Thistle Johor Bahru – A Hotel with a Heartbeat (Part 2/2)

May 3rd, 2010 admin

Continued from Part 1…

CHECKING OUT THE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THISTLE JOHOR BAHRU

There are 4 restaurants in Thistle Johor Bahru; Glass, Chinoise, Oasis & Steps. They serve different types of cuisine, from Western to Continental and Asian. Here’s more information about each of them.

Glass

There is a reason why they named this restaurant “Glass”. Simply for the fact that the restaurant’s tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowed guests to savour nature’s beauty and the picturesque poolside while dining in the comforts of an air-conditioned space and away from the scorching sun.

If I were to rank the 4 restaurants within Thistle Johor Bahru according to the most scenic views offered, Glass would top the charts undisputedly. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows (allowing diners to dine in full view of the resort-style pool), white-washed ceramic columns, combined with modernist tables and chairs, created a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful setting, quenching my thirst for serenity of the mind and allowing me to accomplish one of my objectives of this getaway, which was to find a safe sanctuary for my well-being (even while dining!).

The spread of food on the buffet tables was pretty average, I felt. Each buffet tray did not come with a description tag. I had to peep into the 2 huge pots of soup to make a wild guess as to the identity of the soup before making a calculated decision as to which pot I should scoop my soup from. I thought that the labeling of their food items, like what most 5-star hotels do, would have made the process of “navigating” through the buffet spread an easier task, something which all guests have to go through.

I liked the fact that, on top of the buffet spread, I could order a main course, whipped up with fresh ingredients and served piping hot, from the kitchen. The menu was lovingly created, with a fusion of Asian and European influences, and features 5 hearty and delectable choices for mains – Grilled Lamb Chop, Grilled Mini Steak, Pan-Fried Salmon, Fried Kway Teow and Beef Rendang. We ordered the Pan-Fried Salmon & Beef Rendang.

The Pan-Fried Salmon was nicely cooked with its meat moist and flaky. The sauce that came with it had a zesty taste, making it light and appetizing. We fell in love with the presentation of this dish.

We also tried the Beef Rendang which was delicious and tantalizing. A moment to savour was when we sunk our teeth into the tender chunks of meat, which subsequently burst with flavors of onion, tomatoes, sweet sauces and spices.

Warm and amiable, the service staff were exceptionally attentive, overseeing our needs and meeting our requests promptly (even our simple request for warm water), befitting the status and quality of a 5-star hotel. Such friendly service immediately brightened up the entire meal. Overall it was a fuss-free and pleasant lunch affair!

Heartwarming words imprinted on the usual restaurant serviette. “One thing I can’t do is wipe that smile of satisfaction off your face”. Brilliant gesture by Thistle to create bubbles of joy to our dining table through even the smallest of things!

Chinoise

This Chinese restaurant, which serves an array of sumptuous traditional Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, is only used when the entire restaurant is booked for functions or luncheons for conference participants, or for weddings.

Entering the restaurant, I was able to get another perspective of the visually stimulating poolside and charming clock tower (2 of the reasons why I started to develop an affection for Thistle Johor Bahru, a hotel which I totally knew nothing of its existence until a few days ago).

But what caught my foremost attention was the charming and striking orange ceiling lamps, which tied in with the oriental décor and ambience, and exuded elegance into the restaurant’s dining ambience with its warm colours.

The place was being set up for dinner for a large group of church conference participants from Singapore, who were holding their 4D3N retreat at Thistle Johor Bahru. As such, we were able to freely take our pics and enjoy undisturbed views of the pool from the restaurant.

Oasis

We scheduled our dinner intentionally at Oasis, instead of the rest of the restaurants located within Thistle. Oasis was aptly named because of its unabashed views of the garden and swimming pool.

The iridescent blue pool forms a stunning centerpiece from the table where we were seated. The pool captures the changing colours of the skies and the underwater lighting punctuates the night with its own magic.

The menu featured a unique combination of Japanese Teppanyaki and Italian fusion cuisine. Diners could delightfully watch in anticipation as the chefs whipped up their signature creations through their open-concept kitchen.

Romancing us with the melodious harmonization of their vocals, the live-band performance also elevated our poolside dining experience to a more perky and high-spirited dinner affair.

We ordered mostly “Chef’s Recommendation” items from the menu.

The Gyuhire to Kaizen Set (Kani Salada, Miso soup, Beef Tenderloin, Crayfish, King Prawn, Scallops, Vegetables, Garlic Fried Rice & Green Tea Parfait), at a princely price of RM 99.00, was our favourite dish among the 3 dishes that we ordered. Though the price was a little exorbitant, the dishes came in good portions & well-cooked to perfection.

We liked the juiciness of the tender chunks of beef tenderloin, which combined well with the peppery fragrance. What was most interesting was that the chunks of beef were served in an egg wrap & accompanied with peppery bean sprouts.

The Pizza Vegetarian (Tomato Sauce, Zucchini, Egg Plant, Mushrooms, Fresh Tomatoes, Broccoli, Mozzarella Cheese and Oregano Herbs), at a more homely price of RM 24.00, was edible, but that was all we could say about it. We ranked this dish as the lowest among the 3 dishes that we ordered.

The only thing we enjoyed about the pizza was its thin crust. I felt that the taste, ingredients used and the presentation were pretty average and there was nothing impressionable or note-worthy about it.

The 3rd main dish that we ordered, the Baked Cod Fish (served with Green Pea Risotto and Creamy Foie Gras Sauce, topped with Shredded Dried Scallops), at a cost of RM 78.00, was delectably soft and delicious, evoking a heavenly feeling once it entered the mouth.

We loved the traditional Italian risotto, with the classic addition of sweet green peas, and it was creamy and done al dente without the sauce being too overwhelming. I really fancied the beautifully rich foie gras sauce which went well with the risotto.

We had 2 dessert dishes; the first was the Homemade Pancake (served with vanilla ice-cream topped with apple and cinnamon compotes), and at a reasonable cost of RM 18.00, was a delightful way to begin our dessert after completing our main courses. The pancake was hot and moist when we tucked into it.

The second, and my personal favourite, was the Tiramisu Di Casa, at a cost of RM 22.00. The tiramisu itself was beautifully presented, with its creamy surface generously dusted with cocoa powder.

It had an absolutely gorgeous taste – the blend of coffee, chocolate, cream, cake and liqueur was masterfully done and gave a most satisfying feeling. This careful blend delivered an exquisite taste which delighted and excited our taste buds. To be really honest, other than the presentation and the heavenly taste, I was also glad when I saw the tiramisu being served in fairly sizeable squarish dessert bowls! Excellent! Couldn’t ask for more!

We love the romantic ambience of Oasis! Splendid dinner at Oasis was perfect for our much-needed weekend getaway!

As we were dining halfway, a guy named Fadzillah (I assume he is the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager of Thistle Johor Bahru) came over and asked the usual “How’s everything?” question. Many F&B managers asked this out of obligation, but the genuine smile he naturally carried on his face certainly gave us no room for any doubt that he was “just doing his job”. We were glad that he came over to our table, to really ensure that we were ok with the food, service, restaurant setting, etc and to genuinely seek constructive feedback. He did not just fish for our responses, but also unselfishly and excitedly fed us with more information about the dishes we ordered (we ordered mostly Chef’s Recommendations), the calibre of their in-house chefs, and even a little background about himself. I must say that he really injected a dose of humour and vibrancy to our dinner. His natural flair in brightening up the atmosphere with his spontaneous and sprightly conversations with people, and his vibrant & entertaining personality gave our dining experience at Oasis a sweet, lingering after-taste.

Ayasi was the friendly serving staff assigned to our table. We really have to give the thumbs up for him. He would silently clear up our plates without being too imposing. He would bend over to humbly position and arrange our table, to make space for the next dish, without rude or rough movements which might be offensive to some or intrude into the privacy of our conversations. He would wipe our table with exacting standards of perfect cleanliness. Even though many people would brush aside the importance of such a role in a restaurant, I would say that he certainly put us at ease and provided a comfortable & safe environment in which to dine in.

Overall, we rate the service at Oasis 4.5 stars out of 5. Their professional service, genuineness in wanting to delight their guests, good initiative, timing and minimal level of intrusion was simply perfect! Thumbs up to the team at Oasis! They provided great finishing touches to our dining experience at Oasis and certainly made the dinner a happier one! It was indeed a great place to chill in the evening, and ideal for romantic dates. Though I found the price tag a tad on the high side initially (prior to sampling the dishes I ordered), I was totally taken aback by how delicious the food turned out to be (I would say a couple of notches above my expectations), and the impeccable service received overshadowed the initial pinch of the menu prices on my wallet. Where great food meets great service, Oasis’ gastronomical experience is not one to be missed. We took a romantic stroll along the poolside after our dinner and were simply mesmerized by the totally different night ambience, which was awesomely enchanting and was tinged with a tint of mystical lightings.

The gorgeous view of the poolside and lush greenery put me at ease and in total relaxation. I loved the feeling of gazing dreamily at the elaborately designed green landscape. I really enjoyed the poolside a lot and wished I could build my own little hut there for eternity! The way I saw it, the landscape was so beautiful that it would still look great whether it was day or night, rainy or sunny.

Steps

The open, yet cozy, feeling of Steps made it an ideal place to enjoy great company. As we sipped our Kiwi Chilled Juices and Latte (came with complimentary cookies!) and listened to favourites from the 70s and 80s and other romantic serenades from Thistle’s resident pianist, we sat back and enjoyed the experience, adding a touch of class to our supper.

We ordered the Thistle Club Sandwich (Toasted Wholemeal Bread, Boiled Egg, Beef Bacon, Poached Chicken, Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, Gherkins & Mayo) for sharing, which was a pretty power-packed sandwich, and it came with generous servings of ingredients coupled with great vocals from the resident pianist.

There is simply no better way to sit back and relax and allow ourselves to be transported by the melodious tunes and vocals to a far, far away land.

Entertainment – The Hive

We were not able to enter The Hive as they had a dress code, and slippers & bermudas were not allowed. We did, however, ask the bouncer to allow us to go in to take a peep. There was a live band and a pretty sizeable crowd grooving to the music on the dance floor. An ideal place to hang out for night life in Johor Bahru.

The VERDICT

Overall, I must say that the experience of Thistle Johor Bahru has been deeply entrenched in our hearts, with many sweet notes injected into our romantic getaway, coupled with loads of homely & warm touches, through the food, décor & people. Our Executive Deluxe room was spacious, heartwarming and elegant, and was our refuge after a long and tiring day. It wasn’t the most glamorous hotel my husband and I stayed in, but it was certainly one of the more memorable hotels.

We left Thistle with many happy memories, and we felt glad to have stayed in and conquered this hotel. The swimming pool and the fine warm touches of its people (especially from Oasis) still linger in my heart. My initial objective was to let go of my hectic life, slow down and indulge in the pleasures of what life is really all about (together with my beloved hubby), and this objective was certainly attained. I came into Thistle wanting to be a happier person and I did, indeed, leave with a happy heart. This 5-star hotel certainly lived up to its stars, through its humble & impeccable service & luxuriant resort-style décor. I have stayed in numerous 5-star hotels before, but the only thing I remember of many of them was their “holier-than-thou” attitude & snobbish service staff. I am indeed grateful that Thistle is not one of them; it is a hotel with a heart and a glowing heartbeat.

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Entry Filed under: Food,Hotels and Stays