Graze at Hilton Kuala Lumpur – Wonderful Casual Dining in KL Sentral

While many of Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s food outlets – such as Iketeru and Chynna – are already well-established in the KL foodie scene, their European restaurant, Graze is relatively newer but quickly emerging as a go-to place for casual dining. Having been open for just about 2 years, it was nevertheless well-patronized during the Thursday night that I dined there.

The overall look of the restaurant matches the casual dining proposition that it aims to convey. Sleek chairs, low-hanging light fixtures and floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views of the greenery of the lake gardens immediately create a soothing ambiance to dining at Graze. A quick glance at the menu reveals a selection of light and earthy appetizers juxtaposed against hearty and rich main dishes. Being undecided on the path to take, I went for a bit of both.

First on the list was a pick from Graze’s Sustainable Food Festival menu which runs until 17th August. The Scallop Mariniere (MYR 56) was a wonderful appetizer to start with. The scallops – large and delectable as they were – were topped with parsley, tomato, cream and shaved black summer truffles. This was just my second time to face actual truffles instead of the ubiquitous truffle oil that’s frequently used in its stead.

The Herb-Crusted Cod (MYR 84) came next. A dependable fish due to its naturally soft and flavorful meat, I was most curious on how Graze would prepare it. The result was cod quite unlike what I’ve been used to. The extra layer of crust actually added a crunchy flavor to the erstwhile tender cod. I particularly enjoyed dipping the fish on the tomato reduction which gave the former an extra kick to the crunchy taste.

This was followed by the Spanish-style Roasted Chicken with Smoked Duck Garlic and Fried Potatoes (MYR 73), a dish that my server was raving about when I asked for recommendations. It turned out alright which contrasted to the high expectations that I had built up due to the earlier praises. While the course was satisfactory, I enjoyed the previous two dishes more than the chicken. I guess it all boiled down to the style of cooking, which leaned more towards traditional home-cooked goodness. This contrasted with the unique and creative interpretations of the earlier dishes.

I concluded the meal with Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (MYR 33), a dessert that I would say truly deserves much raving. It was prepared fresh – 25 minutes preparation time is needed – and hot! Despite not being a fan of chocolate in general, I easily finished this cake by myself. Rich, liquid chocolate burst out the second I poked the cake with my fork. It was a joy to devour alongside the ice cream. To say it was mouthwatering would be an understatement.

Taste: 4/5
Ambience: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5

Overall: 4/5I ate at Graze in conjunction with my wonderful stay at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Currently, Hilton Worldwide is offering up to 30% off room rates on selected Hilton hotels of which this particularly property is among those participating. This is for stays from July 4 to October 30, 2015 and bookings must be made by September 30, 2015.

Graze
3 Jalan Stesen Sentral
Kuala Lumpur 50470
Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 2264 2264