Indulge In A Marvellous European Fine Dining Experience At MOLINA

We were excited when we found out that the amazing Dutch Master Chef Sidney Schutte has brought European Fine Dining to the heart of Kuala Lumpur with the opening of MOLINA.

Chef Sidney Schutte is a 2-star Michelin chef and his new restaurant, MOLINA, is located on level 51 of THE FACE Style Hotel. MOLINA promises to offer guests an unparalleled European fine dining experience with breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.

It all started with charismatic epicurean Datuk Alex Tan travelling all over the world to eat at some of the most renowned restaurants in the globe. Datuk Alex shared that over the years he has become passionate about great cuisine. He told us that it’s one of the things in life that makes it meaningful and enjoyable. The experiences he had resulted in the vision to bring top international culinary talent to Malaysia so that we could all savour the best cuisine in our own homeland.

He visited Spectrum in Amsterdam, which is Sidney Schutte’s restaurant, and found the food to be really exceptional, fantastic and memorable. So, he decided to go there again and to try and see if he could succeed in asking Schutte to start a restaurant here. Since Datuk Alex has a hotel (THE FACE Style Hotel), he wanted to establish a good high-end restaurant there. As they say, the rest is history and we are now lucky to have MOLINA on our shores.

When our group which had the pleasure of dining at MOLINA entered the restaurant, we were immediately struck by the beautiful ambience and welcoming feel that it exuded. We were also captivated by the attractive works of art which graced the walls of the place. The staff who greeted us when we arrived were extremely charming and professional and we felt that it was a wonderful start to a memorable time. Their FnB Director, Marjolein van den Ing (fondly known as MJ) is a lovely lady who is charming, knowledgeable and gracious. She made every effort to make sure we had an incredible, unforgettable experience.

After a short tour to see the whole restaurant, we were led upstairs to the private dining area/room which can seat about 12 people. One of the first things that struck us was the absolutely stunning view. I have seen KL’s skyline from many different areas and places, but I must say that this is one of the most spectacular views. Of course, we couldn’t help ourselves and started taking as many pictures as possible. We didn’t want to forget the stunning scene of the cityscape and this beautiful dining experience.

Hailing from the southern shore of Zeeland, the Netherlands, Chef Sidney discovered his passion for cooking at a young age. At seventeen, he began his culinary journey, driven by a deep ambition to become a chef. Throughout his distinguished career, Chef Sidney gained extensive experience working as an Executive Chef at Michelin starred restaurants spanning from Europe to Asia.

Just imagine … in 2015, in a mere 7 months, working as an Executive Chef at Librije’s Zusje in the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam, the Michelin guide awarded him 2 stars. The restaurant was later renamed as Spectrum, giving full rein to Sidney and his team. More accolades followed for Sidney. In the following years, he was recognized as an SVH Master Chef, the highest recognition a chef can achieve in the Netherlands. In 2017, Sidney was awarded as Chef of the Year by Gault & Millau and ranked number 65 on the list of “The Best Chef Award 2017.”

Sidney draws inspiration from the seaside of his youth and he has a deep-rooted passion for cooking with seafood and vegetables. His expertise is further enriched by his French culinary training. “Our goal is to surprise you with a beautiful spectrum of delicious, powerful and intense flavors, and to give you an unforgettable experience. As a chef, I find myself constantly inspired by the wonders of different parts of the world, particularly Asia. The flavours and experiences I’ve encountered during my travels have left a lasting impression on me each time; it feels like hitting the culinary jackpot. Now, in Molina, I have the privilege to share with you my avant-garde approach to European fine dining. Vegetables and seafood are the big stars of our menu; this is where my roots are established at the shores of the south of the Netherlands,” said Schutte.

Under the guidance of Chef Sidney, Molina’s Head Chef Guillaume Depoortere is thrilled to introduce Molina to the culinary landscape of Kuala Lumpur. “We come from all over the world and gathered here in Kuala Lumpur. Our team works diligently to source locally and sustainably wherever possible. We are committed to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients. It is our passion for creating special moments for every guest who walks through our door.” said Chef Guillaume. At MOLINA, every meal is said to be a celebration of togetherness!

MOLINA offers a unique 7 to 9-course tasting menu that emphasizes on fresh vegetables and seafood, complemented by selected meat dishes, and rounded off with two delectable desserts. Curating the finest taste of the sea alongside the bounty of the land, every dish at MOLINA is a combination of various ingredients, each one playing a vital role in presenting Chef Sidney’s distinctive culinary style.

The dining experience usually spans about 3 hours. We were really impressed by all the dishes that were served. The pairing with the wines was perfect and we were given an explanation of how the wines are sourced to give guests the best experience.

Each dish had a burst of unique flavours and the moment we put something in our mouth, our gastronomic taste buds tingled with delicious sensations. Rarely had we tasted something so good, and in our own country, on top of that. We learnt that every dish at MOLINA is a combination of various ingredients, each one playing a vital role in imparting their distinctive culinary taste and style.

The Brussels Sprout with Sea Urchin, Caviar, Coffee, Sunchoke was superb. A favourite was the Lobster with Beetroot, Cherry, Foie Gras, Tomato and Tonka Bean. It was delectable with a refreshing taste that stayed in the mouth after finishing it. The sepia (cuttlefish) was extraordinary. Never have I had it served like that, in a presentation that was so exquisite. It was served with Verbena, Peanut, Blueberry and Goat Cheese. Needless to say, the taste was succulent and delightful. The lamb dish must be mentioned too. Tasty, tender and juicy, the dish was prepared with Artichoke, Ramson and Buckwheat … resulting in a perfect, incomparable combination.

The desserts at Molina are in a class of their own too. Meticulously prepared, they are the perfect way to end your meal. It is hard to fully describe all the dishes at MOLINA and do them justice. The only way to know how wonderful everything tasted and how awesome the whole experience was, would be to try it yourself.

Those who prefer to, can opt for the vegetarian menu which is just as delicious and fabulous too. Diners can choose the 5 glass wine pairing or 5 glass non-alcoholic pairing, depending on their preferences.

Overall, visiting Molina and dining there is an incomparable experience we won’t forget. For an anniversary, a special occasion or a birthday or just a wonderful, luxurious treat, do make a reservation and head there. When right here in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, you have a chance to indulge in a world class experience that you will enjoy, why would you want to miss this opportunity? Anyone who is visiting from our neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia should also add an evening of dining at MOLINA in their itinerary.

For more information and to make a reservation, visit www.restaurant-molina.com or call 603 21681771.

Social media
Instagram / Facebook: @Molina_kl
Service hours
Tuesday till Saturday 6pm – 9pm
Operations
Restaurant Dining Area: 32 pax | Private Room: 12 pax