SEASON'S FEASTING

'Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry! You'd be spoilt for choice at Dorsett Regency as Executive Chef KK Yau and his team will be offering three celebratory options: an exquisite Christmas Eve set dinner at Cellini's, a lavish buffet at Checker's Cafe or relish a takeaway Tandoori Turkey from the comfort of your own home.

Weighing about 4kg each, the spiced marinated turkey proves to be a nice change from the Continental version; its meat well-imbued by a heady mix of aromatic spices. Stuffed with briyani rice, vegetable and pickles, the delectable offering also comes with chestnut and onion stuffing, cranberry jelly and giblet gravy. Each bird costs RM208++ and orders can be collected from Checker's Cafe.

The entrance of Cellini's...a small but cosy haven for Italian delights

The delicious Pasta La Verdura is worth tangling with

If you prefer a more intimate celebration, Cellini's the place to revel in a sumptuous set menu that blend imported winter ingredients and Euro-Mediterranean culinary accents.

The appetiser of Pasta La Verdura comprises al dente spaghettini with thread-like strands of Vegetable Pasta accompanied by Thyme and Dill Jelly and topped with pepper-crusted Tuna Tartare with pieces of sweet, poached Lobster.

Christmas Fennel & Fish Soup is served with some dramatic flair

Admittedly, I'm no a big fan of fennel but this herb is put to good use for the Christmas Fennel and Fish Soup. Definitely a heartwarming broth for the soul, we lapped up every drop of the wonderful concoction that had fennel, tomato, onion, potato and slivers of sole and snapper in it. The succulent Poached Cod fillet on top is adorned with Spinach Veloute (a gelatine-based reduction of spinach, stock and flour with parsley, garlic and extra virgin olive oil).

To cleanse and prime the palate for the main course, you'd enjoy a Mango Sorbet, a refreshing scoop of frozen mango juice with bits of the actual fruit in it.

The main course proffers Confit of Norwegian Salmon and Moist Confit of Salmon with Spinach Veloute; both cooked the sous vide way - a slow cooking process at precisely controlled temperatures. The piece of salmon sprinkled with edible floral petals in the foreground of the pix is cooked at 40 degrees Celsius, ensuring the fish remains tender and succulent with a lightly flaky core.

For the latter, it's cooked at 80 degrees Celsius; wrapped in a layer of sliced gratinated potato that renders it paler but no less richer on the palate. If fish is not your cup of tea, the alternative main course is Roast Turkey with all its customary trimmings.

All of us also had a slice or two of the irresistible Tandoori Turkey once it was carved at our table. Bringing curtains down for the evening is traditional Christmas Plum Pudding with Vanilla Sauce followed by some pralines and coffee/tea.

Lusciously indulgent...just a small piece of the Plum Pudding is enough to satisfy

Death by chocolate...pralines to wrap up our dinner on a sweet note

The Cellini's Christmas Eve Set Dinner is priced RM198++ per person inclusive of a free flow of sparkling wine, beer, soft drinks and juices.

Hearty eaters who prefer to go the whole hog may want to head for Checker's Cafe festive spread on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Chef Yau's team very kindly trotted out a selection of dishes from the buffet to give us an idea of what's in store for diners.

From roast turkey to tantalising appetisers of fish and seafood, you'd be spoilt for choice as there will be over 40 scrumptious specialities in the tempting line-up.

 

Feast to your hearts' content at the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Buffet Dinner at RM98++ per person. Also available is a Christmas Day Brunch priced at RM70++ per person.

For reservations, please call Cellini's or Checker's Cafe, tel: 03-2716 1000 x 188. Dorsett Regency Hotel is located a stone's throw away from the main Bukit Bintang shopping belt.