Tapas Temptation: 10-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu

Furnished with large floor-to-ceiling windows boasting scenic Kuala Lumpur skyline views, and featuring an airy space and laid-back ambiance, Element Kuala Lumpur’s high-floor restaurant located on the 40th floor, TRACE Restaurant & Bar has just reintroduced it’s crowd-pleasing 10-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu with a brand new Spanish Tapas-inspired makeover.

Having specifically won the hearts of many female customers since its introduction in January 2024, this 10-course gastronomy journey is now named “Tapas Temptation”, which will take on the mantle to tempt diner’s palate with an exotic twist for the rest of 2024.

With 15 years of culinary experience under his belt, Hasrul Hawari, Senior Sous Chef who have worked in other reputable hotel groups before shared his love and inspiration behind curating this 10-course menu, “Traditional Spanish food endures evolution while embracing culinary innovations. Spain’s best chefs have earned worldwide recognition for their creativity and modern interpretations of traditional dishes. This example of tradition and innovation converging is crucial and attractive to the new generations of chefs and food enthusiasts alike.”

Drawing inspiration from the Spanish Mediterranean coasts, the tasting menu unfolds with the eye-catching Jar Salad & Caprese Skewer, inviting diners to shake and mix their very own salad, before sampling a reimagined version of classic Caprese salad skewed with bocconcini and cherry tomatoes.

A corn-crusted Roasted Chicken Roll will be served next, which goes perfectly with Romesco sauce and a cured egg yolk that serves not only as a topping, but also to complement the entire dish with its “umami” taste. Made with fresh sushi-grade tuna dices, pickled kyuri and honey mustard mayo, our chef’s rendition of the Tuna Tartare is light, refreshing, and cleanly plated.

Nothing spells Spanish cuisine quite important like saffron and seafood do, which have actually inspired our chef to create the Seafood Tomato Saffron Broth as a love letter to the distinct cooking traditions of the country’s coastal regions. This show-stopping course will be served in a 2-parter: Diners will first see generous servings of shrimp, clam, squid and fish fillet presented to them in a soup plate, before our service experts pour the flavor-packed broth before their eyes for that Instagram-worthy theatrical touch.

As diners are almost halfway through the dining experience, a sweet, tangy and juicy frozen dessert, Cherry Trio Palate Cleanser arrives to help reset tastes buds, setting the stage for more enticing courses to be served. The seafood sampling journey resumes with the serving of Scallop Pasta on Shell, delicately portioned yet boldly flavored to allow diners to taste the harmonious ensemble of seared scallop and creamy spaghetti.

Coming up next is the unmissable entrée, the Quail Paella, an adventurous take on what publically agreed to be one of the best-known dishes of Spanish cuisine. Highlighting a delightful aroma, as well as rich and sweet flavors with moist and tender texture, Chef Hasrul endeavors to thrust quail meat, a comparatively infrequent poultry choice into the spotlight through the curation of this dish. For diners who wish to enjoy this dish presented in a golden paella pan with peace of mind, our service experts are more than happy to help cut and portion once the snapshot ritual is completed.

Two more courses that unmistakably shouts “tapas” are to follow, including the Spanish Meatball and the House-Smoked Duck Breast to beautifully conclude the savory section. That said, do not forget to leave room for the 10th and last course, Choc Lemon Mousse, made with white chocolate, lemon, pistachio and mixed berries to serve as the grand finale to what promises to be a leisurely afternoon.

Priced at RM238 nett for 2 persons, Tapas Temptation: 10-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu is available from 12:30pm to 3pm on every Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday. For diners or couples looking for a “sip and savor” tasting experience, red or white house wine can be enjoyed at an additional RM28 nett per glass. Advance reservation of at least 1 day prior is required.

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