Pick from The Chow Kit's four-course Seasonal and Celebration menus (Photo: The Chow Kit)
Whether you’re planning a shindig with friends or looking to go big on Christmas Day itself with the family, these are the places to go to ensure you’re suitably fed this festive season.
The Chow Kit
It is no secret that holiday preparations can be a real challenge. Thankfully, you can rely on the chefs at The Chow Kit to do the heavy lifting. With their four-course Seasonal and Celebration menus, delectable dishes such as Scallop Tartare, Laksam, Chilli Crab Linguine and Grilled Rack of Lamb take the spotlight and will leave the clan satisfied. On the sugary side, the Christmas Rocky Road (RM95++) and traditional Fruit Cake (RM68++) would make the perfect finale or excellent gifts. The Seasonal Menu (RM220++) is available for dinner for the whole of December, while the Celebration Menu (RM260++) is only available on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Visit thechowkit.com to make a reservation.
Royce’
There’s no better way to celebrate the season of gifting than to show your appreciation for a loved one — or yourself — with a box from Japanese chocolatier Royce’s Christmas Collection. You’ll be sure to find an appropriate gift from the dazzling line-up that not only satisfies the sweet tooth, but also entices the eye with limited-edition decorative items such as holiday-themed cut-outs or delicate charms in whimsical designs. While there is the Christmas Advent Calendar (RM205) comprising 42 treats of various combinations to get you excited, something more centrepiece-appropriate — like the Christmas Decoration Cake Box, available in small (RM75) or large (RM155) — is sure to be the talk of the spread.
Visit royce.com.my or any Royce’ outlets nationwide to purchase.
The Majestic Malacca
The Majestic Malacca invites everyone to celebrate the unique traditions of the Kristang community in Melaka by indulging in their rich culture and delightful cuisine. A slew of activities and festive fare that will acquaint visitors with the lifestyle of Melakan Portuguese, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations, have been prepared. From Dec 20, 2023, to Jan 1, 2024, you can participate in Walk Through the Mist of Time or Cycle to the Foundation of Ancient Malacca — History on Wheels tour (RM150 per person respectively) to visit prominent historical landmarks and learn about the history of European and Asian civilisations in the Venice of the East. On Dec 24, there will be a cooking class on making Seku, a traditional Kristang beef curry synonymous with the community.
For enquiries, contact (03) 2783 1000 or make reservations here.
Nespresso
If you are still in search of a gift for your coffeeholic friend, look no further than Nespresso’s latest limited-edition collection inspired by the snowy peaks of the Alps. The brand introduces four flavoured and two black coffees, available for Original and Vertuo. One of the stars in the series is Seasonal Delight Spices, an Arabica blend that boasts a delightful spicy flavour of cinnamon, cloves and spice cake. One sip and it will straightaway transport you to Après ski moments on the slopes. Meanwhile, Frosted Caramel Nut captures the holiday spirit in a cup. The mix of caramel and almond expels malty cereal notes as well as almond vanilla biscuit. And if classic is your choice, opt for the Festive Black Espresso and Festive Black Double Espresso, an Arabica fusion from Honduras and Uganda that exudes a roasted woody aroma with twinkling jammy fruit notes to delight the taste buds.
For more information or to purchase, visit nespresso.com.
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Satisfy your Christmas cravings and make your celebration with loved ones more entertaining at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, where there is a kaleidoscope of flavours ranging from Asian and Mediterranean to French and Italian. There is also a variety of Asian-Western fare you can eat to your heart’s content at Kwee Zeen as the restaurant presents a dreamy brunch, lunch and dinner buffet for the whole family. If it’s a pretty afternoon tea you fancy with best friends, head for LeBar Cocktails & Stories and indulge in delectable French pastries alongside a selection of stylish beverages including cocktails, mocktails, premium tea or coffee, priced from RM168. For a romantic evening, impress your partner with a six-course menu (RM338 per person) by Wan Chun Ting, featuring stuffed crab shell, double boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs, braised five-head abalone, wok-fried asparagus, Cantonese-style crispy noodles and chilled hasma with aloe vera and red dates.
For more information or to book, call (017) 511 7725 or click here.
Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill
Trust Gordon Ramsay to deliver a splendid Turkey Wellington — the British celebrity chef and restaurateur’s signature dish with a festive twist — through his experts at this year’s Christmas meal. It is accompanied by other mouth-watering goodness like the Oyster Vichyssoise Amuse-Bouche and Roasted Rib Eye. For dessert, you can opt for the classic Christmas Pudding, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try the BlackBerry Knickerbocker Glory and Rum Baba. The Christmas Eve lunch and dinner are priced at RM488 and RM588 respectively while the Christmas Day lunch and dinner are priced at RM588 and RM488. For an additional RM290, an expertly chosen wine pairing menu that complements the meal awaits to top off the exquisite dining experience.
For enquiries, call (03) 7495 2009 or book here.
This article first appeared on Dec 4, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
