Chilled poached crustaceans, synonymous with Sarkies’ buffets, is an attraction of the festive spread.
CHRISTMAS and New Year are around the corner and that can only mean one thing – lots of jolly feasting!
While a gourmet’s paradise like Penang has ample dining options and venues, few can top the lavishness of Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Hotel’s well-known festive buffets.
Seats for the spreads – served at Sarkies restaurant at the Victory Annexe – are typically sold out each year.
So if you have not yet made plans with loved ones, it is best to do so soon.
Both the Christmas Dinner on Dec 24 and 25 (priced at RM228 for adults, RM128 for children and seniors) and the New Year’s Eve Dinner on Dec 31 (RM248 adults, RM148 children and seniors), promise to be memorable with around 150 items.
Lining the buffet table are chilled crustaceans, sashimi and cold cuts alongside wholesome salads, cheeses, breads and soups.
With appetites whetted, it is time for the Christmas must-have – Roasted Whole Turkey with Giblet Gravy and Cranberry Sauce. Go back for seconds, because one helping is never enough.
(foreground) Roasted Whole Turkey with Giblet Gravy and Cranberry Sauce is the star of the Christmas buffets. Also on the carvery table is Chicken Roulade with Pineapple Chutney (background).
The carvery table also offers Oven-Baked Rib Eye with Ranch Sauce, Roasted Lamb Leg with Green Apple Raita and Chicken Roulade with Pineapple Chutney.
There are mouthwatering aromas emanating from the live grill, where juicy meats and seafood are cooked to order.
Stops at counters featuring the signature E&O Roasted Duck, Salmon Fish Head Curry and Oven Baked Portuguese Barramundi should be next on the list.
Come hungry, because an entire section of entrees also awaits.
Dishes rotate but possibilities include Oxtail Osso Bucco, Shepherd’s Pie, Grantinated Slipper Lobster, Baked Salmon with Caper Glaze, Stir-Fried Black Pepper Ostrich and Butter Cereal Prawns.
The holidays would not be complete without sweets like Ginger Creme Brulee, Berries Pavlova, Yule Logs, Christmas Pudding, Pistachio Opera, macarons, cookies and ice cream, so let loose.
Sarkies also serves Christmas Lunch on Dec 24 and 25, as well as New Year’s Lunch on Dec 31 and Jan 1 (both RM168 adults / RM108 children and seniors) – with lighter spreads.
Diners can expect a good array of seafood on ice, sashimi, carvery, grill, signature and dessert items.
Yule Logs are part of the Christmas buffet and also available for festive takeaways.
Entrees include dishes like Chicken Piccata, Lamb Pie, Nestum Prawns, Nyonya-Style Seabass and Seafood Au Gratin among those lined up.
Not a big eater? Head to Planter’s Lounge for Christmas Roast Dinners (RM208 adults / RM118 children and seniors) and New Year’s Eve (RM228 adults / RM138 children and seniors) instead.
These are also buffet-style but feature a more focused spread.
Seafood on ice, cold cuts, salads, entrees and desserts complement carvery highlights such as Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Leg, Roasted Duck, Cajun Marinated Chicken, Grain-Fed Roast Prime Beef and Roasted Turkey.
Revellers preferring a sit-down dinner should head over to the hotel’s Heritage Wing where a trio of outlets offer a la carte and set options.
Farquhar’s Bar has Christmas and New Year’s Roast Carvery Lunches across all four dates. Choose different cuts of meat with sides, with prices starting at RM75.
Options include Roast Australian Black Angus Prime Beef, New Zealand Lamb Leg, Roasted Turkey Leg and Breast, Roasted Half Chicken, and Farquhar’s Meat Platter with bits of everything.
Java Tree offers six-course Christmas (RM238) and New Year’s (RM258) Set Dinners while Palm Court has three-course alternatives (at RM208 and RM228 respectively).
Session times vary across outlets but lunch promotions are typically between noon and 3pm while dinners run from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
Yuletide takeaways
Good news for those planning a festive gathering at home. The hotel has you covered with its Festive Goodies Takeaway available till Dec 31.
The Roasted Prime Beef (RM850) and Oven-Roasted Lamb Leg (RM620) will both feed eight to 10 people, while the Roast Whole Chicken (RM138) is suitable for two to four.
All come with potatoes, vegetables and gravies. Place orders three days in advance of the intended collection date.
For a truly memorable table, fill it up with treats like Raspberry Cream Cheese, Chestnut and Vanilla, or Black Forest Yule Logs (RM210), Christmas Fruit Cake, Pumpkin Pie or Classic Stollen (RM120), Homemade Panettone (RM99), chocolate figurines (RM95) or a Gingerbread House (RM280).
Assorted Christmas cookies, chocolate truffles and mini mince pies (RM12) are also available.
For reservations and orders, call 04-222 2151 (9am to 10pm) or email fbcentral.resv@eohotels.com
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
