Al Nafourah @ Le Meridien

My good assistant being a member of Starwood privileges, gave me a voucher for a free meal at Al Nafourah in Le Meridien Hotel last week. It was a free 3-course lunch for two and I went there last Thursday to have a taste of Arabia.

I have always wanted to go to Al Nafourah especially after coming back from my trip to Dubai because I missed the middle eastern cuisine. Thus, I thought it would be a lunch of white long grain rice with saffron and grilled lamb. Unfortunately it was not. The menu was fixed and it comprised of an appetiser, main course and a dessert.

The appetiser served was:

Lebanese Bread with Olives

Crab Timbale, Green Lettuce, Crispy Lebanese Bread with Sumac Oil Dressing

I don't know why they had stated crab because it tasted very much like tuna and salad to me! Maybe my taste buds had gone haywire but I believed that it really tasted like tuna. The bread was nice and it goes very well with the "crab" dish. I hate olives (but not olive oil) and I still do.

This is the main course. It is a deep-fried sesame-coconut breaded swordfish with black olives mashed potato, braised young vegetable and finished with honey-lemon sauce. Ok, the fish was nice and nicely done. I like the mashed potatoes and the vibrant colours of the sauce.

However, it did not stop me from thinking why are these dishes served at a Middle Eastern Restaurant like this? What happened to the taste of Arabia?!! Where's my grilled lamb? Even if it's free, I think they should serve authentic Middle Eastern food and not some western cuisine. They even offered this set menu at RM55++ during lunch hours if you are interested.



After that, I was served this pudding as a dessert. I am not sure whether it is another middle eastern dessert, but it was very filling! After the dessert, I felt so stuffed. Lucky there was hot tea to wash it all down! And the tea was served in a nice and classy way.

After 2 days, someone from the Starwood Privilege called me and asked me how was my experience at Al Nafourah. Being honest, I told her that I was cheesed off by the menu and was disappointed. Having said all that, the service was good and the ambiance was very impressive as Al Nafourah presents itself as a contemporary oasis with private silken dinner tents, Moorish arches, ornate paintings, and richly woven carpets.

Actually they do serve Middle Eastern Cuisine in their ala carte menu but I tell you, it was damn expensive. Prices are around RM50-60 for a grilled lamb course. White rice is already around RM7-10! The only nice stuff I had that day was the syrup drink they served before the appetiser! It's like a love potion where you have got to have more of it!

Al Nafourah

2 Jalan Stesen Sentral
Kuala Lumpur Sentral
Kuala Lumpur 50470
Tel: +603-22637888