I'm for Chinese New Year meals served banquet style

by Laura Lee

CNY selections from Impiana KLCC Hotel 

Say whatever you like, I am still very much a traditionalist. I prefer to have meals with my family members and relatives during Chinese New Year (CNY) ordered from the a la carte or set menu rather than going for a buffet spread.

Also, I find this to be more intimate as we can sit around the table, catch up with one another and toss yee sang together from a big plate with the condiments prepared by the staff. All we have to do is just Huat! Huat! Huat! 

Eating out on the first day of CNY at Restoran Yin Her in Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh, Selangor with my relatives for a nine-course lunch set

With all the eating sessions during CNY, I find Impiana KLCC Hotel's Fusion Chinese Specialty Menu promotion at Cedar on 15 from 15-19 February quite appealing as you can opt for four or six-course fusion Chinese dishes with a small group of friends.

Better still if they are drinking kaki as the price is inclusive of free flow of wine or aerated drinks throughout your dining period. You can opt for the noon to 2pm or the 6pm to 9.30pm. It’s RM188 nett per person for a four-course meal or RM288 nett a person for a six-course. 

Among the dishes featured under this menu are the Chef’s Prosperity Yee Sang with a Twist. Yin Yang of Pistolet Bay Scallops, Consomme of Tiger Prawn with Crabmeat, Black Fungus, Bamboo Shoots and ‘Money Bags’, Calamansi Lime Australian Black Angus Beef Tournedos baked with Soy and Five Spices.

In between your course meal, you will get served Ginger Sherbet. For dessert at the end of the meal, the selection will be Trio of Opera Cake, Green Tea Mousse and Longan Ice Cream. 

When I was at Cedar on 15 previously for its Romantic Valentine’s Dinner preview, I had my first glimpse of this award-winning rooftop restaurant and lounge on the hotel's 15th floor. 

I like the cosy ambience that was created for us much ahead of 14 February date for Valentine's Day. Our wine selection comprised sparkling wine from Australia, plus red and white wines from Chile. 

Enjoyed this Chilean white wine - Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc 2017 -  which I was told would be the same wine served at its CNY buffet dinner

What I also like about Cedar on 15 is you can get to see panoramic views of the city skyline while you enjoy your meal. 

CNY sets

If you are with a bigger group, the hotel’s chef has lined up three CNY set menus featuring eight or nine-course dishes. They are priced at RM1,488.00⁺, RM1,788.00⁺ and RM2,388.00⁺ for a table of 10 persons respectively, with a bottle of red or white wine thrown in per table.

Among the well-known Chinese traditional dishes included in its chef’s favourite selection are Braised Seafood Soup with Five Treasures, Steamed Sea Dragon Tiger Grouper with Superior Soya Sauce, Black Mushrooms with Dried Oysters and Winter Melon with Black Moss Sauce.

The list also includes Wok Fried Fresh Tiger Prawns with Aromatic Garlic, Ginger and Tomato Paste, Roasted Chicken with Szechuan Sauce, Pumpkin Puree with Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls and Deep Fried Crispy New Year Cake.

Prior reservation is required if you plan to go for this CNY set. The dining venue is within the hotel with the time slot determined at your time of reservation. Best to book early to make the necessary arrangements and avoid disappointment.

I was at the hotel again for the preview of its CNY buffet specialties at Tonka Bean Café Deli, a contemporary all-day casual dining restaurant as it was promoting its CNY buffet dinner here on the eve of CNY and CNY High Tea on 5 February.  

This whole fried red snapper with sweet sour pineapple sauce was my colleague's favourite

I went for the meat dishes like this roasted lamb and seafood such as prawns and crabs cooked in various styles. 

The buffet spread was so wide, comprising western and local dishes, that I came out wondering apart from its CNY setting, did I have a CNY meal? Which means I might need to return to the hotel to check out its Fusion Chinese Specialty promotion.

The array of dessert at the buffet left me dumbfounded on what to select. I picked up a fortune cookie which tells me, "Fame, riches and romance are yours for the asking". What more can I ask for now?