A RITZY CHRISTMAS BECKONS

 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to put on the ritz and The Ritz Carlton team led by Executive Chef Zaffar Samad and Head Pastry Chef Nazeri Ismail have pulled out the stops to do just that.

 

Live it up in the lap of luxury at the Library, relish a memorable four-course Christmas Eve Dinner at RM250 per person. Roast Turkey from the carvery and festive Eggnog should add much merriment to the revelry.

 

Prefer to kick up your heels with an exquisite Christmas Day brunch (RM198 per person) instead? Then head over to the Cobalt Room to feast on delectable temptations and delight the young ones with fun activities and a Santa appearance.

We had an inkling of what to expect from the extravagant sneak preview. Heeding the siren’s call of King Neptune’s seafood treasure trove, we dove in to feed on poached lobster tails, crayfish, prawns, octopus, mussels and oysters. The different denizens of the sea's delicate sweetness made them good enough au naturel.

Prettily laid out on rectangular glass platters, Salmon Gravlax, Prawn Cocktail and Roast Prime Beef with Melon were among the classics to tease our palate before Chef Zaffar did the honour of carving the turkey. The supporting cast of chestnut stuffing and giblet gravy lived up to their notable supporting roles too.

Roast Prime Rib also made the cut for the main ‘meat-ting’. Tender, juicy with a medium rare pink centre, the hunky offering was accompanied by roast veggies and pouf-like Yorkshire pudding. Encased in a airy and flaky pastry was the equally delish Beef Wellington. 

Whether you like it flecked with almonds or marzipan-covered, the history Christmas Stollen (RM45) harking back to the 15^th century should spur you to learn more about it: http://lamiematinale.ca/?id=26&L=1. We found the Ritz Carlton KL’s version generously studded with raisins and nuts; a nice treat to go with coffee or tea.

Unless you’re a baking wiz, macarons aren’t the easiest to churn out. I love the festively decorated Hazelnut and Pistachio Macarons (RM45 per ½ dozen), stacked up in the form of a Christmas tree. The crisp yet feather-light shells weren’t too sweet despite being sandwiched with filling.

Heartwarming spices like ginger and cinnamon were liberally incorporated into many customary Christmas Cookies (RM16 per100g), Gingerbread Man (RM15) and gingerbread houses, reminiscent of the old days when spices were worth their weight in gold. We spotted a nice assortment: mince pies, mailanderli, lackerli and kipferl in the festive spread too. At the hotel's behest, we happily took some gingerbread men (and women too but alas, not the prettily decorated houses).

Head Pastry Chef Nazeri Ismail deserved plaudits for churning out such luscious cakes too. From the irresistible Yule Log to a decadent Cheesecake laden with fresh berries, our steely resolve melted at the sight of all that sumptuous chocolate and whimsically decorated gateauxs.

The nice thing is you can buy some of these gourmet Yuletide goodies and order specially customised hampers (RM220 onwards) in advance from The Ritz Carlton KL's charming life-size Gingerbread House at the Lobby until 31 December 2016.

 

Intricately handcrafted sweet and savoury Christmas-themed nibbles would also take centrestage for the Christmas Afternoon Tea (RM80 per person). While away the afternoon sipping on a cup of exclusive Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur Tea Blend with jazzy Christmas numbers performed by our resident band on December 24-25, from 3pm-6pm.

New Year’s Eve Dinner (RM250 per person)

Wine and dine the last of 2016 away in an intimate setting at The Library then join in the New Year's Eve Countdown and Balloon Drop at Shook! Starhill Gallery.

New Year’s Day Brunch (RM198 per person)

Welcome the brand New Year with a gourmet buffet of the freshest seafood, Roast Prime Rib and tantalising dessert complemented by free flow of bubbly at The Cobalt Room from 12pm to 4pm.

For reservations, please call The Ritz Carlton KL, tel: 03-2142 8000 or email:

dining@ritzcarlton.com.my.