Review: Sunway's New Orleans Bar & Grill

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Brought to you by New Orleans Bar & Grill

STEPPING FROM THE LOBBY of the Sunway Hotel Resort & Spa into the grand yet welcoming interior of New Orleans is surely one of the best ways to leave life stresses behind . The patterned, colourful glass windows, the tiled table tops, and the spiralling staircase that leads to a second dining level make the restaurant a charm to behold, while plates arrive piled high with Cajun and Creole dishes that soothe the soul.

The kitchen of this newly rebranded establishment is manned by the experienced Chef Sebastian Arnold, who underwent an intense period of training with a New Orleans specialist to ensure that the restaurant’s authentic cuisine, made with imported Cajun spices, will satisfy even the most die-hard fans.

Appetisers begin the proceedings, with the Jazzy Gumbo delivering the traditional meaty, rich soup well-associated with New Orleans cuisine. .ere are also plenty of tempting, share-able nibbles, such as the spicy Mississippi Mud Balls and the Bayou Crab Cakes, with the latter oozing meaty flesh and cream cheese within breaded patties.

A good choice of main courses pose problems for the more indecisive diner, and a decent range of vegetarian options (Fried Pickles sound intriguingly yummy) nestle alongside the array of meat and fish options. Steaks are handled with pizzazz, especially the tenderloin, which arrived on my plate after being marinated in Cajun spice for 48hours and then grilled to oozy brilliance. For a truly filling meal, via towards the Bourbon Street Jambalaya; this rich, warming combination of vegetables, rice, and meat can transport you from stressful KL to Louisiana in just one mouthful.

I regretted eating so much Jambalaya when the desserts began to arrive to prove that New Orleans sets the standard for comfort eating. A sticky Pecan Pie closely competed with a rich Mississippi Mud Pie for the position of my new favourite sinful treat.

Time your meal strategically to enjoy your after-dinner fruity cocktails with live jazz performances. .e ample choice of drinks – expect wines, spirits, beers, and soft drinks – coupled with the cheeky London Boys, the David Gomes Quartet, or the award-winning Junji Delphino serenading you with songs of the era make it easy to linger. Diners can enjoy the music for free, while others pay RM50++ and enjoy a free half pint of Kronenbourg or house-pouring drink.

The hardest part of an evening at New Orleans is trying to leave. When your belly is full of rich, spicy, warming produce and the classics of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole are reaching your ears, the only option is surrender.

Prices:

Appetizers RM18-40++
Mains RM22-58++
Desserts RM18-25++
Set Lunch RM45++ (2 courses), RM55++ (3 courses)
“Jazz Live” food and beer pairing menu RM38++-RM60++

(Live Jazz runs each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening from 8pm until the end of December.)

Restaurant Photos

Food Photos

 

First published December, 2012