At Transcorp Hotels, Valentine’s is a season to open our doors to families, lovers and friends, ensuring that they are swooning in love right from our doors. We celebrate love in many ways to meet the love languages of our guests. For many guests, food is a strong love language, from the ingredients, to the recipes and eventually the presentation and plating. The presentation of food constantly reminds you of the aura around this day; that is the aim of our chefs at Zuma Grill. It is a day greatly looked forward to and taken keenly both in delivery of service and in the way the food is captioned on the menu. The menu which is a 6-course menu is classic and suitable for all. It runs from the “Amuse” to “Dessert”.
Zuma Grill’s Head Chef Amos wants you to have the best Valentine’s Day with this specially curated list of romantic food and wine pairing.
Beaumont Chenin Blanc: Described to be a pleasant surprise on the first taste, this Chenin Blanc is a fruity white wine with citrus and tropical notes. Of South African origin, the Chenin Blanc is light and is being paired with the second course on the menu, Lobster Timbale. The Lobster Timbale with avocado is the first appetiser one the menu, aimed at making the guest feel the sweetness of the Lobster and the creamy avocado sauce. The Blend of the fruitiness of this wine, the juicy Lobster and the creamy sauce is a match made in heaven.
Hartenberg Riesling 2017: From the family vineyards in South Africa, Hartenberg is a dry white wine with citrus and earthy notes. Is has an inviting smell and is paired with the third course on our menu, Pumpkin Ravioli. The Pumpkin Ravioli is an Italian cuisine with a filling so welcoming on each bite. There’s a rich blend of flavours in the wrap and the element of surprise in each wrap adds to the value of the day. The Hartenberg Riesling is a good match for the Pumpkin Ravioli, the dry, fruity flavor meets well with the juiciness of the Pumpkin Ravioli.
Eisen & Viljeon Vintage 2013: From the rich presentation of this bottle to the taste of this bold red wine, the Eisen & Viljeon Vintage 2013 is simply a classical and inviting wine. It is a rich blend of grapes with some earthy notes and hints of tobacco and Oak. Paired with the first option for our main course Corn-Fed Chicken Breast. This meal is made with chicken fed only with corn (maize) and has the tenderness, sweetness and color of corn. Served with a sweet cream sauce and some hint of spinach, this sweet rich flavored chicken Is perfectly complimented by the fruity blended wine.
Heartland Shiraz: Widely described as well balanced, the Heartland Shiraz is a bold, dry, spicy red wine with notes of dark berry fruits and some oak and vanilla. It is perfectly paired with our second option for the main course, Beef Tournedos. The Beef Tournedos meaning the thicker side of the beef fillet juiced and flavored with herbs and the sweetness of the sauce is greatly complimented with the intense blend of berries and the spicy notes of this wine. The Presentation of the Beef Tournedos is specially focused on engagements this season and this wine crowns it all so pause! make your reservation at Zuma Grill now, we’ll wait.
Cigalus: What better way to draw the curtains closed for the evening than with this aromatic blend of berries, black fruit, oak, vanilla, tobacco and some earthy notes with a perfect finishing. It is paired with our pastry chef’s Heart-Melting Dessert. The Dessert just as described is a plating of dark chocolates, white Chocolates, with fresh raspberry, dark berries, granulated sugar, cream, lemon zest and juice. If you’re a sweet tooth, you’re in for a thrill. The presentation is alluring and with this combination, every feels right and the evening ends beautifully.
While our first course and fourth course may not be paired with any of these wine choices, they are both curated to leave a welcoming sensation of the meals in between them on the palates of our guest. That’s an experience you should have so let’s walk you through The Amuse and Strawberry Rose Sorbet.
Amuse: The Amuse, our chef’s complementary welcoming dish for the guest’s palate is all flavours of sweetness. It is a rich flavoured dish with curled salmon, a creamy sauce and some lemon for a healthy balance of taste.
Strawberry Rose Sorbet: This is an ice cream but with a fluffy texture, it is light and inviting. The Rose Sorbet is our chef’s relaxing course just before the main meal, and relaxing it is indeed, both in presentation and taste.
Zuma Grill, located at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, is ready to receive you on Valentine’s Day and Chef Amos will be there to give you the night of your life! Call 08039013000 for reservations.