CHASING FOOD DREAMS

December 25, 2014

Have A Blessed Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas To You!

May this festive holiday bring precious new memories with good health and peace...

Warmest Wishes,

Chasing Food Dreams

December 23, 2014

Checkers Café, Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur: Twelve Christmas Dish Compilations Special

Christmas is a time for Families, Fun, and Feasting!

The best part of Christmas and festive holidays has to be creating precious memories with family, friends and loved ones. Many cultures share the tradition of festive holiday gatherings simply because it’s the most precious memories one can have in their lifetime. This Christmas holiday, whatever wishes you make, may your wishes be filled with lots of new and precious memories of family and friends gathering to spend moments of laughter and joy, indulgence of festive feasts and more merriment to come in the New Year.

Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur unveils their festive cheer with ‘Twelve Christmas Dish Compilation Specials’ at Checkers Cafe. Warm up your appetites with a special Peppermint Blast Hot Chocolate that comes with a candy cane to remind us of the Yuletide season. The festive drink is not included in the buffet.

Savor a feast filled with Roasted Turkey with all the trimmings and Roasted Lamb Leg with Giblet Gravy.

Then count down the evening with twelve signatures Western and Asian dishes created especially for this festive feast.

Kicking off the food journey is Poached Butter Fish with Roasted Nage Sauce. I happened to be a fan of butter fish. Echoing a similar texture of tuna and sword fish but smoother with a buttery note, the butter fish is cleverly enhanced with a seafood nage stock. The nage sauce is buttery and creamy, enhancing the butter fish’s flavours to greater heights.

Tender Beef with Holland Onion & Blue Cheese Dressing is up next and the pairing of beef with cheese has always been a favorite of many. This dish takes on piquant strong blue cheese notes while the beef falls second in line after the cheese. I like the dish. I am biased since I love all types of cheese, even the stronger ones like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. The beef is mellow in flavours while the onion is sweet and the blue cheese sauce is a burst of flavours. This dish will work for you only if you love strong aged cheeses.

Zabaglione is usually served in desserts but here at Checkers Café, it is cleverly made into a savory dish of Salmon Zabaglione. Our piece of salmon was cooked to my liking with a light medium center. Pairing up with the silky zabaglione sauce, the salmon was made even richer in flavours.

A little unusual but nevertheless decent in flavors is the Grilled Foie Gras with Wild Citrus Consommé. Foie grass is wrapped in cured meat and cooked. It is served with thicken wild citrus consommé cream, a medley of vegetables and a parmesan crisp.

Catering to the local taste, there is also an Oxtail Stew, Malay Style.

California Mussel Bouillabaisse is mussels cooked in a light tomato seafood stick. This one is also decent and I enjoyed the seafood broth.

If you can ignore its funny name, you can probably enjoy the Compressed Risotto with Bravo Chicken better. Taking on a twist on risotto, apparently the risotto is cooled and lightly pressed, then a layer of cheese is sprinkled on and gratinated in the broiler. The rice has chicken and mushrooms, giving it an earthy note with touches of creaminess.

An Asian twist, the Braised Beancurd with Pumpkin is decent with comfort notes.

Besides all the festive dishes, enjoy other spread of Seafood on Ice, Cold Cuts and Terrine, Salad Bar, Bread Bar, Soup Bar, Pasta Station, Cheese Platter, Japanese Bar and Noodle Station.

Festive cheers won’t be complete with festive treats and sweets. The desserts are created by the in-house award winning Pastry Chef Mohd Sabri Norizan.

One may want to start off with the X’mas Pudding with Vanilla Spice Sauce, a warm dessert pudding studded with dried fruits and in some occasions, laced with alcohol before it is drown in Crème Anglaise for extra richness.

Milk & Raspberry Bavaroise with Earl Gray Panacotta is just so pretty at sight. It’s a tedious piece of cake with all its intricate layers and combination of flavours. The Earl Gray panacotta is delightful and delicious, creating a balance between all the rest of the other flavours of milk and raspberry.

My favorite of the desserts is the Black Sesame Terrine with Passion Fruit Cheese Cake. Another masterpiece that combines flavours that one would never think could go well but it did! The intense nuttiness of the rich black sesame seeds with white chocolate and dark chocolate ganache is balanced out by the tangy passion fruit mousse and sweet aromatic coconut candy base.

Green Tea Tiramisu with Cherry Cake is meant for green tea lovers. It’s another great pairing as the tinge of bitter note is sweetened by the cherry cake in the center. This one is light and fluffy and easy to enjoy.

Another pretty dessert, the Caramola and Pineapple Strawberry Shortcake also features a unique fruit combination. This one is so light it feels like eating fluffy airy clouds of mousse.

Besides the above, there are so much more desserts on the list. Catch all the festive cakes, stolen, puddings, cookies and more!

The menu is priced at RM98.00++ per person or RM190.00++ per couple for a luscious Christmas Eve and Day Buffet Dinner spread and free flow of cold Ice Lemon Tea, Coke, Sprite and chilled juices. Every diner will of course receive mystery gift to be taken home. The buffet dinner will start serving from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

After an evening of wine and dine at Checkers Cafe, patrons can continue to celebrate the Xmas affair at Window’s Lounge while being serenaded by wonderful duo resident band.

During New Year Eve, patrons can come back for more partying and dining at Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur’s 2014 Finale Celebration. For a New Year Eve Buffet menu of RM165.00++ per person or RM300.00++ per couple by our award-winning chefs, one can enjoy with free flow of sparkling wine, beer or chilled juices.

Checkers Cafe is also offering an extensive range of Christmas and New Year day brunches. The price is from RM88.00++ per person.

For more information on Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur’s Christmas and New Year feast, please may contact 03-2716 1000 ext. 188.

CHECKERS CAFÉ

Dorsett Regency Kuala Lumpur

First Floor, 172, Jalan Imbi,

55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 603 2716 1000

Fax: 603 2715 5000

Website: www.dorsettregency.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dorsettregency

December 22, 2014

Cinnamon Coffee House, One World Hotel Petaling Jaya: Wonders of Christmas

Tis the Season to Eat, Drink, Love and Play…

One World Hotel Petaling Jaya presents the Wonders of Christmas this Yuletide season with lots of deliciousness at their award winning Cinnamon Coffee House and Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant this year. For a Yuletide like no other, indulge in hotel’s restaurants offerings of a kaleidoscope of festive dishes together with family and friends.

Cinnamon Coffee House offers a wide spread of mouth-watering festive dishes together with lots of local delights as well. This year, Cinnamon Coffee House will be offering a Yuletide Eve Glow Buffet Dinner, A Mystical Noel Dinner and A Candyland Hi-Tea. Savor festive flavours concocted by the master chefs for this Wonders of Christmas feasting.

Let’s start with classics! The highlights of the feasts are Traditional Roasted Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Roasted Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Glazed Carrots and Sautéed Mushrooms completed with Giblet Gravy and Cranberry. A majestic Roasted Striploin joins the spread of the carvery to the delights of beef lovers.

Other main course to revel in the Santa’s delicious workshop includes the Chicken Cordon Bleu, Cassoulet Lamb Bourguignon, Grilled Prawn in Pesto and Cashew Nuts , Pan Seared Butter Fish with Tri Colour Pepper Sauce, Cheesy Spinach Pie, Au Gratin Lamb Cutlets and Chicken Fricassee with Garden Mushroom.

A wondrous spread of Seafood and Meat beckons your pick before it hits the grill and is serve on sizzling plates with the various choices of sauces.

Hit the Seafood on Ice Station or the Japanese Bar for delectable choices of Sushi, Sashimi and piping hot Tempura Seafood and Vegetables. Even the Sushi joins in the festive décor cheer here!

Visit Pasta Station for more classics of Bolognaise, Carbonara, Aglio Olio and more!

The Appetizer and Salad Bar has scrumptious Smoked Salmon, Mackerel, Seafood Terrine, Cold Cuts, Cheese Board, Crab with Tomato & Avocado Shallot Caulis and a large spread of salads, both international and local. There are also Smoked Seafood Platter with Assorted Berries, Santa’s Favourite Turkey Pate, Chestnut and Squash Cream Soup, Shrimp Cocktail Tacos and Seared Scallop with Lime Jalapeno Aioli and Mozzarella.

Besides all the festive spread, there are lots of live stations featuring Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine as well.

Cinnamon Coffee House always makes sure that a meal there ends with a big bang of sweetness. The Dessert Bar is gorgeously set with lots of festive décor from Santa Claus to Gingerbread Castle and Houses.

Savor a long list of desserts such as English Fruit Cake, Christmas Cherry Cheese Cake, Baked Christmas Carrot Raisin Cake, Yule Log, Finger Ginger Gigulhorf, Pyramid Torte, Christmas pudding, Mince Pie and the Apple Smith Brownies.

There are also Chocolate Fountain and a Bread and Pastry Bar with Ice Cream as well.

YULETIDE EVE GLOW & A MYSTICAL NOEL DINNER

24 & 25 December

6.30 pm – 10.30 pm

RM 128++ per adult (includes a glass of wine or mocktail)

RM 64++ per child aged 4-12 years

A CANDYLAND HI - TEA

25 December

12 noon – 4.30 pm

RM 85++ per adult

RM 43++ per child aged 4-12 years

Celebrate this Yuletide with an Oriental touch in Zuan Yuan as the chefs reinterpreted the traditional festive cuisine by combining the charm of the East and West! Enjoy the spirit of the season with a luxurious buffet spread created solely for this joyous occasion.

Enjoy a gastronomic line-up of mouth – watering Cantonese cuisine, delightful dim sum and fill your plates to the brim with glorious Christmas delicatessen. Let the celebration be a merrier with recommended selections such as the Braised Duck Teo Chew style, Wok Fried Fish Fillet with Spicy Apple Sauce, Stir Fried Ostrich Fillet with Sze Chuan Pepper Oil and Chilli Sauce, Sauteed Sliced Lamb with Kai Lan and Village style Bean Curd in Claypot.

Savours the wonders of bite-size morsels with the Steamed classic favourites like the Crystal Prawn Dumpling, Siew Mai with Fish Roe, Loh Mai Kai, BBQ Chicken Bun and add on some of the baked and fried item into the list with Pan or Stir Fried Turnip Cake, Deep Fried Sesame Ball, Crispy Lotus or Red Bean Bun and Taro Dumpling Wu Kok with Black Pepper Sauce.

AN ORIENTAL CHEER

24 & 25 December

6.00pm – 10.30pm

RM 98++ per adult

RM 49 ++ per child aged 4-12 years

For enquiries or reservations, please call 603 - 7681 1157.

ONE WORLD HOTEL PETALING JAYA

First Avenue, Bandar Utama City Centre,

47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Tel: +603-7681 1157

Website: www.oneworldhotel.com.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OneWorldHotelPetalingJaya

December 21, 2014

Celebrate A Festive-Filled Epicurean Feast at Hilton Kuala Lumpur

A Feast for the Senses This Christmas and New Year’s Celebration!

Tis’ the season to bring together family and friends, the season to gather and feast, the time to create precious memories of ending the year with a big bang! So gather everyone and head on over to the festive celebrations at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur this year end and indulgence in feasts whipped up by the team of award winning chefs and patissiers. Hilton Kuala Lumpur goes French Chic this festive season and the holiday spirit welcomes everyone in every corner of the hotel.

Right at the lobby, the sight and smell of artisan-crafted French and classic Christmas desserts and cookies, the sound of Christmas carols, the touch of the majestic Christmas tree and Gingerbread Houses will capture the many hearts of passersby. Visit Oro Café for Christmas treats for your loved ones The Lounge for tea time treats.

Indulge in the various holiday themed feasts at Hilton Kuala Lumpur at the many gourmet restaurants such as Vasco’s, Chambers Bar & Grill and Graze to be accompanied by handcrafted cocktails, wines and champagnes. It’s the perfect mood to bring in cheer with whether it be a family or friend gathering or a business function. Hilton Kuala Lumpur celebrates these glorious festive offers starting 17 November 2014 till 31 December 2014.

Catch a sneak peak at the three main restaurants with their festive menu this season!

VASCO’s

From 1 December till 31 December 2014, Vasco’s is proud to present a magnificent spread of mouthwatering dishes crafted specially for this joyous season. The buffet is a kaleidoscope of luscious festive dishes that includes Honey Glazed Spice Brined Roast Turkey with all the trimmings of Chestnut Stuffing, Honey Roasted Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Brussel Sprout with Beef Bacon, Cranberries and Giblet Gravy. Savor the king of rib, Roasted Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy and more to get the festive senses going.

The turkey was beautifully roasted and succulent while the prime rib is grilled to medium pinkness for tenderness. I was also impressed with the side dishes.

Seafood lovers will definitely be pleased with the majestic spread of its Seafood Bar and other Grilled Seafood dishes of Oven Baked Slipper Lobster Spinach with Cheese Mornay and Asian Spice Marinated Black Cod Squid Ink. The seafood bar host Poached Tiger Prawn, Freshly Shucked Pcific Oysters, Pink Scallop in Shell, Crayfish, Poached Black Mussels and Manila Clams. Other stations included Salad Bar, Pizza Station, mouth-watering rotisseries, Western and Asian delicacies.

The spread is indeed an epicurean’s gourmet dream. Visiting and savoring every station is almost impossible but it’s the festive holidays, so go ahead and indulge…

Make sure to save some room for desserts! The Patissiers are extremely busy churning out scrumptious desserts of holiday themed cakes, cookies, bread, desserts and more. Insanely gorgeous Macarons, Cupcakes, Yule Log, Christmas Fruit Cake, Christmas Stollen, Panettone, Chocolate Fountain and more is the perfect way to end a festive feast!

Festive Buffet (1^st December – 31 December 2014)

*excluding 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 25 December (Christmas Day)

RM128++ adult per person

Christmas Eve Dinner

RM168++ adult per person / RM90 ++ child

Christmas Day Brunch

RM168++ adult per person / RM90 ++ child

Christmas Day Dinner

RM168++ adult per person / RM90 ++ child

Beverage Package

RM30++ per person free flow soft drinks

RM150++ per person free flow wine/beer

RM250++ per person free flow champagne

*Supplement of RM20++ per pax for window seating (adult/child)

CHAMBERS BAR & GRILL

The fine dining establishment is set to impress this festive season with it’s 4-Course Festive Menu with a special Chambers Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail on arrival.

We savored Seafood Robotayaki to start the meal featuring Marinated Robatayaki Prawn and Baby Squid served with Horseradish Sauce and Grilled Hokkaido Scallop and Goat Cheese on Shell with Beetroot Puree. The flavours are intense, with power notes of horseradish giving the seafood a kick in flavours and the goat cheese jazzing up the sweet succulent scallop.

Main course showcased Grilled Quail with Sauteed Red Cabbage and Raisin served with Marinated Yellow Beetroot and Plum Sauce and Grilled Smoked Turkey Breast with Diced Dried Fruit and Prune Sauce served with Sauteed Brussels Sprout with Beef Bacon. Both turkey and quail are beautifully moist and tender. The turkey went well with the lightly sweetened dried fruit and prunce, which is a lovely change from the usual cranberry. The savory quail had the perfect tangy sautéed red cabbage and sweet raisin to give the tiny bird a unique flavour.

Saving the best for last, dessert was Red Wine Poached Pear with Blue Cheese and Gingerbread Ice Cream. It’s an unusual combination but worked wonders on the senses with its strong blue cheese cream contrasting against sweet mellow wine poached pear. My favorite was the Gingerbread Ice Cream!

Festive Menu at RM228++ per person. Available from 1 December till 31 December 2014

*excluding 24 December (Christmas Eve) and 25 December (Christmas Day)

GRAZE

Graze offers a mix selection of classic and contemporary European dishes. The restaurant is cozy and elegant with a magnificent panoramic view from the window seat. There are several course festive menus available.

Our evening festive menu was a 4-Course Menu featuring Caesar Salad, Carrot & Ginger Soup, Steamed Salmon or Duo of Lamb and Raspberry Cheese Cake.

Taking on the new age science, our Caesar Salad comes with a 62 degree poached egg with a gorgeous molten egg yolk center. Coupled with the classic romaine lettuce, crispy toasted garlic brioche croutons, lightly tempura battered bacon, parmesan shavings and Caesar dressing, the salad is a force to be reckon with in flavours!

I really enjoyed the Carrot & Ginger Soup with Scallop and Chestnut Quenelles. The bisque has a tingling soft gingery sweet note and the quenelle added more texture and flavours to it. It’s a heart-warming dish.

Steamed Salmon features a roulade of salmon stuffed with spinach mousse, neatly coiled and steamed, and served on a bed of crab tomato and lime beurre blanc sauce. The dish is more delicate in taste and has a lovely citrus note with a buttery sauce.

At sight, the Duo of Lamb is artistically presented like a work of art. The dish has marinated lamb rack nicely chargrilled and roasted lamb loin served with celeriac puree, garden vegetable and garlic jus. Both lamb is cooked to perfection and the garlic jus is simply divine.

The course menu ends with Raspberry Cheese Cake with a delicious crispy Almond Tuile and Vanilla Ice Cream.