I went to this restaurant to try Kristang cuisine, as I'd only learned about it recently. I didn't really know what to expect, except that I'd read it's similar to Nyonya cuisine.
I was actually pretty surprised how "European" the food tasted. "Eurasian" is an apt description of the food. It does what it says on the tin, so to speak.
It's a distinct flavour from Nyonya, although there is overlap. I had the stuffed crab which was crab meat mixed with breadcrumbs (very Western and mild in flavour), pesce (similar to croquettes), Kari Debal (devil's curry), and Sugee cake.
The Kari Debal in particular was a delicious surprise. Stewed chicken with onions and potatoes, it's like a hearty European meat and potato stew that's levelled up with Malaysian sweet, sour, and spiciness. I had it over rice and with a glass of red wine. So far, so Eurasian.
I finished the meal with an espresso and Sugee, a traditional Kristang semolina cake which reminded me of semolina pound cakes I've had around the Mediterranean. I definitely could taste the Portuguese and Malay mix of ingredients in all the dishes.
The only minor negative with the service was that they ran out of the fried silverfish and didn't inform me until I noticed it was missing from my appetizer. The waiters were eager to provide an replacement item though, once I asked about it.
Overall I had a very satisfying dining experience. So happy I got to try this rare and unique cuisine.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
RM 120–140
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
To know more about this restaurant, just Google 'The Mansion Melaka' but I will tell you a little bit of my dining for breakfast during a 3D2N stay in November 2022. The buffet breakfast was nothing to shout about. The only thing good was the omelette cooked by the chef upon request by the hotel guests. Service was satisfactory as the staff was attentive and worked effecifiently. Lastly, I had the opportunity to have a complimentary dinner here. Food was good but not great.
Service
Dine in
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
The service is top notch. The atmosphere is superb. But the food left much to be desired.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
RM 140–160
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
We had dinner here on our 1st night stay in Majestic hotel , Kristang , definitely quality food here , we had appetizers , a few main dishes , we really like the sambal pineapple so tantalizing , overall lovely Nyonya ambience , great nyonya food and service .
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
RM 40–60
Food very average, not much choice for European tastes.
Gym equipment broken - bikes buttons not working, leg curl machine broken.
Only one lift in use so long wait times especially when staff using the same lift.
Bedroom comfortable.
Overall a bit disappointed.
Meal type
Breakfast
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
This place was highly recommended and the decor and feel was very traditional. The cuisine certainly was as well - traditional Kristang dishes are rare to find. Kristang culture has a blend of Portuguese and Malay influences and quite a few of the dishes were similar to Peranakan style ones such as their take on Ayam Buah Keluak.
I’d recommended it for the experience and feel of a traditional old school dining experience but I was not blown away or as impressed as I thought I would be given how heavily touted this place was by reviews and friends. Some of the dishes were more bland than I expected but that might be down to my telling the waiter that my in laws weren’t fond of spice.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
RM 80–100
I ordered every dish chef Melba suggested. The place is beautiful the presentation is beautiful, the service attentive and excellent. The effort going into this restaurant is humongous. However, much of the taste of the food was obscured by the chili. For someone who grew up on pungent tasting dishes it was taste obscuring, so I pity those who grew up in more temperate regions.
I will come again to test other dishes but, though I often give 5 stars to restaurants which amaze me, I cannot give 5 stars to Melba today.
Strictly Talking about the food , I must say all the google reviewer here are way too kind and misleading . 4 stars? I give 2 for being kind, i m not messing around here
First of all ,TASTELESS. Everything that we ve order hav brilliant colour + outstanding look , but nearly no taste . I dont understand .
Secondly , under staff . I pity 2 waiters here running around to serve during a holiday season ( deepavali week ), whenever we hav request of service , we get a polite ‘ please waited to be serve palm stop hand sign ‘ and a smile + frown eyebrown ( slight sweaty forehead )
Lastly , overprice . I understand a 5 star historical heritage hotel will cost alot , but i m not happy to pay 900+ over for 8 pax nearly no taste dinner (appetiser + main courses + dessert . No drinks no wine )
I brought my family there promise to hav a feast of good authentic kristang cuisine experience , but we end up eating quietly with no comment about the food …
We leave with full level of disappointment and we talk about it to the cashier when we pay , and expectedly no discount of compensation was given . Weird ending i must also mention is the car park guy keep asking us for parking money when there was no sign and no price show anywhere . We parked at majestic hotel designated parking , spent nearly a thousand for tasteless dinner , end up getting chase by parking fee … what a night!
Any of the boss of The Mansion reading these , please make ur food better and hire ENOUGH STAFF to do the work if u intend to keep this place good
Melba at the Mansion has far exceeded my expectations for my husband's birthday dinner celebration. Over the e-mail, Oliver assured we will have a memorable one and he delivered with a nice cosy corner with balloons and decorations. The ambience was lovely, we were warmly greeted by Chef Melba, Oliver and the team. Chef Melba made an exception by improvising a dish for vegetarian. Overall we enjoyed the good meal and experience dining at Melba at The Mansion.
