Restaurants

Le Mei

Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Putrajaya

Le Mei offers fine and authentic Cantonese cuisine with inspired contemporary touches that stimulate the taste buds in a soothing and grand ambience.

 

SETTING

Grand would be the best word to describe Le Mei, a contemporary Chinese restaurant easily found on the ground floor of Le Meridien Putrajaya. From the décor, ambience to its food, nothing is spared in presenting a majestic appearance. The giant red doors that greet diners are reminiscent of those found in ancient Chinese palaces, giving a feeling of walking into the dining space of an imperial court.

Inside, tasteful gold and brown are the dominant hues that colour the dining tables, walls and floor. An ornate circular chandelier emits warm and soothing lighting that bathes the airy dining hall while different walls boast of differing patterns. One feature wall has old-fashioned Chinese cookie moulds carved into it while another has wallpaper emblazoned with paintings. It is grandiosely spacious between tables to accommodate intimate family dinners or business lunches and there are private dining rooms available for private affairs or corporate functions.

FOOD

Pork-free dim sum is part of the a la carte menu here and is available every day of the week. Must-tries are dim sum staples like the crystal jade shrimp dumplings (har kaw), chicken mushroom and shrimp dumplings (siew mai) and chicken char siew pau. The har kaw and siew mai is grand in look and taste, with both packing big, juicy prawns while the steamed paus are fluffy and its filling is sweet and tasty.

For deep-fried dim sum, the almond-coated golden prawn balls with parmesan cheese come highly recommended. Being the novelty that it is (cheese in Chinese cuisine), this dish surprisingly works as the different textures and flavours of the ingredients all meld into something delightful.

Aside from dim sum, there are many other notable signature dishes to choose from with the wok-fried marinated lamb chops with dried chillies and garlic chips being an excellent pick. Again, this is unusual in Chinese cuisine as lamb is not a staple meat type yet chef Michael Wong brilliantly pulls off another rabbit out of his toque. Nicely tender and moist with the pinkness still evident in the meat, and with the spices ably enhancing the gamey flavour of the lamb, every bite of this is satisfyingly luscious.

Fresh vegetables can be prepared in six different styles. Chinese spinach cooked with superior stock is a good pick. The abundant shoots and leaves are accompanied by chewy, chunky bits of century egg and salted egg bathed in a nourishing broth.

The dessert selection is decent and the recommended include the chilled mango puree with vanilla ice cream, pomelo and sago; and the chilled creamy avocado with chocolate. Breaking with the grand theme, presentation is simplistic yet both excel in its minimalism as taste-wise, they are syrupy winners.

DRINKS

Chinese tea is hands down the best drink to accompany the dining here with Le Mei offering a respectable seven types of quality tea leaves including an eight-year pu erh from Yunan, China. Aside from teas, the beverage selection covers everything from cognac, single malt whiskey, cocktails to selected bottled beers and three choices of specialty coffee.

SERVICE

Service is beyond reproach with every frontline team member pulling their weight in the courtesy, responsiveness, and conscientiousness departments. Tea cups were promptly refilled yet there was no hovering on the part of the wait staff. The floor manager is knowledgeable with the menu and did not hesitate to suggest dishes and the best cooking style for each as well as attending to every query and request.

PRICE

Prices are fair, taking into account the quality and tastiness of the dishes as well as the overall ambience and service of the restaurant. Naturally, the premium items on the menu such as lobster and Wagyu dishes will command a higher price point. Dim sum would offer the best value as it is competitively priced, filling and great for group sharing.

Must Try


  • Premium steamed dim sum
  • Wok-fried marinated lamb chops
  • Sauteed lobster and fresh mushroom in extraordinary sauce