OX-PICIOUS YEE SANG FROM ONE WORLD HOTEL PJ

Fresh, fruity and packed with a gamut of tantalising textures and vivid flavours, the Yee Sang with Crispy Whitebait and Salmon Skin from Zuan Yuan restaurant, One World Hotel Petaling Jaya once tasted won’t be forgotten.

The assortment of finely shredded vegetables, pickles, candied mandarin peel, crisps, crushed peanuts and sesame seeds with crispy whitebait and salmon skin was tossed with much gusto with the house dressing provided. Needless to say, everyone greatly relished the resultant salad.

Available for takeaway, the four other variants available include Lobster Meat and Abalone Yee Sang, Alaskan Scallop and Black Truffle Yee Sang, Salmon Fillet Yee Sang, and Fruit Yee Sang with Chef’s Special Sauce.

Prices for Zuan Yuan’s Yee Sang start from RM98 nett per half portion and from RM168 nett for a full portion.

To order or for further enquiries, please call tel: 03-7681 1159 or email: zuanyuan@oneworldhotel.com.my

#STAYHOME LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION WITH DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

 

Crunchy Jellyfish and Fresh Fruits Yee Sang (RM138 nett per full portion for 6-10 persons, RM68 nett per ½ portion for 2-4 persons) from The Emperor Chinese Restaurant, Dorsett Grand Subang is a uplifting way to stir our spirits for a #stayhomestaysafe celebration this Chinese New Year.

The hotel has other variants available: ‘Japanese’ style crispy fish skin with salmon or softshell crab and Korean pear; priced at RM188 nett per portion (6-10 persons) and RM68 nett per ½ portion (2-4 persons) and salmon and Korean pear too.

In view of current SOPs, the CNY Set Menu A or B, a 5-course set meal affordably priced at RM388 nett for 4 – 6 persons is ideal for small families like mine.  Menu A which was delivered to our doorstep by the Dorsett team featured a curtain-raiser of ‘Sichuan’ Hot and Sour Soup. 

Laden with strips of Sichuanese preserved vegetable (zhar choi) and chicken meat, the thick soup brimming with hot, sour and savoury accents primed our appetite for the other dishes.

Generous servings of plain white rice served as the plain but perfect canvas to capture the tantalising flavours from the Deep-fried Crispy Fish with ‘Thai’ Mango Salad Sauce. (Note: Only half of the fish is shown here)

Both the fish and sauce came in separate containers so the fish remained crispy when we poured the sauce onto it. Fans of Thai sauces will find this dish greatly appealing; the zingy chilli-mango sauce enticing you to eat extra helpings of rice.

Hearty umami flavour ruled the Wok-fried Sea Prawns with Superior Soya Sauce, subtly sweetened by caramelised onions whilst the Deep-fried Crispy Chicken with Lemon Sauce proved a hit with anyone who enjoy fried stuff.

Kudos to The Emperor team for managing to retain the ‘just nice’ doneness of the Stir-fried Black Fungus with Seasonal Vegetables (we had baby bok choy).

Menu B (available for takeaway only) features Sweet Corn Soup with Minced Chicken, Oil Poached Grouper Fillet with Soya Sauce, Roasted Crispy Chicken with Thai Mango Salad Sauce, Wok-fried Sea Prawns with Crispy Oats and Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetable with Garlic, and Steamed rice. 

Should you wish to order takeaway a-la-carte options (enjoy 20% discount), irresistible temptations include Braised Duck with Dried Oyster, Sea Moss and Assorted Dried Seafood (RM230 nett); Wok-fried Sea Prawns with Superior Soya Sauce (RM63 nett per order); Stewed Dried Oysters with Black Mushroom, Black Moss and Beancurd (RM108 nett per order), and Roasted Crispy Chicken (RM140 nett whole bird, RM76 nett ½ bird). 

For online orders, click here (https://dorsettbooking.com/malaysia/), WhatsApp +6016 2011 259 or email to  terazza.subang@dorsetthotels.com

HOMING IN ON STAYCATIONS IN SINGAPORE

Planning a staycation in Singapore? There's plenty to eat, see and do

With Chinese New Year less than a fortnight away, it seems unlikely my old friend AK will get the chance to welcome the Ox Year with her parents in Malaysia. Since the coronavirus doesn’t look like it’s disappearing anytime soon nor will the Malaysia-Singapore borders be opening in time for CNY, I told AK to forgo her trip home and use the festive break to rediscover Singapore instead. 

“AK, thousands of people fly from around the world to visit Singapore every year. Why don’t you take a step back, pretend you’re a visitor and see Singapore through that perspective? Sometimes we take our own backyard too much for granted-lah!” I rationalized with her.

Savvy travellers will find tons of info in Traveloka

When AK groused about not knowing where to start, I pointed her to Traveloka. The online portal is chockful of useful travel tips and information with links to hotel, restaurants, activities, packages, promotions and everything savvy travellers need to enhance their travel experience.

I believe AK will be able to enjoy her CNY break if she puts her mind to it and does her groundwork using Traveloka. Not only would it save her time and effort with the overall planning, she can’t make any lame excuses about not knowing what kind of staycation she wants. For instance, if she looks under Staycation Singapore in Traveloka, out pops a list of inspiring staycation ideas: from romantic rendezvous for couples to family-friendly escapades and gourmet getaways for friends.

Food paradise...from humble fare to refined restaurants, Singapore has it all

Depending on her budget, AK can take her pick from the mind-boggling range of hotels, be it budget-friendly or budget-busting … oooh, how I wish I’m going on staycation too!

As for the types of activities to fill her time, I daresay AK would be spoiled for choice. I must remind her to take advantage of the Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers in Traveloka. I bet many Singaporeans haven’t been on the interesting tours offered in the Singapore Rediscovers section! I find the activities are varied enough to please sporty go-getters and adventure-seekers, animal and nature lovers, history and modern entertainment buffs — there’s something to suit everyone.

Thinking how Chinese New Year is synonymous with our roots and heritage, AK may like booking a Kampong Buangkok tour. I’m sure the charming village will  stir up nostalgic feelings of her hometown back in Perak.

Few visitors can resist the captivating call of a day trip to Pulau Ubin
 

Hmm…she may want a full-blown tour to Singapore’s last surviving Kampung followed by visits to urban mushroom, wheatgrass and vegetable farms or an exciting day trip to Pulau Ubin. Ah, if it wasn’t for these pandemic times, I’d dearly love to join AK on these interesting excursions.

Of course, no staycation is complete without good food. Since it’s Chinese New Year, I wonder if AK would be game to embark on a Crazy Rich Asians Insta Tour with Cocktail Making Workshop…Hey, it’s not every day one gets a chance to ride in a Vespa sidecar touring some of Singapore’s ritzy locations and... YOLO, so why not?

The much-talked-about "Jewel" in Changi Airport's crown is a sight to behold

Again, I found Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers aplenty for guided walks, immersive tours, and hands-on cooking workshops — such a boon for those who are keen to learn and discover local culinary secrets and gems through experiential sessions.

Should AK prefer more sensible suggestions, then I’d propose she goes for the ‘Singapore: Melting Pot of Tea’ tour where she’ll have a chance to learn about more than 20 tea blends, sample delicious tea from traditional to modern, and even try making her own. Although I’m unsure about her interest in kitchen forays, perhaps a Hainanese or a Hokkien cooking class may strike a chord in view of the festive season or would that remind her too much of what she’s missing back home?

Even though she can’t return to Malaysia this Chinese New Year, I’m willing to bet AK will enjoy her staycation in Singapore thanks to all the tips I’ve shared with her from Traveloka. Now won’t that be an Ox-spicious way to welcome the Lunar New Year?

HUAT MORE WITH CONCORDE HOTEL KL'S TANTALI-XIN'S TEMPTATIONS

Dining at home tops the bill this year with my family for the reunion on Chinese New Year eve. Mulling over viable options, the Treasure Pot ‘Poon Choy’ (RM468 nett for 6 persons) from Xin Cuisine, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur has emerged as an alluring option.

A potful of 16 premium ingredients: Abalone, Dried Scallop, Dried Oyster, Pork Knuckle, Tiger Prawn, Fish Maw, Lotus Root, Yam, Radish, Roasted Chicken, Sea Moss, Mushroom, Broccoli, Chinese Cabbage, Beancurd Sheet and Beancurd Gluten, it makes a great main course for the family reunion meal.

We are delighted to know orders are accepted for Xin’s CNY Takeaway/Delivery packages starting from now until 26 February, 2021. Ensure abundant good fortune for the coming year with Yee Sang (RM88 nett – RM148 nett available in regular/large) in 3 variants: Fresh Mixed Fruits; Crispy Fish Skin & Jellyfish or Salmon & Snow Pear.

Derive greater value from the Abundance Set (RM588 nett for 6 persons) featuring Yee Sang with Crispy Fish Skin & Jellyfish, Treasure Pot, Waxed Meat and Steamed Nian Gao with Shredded Coconut or select your preferred dishes from the restaurant’s a la carte selection: Stewed Pork Knuckle with Sea Cucumber in Brown Sauce, Sautéed King Prawns with Garlic Honey Sauce, Signature Spare Ribs with Champagne Sauce, and Waxed Meat specialities among others.

Sweeten the celebration with Steamed Nian Gao with Shredded Coconut, Deep-fried Nian Gao Roulade filled with Golden Sweet Potato and Tricolor Crystal Brown Sugar Roulade to wrap things up on a high note.

> Pre-order 3 days before your desired collection date.

> For CNY Eve (February 11) orders, pick-up time is from 2 pm – 4 pm

> For takeaway/home delivery, kindly call tel: 03-2144 8750/012 399 5007. Order accepted from 10 am – 7 pm daily. Delivery fee applies.

AUSPICIOUS LUNAR 'NIU' YEAR TAKEAWAYS & DELIVERIES FROM ROCKAFELLERS

A Prosperity Family Platter fit for kings from Rockafellers Kitchen & Bar is a great choice to welcome the Year of the Ox in the comfort of home this year. Executive Chefs Yogi and Jarrod Khoo have rustled up generous servings of Roasted Pork Belly, Red Fermented Beancurd (Nam Yue) Pork Ribs, Whole Roast Duck, BBQ Pork Belly (Char Siu) and Pork Knuckle for the Prosperity Family Platter (RM280 nett, 4-5 persons and RM499 nett, serves 8-10 persons). 

We had a field day digging into the meaty plethora: the assortment left no room for complaints, the riotous flavours satisfied our familial spirits. The proverbial generation gap was seamlessly bridged as everyone picked their preferred cuts.

A treasure trove of accompaniments complemented the meats too. We found crispy dices of pork lard, streaky bacon, baked potatoes, pineapple wedges, broccoli florets, baby carrots, shitake mushrooms and Yorkshire pudding. Sauces to enhance the entire ensemble include roasted brown gravy, apple puree and a spicy sambal sauce.

The Prosperity Menu, available for takeaways and deliveries also features Roasted Suckling Pig (RM370 for ½ pig@2.5-3kg, best for 5 - 6 pax and RM525 for a whole pig @5-6kg, best for 8 - 10 pax) with seasonal baked vegetables, drenched in roasted gravy and sauces to add a ritzy twist to the traditional festive toss.

Timeless classics from the à la carte menu to tempt you range from Crispy Pork Rolls, Baked Salmon Fillet, Crispy Pork Belly, BBQ Pork Belly (Char Siu), and Nam Yu Pork Ribs to heavenly Grilled Mix Seafood Platter comprising tiger prawns, squids, green mussels, slipper lobster and seabass.

Early birds who place their bookings between 21 and 31 January 2021 will enjoy a 10% discount on the total order. Any Prosperity platter order will come with 5 complimentary bottles of Heineken 0.0 too. 

The sumptuous Chinese ‘Niu’ Year food affairs from Rockafellers Kitchen + Bar are available from 3^rd February 2021 for takeaways and deliveries, while stocks last.

·       Pre-orders available from 1^st February until 28^th February 2021

·       A minimum 3 days advance notice is required for orders placed on your preferred date

·       A 50% non-refundable deposit should be paid upon placement of orders

·       Free delivery within a 15km radius 

For bookings and enquiries at Rockafellers, kindly contact:

-        Chef Yogi: +60 10 221 7302

-        Rishen: +60 16 963 2929

-        Sara: +60 12 250 7726

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