Dining in KL is never a chore, however when the opportunity arises to visit something new, we always jump at the chance. Kiraku was the venue for tonight's soirée. It was indeed a classy affair with Dato' Steve Day playing host to a ‘whose who’ in the City social scene.
Distinguished guests of the evening included Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah and husband Tunku Kecil Besar Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar; Tunku Nasruan Adil Bin Tunku Mudzaffar; Ambassador of The Royal Danish Embassay, H E Nicolai Ruge: High Commissioner of the Rebublic of South Africa, H E Thami Dennis Mseleku and Executive Director of Ikhasas F&B Sdn Bhd, Tengku Hishamuddin Zaizi.
Situated right at the end of the newly built Maju Expressway, Kiraku is a very pleasant and traffic free 20 minute drive from the city and is part of the exciting new Shaftsbury Square development on the edge of Cyberjaya.
On arriving, the guests were treated to a poolside cocktail reception at the Shaftsbury Serviced Residences. Old friends re-united and new acquaintances were forged, as they enjoyed a wide choice of 'Kiraku Sunrise' mocktails. Despite the sunny description, they were a mossy green in appearance, but absolutely divine on the palate and a tasty warm up for the feast ahead. As the last of the guests arrived, all made the stroll to the restaurant, took their seats and prepared to enjoy the show.
Kiraku in every sense of the word is a traditional Japanese restaurant with a solid modernist veing running through it. Upon entering, you are greeted with a sushi bar, constructed in a light brown wood, which is tastefully offset by dark wooden slats and stone - typical of Japanese architecture. Literally translated, Kiraku means “easy going” or “comfortable” and the staff and atmosphere delivered strong on that front. This year’s Festival theme is Cool Chefs, and Kiraku's Master sushi Chef has to be the coolest of them all – after all, his name IS Chef Kool. His creations are sublime; do look out for his rainbow sashimi.
Moving inside, the restaurant lengthens into a long corridor with a series of rooms either side framed by heavy wooden sliding doors. Each room is named after a Japanese city and it was in Daisen no less, the volcano of the great God that stands as watcher over the Sea of Japan, that the night's dinner took place.
After introductions by Dato' Steve, Tengku Hisammuddin welcomed the guests, expounding on the mission statement of his restaurant, and introduced Head Chef James Wong. The charming and effusive Chef James trained under the tutelage of the great Hitoshi Kimijima and has been the driving force in the kitchen since the restaurant's launch earlier in the year. With that, the first course of Kampachi carpaccio with ume tomato and seaweed paste vinaigrette was served, drawing many appreciative sounds from the gathered gourmands.
Indeed H E Nicolai Ruge was full of praise for the starters, “We had a combination of appetisers to start which I thought was really nice, there was a bit of sushi and some very delicate and excellent spring rolls”. Key Soon Yue, President of the Porsche owners club of Malaysia also heaped mounds of praise onto the dessert, the Japanese Dorayaki and sesame crème brulee, “I have tried many crème brulee’s in my life, some extremely special and expensive ones and Kiraku’s was a really good effort, a lovely taste combination”.
The conversation flowed easily and soon it was time for the main event: the breath-taking Teppanyaki knife show by the incredibly talented duo, Chef William and Chef Reya. Spinning their implements like a pair of samurais about to charge into battle, they set about carving up some invitingly crispy Teppanyaki chicken served with succulent Tom Yum style fish and beef tenderloin with mushroom sauce, all the while entertaining the crowd with their show.
Finally, after a delicious dessert of Dorayaki and sesame creme brûlée, Dato' Steve once again took to the floor to bid his guests adieu. The final word, however, went to H E Thami Dennis Mseleku, who thoroughly enjoyed the meal, praising the Chef and his team, thanking his fellow guests and indeed promising a showcase of African cuisine at next year’s MIGF. We can’t wait!
As guests departed, many were already looking forward to October when they could make the trip back to Kiraku for a truly show-stopping Festival menu. A sentiment shared by all!
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