CHOCOLICIOUS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE WESTIN KL

 

Ever dream of a Charlie and the chocolate factory themed Christmas? The Westin Kuala Lumpur team is out to make that a reality this Yuletide season with chocolicious highlights taking centrestage.

 

 

 

According to Executive Chef Halim Chek Lah, the idea is to push his team to raise their culinary game in working with chocolate. “Although the ingredient of choice is focused mainly on dessert and sweets, everyone has to think creatively and learn how to make the best use of premium Callebaut chocolate. We also experimented with uniquely flavoured variants such as sea salt and dark chocolate, resulting in 30 different desserts for our festive menus.”

PALATE-PLEASERS FROM PREGO

Chef Marco De Cecco and his team proffers Pizza di Natale with Chocolate, Saffron Risotto and Parmigiana Panna Cotta. Homely servings of Seafood Salad, platters of Pasta, Salami and Assorted Cured Meat with Cheeses and Panettone (Italian sweet bread with raisins and candied fruit) among other temptations will be on the menu too.

 

Christmas Eve Dinner (6pm-10pm) is served at RM288 nett per person (food only). Add RM160 per person for free flow of Prosecco and RM260 for free flow of Champagne. The same pricing applies for New Year’s Eve dinner.

Christmas Day Brunch (11.30am-2.30pm) is priced at RM288 nett per person (food only). Add RM160 per person for free flow of Prosecco and RM260 for free flow of Champagne. The same pricing applies for New Year’s Day Brunch.

CHOCOLATES AND MORE AT THE LIVING ROOM

 

Pastries, cookies, cakes, dessert and main courses – both chocolatey and non – beckon invitingly from an expansive showcase by the capable all day dining restaurant team.

 

Chocoholics can eat their fill from the marvellous chocolate-laden spread: Pecan Chocolate Tart, Chocolate Pavlova, Chocolate Black Forest Yule Log, Chocolate Raspberry Dome, Chocolate Macarons, Marble Chocolate Cake with Passionfruit Dressing and Chocolate Moist Cake.

Competing for the discerning diners’ attention are Turducken with Cranberry Sauce and Giblet Gravy, Short Ribs with Thyme Jus and Black Pepper Sauce, Chicken Galantine with Fruit Pickles and Passionfruit Dressing, and Honey Glazed Spiced Roast Turkey with Apple, Chestnut and Sage Stuffing.

Choice picks we adore include Baked Norwegian Salmon with Honey Roasted Parsnips and Celeriac, Roasted Prime Rib with Truffle Mashed Potato, and Chilled Seafood on ice.

The Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) is priced at RM188 nett per person and Christmas Day Hi-tea Buffet (12.30pm-3pm) is priced at RM172 nett per person.

On New Year’s Eve, the Chocolate Village Dinner Buffet (6pm-10pm) is priced at RM188 nett per person. On New Year’s Day, enjoy the Chocolate Village Hi-tea Buffet (12.30pm-3pm) at RM172 nett per person.

IMPERIAL OPTIONS AT FIVE SEN5ES

Celebratory delights fit for an emperor await at Five Sen5es. Revel in luxurious servings of Boston Lobster with Egg Noodles in Superior Stock, complemented by delectable Imperial Steamed Village Chicken and Cordycep Flowers with Ginger.

 

Finish on a roll with Chocolate Sesame Dumplings before calling it a night.

The five-course Chocolate Imperial Set Dinner (6pm-10pm) is available at RM160 nett per person on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, indulge in a leisurely Dim Sum Brunch (10.30am-2.30pm) at RM138 nett per person.

For reservations, call The Westin KL, tel: 03-2773 8495, WhatsApp: 017-281 9231 or email: westindining@westin.com Website: www.thewestinkualalumpur.com

AFTERNOON TEA WITH TIFFANY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

 

An epitome of luxury, love and joy for over more than 175 years, the signature robin egg blue of Tiffany & Co. makes its presence felt at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with The Lounge’s Afternoon Tea with Tiffany experience, available now until 16 June.

 

Through the Hotel’s collaboration with Tiffany & Co., an authentic Tiffany’s table setting replicating the charming ambience of The Blue Box Café™ back in Fifth Avenue, New York takes pride of place.

For the uninitiated, The Blue Box Café™ — located on the 4^th Floor of Tiffany & Co. New York flagship store — has a 6-month waiting list for those who yearn to sample the legendary breakfast, lunch and tea at Tiffany. The dream eats list includes The Ten Carat Breakfast (USD100), a platter of buttermilk waffle luxed up with 30g Siberian Ossetra caviar and lemon crème fraiche.

Closer to home, I was ecstatic when Dato’ Rosemarie Wee of Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur extended an invitation for moi to experience the Tiffany-inspired afternoon tea. The show-stopping cache centres on a beautifully laid table set with limited edition Tiffany tableware in white and robin egg blue, specially brought in from The Blue Box Café™. This sophisticated setting befits the Tiffany-inspired tea menu curated by Executive Chef Junious Dickerson.

Inspired by Tiffany’s latest Believe in Love jewellery line, the gorgeous handcrafted afternoon tea treats come clad in that iconic robin egg blue and white hues. Hats off to Chef Junious Dickerson and team for getting the hallmark shades down pat.

 

Presented on a tiered stand, we couldn’t stop gushing over the lovely creations. The most pix-worthy is undoubtedly the dainty candied peel-studded Royal Spice Cake in a beribboned, fondant Tiffany Box. Another gem is the luscious Chocolate Praline with Mandarin Orange Gel shaped like a multi-faceted, gold-flecked turquoise jewel.

My favourite is Gateau Napolitaines with Raspberry Jam, a disc of icing-covered buttery shortbread biscuit topped with lush vanilla mousse and raspberry jam. Coming in a close second is the ethereal Chocolate Gianduja Plaisir Sucre Cake — wafer-thin chocolate praline layered with chocolate whipped cream on hazelnut cake base coming in a close second. An airy-light Elderflower Choux Puff adorned with a white chocolate feather and crisp Blueberry Macarons with Mascarpone Crème complete the on-point selection.

The Lounge’s Signature Tea Blend, brimming with discernible peach and tropical fruit nuances, is a perfect accompaniment for the array of marvellous morsels. No classic cream tea is complete without scones and we dare say the warm Plain and Raisin Scones here doesn’t disappoint. All the scones need is a liberal spread of Devonshire Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam and Lescure Butter.

On the savoury front, the winsome quintet features miniature New York Ruebens with Peppered Pastrami, Sauerkraut and Provolone, Egg Salad with Poached Asparagus and Truffle Crème on Pain au Lait (French milk bread), Foie Gras Mousse in Bouche with Blue Pea Flower Jewels, Cucumber with Aged Feta Cream, Fennel Pollen, Olive Oil Pearls on Sundried Tomato Bread and Cured Salmon Rillettes on Purple Potato Blini. Nothing is more satisfying than sampling thoughtfully curated, detailed creations in the company of good friends.

An Afternoon Tea with Tiffany is priced at RM158 nett, will be served at The Lounge daily from 2.30pm to 5.30pm until 16 June. Limited edition Tiffany tableware will be used exclusively for reservations of 8 guests or more. Reservations are highly recommended.

Please call Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8650 for reservations and information.