I ate at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Kuala Lumpur and the $65 signature beef wellington was a letdown

The restaurant is located in Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

Testament to Ramsay's popularity in the country, the restaurant opened to much fanfare among locals. One Tiktok user shared in an October 2022 video, which has since garnered over 2.7 million views, that she had to make reservations two months in advance.

On Google Reviews the restaurant has an average rating of four stars over 340 reviews, with some diners describing the food as "magnificent" and "really amazing."

"This is a concept that was born in London and exudes the British sophistication created out of its original Mayfair setting," Ramsay said in a press release seen by Insider, adding that "Malaysia is a wonderful country with a rich heritage and an exciting future."

As a huge fan of Ramsay, I've tried many times to book a table at his Singapore restaurant, Bread Street Kitchen, but to no avail. On a reporting trip to Malaysia in late November 2022, however, I landed a reservation at Ramsay's Kuala Lumpur bar-and-grill to finally try his famed dishes and decide for myself if they're worth the hype.

The restaurant is located within Sunway Resort, a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The entrance of the restaurant makes you feel like you're stepping into a palace, with a regal portrait of Ramsay greeting you.

I've eaten at several Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore and Thailand, and Ramsay's restaurant is surprisingly fancier. Dressed in a simple top, skirt, and sandals, I felt severely underdressed.

Other diners, who were dressed to the nines, looked to be couples or families celebrating special occassions.

Scanning the menu, I spotted some of Ramsay's most popular dishes, including the Hell's Kitchen Burger, which pays homage to his long-running reality show, and, of course, the classic beef wellington.

I wanted to treat myself, so I ordered a complete meal: classic mac and cheese (50 ringgit), beef wellington (290 ringgit), strawberry trifle (60 ringgit), and a hibiscus mojito (65 ringgit). An Acqua Panna (36 ringgit) — still mineral water — was also added to my bill.

My bill came up to 501 ringgit, or $114, including tax.

I was first served two buns and my drink. The butter that accompanied the bread was surprisingly tasty — it was soft and had a hint of garlic. The cocktail was light and refreshing, and made for a great start to my meal.

After a few bites, however, the dish became increasingly dull. I wished the dish had crumbs throughout, and not just on top of it.

It was filling and great for sharing, but certainly not the best mac and cheese I've ever had.

Wheeled out of the kitchen by a staff member, the loaf of wellington immediately drew out smartphones — mine included.

The presentation was top notch, and the excellent service made diners feel special.

According to Ramsay's website, the dish is prepared with beef fillets, wild mushrooms, puff pastry, parma ham, egg yolks, and thyme. It's also served with a red wine sauce made of shallots, peppercorns, bay leaf, and red wine vinegar.

I certainly wasn't the only one who ordered the dish that night — I spotted several other diners requesting the same dish, and with good reason: the experience is unlike any other.

At first, I was surprised at how small the portion seemed, but after tucking in, I realized how hearty and filling the dish was.

The red wine sauce was the best part of the dish to me — it was tangy and accentuated the flavors of each bite. However, the pastry wasn't as flaky as I'd expected and the mushrooms had an earthy flavor that didn't complement the beef.

I've had Kobe beef in Japan, which melted in my mouth, and unfortunately, the meat used in the wellington pales in comparison. For the price and reputation, I expected a lot more, and I ended up not finishing the beef as it was a little too tough.

In response to Insider's requests for comment regarding the doneness and type of beef used in the signature dish, the restaurant's management said, "We hope you had an enjoyable dining experience!" and referred Insider to a press note which did not shed more light.

According to Ramsay's website, his trifle recipe comprises biscuits or sponge fingers, fresh strawberries, elderflower cordial, double cream, vanilla pod, and balsamic glaze.

As someone with a sweet tooth, I'd come back just for this dessert.

While I recommend dining at Ramsay's restaurant in Malaysia for a luxurious experience, I don't think the wellington is worth a second try. If it's excellent beef you're after in Kuala Lumpur, then I'd recommend looking elsewhere — especially one of the city's many Japanese restaurants.

But if you do have the budget, try the beef wellington once, and remember to take lots of photos.