MAGICAL CHRISTMAS FEAST AT THE WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR

Drawing inspiration from ten countries around the world, The Westin KL chefs left no stone unturned in their quest to impress with a lavish spread fit for the festive season.

Taking diners on a whirlwind culinary tour around the globe, the vast Yuletide selection decking The Living Room starts with colourful platters of Santa Devil Eggs, Christmas Antipasto Wreath, Salmon Gravlax, Rainbow Vegetable-Wrapped Feta Terrine, Assorted Seafood and freshly shucked Oysters amongst other temptations.

In line with the Westin’s Eat Well philosophy, a Salad and Cheese Station featuring numerous imported kinds of cheese, fresh lettuce and salad leaves with a variety of condiments, pickles, sauces and dressings is included; to enable diners to rustle up their own salads.

Main highlights to savour range from perennial Roast Turkey, Lamb Leg and Beef Wellington to more distinct European-centric fare such as the well-spiced and aromatic Spanish Paella Seafood, and a surprisingly moist Duck Leg Confit with Cherry, Quinoa and Orange Sauce.

The rustic but flavourful dishes of German-inspired Braised Red Cabbage with Apple, and Swedish-inspired Hasselback Potato with Orange Cheddar Sauce somehow left quite an impression. Possibly because they are meatless; a nice counterpoint to the heavier, protein-laden fare we've been feasting on.

Not to be outdone, newly appointed Executive Pastry Chef Syeriff Hafizal holds his own by proffering a treasure trove of sweet treats. Flanking his showpiece of a giant gingerbread house are an oversized Chocolate "Log" Red Velvet Cake (lauded for its moist fudgy texture), a Croquembouche Tower and assorted Macarons (whimsically decorated as reindeer, santa, snowman and Christmas tree) amongst others.

Some gems await in the bread section: Ginger Bread Loaf inspired by Vienna, Panettone and Christmas Stollen Sweet Bread from Italy, and Walnut Raisin Baguette inspired by France are notable choices. Dial up your festive mood with traditional Christmas cookies if you are so inclined.

Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) at RM258 nett per adult, RM129 nett per 7-12 years old child
 
Christmas Day Brunch Buffet (12.30pm-3pm) at RM258 nett per adult, RM129 nett per 7-12 years old child
 
Christmas Day Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) at RM258 nett per adult, RM129 nett per 7-12 years old child
 
New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) at RM258 nett per adult, RM129 nett per 7-12 years old child
 
New Year’s Day Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) at RM258 nett per adult, RM129 nett per 7-12 years old child
 
Prices above inclusive free flow of soft drinks, fruit punch, sangria, Tiger draught beer and house pour red/white wine.
 
For reservations, please call Westin Dining at tel: 03-2773 8495 or WhatsApp: +6012 305 1715 or email: westindining@westin.com
 

OX-PICIOUS CHINESE NEW YEAR TREATS FROM UPPERHOUSE BANGSAR

 

“Niu Niu” – whimsical cow-shaped butter chocolate cookies and a most befitting creation – is one of the 9 delectable cookie options available from Upperhouse to herald the upcoming Year of the Ox.

Lightly buttery and bursts of chocolatey bitterness, the crisp butter-chocolate Niu Niu cookies (RM10 for two pieces) should moo-ve up the cheerful spirits for the young and young-at-heart during the festive season.

Made to order using French butter and top-quality ingredients, this year’s festive array from Upperhouse includes Cranberry Crystal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Checkerboard Cookies, Butter Cookies, Pineapple Tarts, Nasi Lemak Cookies, Rose Pistachio Shortbread, and Lemon Lavender Shortbread.

If there’s one variant you must try from Upperhouse, make it the Nasi Lemak Cookies. The cookies’ melting crumbly texture is lush with the richness of coconut milk; its sweet-savouriness bestowed by the inclusion of fried anchovies and roasted peanuts, punctuated with the occasional whiff of aromatic curry leaves in each mouthful.

Coming in a close second is the winsome Lemon Lavender Shortbread. Kudos to the chef for ensuring the lavender fragrance and nuance remains discernible in the buttery shortbread while allowing the bright lemony accent to shine through.

Crushed rose petals and pistachios speckle the top of each Rose Pistachio Shortbread, making them not only lovely to look at but also surprisingly good to nibble on. The floral and nut combination works like a charm as the muted rose scent becomes more pronounced by the natural nut oil when you eat it.

Chewy dried cranberry bits and sugar crystal stud the Cranberry Crystal Cookies, making these subtly sweet treat the perfect CNY gifts for discerning and health-conscious family and friends.

Loaded with chocolate chips and nuts, the perennial crowd-pleasing Chocolate Chip Cookies is a bankable choice that’s sure to please die-hard chocoholics and avid cookie lovers. A failsafe option should you’re undecided on what to buy.

Each jar is priced at RM25 (large – 220gm) and RM15 (small – 135gm). Advance notice of 3 days is required as the cookies are only made upon order to ensure quality and freshness.

Gift baskets from Upperhouse are also available in a classic hamper or “dim sum” basket. Both are priced at RM188 each and comes with decorative Chinese New Year ornaments. The classic hamper contains 5 large cookie jars with a choice of  flavour selection - you can choose from the 8 available (“Niu Niu” is a separate cookie order).

For the 2-tier “Dim Sum” Basket, it's wrapped with a bow for that auspicious look and feel. It contains 2 large and two small containers of cookies, plus mahjong-shaped chocolates, a jar of chocolate spread, a jar of hazelnut spread, and decorative Chinese New Year ornaments.

To order, customers can PM @upperhousebangsarkl on Facebook or Instagram, or WhatsApp Gerard at 011-2872 0083. For full listing of cookies, please visit: www.facebook.com/upperhousebangsarkl/shop

A CHRISTMAS FAIRY TALE FEAST AT LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

Chicken Mushroom and Sweet Onion Pie. Norwegian Salmon with Apricot Gravlax. Whole Roasted Turkey with Bread Chestnut Stuffing. Christmas Mince Pie and Pudding. Gingerbread Men. Stollen. Chocolate Madeleines.

A fairy tale parade of festive food to leave year-end party revellers replete awaits at Le Meridien Putrajaya. The culinary team has gone and pulled out the stops, creating a mesmerising wonderland to please the eyes, tease the tastebuds and satisfy growling stomachs.

 

Get off to a fresh start with healthy and delicious salads such as Smoked Duck Cubes, Orange Segments and Pomegranate Salad, Microgreens with Roasted Garlic and Poached Pears, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, and Edamame with Seafood Salad. The multitude of textures and bright, tantalising flavours are light yet distinct; a splendid way to prime the palate for more substantial mains.

As with any buffet spread, it pays to be selective. Encased in buttery-rich pastry crust, the Chicken Mushroom and Sweet Onion Pie is delectable enough to warrant a second helping.

 

Tender with a hint of honey sweetness, the succulent slices of Norwegian Salmon with Apricot Gravlax hits the spot too. For finger-licking goodness, sample some Louisiana BBQ Short Ribs with Roast Vegetables.

 

Fans of ‘big bird’ will be ecstatic to know the Yuletide buffet won’t be complete without Whole Roasted Turkey with Bread Chestnut Stuffing. The meat is scrumptious; best savoured with giblet gravy, cranberry sauce and a hearty portion of herb-dusted bread chestnut stuffing.

Pastry Chef Hansraja Jayaraman and his team also step up to the plate with a cornucopia of cherished Christmas treats. One of the show-stealers is Poached Peach Buche De Noel – a luscious French yule log with a creamy filling of poached peach instead of chocolate ganache.

Another on-point favourite is Stollen – its bread-like texture studded with bits of dried fruit. Touched with spices and slightly nutty to taste, the Assorted Christmas Cookies make compelling nibbles to sweeten the celebratory meal.

 

 

 

Whimsical accents abound with little chocolate men adorning glasses of Chilled Berry Jellies, cute marzipan figurines perched atop a snow-white Gingered Christmas Fruit Cake, and mini gingerbread men flanking Gingerbread Houses.

 

 

A Christmas Mince Pie, Chocolate Madeleines, Mini Christmas Puddings, Macarons and an Eclair Tower complete the irresistible dessert parade.

The Christmas Eve dinner buffet is priced at RM168 nett per adult and RM84 nett per child. The Christmas Day brunch is priced at RM148 nett per adult and RM74 nett per child, while the Christmas Day buffet dinner is priced at RM138 nett per adult and RM69 nett per child.

For reservations, call LATEST RECIPE, tel: 03-8689 6888/6862. Address: Le Meridien Putrajaya, Lebuh IRC, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Sepang, Selangor.