Classic Christmas bakes such as fruitcake, gingerbread and iced pastries alongside decorative chocolate figurines.
THE end of the year brings with it a familiar sense of warmth as families, friends and colleagues come together to mark the festive season.
Christmas Eve buffet at Checkers Cafe in Dorsett Kuala Lumpur features a roasted turkey prepared using a two-day brining method, with citrus zest, herbs and garlic, served with cranberry- orange sauce and giblet gravy.
Executive chef Mohd Azmi Sarginen said turkey wasn’t offered last year due to supply constraints, but has returned this year.
“This year, we managed to secure a reliable halal supplier.”
He added that the team brines the bird before rubbing and marinating it to achieve crisp skin and tender meat.
Other Christmas mains include an oven-roasted lemon- spatchcock chicken with thyme reduction, a baked lamb leg and a whole salmon topped with herb crumb and pomegranate.
The lemon-spatchcock chicken is roasted to a tender finish and paired with a thyme reduction that adds mild herbal notes.
The lamb leg is marinated for two days before searing and slow-baked until soft. It is served with a black garlic sauce that adds sweetness and depth.
The crustacean station offers tiger prawns, black mussels, clams, flower crab, Chilean scallops and crayfish.
The baked oysters – prepared a la minute – are popular, said Chef Mohd Azmi.
The kitchen’s house-made terrines and cold cuts, including turkey mousse, chicken mousse, seafood cold cuts are among the appetisers.
“We roll and stuff them with chicken, seafood and some secret ingredients, then let them set so the texture is tender.”
Another highlight is the Sri Lankan Chilli Crab, which has a thick, aromatic sauce balanced by the crab’s natural sweetness. Mantou is served on the side.
Desserts remain rooted in Christmas tradition, with panettone, yule logs, raisin cake, Christmas cookies and pastries such as poached pear with cinnamon and a Normandy apple tart.
Before the preview dinner, guests gathered for the hotel’s annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at the hotel lobby.
Children from the Lighthouse Children Welfare Home Association performed carols at the event, and the hotel later presented the association with a RM2,000 cheque.
The Christmas Eve buffet dinner takes place 7pm to 10pm on Dec 24. It is priced at RM188nett per adult and RM148nett for senior citizens 60 and above and children aged 12 and below.
For reservations, call or Whatsapp to 012-674 3509 or 012-628 0551.
CHECKERS CAFE, DORSETT KUALA LUMPUR (Tel: 03-2716 1000) Level 1, 172 Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 6am to 11pm daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
