[REVIEW] Romantic Staycation at Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort

It is our dating anniversary and we are excited for our romantic 2D1N staycation at Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort in Shah Alam. They are currently offering an unforgettable romantic getaway package themed "Inspire Romance", specially for couples. At only RM 498++, the package includes:

❤ One night stay in a Junior Suite

❤ A 4-course private dinner & mocktails 

❤ Buffet breakfast for two persons 

❤ One chocolate gift box 

❤ Complimentary room decorations 

❤ Complimentary parking 

Imagine yourself enjoying a serene weekend escapade from town, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful view of two championship golf courses - I'm sure it would be an amazing experience. In fact, this is, by far, the most affordable honeymoon deal that I can find in town!

The lobby of the hotel is so spacious and windy.

Junior Suite at Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort

Our crib of the day, Junior Suite, is a spacious 549-sqft room which features a palette of warm tones and wooden theme which makes it suitable for both business and leisure stay. 

Look at the beautiful decor - perfect for honeymoons or special dates!

The room comes with a huge king-sized bed, small living room and bathroom equipped with bathtub and walk-in shower. Simple, cosy and complete with all the amenities you need - TV, working desk, mini-fridge, safe box, iron, ironing board, and more. 

Love the bath tub and the premium body care products provided in the bathroom! 

The package comes with a complimentary platter of chocolates - how sweet they are!

Our room is bestowed with the tranquil view of the golf courses -

how relaxing and blissful it is to wake up to this view in the morning!

Speaking of the facilities, there are plenty of facilities that we get to enjoy here such as the two swimming pools - which includes an Olympic sized swimming pool - a gymnasium, children’s playground, tennis courts (indoor & outdoor), squash courts, karaoke lounge, cigar lounge, and a driving range for those keen on practicing their golfing skills.

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Since it is our anniversary trip, we roam around the hotel a little, and spend the rest of our time chilling in the room. 

There are plenty of restaurants / food options available in the hotel - but for the package we opt for, we have our private dinner served in-room! ❤ We feel as if we are being pampered like the king and queen during the evening. 

 

 4-course private dinner & mocktails

To our delight, the 4-course dinner comes in a generous portion and the menu includes:

❤ Starter (choice of Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken or Cream of Mushroom with Truffle Oil)

❤ Main course (choice of Chicken Schnitzel, Grilled Australian Rib Eye Steak or Pan Fried Salmon Fillet)

❤ Dessert (choice of Fresh Fruits Platter or Bread & Butter Pudding with Vanilla Sauce)
❤ Mocktails 

At the comfort of our home-like room, our private dinner experience is amazing. And I love how everything is beautifully presented and tastes great too. While the Mushroom Soup is punch packed with flavours and the Caesar Salad is fresh and appetizing, my personal favourite goes to the Pan-Seared Salmon which is tender and moist inside and crisp on the skin - so juicy and fresh!  

A noteworthy point here is that the service is excellent as our dinner arrives on time, and the food comes with food warmer to keep them warm and fresh. Thumbs up for the great service! 

 

After the heavy dinner, we decided to head out for a walk around the hotel, and then hit the bed early. It is indeed a retreat for rest, relax and play.  

In the next morning, our stay at the Junior Suite entitles us a complimentary buffet breakfast at the Kites Restaurant, making our stay here more memorable as we get to enjoy a wide array of local and international food for breakfast. 

Verdict:

If you are looking for a quality stay with exquisite experience be it the comfortable room, golfing at the championship golf courses, delicious in-room private dinner or relaxing swim at the outdoor pool, Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort is definitely something you can consider. 

The hotel's "Inspire Romance" package is indeed an amazing deal. Personally, my experience here is nothing short of comfort and good service. Highly recommended for couples, or any special occasions. 

The "Inspire Romance" package is priced at RM498++ and reservations must be made 3 days in advance. The promotion ends on 30th June 2022. 

For more information or reservations, please contact +603 7802 5200 or 

email reservations@glenmarie.com.my

Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort

1, Jalan Usahawan U1/8,

Seksyen U1, 40250 Shah Alam,

Selangor Darul Ehsan,

Malaysia.

Email: info@glenmarie.com.my

Website: www.glenmarie.com.my

Facebook: fb.com/glenmariehotel

Instagram: @glenmariehotel

Chinese New Year Menu 2016: Ti Chen Chinese Restaurant, The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Ti Chen (帝城), or better known as the "Emperor's Palace" in The Saujana Hotel is all set for the great celebration of the year of monkey. From 16 January to 22 February 2016, you can enjoy Ti Chen's Chinese New Year luxurious imperial gourmet feast signifying everything auspicious from prosperity, luck, fortune, health and longevity.

Salmon and Korean Pear Yee Sang

(三文鱼雪梨捞起)

Among the award winning Chef Sam Lu's signature yee sang creations, the latest one features juicy Korean pear to add an refreshing twist to the traditional condiments. Ours is further topped with crispy mushroom for the added crunch.

Other varieties including Abalone, Salmon, Jellyfish and Crispy Mushroom Yee Sang are available for dine-in and take-away from RM88 onwards. 

Double-Boiled Chicken Broth with Dried Seafood

(滚炖四宝鸡锅汤)

Served piping hot from the kitchen, the double-boiled chicken broth seems ordinary but it manages to leave my senses muted with its incredibly deep and sweet flavour which I enjoy very much. Simply nourishing and full-flavoured!

Steamed Red Snapper with Pickled Vegetables

(四川酸汤溜红曹)

Cooked in Szechuan style, the fish can be a winning taste on its own because of its firm, chewy texture. Nothing overcooked or rubbery here. The accompanying sauce is good to add a nice tang to the mildly sweet flesh.

Marinated Country Chicken with Oyster Sauce and Onion Oil

(湛江葱油手撕鸡)

Surprises come one after another. I am delighted that Ti Chen serves this old-school and homey dish here. Every tender slice of shredded chicken is evenly coated with aromatic oyster sauce and onion oil, exuding rich aroma and a nice spicy kick. 

Deep-fried Sea Prawns with Sand Powder Spice

(富贵黄金炸明虾)

Our expectation is further lifted when the crisp succulent prawns are served. Each huge piece imparts strong aroma of Chinese spice, and the shell falls off the prawns easily, revealing its nice crunchy meat. A simple dish but excellently cooked to wow the diners of the evening.

Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables with Crispy Almond and Vegetarian Rolls

(杏片素菜伴鹅卷)

Next up is the beautifully presented vegetarian dish. The bird's nest-like shell is filled with asparagus, crisp almond slices and other vegetables, creating a myriad of colors and textures to please the palate. Surrounding the platter is the crisp vegetarian rolls stuffed with mushrooms, another crowd pleaser of the evening.

Steamed Rice with Cured Chicken Ham

(咸腊鸡老抽捞香饭)

I reckon this is the best chicken rice that I have ever had! Instead of having the traditional waxed meat rice during this festive season, Ti Chen serves up the fragrant, moist rice topped with smoked chicken ham. The ratio of lean and fatty meat hits the spot, and it complements well with the dark soy sauce.

Lychee Sago

(荔枝鲜果西米露)

Deep-fried Ninko Rolls with Bread Toast

(帝城脆多士年糕)

Putting an endnote to our luxurious imperial dinner, Ti Chen prepares the final surprise for us in the hot and cold dessert combination. The traditional glutinous rice cake is added with a nice twist as it is wrapped with crisp layer of toasted bread. Best paired with the chilled sago dessert soup.

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2016

16 January to 22 February 2016

8-course auspicious set menu per table of 6 is priced from RM798 onwards

9-course auspicious set menu per table of 10 is priced from RM1,198 onwards

Ti Chen's Chinese New Year Ala Carte Menu is available for "mix and match" option

The Saujana Hotel
Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor.
Contact: +603-7843 1234
Fax: +603-7846 3008 ext 6122
Email: dine@thesaujana.com
Website: www.shr.my
Facebook: fb.com/TheSaujanaHotelKualaLumpur

Umeshu Sushi & Bar @ Shah Alam

My recent Japanese food hunt has brought me to the industrial area of Shah Alam, which I don't usually visit because of the massive congestion during weekdays. But if you're working or staying nearby, then you're lucky because I've just found Umeshu (梅子屋) that can satisfy your Japanese cravings without burning a hole in the pocket.

What attracts me is their super value set meals for breakfast and lunch, priced from RM6 onwards. Seriously, where else can you find such a good bargain? Despite of the affordable price tag, I am surprised that the interior looks quite posh for a casual Japanese eatery, unlike those shabby and unhygienic restaurants I've been elsewhere.

If privacy is your concern, large group diners can opt for the spacious private tatami room.

 Great for friends and family gatherings or any special occasions.

APPETIZERS

 Salmon Avocado Salad @ RM6.90

The menu here is so extensive that we have to spend a good 10-15 minutes browsing through all the items and decide what to order. Classic Japanese appetizers and fusion salads are aplenty here, but I also notice that they serve popular Japanese snacks such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and Gyoza as well. 

Soba Avocado Salad @ RM10.90

Both salads taste good to me, but I prefer the salmon avocado salad as the creamy soft avocado and salmon chunks melt in the mouth with tangy homemade dressing. If you prefer something light, then the cold buckwheat noodles salad is recommended as the homemade goma dressing has richer sesame flavour than those ready-made.

SUSHI

Umeshu Special Fried Salmon Roll @ RM13.90

Glancing through the sushi menu, I'm surprised by the art of preparing sushi in creative ways that blend a modern twist that keeps me wanting for more. Look at the luscious piece, it is the crisp outer rice layer that gives the salmon roll a nice crunch and makes it stands out from the rest.

Aburi Salmon Sushi

How about having your salmon half-cooked? On the top layer, it is beautifully sear-flamed with hot fire into crisp, juicy strips. And remains raw at the bottom part of the salmon. I personally enjoy the twist that adds a nice charred flavour to the sushi. 

Salmon Zukushi @ RM16.90

But still nothing beats thick cuts of raw salmon, salmon sushi and salmon mayo sushi if you're a salmon lover.

Assorted Irodori

Not forgetting to mention that each piece of sushi is actually very dense and filling,

considering the compactness of the rice between the seaweed and fish.

MAIN DISHES

Teppan Gyu Steak @ RM18.90

Moving on to the hot individual dishes, we are spoilt with choices ranging from teppanyaki and tempura to agemono and yakimono style cooked items. Our iron-grilled beef steak is perfectly done, and pairs well with the homemade garlic black pepper sauce. The mashed potato is worth a mention too, as it is made from scratch in-house and rich in buttery flavour. 

Salmon Kobuto Teriyaki @ RM10.90

Yakitori Squid

Saba Shioyaki

The rest of the seafood dishes we sample, including BBQ salmon head, grilled squid and salt-grilled mackerel are all fresh and very lightly seasoned to preserve the natural oceanic sweetness. Highly recommended for sharing, if you'd love to try more varieties. 

 Tempura Moriawase @ RM15.90

The deep fried seafood and vegetable assortments taste best when dipped into the homemade tempura sauce. I love the idea of Umeshu for creating all sauces on its own, to give diners the best flavour combinations that we couldn't try elsewhere. Well, you can opt for deep fried mantis prawns if you are seafood lover. 

Tempura Mantis Prawn @ RM8.90

RICE & NOODLES

Ishiyaki Salmon Tobiko @ RM15.90

Yes, Umeshu also serves a good range of pasta, ramen, udon and soba but nothing beats the rice dishes here. One just can't go wrong with salmon and flying fish roe rice served in a hot stone bowl. Just mix everything together and enjoy the warm and comforting combo!

Gomoku Kamameshi @ RM20.90

If this is your first time here, this small pot rice dish is a must-try! Just allow the rice to cook till the burning candle goes off (15-20 minutes). And the moment you open the lid, you'd be surprised by the steaming good aroma of salmon, scallop, prawn and chicken in the pot. Again, a mixture of the simple ingredient actually gives a delicious blend of flavours that leaves your stomach full and satisfied.

Unagi Kamameshi @ RM29.90

Similarly, you can opt for beautifully glazed Japanese eels served in the same method. Thanks to the overzealous application of thick teriyaki sauce, everything turns out extra flavourful and delicious!

Ishiyoki Curry Udon @ RM10.90

Finally...something good for spicy lovers. Thick and creamy, I notice the homemade curry here falls on the spicier side, unlike the usual sweet Japanese curry. In fact, it suits more to our Malaysian palate and I guess that explains why Curry Katsu rice is another bestseller at Umeshu! 

BEVERAGES

Bavaria Pomegranate / Bavaria Peach @ RM4.30

Green tea is probably the best drink to accompany such a heavy meal, but it is harmless to try out the alcohol-free Bavaria malt drink imported from Holland. Interestingly, it is uniquely brewed to contain no alcohol and genuinely a 0.00% beer. Taste wise, it is malty, smooth and refreshing with loads of fruity flavour. Just enjoy without worrying about getting beer belly!

CHOYA Umeshu Japanese Plum Wine

Did you notice that the restaurant is actually named after Umeshu, the famous Japanese plum wine? With a mere 15% alcohol content, the wine gives sweet tartness with prominent fragrance of Ume fruit (Spot the fruit inside my glass!). Highly recommended for ladies and those who love modestly-strong liqueur. 

Verdict:

1. Overall, it is a great dinner at Umeshu, with wonderfully unique and wide varieties to choose from. Thumbs up for having over 100 items on the menu!

2. If I'm not in mood for Japanese cuisine, I'd still drop by for some Western fusion delights that the chef is planning to introduce very soon.

3. Recommended: Ishiyaki Salmon Tobiko, Teppan Gyu Steak, Kamameshi rice
4. Revisit? Yes, if I happen to pass by Shah Alam.

Umeshu Sushi and Bar (Pork-free)
(Same row as Meng Kee Char Siew Restaurant)
8, Jalan U1/36, 
Glenmarie Industrial Park,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor.
Contact: 603-5567 9692
Reservation Hotline: 013-232 6338
Facebook: fb.com/Umeshu-sushi-bar
Email: ume.sushibar@gmail.com

Business Hours:
Mon-Sun: 9am - 9pm
*Please call for reservation on Sundays to avoid disappointment