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36 RESTO OF THE WEEK FOOD TemptAsian Valentine's Day is just around the corner and though it seems a grow- ing number of people treat the holi- day with disgust at the capitalist behaviour, giving up on the holiday completely is sure to put you in the dog-house. Whether Valentine's Day is your thing or not, pick a great place to eat and make the most of Friday night. One of the restaurants at five-star hotel, The Palace is the remark- able TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar, a delicious fusion of Asian and Western cuisines to de- light the taste buds. The luxurious restaurant is situated on the ninth floor offering panoramic views of Sliema and the Grand Harbour in a uniquely Asian setting. Before being seated at table the bar offers the perfect area to wind down after a day's work and meet friends over a drink or two. Perfect cocktails are served by friendly staff – a perfect start to a perfect night. The most difficult part of the meal is choosing between the sumptuous dishes from all over the East, from China to India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam, the menu takes you on a culinary journey across the East. For those who know what they like the menu includes salads and hot starters, a separate sushi menu, Japanese Yakitori, which are grilled pieces of meat served on a stick, soups and ramen, a Japanese noodle dish served in meat or fish broth, tandoori dishes from India, teppan dishes and stir fries "from the sea" or "from the land". Prices range from €35 a head to €50 a head. Cooking your own food at the ta- ble is also possible at TemptAsian in the form of an Asian style fondue. A pot of broth is kept simmering at the table while diners cook their own food. A selection of prawns, chick- en, tofu, beef, white fish, a selection of vegetables and noodles can be cooked, however diners need to call in advance to book a hot pot. The wine list is extensive, with a wonderful range to choose from, from the cheap and cheerful to the pricier varieties. Wines include local varieties, French, Italian and New World Wines. Prices range from €16 a bottle to €50 a bottle. Asian spe- cialities are also available in Thai wines, plum wines, sake and sabai hibiscus and pomegranate, which infuses Thai wines with exotic fruit. Champagnes and dessert wines are also available. For dessert try the assortment of oriental themed desserts served to- gether with some exotic fruit; gin- ger crème brûlée, with a soft and creamy centre with perfectly burnt sugar on the top accompanied by gentle notes of ginger, a chocolate fondant with a gooey centre, lychee sorbet and mango ice-cream served with fresh passion fruit and fresh pineapple For those who have not been tempted by the Asian cuisine at TemptAsian, now is the perfect time to get up to the ninth floor and sample some of the East's most pleasant flavours. Rachel Zammit Cutajar takes a look at a restaurant and brings a recipe, wine and delicacy of the week. Write to us with your comments on restaurants or submit your own recipes to rzammitcutajar@mediatoday.com.mt Tempting the taste buds Charles Grech & Co. Ltd., Valley Road, B'Kara Tel: 2144 4400 Escudo Rojo 'Carmenere' – Rothschild, Chile This wine, Made by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, comes from the best vineyards in two of Chile's most highly reputed winegrowing areas. Nestling at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the Maipo val- ley offers ideal conditions for growing carmenere. Plentiful sunshine during the day and cool nights produce a considerable temperature differential that allows the grapes to ripen slowly. Further south, the Rapel Valley has rich and well-balanced, predominantly clay-loam soil. Its water reserves en- sure harmonious, stress-free growth for the vines, providing conditions in which the carmenere grape can flourish. Attractive ruby red, dense, deep and vivid. Com- plex, elegant, fresh and generous, the nose reveals sustained raspberry, blackcurrant and blackberry aromas, nicely accompanied by more subtle notes of blond tobacco, spice and mocha. The attack is elegant, round and full-flavoured. Mature, tightly knit tannins reveal all the character of the terroir. Suggestions of black berry fruit, cherry and pepper gradually emerge, perfectly combined with roasted, toasted notes. Serve with duck breast, braised lamb shoulder or cheeses. Imported exclusively by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, B'Kara. T: 2144-4400 TemptAsian The Palace, High Street, Sliema Tel: 21 333444 Facebook: TemptAsian.Malta From sushi to Thai curries, if it's Asian then it's at TemptAsian Dine in one of the private rooms surrounded by colourful silks