Housed within the luxurious Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, this Mediterranean restaurant is truly a precious amber amidst its splendor. Dressed up in hues of warm brown, tangy orange and airy blues, one can easily unwind in its cosy ambience that radiates with elegance. With such opulence, its food surely does not disappoint. Serving up a moderately wide range of Mediterranean delights, the dishes were all tastefully and artfully created to present the best of the region to its guests.

• The Vibe
  Its resplendent décor holds distinct hints of Moroccan and North African styles, which can be captured from every angle, from the picturesque murals depicting the scenic Mediterranean coast painted on its walls to the soft mahogany drapes that cast mysterious shadows over the space; each feature is designed in such a way that it looks set to entice the patrons within with its mysticism and allure. Starting off with some pre-meal drinks at their intimately decorated lounge, Med@Marche invites its guests to enjoy a cocktail or two amidst the sensual candle-lit surrounds before adjourning to the space within to continue with the main culinary experience. A fully-stocked wine cellar will tempt all to kick back and just relax with some quality wines imported from all over the world.

• The Food
  After falling in love with its décor, get ready to be infatuated with the tantalizing gourmet that the chefs of Med@Marche have skillfully prepared for its patrons. Guiding this team is New Zealander chef Tim Yee, who believes that the natural flavours of food should be enhanced by using various ingredients and appropriate cooking techniques, instead of musking or overpowering it. Chef Yee designed his rather extensive menu to reflect subtle fusion of Australian influences into the otherwise pure Mediterranean cuisine. Noteworthy dishes include the lightly breaded halibut served over a bed of cous cous and the specialty rack of lamb platter, that comes accompanied with baked potatoes and fresh vegetables.

  The halibut was an intriguing play of textures as its crusty exterior fully complemented its tender meat within, which was further enhanced by the light and fluffy cous cous, which is a popular Mediterranean staple eaten widely by the people living in these parts of the world. Take joy in the fact that the halibut fish is not only delicious but healthy as well, for it is especially rich in Omega 3 vitamins. Similarly, the rack of lamb had the right succulence and was lightly seasoned with the right amount of spices, trapping all its natural flavours within. It skin was also grilled with a tinge of crispiness that made this one absolutely delightful dish to savour.

  From the half a dozen desserts available in this restaurant, the one that stands out the most will be their mango semifreddo that almost looks too good to eat. Delicately displayed on a black platter, the subtly sweet cake in the middle is surrounded by a ring of fresh sliced mango and topped off with a ripe gooseberry.

• Service
  A restaurant with an inviting ambience and delectable dishes will not be complete without an excellent service, and Med@Marche sure did not miss that out. The staff were always well-groomed and courteous, which was a welcome sight from so many restaurants that we encounter nowadays.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Med@Marche
Already seduced by its intimate and sensual ambience, it sure is easy to favour this restaurant even if the food is not over the top. However, I have to say that the cuisine whipped up by these talented chefs was so exquisite that it definitely garners some well-deserved praises. I have to say thumbs up for this restaurant, for it has encompassed all the essential characteristics of making it a noteworthy place to wine and dine your night away.