The Olive Tree at Menara Hap Seng

This post is brought to you by The Olive Tree.

Indian food is available almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur, but it’s often more tricky to find an upscale restaurant that serves authentic fare. The Olive Tree at Menara Hap Seng manages to strike this balance with apparent ease. Helmed by Leslie Gomez, The Olive Tree has gained an admirable following since its inception in 2007.

A Variety of Dishes

The menu, like most Indian establishments, is extremely varied. Mostly concentrating on creamier North Indian fare, The Olive Tree is well-versed in the art of producing reliable, tasty food. As with other Indian restaurants, there are plenty of delicious vegetarian options, so if you invite your vego friends along, you know they’re in for a treat.

Paneer Tikka and Chicken Kastudi Tangadi

We sample the Paneer Tikka (grilled cottage cheese) and the Chicken Kastudi Tangadi. Both dishes are barbecued, so for those after a healthier option, these are your best bets. We quite enjoyed the wonderful blend of spices and saffron yogurt in the Chicken Kastudi, and thought it made for a great bar snack as well!

Rich Textures and Flavours

North Indian food is traditionally quite heavy, so be prepared for rich textures and flavours. The Malai Kofta (cottage cheese and vegetarian dumplings) is another great vegetarian option, and a good choice for those after a less-spicy curry. Made from cashews, the gravy of the kofta is both tasty and comforting. If variety is what you’re after, go for the Kofta Anadkali where you get to sample the cashew gravy, tomato-based gravy, and the spinach ones all together. The flavours are great, and the tri-coloured dish is a sight for sore eyes!

Meat Lovers

Meat lovers should definitely order the Chicken Makhni. Slightly spicy and with a rich curry base, the meat was tender, juicy and terribly flavoursome. My other favourite was the Goan Prawn Curry. Generous pieces of succulent prawns in a coconut-based curry, the slighty spicy aftertaste made this dish an absolute delight. The range of crispy naans and stuffed rotis are impressive, with each of the garlic and Peshawari naans, and prantas (flatbread) outdoing the last.

Biryani

If you prefer rice, The Olive Tree has its own version of biryani, complemented with a chunky Punjabi dhal. After all that indulgence, if you manage to find space for some dessert, let it be the Mango Kulfi. Sweet and light, and peppered with spices to aid in digestion, this sugary delight is the Indian version of ice cream – and it doesn’t disappoint. With its reasonable prices (lunch buffets start at RM25, dinner at RM35), and a variety of delicious options, you can be sure The Olive Tree will give other Indian restaurants a run for their money.