The Christmas spirit is back in town and what makes it better to celebrate this festive season with the ever popular year-end festival gatherings at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. They will be offering Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner on 24th December 2018, Christmas Hi-Tea Brunch on 25th December 2018 & New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner on 31st December 2018 at Big Apple Restaurant.
What makes it a little more special to celebrate in Berjaya Times Square Hotel? The hotel’s Michelin Star Executive Chef Abri stepped up the game with a full spread of traditional Christmas delicacies which showcases the true Christmas spirits.
Here are some of the recommended dishes by Chef Abri:
Roast Christmas Turkey with Chestnuts & Roasted Chicken with Honey and Sesame SeedSlow Roasted Prime Beef & Boneless Lamb LegSteamed Brussel Sprout with Alfredo SauceChicken Cordon BleuAssorted Mushroom Ala GrequeSalmon Roulade with Caviar
And for those who would like to satisfy their sweet tooth… there will be plenty of sweet delights from Christmas Spiced Cake, Panettone, Christmas Pudding with Cream Anglaise, assorted macaroons and many more!
MORANDÉ ADVENTURE began in 2012 as part of their philosophy of innovation and taking a step beyond with their dreams. This is an initiative of Grupo Belen, in which the winemakers from the five related winery’s — Morande, Vistamar, Mancura, Zorzal & Fray Leon — produce their own wines.
It was an extraordinary experience to have 10 restaurants together in ONE venue to serve you 10 varieties of bite size fine food and to pair with 10 different Morande Adventure’s – Hand Crafted – RED wines. One of The Adventure’s Winemaker, Mr Jorge Martinez, was in attendance as well.
Here were the astounding dishes served that night leaving most of us content (and tipsy!) :
Note: Click on the bolded and linked name of wines for more details!
“The Perfect Egg” in Truffle Cloud served with Brioche Mouillette
To start with, this dish was paired with Despechado — Cherry red and slightly opaque as it was not filtered. Wonderful aromas of red berries: primarily strawberries and mineral notes. It was light-bodied and refreshing with elegant and enveloping flavors.
Both wine and egg dish prepared by the students from School of Culinary Arts & Food Studies were paired perfectly not overpowering each other. I really enjoyed the creamy texture along with the oomph of black truffles. Could also be well paired with mild fish, pastas and white meats.
Tuna Tartare with Mango, Avocado, Kyuri & Mint Sauce in Pai Tee & Wasabi Mayo
A dish prepared by Tatto paired with Malmau — Intensely red with a violet hue with notes of berries and violets with mineral touch. Its quite potent on the palate with well-rounded tannin with good texture. The presence of rich acidity makes this a very fresh and natural wine.
Personally I’d prefer pairing with a dish with stronger flavors such as slow-cooked fatty red meats or a braised lamb shank would be best.
Papaya Salad with Infused Lemongrass Dried Beef Jerky
Sao Nam‘s papaya salad paired with VIGNO — Very intense purplish red. Quite pronounced aromas of red and sour cherries and black plums with subtle floral notes of violets as well as coffee and dark chocolate. It presents tremendous character with juicy red fruit recalling cherries and raspberries as well as light floral notes and toasted oak.
This was quite an enlivening pairing. Would paired well with pot roast, beef tartare, rabbit stew, Austrian beans, game meats and spit-roasted lamb.
Red Wine Brined Duck Breast served with Ceps in Cream
Dish prepared by Meatologypaired with El Gran Petit — Very deep and intense violet, almost black. A fruity and expressive with outstanding blue fruits such as fresh blackberries with a light touch of fine herbs. It was juicy, generous and loaded with structure. Fermenting it in a concrete egg magically transforms the two varieties’ notoriously potent tannin soft and velvety, round and mouth filling.
It was a great pairing: perfect with red meats, pork and game meats.
Chicken Roulade stuffed with Chicken Ham & Mozzarella with Red Wine Sauce
Chicken Roulade by Spitalfield’s Gastrobar paired with Tirazis — beautiful reddish-purple. Lovely white pepper and black fruit with spices such as cinnamon and a bit of herbs aroma. Great medium-bodied with fine flavors and tremendous persistence. Good balance between acidity and tannin too.
It would’ve been better if the dish was served hot. This would be an excellent pairing with lean meats, fine cheeses and fatty fish.
Mutton Floss MantaoGrilled Cauliflower with Smoked Sauce
Goa by Hubba went an extra mile by preparing 2 dishes to be paired with CREOLE— Light raspberry red with aromas of red fruits such as raspberries, sour cherries, light earthy notes and spices recalling cinnamon. It was intensely fresh and fruity with a smooth texture. The moderately light body invites drinking one glass after another.
This has to be one of my favorite pairing throughout the dinner. Both dishes and wine executed perfectly. It would also be a spectacular pairing with deli meats and firm-textured cheeses. Delicioso!
Grilled Prawn on a Trio of Capsicum Pieperade
A dish by Interlude TTDI to be paired with Aterciopelado — attractive, bright ruby red with aromas of red fruits such as cherries and plums with notes of herbs and nuts. Very charming. The flavors of red fruits with tremendous acidity complemented by potent tannin with a velvety finish. Seductor.
Another splendid dish well paired with the wine. The prawn was very fresh and flavorful. Would also be a great pairing with stewed meats and game birds.
Chili Butter Cream Clams with Garlic Bread
Two Sons Bistro‘s dish paired with Mediterraneo — Deep, intense cherry red with aromas of red fruits such as sour cherries and raspberries with notes of hazelnuts and aromatic spices. Flavors were fresh, fruity and juicy with tremendous balance between sweetness and tannin. Great persistent red fruit on the long, lingering finish.
This dish was a crowd pleaser with a terrific pairing. It will also work with red meat, game and stews.
Rustic Beef Onion with Pink Peppercorns Sauce
Rustic beef onion by Pintu at Old Malaya paired with El Padre — Deep, dense and bright purplish-red. Wonderful aromas of black fruits, coffee and dark chocolate. The spicy note simply recalls cloves and vanilla.
The beef was wee overcooked however it was a decent pairing. Would also be nicely paired with some serrano ham, lean meats and aged cheeses.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to try the Mancura Spiced Poached Pear Creme Brulee & Chili Madeleine prepared yet again by the students from School of Culinary Arts & Food Studies as there were limited portions but I was able to taste the paired wine,Mancura Leyenda Gran Reserva — A very deep, brilliant wine. Its red color was enhanced by the suggestive violet highlights. Nosing was highly complex in the beginning, opening gradually to reveal its notes of ash with red fruits, combined with subtle hints of rose petals and blackcurrant. It is complex and structured in the mouth, but at the same time fresh and elegant. Its potent tannin was complemented by touches of mocha, bitter chocolate and sweet cinnamon. It has a very pleasant finish with long persistence. Recommended for well-seasoned red meats.
These wines are the results of a more experimental works on behalf of the winemakers. They are bolder, more daring wines made without having to follow pre-established rules. They are their enological adventures that surprise and impress for their diversity, innovation & quality.
Thank you for sharing this experience that has been bottled with love & freedom!
Eudaimonia (n.) 