and for most of you he probably needs no
introduction, so lets cut to the food.
Turning traditional dining on its head, Chef Leong reverses
the order of the menu by presenting the main dish first and heading backwards
all the way down to the amuse bouche served second to last (dessert is still in its
rightful place). Also uncommon for Chinese cuisine is the fact every course is
plated. There are no sharing dishes or uncomfortable moments of wondering who’s
going to get the last bite.
Here’s what we devoured:
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Crispy Duck Confit Stuffed with Radish Cake and drizzled with Mushroom Sauce
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Char Grilled Wagyu Beef with Sea-Urchin, Sashimi Wagyu Beef andPan Seared Foie Gras
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Char Grilled Black Cod Fish with Wok-Fried Eggplant in XO Sauce
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Slow Cooked Scallop Mousse in Spicy Thai Consomme
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Steamed Chawanmushi with Crispy Salmon Skin and Foie Gras 
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Chilled Home Made La Mian with Crab Meat in Hot and Sour Consomme
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Cherry Tomato Sorbet Marinated with Salted Plum and Honey
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Maraicbo Chocolate and Berry Sphere with Chinese Warm Chocolate Tea
And… not to be outdone by the guest celebrity chef… Executive Chef Darrell J. O’Niell finished the menu with a bomb of sweetness. A Maraicbo Chocolate and Berry Sphere with Chinese Warm Chocolate Tea ended the meal with a dramatic finale. Globular cacao desserts arrived plated with gold leaf awaiting a hot chocolate stream, which was soon poured over the orbs deliquescing the once hard shell and revealing a hazel coloured mousse comforting a bevy of berries –  an adult version of a Kinder Surprise (or so the chef says).

Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Chocolate Coated Orange Sorbet Lollypops
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Chefs Sam Leong and Darrell J. O’Niell
If opening week is anything to judge by, it looks like Tao Chinese Cuisine is going to be a hot number for the year of the snake. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Tao is opened for lunch every Monday to Friday from 12noon to 2:30pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday 11am to 2:30pm, and for dinner daily from 6:30pm until 10:30pm.
Tao, Sam Leong, celebrity chef, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Restaurant
Tea

Reason to visit: stylish dining in the vibrant new setting with a revamped menu to explore luxuries such as Peking Duck with Truffles!

Tao Chinese Cuisine
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
165 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 03 2161 1111

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18 Comments

  1. Awesome array of dishes! I've tried a similar dessert at Michilin-starred Guy Savoy sometime ago. Simply fascinating!

  2. I love the Wagyu course so much! its such an amazing experience…

  3. I like the chocolate sphere !

  4. oh goodie, i learned something by reading this: i didn't know that tao refers to a peach tree! 😀

    • That was new for me too. I was wondering why a Chinese restaurant had peach blossomed panels – which I thought looked rather Japanese – then realizing the meaning of the name and where peach blossoms are originally from it all made sense.

  5. The Wagyu beef was so memorably amazing!

  6. I literally feel like biting the screen when I see the Maraicbo Chocolate and Berry Sphere with Chinese Warm Chocolate Tea.. It was marvelous , wasn't it?

  7. what handsome Chefs! And the fact that they cook so well is a real plus.. I'd visit Sam and Darrell's place anytime!

  8. Wow, Would love to visit this place for sure!

  9. I am not sure I am Chinese anymore, if this is Chinese food? Char grilled Wahyu beef as Chinese food? Even cod is not so Chinese. The only semblance to Chinese cuisine is the name 桃 tao. I better walk into a Western restaurant and know that I am in the right spot! Well, one man's meat is another man's concept and presentation! So, I am not arguing.

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