THE SEASON TO SAVOUR HILTON KUALA LUMPUR

 

Sumptuous festive dining experiences beckon at Vasco’s, Chynna, Iketeru, Graze, and Oro, Hilton Kuala Lumpur throughout November and December.

Stepping up to the spotlight is Vasco’s Christmas Day Lunch, an abundant spread of international and local favourites crafted to bring families and friends together.

 
Executive Sous Chef Mohd Ridzwan Mohamed Rasit reveals this year the major highlights will include roasted whole venison (sourced from Sg Lembing) and honey glazed roasted jumbo chicken (weighing in at 2.8kg), smoked glaze BBQ short ribs and lamb legs among others.

He also recommends distinct dishes of beef rolled with chicken liver and strawberry sambal, lamb osso bucco with rosemary garlic sauce, grilled salmon wrapped in daun kaduk (wild pepper leaves), and royale Caesar salad with reef lobster meat to tempt the tastebuds.

A luxurious display of poached lobsters, snow crabs, oysters, snails, prawns and mussels will reel in seafood lovers. Cooked seafood options such as steamed crabs with garlic, smoked shrimp and mussel platter, seafood paella and grilled oyster pineapple salsa compete for attention and tummy space.

Oven-fresh pizza with a myriad of toppings are definite crowd-pleasers as are cook-to-order pasta, assorted sushi and sashimi alongside spice-fragrant Goan prawn and kadai subji curries.

 
No celebratory buffet is complete without sweet treats. Leading the charge is a chocolate station decked with Pahang-grown chocolate, passionfruit and raspberry studded chocolate, and handcrafted pralines.

 
Choice dessert we love include plum pudding, mince pies, Mont Blanc churros, matcha and mint chocolate pops, cherry mousse cake, raspberry cupcakes and chocolate royal cake.

 
Vasco’s – All-Day Dining

• Festive International Buffet Lunch (Weekdays, Nov–Dec 12pm-2.30pm) RM158 nett per adult, RM78 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Lunch (Weekends, Nov–Dec 12pm – 3pm) RM188 nett per adult, RM88 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Dinner (Weekdays, Nov–Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM198 nett per adult, RM98 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Dinner (Weekends, Nov–Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM238 nett per adult, RM118 nett per child

• Christmas Eve Dinner (24 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM318 nett per adult, RM148 nett per child

• Christmas Day Lunch (25 Dec 12.30pm – 3pm) RM298 nett per adult, RM138 nett per child

• Christmas Day Dinner (25 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM288 nett per adult, RM138 nett per child

• New Year’s Day Lunch (1 Jan 12.30pm – 3pm) RM198 nett per adult, RM98 nett per child

• New Year’s Eve Dinner (31 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM318 nett per adult, RM148 nett per child

Festive Goodies Takeaway (1 Nov–31 Dec)

• Jumbo Chicken with Honey Orange Glaze, Beef Op Rib, Salmon Wellington, Lamb Shoulder, Platinum & Gold Sweet Boxes 

Graze – Italian Dining

• Festive Degustazione Menu (1 Nov–31 Dec, Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) From RM298 nett per person

• Highlights include Beef Short Rib Ravioli, Seabass Fillet or Angus Beef Tenderloin, Classic Tiramisu

Chynna – Modern Cantonese Cuisine

• Festive Set Menu (1–31 Dec, Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm | Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM238 nett per person

• Highlights: Signature Shredded London Duck with Rainbow Salad, Lei Cha Monk Jump Over the Wall, Musang King Crème Brûlée

Iketeru – Japanese Dining

• Chef Taka’s Festive Omakase (1–31 Dec, Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM650 nett per person

• Highlights: Monkfish Liver with Red Seabream, King Crab Chawanmushi, A5 Wagyu with Red Wine Miso Sauce

Oro Café & The Lounge

• Festive High Tea Set (1 Nov–31 Dec, 1pm – 5pm) RM288 nett for two

• Highlights: Marble Chicken with Pistachio Almond Dust, Beet Salmon Gravlax, Freshly Baked Scones, Christmas Pastries, Traditional Fruitcake

For reservations or info, contact Hilton Kuala Lumpur  https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rates/
 

GRAZE, SIP AND SING AT SARASTRO KL BY MILLENNIUM

 

Much as I'd like to refrain from using the term ‘hidden gem’, Sarastro KL at Millennium Lounge is exactly that. Ensconced inside a loft-like space atop Tribeca KL, the initial impression we had of Sarastro KL was it’s one of those speakeasy bars people enjoy discovering.

Exuding the vibes of a gentleman’s club meets posh library, the sedate feel is alleviated by some whimsical Harry Potter-ish touches: owl figurines perched from book-filled shelves, clusters of decorative candles, and vintage bric-a-bracs. The cloak and dagger element is a hidden door leading into the inner sanctum, camouflaged as a sturdy bookshelf.

Inside a raised stage for live performances – currently a solo guitarist entertains Thurs-Sat 8pm-11pm – take pride of place. Overhead is the outlet’s name picked out in Hollywood-style lights.

The banquette seating beside a bank of glass picture windows accords a nice view of the city skyline dominated by the Merdeka 118 Tower. Orderly clusters of dark wood tables and upholstered chairs in neutral tone can easily fit small and large dining groups.

In addition, there are two other private rooms: one can accommodate 10 persons whilst the other can fit up to 20. Karaoke systems are available in-room so songbirds can warble to their hearts’ content.

As a prelude to dinner, the resident mixologist rustled up cocktails for us, complete with billowing misty effects using dry ice. He shook, rattled and poured the concoctions into glasses and voila, two cocktails were created. It was a toss between Cherry Blue comprising Bombay Sapphire gin, Bacardi, Cointreau, blackcurrant syrup and blue curaçao garnished with lime wheel; and Purple Rain mixed from vodka, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and lime juice.

Both drinks were a tad sweet IMO but they were more agreeable when paired with nibbles. Right off the bat, we raved over the Whitebait (RM36). Deep-fried until crisp in feather-light batter then tossed with togarashi (Japanese spice condiment) and nori strips, the delicate sweetness of those little fishes dipped in an invigorating herbaceous aji verde (Peruvian cilantro sauce) were excellent.

The meaty Portobello Fries (RM34) also scored highly. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and served atop wholegrain mustard aioli, we love chomping on the battered chunks amidst sips of cocktails.

Zingy, punchy flavours from the spicy hot sauce coating of Sriracha Chicken Boxing (RM32) left us ooh-ing and aah-ing over the dish. Spiked with dried chilli, curry leaves and a drizzle of honey, we polished off the lot instantly.

With smoked paprika, lemon juice and Italian chilli flakes accentuating the scrumptious Garlic Prawns (RM46), we barely had time to talk and were more intent on wiping the plate clean.

Lightly torched and served with edamame and mushroom mix, the tender Smoked Duck Breast (RM36) proved on-point. The Soft Shell Crabs (RM58), deep-fried and tossed with in-house seasoning, were equally good accompanied by some Vietnamese dip.

House-made Spanish Meatballs (RM34) with herbed tomato sauce and goat cheese were tasty albeit a tad dry, whilst the sautéed Baby Octopus (RM36) with chilli flakes, bonito and nori strips passed muster.

We found the Seafood Croquette (RM28) underwhelming. The deep-fried seafood patties accompanied by mojo picante (Spanish-style spicy-garlicky red pepper sauce) were too pasty for our liking. We reckon actual bits of seafood for better mouthfeel could dial up its appeal.

Possibly the simplest dish of the evening, the Okra Thai Salad (RM38) emerged as a show-stealer. Topped with tobiko, the tender okra, sautéed white pearl corn, long beans and beef bacon, the cohesive ensemble of varied textures and delicate nuances was irresistible when tossed with Thai dressing.

Stuffed with sun-dried tomato pesto and mozzarella, the golden deep-fried Chicken Piedmontese (RM56) with angel hair pasta was on-point. This crowd-pleasing dish should be a hit with cheese and pasta-loving youngsters.

Sour and spicy, the Soft Shell Crab Sambal Pasta (RM59) was unexpectedly agreeable. The slippery strands of linguine slathered with sambal oelek piqued our interest; matching nicely with the crunchier texture of fried soft shell crab.

Another noteworthy option was seared Lamb Rack (RM99). Deftly prepared at medium rare doneness and served with truffle mash potato and creamy dijon aioli, we picked the bones clean.

A voluptuous parmesan pepper sauce enhanced the tender Beef Wagyu Flank (RM139) along with crispy fries. The juicy beef was sumptuous when relished with the rich savoury sauce.

Decadent Brownies (RM36) with strawberries and salt flakes along with delightful Sago Mango Panna Cotta (RM28) layered with Thai mango and sago pearls heralded a sweetly satisfying ending for us.

For reservations or more information, call Sarastro KL by Millennium, tel: 014-327-3889. Address: 8th Floor, Tribeca Serviced Hotel, Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: Wednesday-Monday, 5pm-1am.