Christmas tree displays using recycled materials at Furama Bukit Bintang

By Laura Lee

As we say goodbye to 2019, I am thankful for having been invited to a few Christmas previews and being reconnected to some of my hospitality contacts and social media friends.

At Furama Bukit Bintang’s Spice outlet in Kuala Lumpur, we were treated to a buffet lunch preview, themed A Merry Malaysian Christmas, where our country’ diverse cultures are reflected in its buffet offerings.

They included dishes such as its grilled lamb Furama-style and salmon Wellington with nasi lemak and a widespread of desserts. 

There was also a live station where you can get freshly made crepe suzette to go with the various ice-cream flavours and other condiments.

Its Christmas Day lunch buffet, priced at RM78+ per adult, was quite a steal as it came with a complimentary entrance to the hotel’s Waka Waka indoor playland covering over 10,000 sq ft for the children to enjoy.

Senior citizens and children below 12 years old were given 50% discount while a group of 10 persons and above were entitled to 30% discount for the Christmas Buffet. I hope the hotel can continue to offer such attractive promotions for the coming Chinese New Year.

With Spices @ Furama sited on level 3 next to the hotel’s swimming pool, requests could be made to be seated outdoor by the poolside. We, however, enjoyed the privacy of its private room as they had a huge lunch crowd during our preview. 

To drum up the Christmas spirit, the hotel also organised a Christmas tree campaign using recycled materials which involved its various departments. 

They range from finance, reservations, housekeeping, front office, engineering, sales, security, kitchen, food and beverage to marcoms, purchasing and human relations.

We and the hotel guests are supposed to pick our top two favourite trees, which were placed at its lobby area. I wonder which of these Christmas trees made of recycled materials came up tops.

Furama Bukit Bintang is also doing a charity drive, aiming to raise about RM12,000 worth of funds to help children in need at selected orphanages and shelter homes by selling things like retractable cups for RM28 each. Those interested to purchase can view them at its lobby. 

Where to eat this Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Terraza Brasserie, Dorsett Grand Subang

By Laura Lee

I quite like Dorsett Grand Subang’s 'Around The World Buffet' theme when I went for its food preview held at its Terazza Brasserie outlet in early December as it had a wide variety of food to satiate one’s palate from seafood to Japanese, Western and local fare.

Getting there on a Wednesday evening from my office in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur was a bit dicey after the office hours but it was worth the while although I missed the hotel’s Christmas tree lighting service by Dorsett Hospitality International vice chairman, Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng at its lobby.

Its area general manager Christina Toh was mingling with the media at Terazza Brasserie when I arrived while its new marketing communications manager Nora Jaswa was aggressively promoting the hotel’s community charity project TLC Carnival on 14-15 December.

In my excitement of catching up with a former church friend whom I bumped into, I took my time to embark on my survey of the cuisine that was laid out for us to review. 
I thus welcomed my colleague getting me a bowl of double boiled soup to start off my dinner while he happily tucked into the smoked salmon and Japanese sushi.

That's what's left of the smoked salmon when I left at past 10.30pm

Being a seafood and meat person, when I finally made my round, I went for its raw oysters and scallops, char grilled teriyaki beef striploin, lamb varuval and something spicy, stir fried squids with dried chilli.

What I had that night, including some loh hon hai or vegetarian dish

I tried its grilled wrapped seaweed salmon with cilantro sauce but found it slightly “fishy” because of the seaweed. 

That two slices of lemon didn't help dispel the fishy smell

On round two, I had its roasted herbs crusted lamb rack with green peppercorn sauce before I called it a night as I had another Christmas hotel food review during lunch that day. 

My colleague one two many of its inviting lamb rack that I had to finished them

Priced at RM150 nett for an adult and RM75 nett for children aged six to 12, Terraza Brasserie’s Around The World Buffet starts from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm on 24 and 31 December.

Other promotions
However, if you prefer to indulge in a Christmas Eve buffet supper at RM39.90 nett per person, you can do so at the hotel’s other outlet, Cafe Aroma, which begins at 11pm and lasts until 1am the next day.  

Grand Dorsett Subang is also doing a Christmas Day (25 Dec) and New Year Eve’s (31 Dec) hi-tea buffet at Terazza Brasserie from 12pm to 4pm priced at RM98 nett (Adult). Senior citizens, aged 60 and above, and children pay RM55 nett each.

For the New Year Countdown, the hotel is holding it at its Piano Lounge on December 31 night. Priced at RM60 nett per person, it includes a complimentary glass of selected drinks. Add in another RM39.90 and you get your supper meal.

How’s that as you ring in 2020? While you are here, don’t forget to look out for its Truly Malaysia 14-ft tall Christmas tree at the lobby and other Christmas decorations at its other dining outlets.