FESTIVE CNY FEAST AT SUMMER PALACE

Three festive set menus designed to usher in prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for Chinese New Year celebrants beckon at Summer Palace, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel this year.

At a recent media review, we savoured the indulgent Good Fortune Set (RM2,688 nett per table of 10 persons with a complimentary bottle of wine).

 Everyone participated in the tossing of the house made Tuna Yee Sang with Crispy Fish Skin and Mixed Pickles. The colourful array of shredded vegetables and pickles also had pumpkin crisps and deep-fried fish skin for additional crunch.

 

A treasure trove of King Neptune’s best: sea cucumber, dried scallops, abalone and fish maw ensured the sublime Buddha Jumps Over The Wall Soup with Morel Mushrooms superbly memorable. We love the complexity and savoury depth of each spoonful of the soup.

 

Subtle herb accent was discernible when we tried the Roasted Duck Marinated with Tong Kwai, Star Anise and Cinnamon in Truffle Sauce. Tender and juicy to the bite, the distinct truffle sauce amplified the dish’s tasty appeal.

Another luxe serving of Fried Lobster with Premium Golden Pumpkin Sauce and Sea Prawns with XO Sauce left us smiling from ear to ear. The delicate flavour of pumpkin sauce complemented the naturally sweet lobster meat whilst the more piquant XO sauce bestowed zingy heat to the prawns.

Crispy Bean Crumbs and Japanese Kikkoman Soya Sauce lent textural interest and subtle flavour to the Steamed Tiger Garoupa. It was a creative and welcoming touch, differentiating the steamed fish from the usual tried-and-tested soya sauce, minced ginger and spring onion version.

The Stewed 5-head Abalones with Black Pearl Sea Cucumber, Sea Moss and Dried Oysters tasted a tad underwhelming. Not sure if the earlier dishes had overwhelmed our tastebuds. Still, the varied textures proffered hit the spot so it wasn’t a complete loss. 

My favourite dish was snagged by the soul-satisfying Steamed Rice with Smoked Duck in Claypot. It’s less greasy than the customary waxed meat version yet chockful of appetising flavours, inducing repeat helpings.

 

A generous bowl of fuschia hued Chilled Dragon Fruit Cream with Sago and Bird’s Nest brought dinner to a sweet conclusion. We like the dessert broth’s mild sweetness; it made a nice pairing with the Fancy Double Combination of mochi-type balls and another of deep-fried balls studded with puffed rice pearls.

 

Diners can also opt for the Prosperity Set at RM1,888 nett per table of 10 persons with a complimentary bottle of wine, or the Happiness Set at RM2,188 nett per table (10 persons).

For reservations at Summer Palace, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, please contact tel: 03-8949 8888 ext. 1333 or WhatsApp: +6011 56855608.