Yummy Malaysiana: Orient8 (French and pan-Asian Cuisine)

Orient8 (French and pan-Asian Cuisine)

Opened in 2009, Orient8 is the French and pan-Asian restaurant of the 5-star Hotel Mulia, in Senayan. I visited it with a friend in November 2011, and only tried their French food.

With a Frenchman managing the restaurant, and another one as an Executive Chef, more focus has been put on French cuisine, and the menu is now much more diversified: Alongside some classics, such as the Soupe l'Oignon, you have original creations (Foie Gras Burger for instance) and other more elaborate items that may require some familiarity with fine dining to be fully appreciated.

I found the food to be affordable, considering the service, taste and experience you get. In particular, if you are on a budget, you can visit Orient8 f! or lunch and get one of their set menus, which start at Rp120,000++. Actually, this is even less than what you would pay in France for the same meal.

If you don't care how much money you'll spend though, you can also indulge yourself with much pricier dishes consisting of caviar, lobster, foie gras and other delicacies. Add a decent bottle of wine and you'll end up paying at least Rp1,5 million per person.

We tried about 7 or 8 dishes, but I don't remember the names and prices of all of them. Here are a few pictures:

Note that they have a great selection of impor! ted Fren ch cheese, perfect to finish the meal.

The design and dcor of Orient8 is surprising and worth mentioning. At first, you are striken by how classical it looks, with some imposing pieces of furniture that date back from a time when France was still a Kingdom. It is only after you sit down that you will start noticing some artsy details: A Napoleon with Ray-Ban painting on the ceiling, a black and white portrait of Louis XIV, some upside-down lamps in the private rooms, as well as some work by a Vietnamese artist (if I remember correctly).

Overall: We loved the food in Orient8 and we can only recommend you to visit it, especially if you prefer a ceremonial feel over something more laid-back. For this reason, the restaurant is even more appropriate for dates or formal dinners.