A RITZY CHRISTMAS BECKONS

 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to put on the ritz and The Ritz Carlton team led by Executive Chef Zaffar Samad and Head Pastry Chef Nazeri Ismail have pulled out the stops to do just that.

 

Live it up in the lap of luxury at the Library, relish a memorable four-course Christmas Eve Dinner at RM250 per person. Roast Turkey from the carvery and festive Eggnog should add much merriment to the revelry.

 

Prefer to kick up your heels with an exquisite Christmas Day brunch (RM198 per person) instead? Then head over to the Cobalt Room to feast on delectable temptations and delight the young ones with fun activities and a Santa appearance.

We had an inkling of what to expect from the extravagant sneak preview. Heeding the siren’s call of King Neptune’s seafood treasure trove, we dove in to feed on poached lobster tails, crayfish, prawns, octopus, mussels and oysters. The different denizens of the sea's delicate sweetness made them good enough au naturel.

Prettily laid out on rectangular glass platters, Salmon Gravlax, Prawn Cocktail and Roast Prime Beef with Melon were among the classics to tease our palate before Chef Zaffar did the honour of carving the turkey. The supporting cast of chestnut stuffing and giblet gravy lived up to their notable supporting roles too.

Roast Prime Rib also made the cut for the main ‘meat-ting’. Tender, juicy with a medium rare pink centre, the hunky offering was accompanied by roast veggies and pouf-like Yorkshire pudding. Encased in a airy and flaky pastry was the equally delish Beef Wellington. 

Whether you like it flecked with almonds or marzipan-covered, the history Christmas Stollen (RM45) harking back to the 15^th century should spur you to learn more about it: http://lamiematinale.ca/?id=26&L=1. We found the Ritz Carlton KL’s version generously studded with raisins and nuts; a nice treat to go with coffee or tea.

Unless you’re a baking wiz, macarons aren’t the easiest to churn out. I love the festively decorated Hazelnut and Pistachio Macarons (RM45 per ½ dozen), stacked up in the form of a Christmas tree. The crisp yet feather-light shells weren’t too sweet despite being sandwiched with filling.

Heartwarming spices like ginger and cinnamon were liberally incorporated into many customary Christmas Cookies (RM16 per100g), Gingerbread Man (RM15) and gingerbread houses, reminiscent of the old days when spices were worth their weight in gold. We spotted a nice assortment: mince pies, mailanderli, lackerli and kipferl in the festive spread too. At the hotel's behest, we happily took some gingerbread men (and women too but alas, not the prettily decorated houses).

Head Pastry Chef Nazeri Ismail deserved plaudits for churning out such luscious cakes too. From the irresistible Yule Log to a decadent Cheesecake laden with fresh berries, our steely resolve melted at the sight of all that sumptuous chocolate and whimsically decorated gateauxs.

The nice thing is you can buy some of these gourmet Yuletide goodies and order specially customised hampers (RM220 onwards) in advance from The Ritz Carlton KL's charming life-size Gingerbread House at the Lobby until 31 December 2016.

 

Intricately handcrafted sweet and savoury Christmas-themed nibbles would also take centrestage for the Christmas Afternoon Tea (RM80 per person). While away the afternoon sipping on a cup of exclusive Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur Tea Blend with jazzy Christmas numbers performed by our resident band on December 24-25, from 3pm-6pm.

New Year’s Eve Dinner (RM250 per person)

Wine and dine the last of 2016 away in an intimate setting at The Library then join in the New Year's Eve Countdown and Balloon Drop at Shook! Starhill Gallery.

New Year’s Day Brunch (RM198 per person)

Welcome the brand New Year with a gourmet buffet of the freshest seafood, Roast Prime Rib and tantalising dessert complemented by free flow of bubbly at The Cobalt Room from 12pm to 4pm.

For reservations, please call The Ritz Carlton KL, tel: 03-2142 8000 or email:

dining@ritzcarlton.com.my.

12 FESTIVE EATS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Mistletoe's magic and plenty of culinary talents are keys to 12 festive eats you'd find at Cinnamon Coffee House this Christmas. Top of the eats from the hotel was Turkey Varuval - a dry, hot and spicy Indian curry. Bursting with heady spice accents and zingy heat, we like this inventive spin on the trad big bird. Oh, there were yummy Turkey Rendang and Turkey Cordon Bleu with Mushroom Sauce too.

 

Purists should be happy Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing remains on the Yuletide buffet. No complaints here as this speciality was par for the course, complete with roasted pumpkin and root veggies as well as stuffing with giblet gravy.

Mixed Seafood in Saffron Cream made waves as our third choice pick. Slightly gooey on the palate thanks to the luxuriant cream sauce scented with saffron, the mussels, prawns and squid were enticing enough to garner repeat helpings. Meat lovers may prefer the scrumptious Ribeye with White Pepper Sauce or Roast Lamb with Apple & Pear Chutney.

Dainty starters to whet the appetite also ranked highly with us. Looking at the tiered stands with colourful little tapas plates and shot glasses, nobody could resist the Assorted Appetisers. Subtle Mediterranean and Spanish influences were evident from the various morsels we sampled.

 

Still in European territory, we swooped in on Cold Cuts & Cheese Platter. Just indulging in the assorted cured and smoked meats alongside terrines and international cheese board alone should ensure your money's worth.

Slices of Turkey and Pepperoni Pizzas generously topped with melty cheese beckoned, flooding our tastebuds with big, lush flavours. We liked the manageable portion size, allowing us tummy space to fit in notable choices: Escargot Bourguignon, Baked Salmon with Bell Pepper Sauce, Duck Confit with Caramelised Apple Sauce and Cheesy Lamb-Spinach-Artichoke Lasagna in addition to a Japanese section proffering Sushi & Sashimi. 

Dessert was delightfully fruity, starting with whimsy Strawberry Snowmen - juicy strawberries filled with whipped cream and chocolate detailing to form cute-looking snowmen.  

Baked goods played a central role in Yuletide celebrations of yore so a variety of customary goodies was prevalent in the sweet selection. My recommendation would be the medium-bodied Fruit & Cinnamon Danish Whirl - a nice, mildly sweet and semi-soft textured bread studded with raisins, dried fruit and topping of icing. Other timeless faves included Assorted Christmas Cookies, Mini Panettone and Stollen.

The vast parade of Christmassy delicacies was cuteness overload; a befitting tribute to the delicious line-up of Cream Puffs, Ginger Churros, Mince Pies, Plum Pudding, Red Velvet Cake, and Cheese Cake among others.

Cinnamon Coffee House's Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner and Christmas Day Buffet Dinner on 24 & 25 December are priced at RM188 per adult and RM94 per child aged 4-12. Christmas Day High Tea on 25 December is priced at RM118 per person while kids are charged at RM59 per head.

For the festive feast and where to find it...please call Cinnamon Coffee House at tel: 03-7681 1157. Address: Lower Lobby, One World Hotel, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.