CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS THE MAJESTIC WAY

Warm fuzzy mulled wine ensured everyone were kept in high spirits at the special preview of Colonial Café’s Christmas Eve dinner menu.

The aromatic tipple paved the way for a delicate amuse bouche of Salmon with Crème Fraiche and Fresh Dill. Cut into mini dices, the fish’s natural richness coated our tongue, tinged with creamy tanginess and herbaceous accents.

A multiple award-winning Sauvignon Blanc from Huntaway Marlborough, New Zealand heralded the arrival of our starter: Seared Bay Scallops with White Asparagus and Board Beans. 

Brimming with abundant overtones of blackcurrant and gooseberry, the splendid white wine was a match made in heaven with the plump, no-frills scallops.

 

More comforting succour appeared in the form of Australian Red Onion Soup with Gruyere Toasts. Heartily flavourful with the warm sweetness of onions taking centrestage, we relished dipping the melted cheese-laden toasts into the soulful broth.

The Raspberry Sorbet was more than a palate-cleanser. Served in a cocktail glass rimmed with salt, the wine-red cool treat spread much good cheer with delightfully bright berry flavour.

Interestingly, the complete menu priced at RM280 nett per person (RM380 with wine pairing) also features a mid-course of Seared Cod with Baby Vegetables, Peas and Mint Risotto, and Fish Bouillon. In this instance, the wine of choice is Australia’s McLaren Vale Sister’s Run Elephant Shiraz.

Diner celebrating Christmas Eve the Majestic way will have a choice of either Roasted Short Ribs Glazed with Tomato Sauce & Roasted Butternut Squash or Roasted Turkey with Parsnip Mash, Roasted Root Vegetables, Chestnut Stuffing and Giblet Gravy. We had a taste of the latter which came up to scratch when partaken with lots of gravy.

As we wined and dined away, The Solianos jazzed up the evening with their musical repertoire. The Majestic KL also presented us with a compilation CD of the band’s catchy and poignant renditions as a special Christmas gift.

Before we knew it, it was curtains-down time with Orange Parfait with Cinnamon Crumble and Grapefruit Sherbet followed by Petite Fours and Chocolates. We were thankful the dessert wasn’t overly heavy or cloyingly sweet, aptly rounding off the dinner affair on a high note.

On Christmas Day, the special multi-course celebration menu is priced at RM220 per person (RM320 for wine pairing) while on New Year’s Eve, the set goes for RM350 and RM480 respectively.

For reservations, please call Colonial Café at tel: 03-2785 8000. The restaurant is on Level 2, he restaurant is on Level 2, The Majestic Hotel KL, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur.

EATS SO PUN-NY AT HUCKLEBERRY AFTER DARK

Heh, Chuck Norris (RM21.90) stole the show on our maiden visit to Huckleberry After Dark. The Hollywood action hero's name probably doesn't ring a bell with today's young ones but never mind, Let's Ta-co 'Bout It...for the dish of beef Barbacoa tacos, served with BBQ-root beer sauce, pico de gallo, fresh coriander and sour cream was a bona fide showstopper.

Barbacao refers to the unique Mexican-Caribbean steam-smoke meat cooking technique which ensures meat so tender, it can be easily shredded or sliced into strips. We were thoroughly smitten by the soft tacos filled with that sweetish gamey pulled beef, accented with dollops of refreshing pico de gallo (chopped tomato, onion and coriander relish) and tantalising sour cream. Superbly yummlicious!

After creating some buzz with its wide range of French-style baked goods (popular stuff like croissants and rustic breads are usually sold out post-lunch), Huckleberry made more waves when the outlet introduced its pun-tastic dinner menu. 

For a Wholly Guacamole opener, crunch time never tasted better than The House Guac (RM13.90). Now, a lot of stuff is made in-house from scratch so the guacamole was creamy yet partially chunky; a scrumptious blend of avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, green chillies, jalapeño and lime juice. Served with two types of nacho chips, this starter was irresistibly addictive.

 

Non-beef eaters may opt for Drop The Bass (RM19.90) as a viable alternative. Expect a tamer flavour profile from the chunks of battered fish in soft tacos. Rescue came in the form of some house slaw, jalapeño and pico de gallo so they should pass muster.

Burger She Wrote was a plot to bring out the carnivore in us. Okay, Cheesus (RM19.90) sounded kinda blasphemous to some holier-than-thou folks but clearly, its main pun-ny intention was to elicit a smile or a chuckle. The towering cheeseburger stacked with 3 combo beef patty should lead dieters astray, thanks to its slathering of Huckleberry secret sauce, oozy American cheese, sliced tomato and fresh lettuce.

We then slipped into The Beast Mode (RM26.90) to devour the hefty barbecued burger consisting of housemade brioche buns with 3 combo beef patty, housemade BBQ sauce, Barbacoa pulled beef, duck bacon, lettuce and fresh tomato. Accompanied by a generous helping of thick-cut fries, it was enough to leave hearty appetites happily replete.

Two beloved American classics: macaroni & cheese and hot dog came together to form Return of the Mac (RM24.90). Dawg-gone it, such a simple masterstroke yet nobody had thought of it before?!!

Gooey cheese fans would melt at the sight of  mac & cheese blanketing a hot dog encased in a split long bun. Covered with even more melted American (cheddar) cheese  and chopped fresh cilantro, this offering was wickedly indulgent to the max. 

The Bird Waffle (RM24.90) got our clucks of approval too. Amply supported by scrumptious pieces of buttermilk-fried chicken thigh, the 'waffle-wich dipped into hot honey sauce had us crowing with much delight.

Competing for our attention was Lord of the Wings which came under the guise of K-Pop Frenzy (RM19.90-6 pcs, RM37.90-12 pcs). Most apt seeing how spicy gochujang sauce with black and white sesame seeds were employed to rustle up the Korean-style chicken wings. Our only grouse was the sweetish-zingy hot chicken appeared a tad over-fried. 

A Whole Lotta Dough - well, more precisely sourdough - went into the breakfast pizza
with tomato sauce, chicken sausage, mushroom, mozzarella and egg. Proclaimed as Another One Bites the Crust (RM32.90), its rustic albeit briny savouriness left us chomping at the bit for a tinge of sweetness to balance things up.

The Mad Batter (RM19.90) came to the rescue just in time. We dug into the skillet of chocolate pudding laden with chocolate fondant, slightly scorched, melty housemade marshmallows, cookie crumbs and butter biscuits. A lush, richly satisfying offering to sweeten us up as the meal drew to a close.

It was disconcerting to trifle with the beautiful mess of Rollie Pollie’s (RM16.90). Luckily the housemade churros smothered in Nutella and crushed Oreos were easier to eat than photograph. Expect to get down and dirty with this dessert but heck, food was meant to be fun sometimes so just go for it.

Parched throats will find ample succour here as the extensive beverage list veers between handcrafted mocktails such as Maui Waui (RM9.90) and The Ultimate Slushie (RM9.90) to bottled craft beers. Say 'cheers' to a 10% discount off beers during Happy Hours from 5.30pm-8pm.


For reservations, call HUCKLEBERRY AFTER DARK, tel: 010-960-0498. Address: 2G & 4G Jalan Medan Setia 2, Plaza Damansara, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. Biz hours: 5.30pm till late except Mon