We do like a good steak, but they don't come cheap so nights out like these are a real treat! Flames bills itself as 'KK's Only Real Steak Restaurant'. With three breeds to choose from we both opted for the Australian Black Angus 200 Day Grain Fed, in price terms - the middle ground, in taste and quality terms - simply delicious!
Just after you're seated complimentary bread and dips are served while you look over the menu. The rustic, sun dried tomato bread was excellent served with balsamic vinegar, herb butter and a mix of tuna and avocado. A nice start to the meal!
Here's my starter of Pan Seared Scallop served with avocado tapenade, Japanese tofu, mandarin orange and miso dressing. I really loved this starter! I wasn't sure that all the ingredients would work together, but it looked so different on the menu I just had to give it a go, I'm sure pleased I did!
The Little Nibbler had the Artichoke Soup, this also had, if my memory is correct, macadamia nut and truffle oil infused in it. Again this was delicious, very light and creamy.
On to the mains now and here's my Center Cut Fillet Mignion, so tender that you don't need a steak knife to cut it! Cooked to medium perfection, let me tell you this was one tasty chunk of meat! You also get a choice of sauce to compliment your steak, I had the roasted, caramalised shallot jus.
Ribeye for The Nibbler, again this was cooked to perfection and tasted great, accompanied by a buttery, bernaise sauce.
Sides of herbed potatoes and sauteed local mushrooms come with all steak dishes. The potatoes could have been a little bit hotter but this wasn't too much of a problem and on a personal note this is where I miss English field mushrooms as these are my favourite mushrooms ever, and go wonderfully with steak, sauteed with garlic and butter.
As we don't eat potatoes that often, and the opportunity arose we ordered the truffle mashed potatoes, which were creamy and lovely, as well as spinach with parmesan, another very tasty side.
Flames is located in the lobby area of Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, along the waterfront. At first we weren't sure of the setting as it's kind of, semi-open to the lobby, but it actually has a very nice ambience. You can hear the light hustle and bustle of the hotel along with the house band, as the restaurant was empty when we first arrived we actually quite liked this. I would describe the restaurant as cosy but not crammed, the chairs are very comfortable and oversized so you can sit happily and enjoy your food. The staff were great too, not too intrusive, which can be a real pain but just the right amount of interaction and fuss, very friendly too - a great job!
Small stairway to the restaurant and the table setting.
The Bill : 2x Starters, 2x Mains, 2x Sides, 2x Glass White Wine, 2x Glass Red Wine, 1x Mineral Water = 482.55 MYR
Fantastic steaks, cosy restaurant and lovely staff makes Flames a great choice for a special night out!
