Malaysia International Gastronomy Festival (MIGF) 2016 – Senja at The Club Saujana Resort

[MIGF Special Feature]

My partner in crime and I have very fond memories of The Restaurant at The Club Saujana Resort as we had our very first Malaysia International Gourmet Festival dinner there back in 2013. Since then we’ve had a MIGF dinner every year but nothing stick in our memory quite like our first time. The Restaurant has since been changed to Senja, the resort’s Italian restaurant which has taken up this space situated beside a tranquil pool (not the swimming pool fortunately) and lush gardens since 1 August 2016.

The interior has not changed much (it really didn’t need to as The Restaurant was already had a beautiful interior), and features a stylish lounge, a romantic dining area and an alfresco terrace (for those who like some fresh air) making it very ideal for romantic dates indeed. For those of you who like to watch the chefs in action, Senja has an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven, that offers a great view of your meal being prepared.

Leading the culinary team at Senja is Italian born chef, Chef Marco Violano, who specialises in Italian cuisine, and comes with over 20 years of culinary experience in internationally acclaimed restaurants and luxury chain hotels worldwide.

Senja offers both classic and contemporary Italian cuisine, and you can elevate your dining experience by pairing your food with vintage wines from the restaurant’s cellar that holds over 200 varieties, including an exclusive house label produced and bottled at the Frankland Estate in Western Australia.

Some of Senja’s recommended a la carte dishes include the Yellow Fin Tuna Loin Tartar with Crab Cake and Tuna Sauce, Juniper House Cured Wagyu Beef Carpaccio Filled with Soft Burrata Cheese and Rocket Leaves, Squid Ink “Carnaroli” Risotto and Mixed Sea Food, and the Grilled Rack of Lamb with Braised Artichokes and Kenya Beans.

In conjunction with the Malaysian International Gastronomy Festival (MIGF), Chef Marco has also put together a 5-course set menu featuring three main course choices in line with the epicurean festival. The special festival menu is available for both lunch and dinner throughout October, and is priced at RM280 without wine pairing and RM370 with wine pairing.

MIGF Menu at Senja

Complimentary Welcome Cocktail

Campari Soda

Amuse-Bouche

Tortino di Parmiagiana di Melanzane con Pomodori San Marzano e Crema al Parmigiano

Oven Baked Layer of Eggplant “Parmigiana” Style with Roma Tomatoes, Fresh Basil and Buffalo Mozzarella

Appetiser

Battuto di Tonno Pinna Gialla con Croccantino di Polpa di Granchio Piccante e Salsa Tonnata

Yellow Fin Tuna Loin Tartare with Crab Cake and Tuna Sauce

Paired with Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Soup

Zuppa di Pomodorini Pachino Siciliani con Burratina di Corato ed Olio al Basilico

Sicilian Cherry Tomatoes Soup with Burrata Cheese

Paired with Chardonnay 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Main Course

Risotto al Nero di sepia con Medaglione di Cappesanta e Bottarga

“Carnaroli” Squid Ink Risotto with Hokkaido Scallops Medallion and “Bottarga”

Paired with Shiraz 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Lasagna Cotta al Forno con Funghi Porcini e Vellutata al Tartufo

Oven Baked Lasagna with Porcini Mushrooms and Black Truffle Fondue

Paired with Chardonnay 2013, Miles from Nowhere, Margaret River, Western Australia

Rollata di Filetto di Merluzzo con Zucchine Verdi in Guazzetto di Vongole Piccanti

Pan Roasted Cod Fish Wrapped with Zucchini and Lemon Thyme in Spicy Clams Stock and Broccoli Purée

Paired with Phiraz 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Dessert

Crème Brulée al Pepe Nero con Composta di Banana

Black Pepper Crème Brulée with Banana Compote

Paired with Moscato 2014, Deakin Estate, South Australia

Price

RM280 without wine pairing

RM370 with wine pairing

So I headed over to the newly relocated Senja with my partner in crime to try out the full festival menu.

I arrived early and while waiting for my partner in crime to arrive decided to test out the Leica D-Lux (typ 109) that I was reviewing

This was where Senja was previously located but it has now been taken over by the hotel's Chinese restaurant Ti Chen — This was where Senja was previously located but it has now been taken over by the hotel’s Chinese restaurant Ti Chen

The restaurant went through some major cosmetic changes to make it into a Chinese restaurant — The restaurant went through some major cosmetic changes to turn it into a Chinese restaurant as Senja had a more minimalistic decor

2013

2016

2013 (left) versus 2016 (right)

About 50 meters away and a short stroll across the garden is the new Senja which took over The Restaurant at The Club Saujana

The al fresco area for those who like some fresh air

However I find it too warm to dine outside in Malaysia so I always prefer to dine in the aircon area

The interior of the restaurant wasn't changed much except the addition of a wood fire oven which is primarily for baking the pizzas — The interior of the restaurant wasn’t changed much except the addition of a wood fire oven which is primarily for baking the pizzas

Live band playing some slow jazz numbers which really contributes to the romantic ambience of the establishment. (This photo was not shot with the Leica D-Lux.)

Now on to the MIGF festival menu…

Complimentary Welcome Cocktail

Campari Soda

Amuse-Bouche

Tortino di Parmiagiana di Melanzane con Pomodori San Marzano e Crema al Parmigiano

Oven Baked Layer of Eggplant “Parmigiana” Style with Roma Tomatoes, Fresh Basil and Buffalo Mozzarella

Appetiser

Battuto di Tonno Pinna Gialla con Croccantino di Polpa di Granchio Piccante e Salsa Tonnata

Yellow Fin Tuna Loin Tartare with Crab Cake and Tuna Sauce

Paired with Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Soup

Zuppa di Pomodorini Pachino Siciliani con Burratina di Corato ed Olio al Basilico

Sicilian Cherry Tomatoes Soup with Burrata Cheese

Paired with Chardonnay 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Main Course

Risotto al Nero di sepia con Medaglione di Cappesanta e Bottarga

“Carnaroli” Squid Ink Risotto with Hokkaido Scallops Medallion and “Bottarga”

Paired with Shiraz 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Lasagna Cotta al Forno con Funghi Porcini e Vellutata al Tartufo

Oven Baked Lasagna with Porcini Mushrooms and Black Truffle Fondue

Paired with Chardonnay 2013, Miles from Nowhere, Margaret River, Western Australia

Rollata di Filetto di Merluzzo con Zucchine Verdi in Guazzetto di Vongole Piccanti

Pan Roasted Cod Fish Wrapped with Zucchini and Lemon Thyme in Spicy Clams Stock and Broccoli Purée

Paired with Shiraz 2014, Frankland Estate, Western Australia

Dessert

Crème Brulée al Pepe Nero con Composta di Banana

Black Pepper Crème Brulée with Banana Compote

Paired with Moscato 2014, Deakin Estate, South Australia

Price

RM280 without wine pairing

RM370 with wine pairing

My partner in crime with Chef Marco. (This photo was NOT taken with the Leica D-Lux.)

My partner in crime and me with Chef Marco who's a really jolly chef! (This photo was NOT taken with the Leica D-Lux.) — My partner in crime and me with Chef Marco who’s a really jolly chef! (This photo was NOT taken with the Leica D-Lux.)

Other highlights at Senja include its prix-fixe Business Set Lunch served daily from 12.00pm to 2.00pm. Priced at RM68 nett per person, the lunch features a weekly rotating menu inspired by seasonal ingredients. Diners can customise their very own 3-course meal comprising of a starter, main and dessert for a quick meal served within the hour.

Senja is opened daily from 6.30am to 10.30am for breakfast, 12.00pm to 2.00pm for lunch and 6.30pm to 11.00pm for dinner. Its main dining area can accommodate up to 80 persons while the back portion of the restaurant can be converted into a private dining room which can fit up to 20 guests.

Senja is located at:

The Club

Saujana Resort Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS,

40150 Shah Alam,

Selangor, Malaysia.

Telephone: 603-78067000 ext 6722

Email: dine@theclubsaujanaresort.com

Website: www.shr.my