Fuego Troika Sky Dining @ Kuala Lumpur

Over the Good Friday long weekend, I went on a short getaway trip to neighbouring country Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Was rather against it initially as I wanted to fly (yes, I am addicted to taking a plane!) but that option simply proved to be not feasible as 1. too costly 2. duration overseas is too short 3. out of options of places to go, because places that really aroused my interest are not logical for 3 days getaway. 

Glad that I made the decision to explore Malaysia! There are pretty cool things actually, if you venture away from the typical touristy stuff. Am here blogging again because I want to rave about this awesome dining place that really left an impression on me: 

Fuego Troika Sky Dining

Level 23a, Tower B, The Troika

19 Persiaran KLCC

50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Started writing a bit about it on Dayre actually, for Dayre being a mobile blogging platform, makes it much more convenient. Photos are in the mobile and I can post anytime I want, especially while on the go. But unfortunately, I only managed to talk about the first dish and the day is over! Tried to adjust the timing on the phone (as how I read on other Dayreans when they want to backdate a post) but it doesn't work! Boo. 

Fuego Troika Sky Dining is a Grill & Bar place located on level 23 of a mixed use development; spotted some salons and restaurants on the ground floor and residential units up the towers. What makes it cool is that level 23 is actually connected across the various towers, and specially set aside for F&B purpose. There's also Cantaloupe the fine dining option, Strato the Italian eatery, and Claret Wine Bar, all of which falls under the Troika Sky Dining family. 

Fuego, which stands for 'fire' in Spanish, specialises in modern South American food, which to me, is somewhat like tapas. Being a first timer there, the servers are absolutely smiley and friendly, keen to share the dishes they have and very accommodating to patrons who want to take photos together with the view. We pretty much ordered 90% of what was recommended to us =) 

I like the place for the wonderful view, casual setting, and dishes made for sharing. It is rather common to go to some places where they discourage sharing or servers will give a disapproving expression when informed that the order is for sharing. Fuego welcomes sharing by making it the default way of enjoying their dishes, which then encourages patrons to order even more, so as to maximise the number of dishes that they can try. Thumbs up! 

View from the alfresco dining area

Shall start first by sharing the dish that made me salivate even now just by thinking of it: 

Super Spicy Guacamole

Avocado, red & green chilipadi, cilantro, garlic, lime, ancho chillies 

RM20 

Guacamole is an avocado based dip or salad, part of the Mexican cuisine. To be honest, I am not a very adventurous person when it comes to eating but this dish really left me in awe. The dip was just about right with its richness and spiciness, and each mouth just left you wanting more. Which is appropriate as an opening dish for it whets your appetite for the upcoming dishes. It is also served in a traditional stone mashbowl, which I suspect is where they create the avocado. Try lifting the bowl, its heavy! 

Malabar Snapper Ceviche

Malabar snapper, plantain chips, avocado cream, coriander, tomato, chili, lime

RM35

What did I say about Fuego specialising in South American food? Ceviche is a Latin America seafood dish typically made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, and spiced with aji or chili peppers (source: Wikipedia). 

I do not take well to raw food. I do not even eat sashimi. But this dish is acceptable for me and there is so fishy or raw taste at all. In fact, we were even wondering if the fish is raw or cooked! The only giveaway is that the dish is cold; otherwise, us who are foreign to this dish would not have even noticed. 

Salted Cod Roe Croquettes 

Seaweed Crust, Shiso Leaf Gremolata, Salmon Roe Mayonnaise

RM40 

Ordered this dish from the Little Plates category because I saw it being reviewed on a website and wanted to give it a try. Don't look down on these croquettes, they are small and lethal - they fill your tummy fast! Taste wise, find it average. Or perhaps I was too blown away by the guacamole that my expectations are now sky high. 

Left: Australian Grass Fed Rib-Eye

(around 350 grams)

Cambodian Kampot Pepper Rub, Red Wine & Grelot Onions Sauce

RM110

Right: Portobello Mushroom 

Fate, Lemon Yoghurt, Garlic confit

RM25

For the mains, we had the Australian Grass Fed Rib-eye. Chose this dish simply out of elimination; I don't take lamb, chicken seemed too main stream, and we already had fish in an earlier dish. This dish is rated number 2; the steak was so good that I feel it trumps Wooloomooloo Steakhouse in Singapore! I always prefer to have my steak done in Medium Well, but this Medium Rare suits me fine. Not too bloody and very chewy. The sauce was good too, the red wine mix was balanced and not too overwhelming. I also like it that they cut the steak into nice, neat pieces so one doesn't have to struggle to slice it up. Totally suits the style of sharing - how to share one chunk, right? 

Close up of the Portobello mushrooms, from the Sides category on the menu. Taste wise it was just fine, but what made it good was the compliment with the ribeye. Fuego actually takes note of how individual dishes are served, whether it should come first, second etc, or whether it should be served in tandem with another. Consuming the entire ribeye in one go will be a bit too much, hence this served as a good pause in between. 

By now, your stomach should be very pleased with all the food you have been feeding it. Or at least, ours were. But that is not all that they have to offer. If up for it, you can check out their cocktails offerings. 

Back: Dark & Stormy 

Metusalem Classico, calamansi, homemade ginger beer and gunpowder bitters

RM36 

Skull Head: Bebida de los Muertos

made of Centenario Reposado, flor de Jamaica, raspberry, elderflower 

RM36

Cocktails are concocted and prepared via an open concept bar. We tried the Bebida de los Muertos, also known as the Drink of Death, which explains the skull head cup, and Dark & Stormy, one of the most popular drinks at Fuego. Rating - yes for Dark & Stormy, and no for Drink of Death unless you are a fan of sweet cocktails with strong alcohol taste. As mentioned, I am rather sensitive to the taste so I actually had to wait for the ice to melt and dilute it a bit before I can start to enjoy the drink. 

I am neither a food critic nor a food guru; I can't even recognise 90% of the ingredients used in the dishes stated above. But who cares? As long as it is well put together to create heaven on the lips, patrons will continue to visit and make Fuego one of the highly recommended gourmet destination in Kuala Lumpur. I myself have already started gushing about it on Instagram, Dayre, here on blogspot, and to friends who will hear of it. 

All information on the dishes and pricing are taken from Fuego website.

All stated prices are subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax.  

Travel - when to opt for a tour package instead of going free & easy?

Wow, seems like its been quite awhile since I posted something. Indeed, doesn't seem feasible for me to maintain this blog, but I still need this space occasionally. 

The last post was mid-way about my Korea trip, and halfway through writing, it seems like quite a chore and a bore to document the trip in its entirety. Guess the content should be written in a more interesting way, perhaps? 

My next trip after Korea was the Big Apple - New York City, centre of the world. Had some inspiration while on the train when I was planning the trip, and the content had been stored in the phone ever since. Think it is worth putting it up here. 

So here goes: 

YAYY! I am heading to the Big Apple in approximately 1.5 months time, where I will be spending Xmas and NY there   

The plans were only finalized like, less than 2 months from the departure date, and some people scoffed when they heard that I'm going on a tour package in this bustling city of the world. No offense, but different travel offerings are apt during different circumstances. It's up to you, the consumer, to be savvy and discerning enough to know when to use which  

 So here are my thoughts on when you should take up a tour package instead of free & easy roaming on your own:  

1. When you plan your trip at the last minute  

Like me, heading to NYC during their busiest travel season of the year, at the very last minute, will definitely bust your wallet. Taking on the tour package ensures you have all attractions covered along with comfortable accommodation at not so sky-high prices. Trust me when I say, the room rates for decent or accessible hotels, located in central areas / areas convenient, are at least in the range of USD 200, especially when you are trying to do last minute bookings. Those who book eons in advance may have a higher chance of getting accommodation at a lower price, but I doubt much because I read an article on NYC's accommodation and its said that the city has no low peak season, only peak, and higher peak. Their room occupancy does not fall below 90% the whole year round!  

2. When you have a tight budget  

This will vary on a case by case basis, depending on which country you are heading to. For example, in my case, I wanted to visit sights and attractions outside of the city, and transportation for such travelling will cost me a bomb. Furthermore, its not logical for me to rent a car and fork out all the expenses for the car rental (which includes insurance, petrol, road surcharges etc) on my own. The ticket and entry prices are also not cheap. For the purpose of value for money, taking up a tour package is more reasonable, for the all-in prices would have factored in transport as well. Tips are not included, but from what I see so far, the tip quantum seems reasonable and affordable.  

3. When you have no time to research  

I have a bad habit of planning trips on a whim and rather last minute. Which puts me at a disadvantage because I have lesser time to plan and would have missed out on early bird deals that could have saved me some money. If the place that you are visiting has a VAST offering of attractions to visit and activities to do, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and hinting that much research on price comparisons are required, then a tour package will be the way to go. It is convenient, saves time, and you only need to read up on the already decided sights and sounds. This is far better than stressing yourself out to plan the best way to go about your visitation, and at the same time worrying about how to the trip's finance and time management. Which then defeats the purpose of going on a trip, isn't it, when all you do is stress yourself out and can't get to enjoy?  

4a. When the group number is small and average age of the group is small 

NYC is perfect for doing a road trip out of the city to enjoy the sights, but if the group number is not at least 4 and above, renting a car is not worth it. You incur the same charges as that of a bigger group, but have lesser headcount to split the bill. Plus, road trips are only fun when u have friends around to go wild and crazy with you! 

So when do you do free & easy? Contrary to what many people think, travel agencies do not just offer tour packages alone. They also provide booking services where they do the research for accomm, attractions, transport etc for you. And offer you their discounted industry price. Good deal, no? Once bookings are made, you are off on your own to explore with all the freedom you so desired in the country of travel. 

4b. When the group number is big and average age of the group is big
A big group does not necessary entail that its perfect for free & easy either, because if the logistics and planning may result in disagreements. Furthermore, if there are elders in the group, they may prefer a more stable and safer mode of travelling, than free & easy which has a high element of spontaneity and navigation on one's own. 

Sounds perfect, no? =)