The Keluak Salmon, a savoury version of the mille-feuille, features an ingredient common in Peranakan cuisine.
THE festive season is often a wonderful time to savour holiday flavours.
At The Millen Penang, its contemporary restaurant Lili offers unique Malaysian twists that elevate the celebrations beyond the ordinary.
The culinary team here skilfully draws on the island’s bold spices, aromatic herbs and fresh produce to imbue popular festive dishes with a refreshing local character.
This inventive approach mirrors the hotel’s signature concept – blending British colonial charm with Penang’s rich multicultural heritage.
Items from the Feast of Merriment Brunch on Christmas Day today as well as the Christmas Indulgence Dinner Feast tomorrow and Saturday typify that.
The Millen Beef Wellington replaces the traditional mushroom duxelle with a Chinese-style mushroom paste sauteed with local aromatics.
Enjoy the scrumptious selection of holiday favourites with a Malaysian twist in the New Year’s Eve feast at Lili in The Millen Penang.
Instead of the typical red wine jus or horseradish, the accompaniments are sambal hollandaise, masak hitam gravy, pegaga chimichurri and coconut foam.
The classic Confit Duck is also reimagined with Chinese five-spice, while the Honey Glazed Duck swapped the usual orange or cranberry dressing for local plum and nutmeg.
The Keluak Salmon, a savoury reinvention of the mille-feuille, uses Pangium tree seeds which are a common ingredient in Peranakan cuisine.
On the menu for the Millen-aires New Year’s Eve Dinner Feast on Dec 31 and the First Millen-aires Brunch of the Year on Jan 1 are cold starters like Smoked Duck with Pickled Pineapple, Beetroot and Pomelo Salad with Orange Blossom, Seafood Couscous and Winter Vegetable Terrine.
A special Ploughman’s Board offers cold cuts such as chili pepper smoked salmon, Chinese marinated roast beef and smoked Tandoori chicken.
Guests can also create their own Farm-to-Table Salad from an assortment of crisp hydroponic greens, before heading to the carving station.
Ploughman’s Board offers cold cuts with a local flavour.
For New Year’s Eve, there will be Salt Crusted Salmon treated with an Indian spice blend that includes coriander seeds.
These little bombs of flavour, along with the accompanying calamansi dressing, add a warm and citrusy zing to cut through the richness of the fish.
Meanwhile, the oven-roasted BBQ Prime Rib features a sweet and savoury Chinese-style marination.
This gives it a sticky, glossy and slightly charred exterior to contrast the juicy pink centre.
There is also Masak Merah Lamb Pie, Malaysian Seafood Paella, Christmas Sambal Petai Prawns, Pulut Tomato Pilaf and Kiam Chai Ghee Brussel Sprouts.
New Year’s Day brings Ayam Percik Roulade, a piquant alternative to the regular year-end turkey, as well as succulent Roasted Wagyu Striploin.
The latter uses a similar Malay-style marination and will be paired with keluak sauce for a rather unique combination.
This fusion theme continues at the Peranakan Pasta live-cooking station.
There is Hokkien Mee Capellini or White Curry Laksa Linguine, both playing on hawker favourites, while the Nyonya or White Curry Laksa offer more orthodox alternatives.
Winter Spice Chicken Pongteh, Tamarind Butter Poached Barramundi, Wok-Tossed Tiger Prawns with Lime and Ginger Flower Cream, Truffle Chicken Pilaf and Deluxe Penang Char Kuey Teow with Scallops also make an appearance.
Local produce also takes centre stage in the dessert section, with irresistible treats such as Durian Mont Blanc, Black Forest Jackfruit Verrine and Nutmeg Cognac Gateau.
Others like Sticky Date Gula Melaka Pudding, Ginger Fruit Cake, Kaya Apple Strudel, Blue Pea Coconut Panna Cotta and Eggnog Tres Leches Cake, ensure a sweet and decadent finale.
The Feast of Merriment Brunch today and First Millen-aires Brunch (Jan 1) will be laid out from 11.30am to 3pm and are priced at RM128 for adults, RM88 for seniors and RM68 for kids.
The Christmas Indulgence Dinner Feast tomorrow and Saturday, and Millen-aires New Year’s Eve Feast on Dec 31 are all served from 6pm to 10pm and are priced at RM158 for adults, RM128 for seniors (aged 60 and above) and RM88 for kids (aged seven to 12). All prices are nett.
LILI – Level 2, The Millen Penang, No.55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang. Tel: 012-201 6988. Business hours: Noon to 2.30pm for lunch, 6pm to 10pm for dinner.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
