FEASTS, GIFTS AND CHRISTMAS CHEER

 

 

 An epic Christmas feast of gargantuan proportion ... that's the larger-than-life theme Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) has laid out this year to celebrate the merry Christmas and year-end season.

 Shop for Christmas decor & festive trimmings for your home

Clusters of real-life pine trees imported from the US of A decked the retail halls; the evergreen scent perfuming the air as shoppers rush to grab last-minute gifts or revel in BSC's 12 Feasting Days activities.

Drop by the Sothy's gift station at the Christmas Bazaar to discover glowing beauty secrets for gals and guys or shop for crafty stocking stuffers from the various trinkets, delicious goodies or toy stations.

 Whimsical selection from Marquise

 

Spread some good cheer for the less fortunate by donating your pre-loved books, playthings or any thoughtful gifts at the Charity Booth. Little ones can even write a letter to Santa and mail it there and then. The best 3 letters will be invited to attend lunch with Santa so hurry up and drop him a line!

 

 

 

Speed fiends should pose with the McLaren mean machine and post their pics on BSC's FB page. Who knows, that racy snapshot may just earn you a mystery gift.

 

 

 You can even rustle up a complete festive feast at Jason's Food Hall or surprise loved ones with the most irresistible foodie finds from BSC's many restaurants or cafes. We love those imported Christmas cakes especially the whiskey-laced ones!

 

Also look out for old-school rock candies, fancy gourmet chocs from Patchi, whimsical Christmassy cakes from Just Heavenly and panettone in sumptuous packaging. Stunning stuff that foodie friends will love to receive. Hint, hint! :D

 

 

 

Carollers, string quartets and wind ensembles will add to the lively ambience - I suggest you check BSC's FB: BangsarShoppingCentre page and www.bsc.com.my for the calendar of events and activities to fill up your days from now until the last days of 2013.

Don't miss out on freebies like stripey candy canes and Konitz designer mugs (for purchases above RM800 or for CIMB cardmembers RM600). Helpful elves to wrap your pressies are at hand over at the Gift Wrap station.

So eat, drink and be jolly at BSC from now until December 29. Call 03-2094 7700 for more details.

MUCH ADO OVER CHRISTMAS

 

Sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad...like the recent preview of Sheraton Imperial KL's (SIKL) Christmas, we were simply inundated with food, food and more food. How not to slip into a culinary stupor amidst that extravagant surfeit?

 

 Dainty portions of canapés: Duck Foie Gras Lollipop with Crunchy Pistachio and Pineapple Sauce, Tandoori Fish Bruschetta with Mint, Seafood Pasta Aglio Olio and Pasta Arabiata paved the way for the lavish feast ahead.

 

Buffet fans will enjoy Essence's extravagant Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner that proffers interesting starters such as Wild Mushroom with Lamb, Grilled Leek and Yellow Tomato, and Watercress & Soya Milk Soup with Sundried Tomato Nougat.

 

The inspiring Seared Cod with Crusted Coconut Chili and Citrus Cinnamon Reduction will reel you in as it did us; the fish's rich sweetness a joyful match with the chosen robust yet tangy components.

Wrap up your festive meal with some berry special Litchi and Raspberry Mousse Yule Log; its fruity sweetness rounding things up on a light, sweet note.

The Christmas Eve buffet dinner at Essence is priced at RM118++ per person (food only) and RM158++ per person inclusive of free flow of house wines or 3 bottles of beer.

If you prefer a leisurely Christmas Brunch, the Essence team will tempt you with a lavish line-up that includes Dill and Peppered Ahi Tuna with Capellini Pasta Salad and Grilled Baby Fennel, Cream of Spinach with Salmon Flake, Skewered Salmon Medallion with Apricot-Olive Couscous and Sautéed Baby Greens, and Caramel Fudge Chantilly with Apple Crepes.

Priced at RM188++ per person (food only) and RM368++ per person inclusive of free flow of sparkling wine, draughts beer, white and red wine.

More sophisticated palates may prefer the homely yet elegant confines of Villa Danieli where an exquisite Christmas Eve 5-course set menu awaits. Chef Rajesh whips up a storm starting with Gorgonzola and Pistachio Parfait with Apple, Celeriac and Raspberry Salad, Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette and Warm Ricotta Cheese Croquette.

An equally imaginative Potato and Fontina Cheese Ravioli with Sautéed Spinach and Parmesan Cream appetiser primes the palate for the hearty main of Crusted White Pepper Beef Tenderloin with Buche de Chevre Gratin, Pear Compote and Celeriac Mille Feuille.

Ending the celebratory dinner on a sugar high is White Chocolate Parfait and White Chocolate Mousse with Pistachio and Raspberry, Orange Gelatin Sheet.

Villa Danieli's exclusive 5-course dinner priced at RM220++ per person is only available on 24 December 2013. Pair fine wines with your dinner for an additional of RM120++ per person.

We were also treated to sneak samplings of the New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner at Essence. Great eats that ramp up the festive feel range from Rolled Eggplant Cannelloni filled with Vegetable Caponata and heartwarming Prawn Bisque to Harissa Marinated Chicken Roulade with Mushroom Stew and Poached Cinnamon Pear William Sabayon with White Cranberry Shaving.

The appetizing New Year’s Eve dinner buffet will be served at RM118++ per person (food only) and RM158++ per person (inclusive of free flow of house wines or 3 bottles of beer).

Alternatively, jump start 2014 with Essence's New Year Day Brunch, an appetite-whetting parade featuring sublime viands of Octopus Pickles, Soft Bean Curd and Wakame with Ponzu Dressing, Roma Tomato Soup with Pesto and Seared Duck Breast with Grilled Pineapple and Berries Balsamic Sauce. Luscious options such as Berries Mille Feuille with Gingerbread Patisier are perfect for sweetening the first day of a brand New Year.

Reminisce over the old year while ushering in the new one over a splendid New Year’s Eve 5-course set menu at Villa Danieli. Recount the year's successes and achievements over mouthfuls of Mediterranean Octopus Salad with Tomato Gelatin, Olive Dust and Chick Pea Mousse.

Continue your walk down memory lane with Creamed Cod Squid Ink Ravioli with Thyme, Tomato Fillet and Prawns in Tomato Coulis Sauce. Then dig deep for fresh resolutions to keep as you savour the chef's specialities: Beef Tenderloin stuffed with Foie Gras, Sautéed Mixed Mushrooms and Honey Glazed Jus, and Seared Snow Fish Medallion with Leeks Puree and White Asparagus, Sprouts and Ash Sauce.

Remember sweet success comes with effort and after indulging in Raspberry Panna Cotta with Crispy Almonds and Lemon Mousse.

The exclusive 5-course dinner is only available on 31 December 2013 and is priced at RM220++ per person. Treat yourself to some fine wines paired with your dinner for an additional of RM120++ per person.

For further enquiries or table reservations, please contact Villa Danieli at 03-2717 9900 or email restaurants.imperial@sheraton.com or visit www.sheratonimperialkualalumpur.com to find out more.

Note: Photos depicted here may differ from actual dishes as some servings were sampling portions prepared for the preview.