Sino Scene at Swiss Garden Residences: Restaurant review

Sino Scene heralds the potential revitalisation of KL’s Swiss Garden Hotel & Residences as a dining destination – this new Chinese restaurant is an oasis of calm in downtown Pudu, offering a sixth-floor view of the inner city to complement a menu that uniquely straddles the cuisines of both Sichuan and Hong Kong.

Sichuan and Hong Kong flavours

Guests can get the best of both Sichuan’s spicy, piquant flavours and Hong Kong’s juicy, robust roasts at Sino Scene – the former is epitomised by the likes of a Sichuan sweet-sour bird’s nest and crab meat soup, temptingly thick and tongue-tingling (RM30), as well as other specialities such as Sichuan chilli chicken or scallops, while the latter best manifests itself in the satisfactory five-spice duck (RM35 for half a duck) and other fowl favourites like soy or honey-roasted chicken.

Veteran Malaysian chef Alex Choong whips up some interesting items – we like the mantou with pan-fried shredded duck (RM12); eaten together, the bun and meat – slicked up in a savoury sauce – taste like a long-lost twin of cha siu bao (note: Sino Scene is a no-pork restaurant). The beef char siew (RM17) is also notable, the chewier, gamier version of regular char siew.

Claypot dishes

Sino Scene takes special pride in its claypot recipes, a treat especially if you love prawns. You’ll find butter cream prawns with egg floss (RM26; an irresistible indulgence), wok-fried rice with prawns and mixed seafood (RM13; flavoursome) and our eternally beloved sang har noodles (RM38; comfortingly piping-hot, creamy and eggy), each reasonably priced and respectably executed.

Sino Scene’s repertoire is comprehensive as a solid Chinese establishment’s should be, so whether you’re looking for meat, bean curd or vegetables, there’s something for everybody, from chunky aromatic braised lemongrass beef ribs (RM28/RM38 for small or medium) to red-braised Japanese bean curd and fish skin (RM20) to stir-fried asparagus with clams (RM15).

Desserts and drinks

Wrap up with Swiss-Garden’s signature deep-fried ice cream, in batter-encrusted flavours like chocolate, strawberry or vanilla (RM15) and wash down with a selection of Chinese tea or French wine. Many thanks to the Sino Scene team for having us here.