Sarkies’ Christmas-themed desserts offer a feast for the eyes and palates. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/ The Star
Make room in your calendar this Christmas and New Year’s Eve for the spread offered at the grande dame of hotels in George Town, Penang.
Diners can look forward to tucking into a delectable spread of mouth-watering Yuletide specials, including roasts and desserts, along with a selection of Asian dishes at Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Hotel.
The buffet dinner at Sarkies includes seasonal favourites such as Roasted Whole Turkey with Giblet Sauce and Cranberry Sauce, Oven Baked Rib Eye with Ranch Sauce, Roasted Boneless Lamb Leg with Cucumber and Green Apple Raita and Chicken Roulade with Pineapple Chutney.
The spread of carvery items is complemented with chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, butter herb vegetables and Brussels sprouts.
Those who prefer entertaining at home can order takeaway items such as this Roasted Whole Chicken.
Fans of seafood can make a beeline for the section dedicated to chilled and poached seafood offering fresh oysters, slipper lobsters, green mussels, crayfish, prawns and scallops.
These are served alongside an array of freshly-made sushi and sashimi, cold cuts, salads, cheeses, breads and soups.
Guests will likely be going back for seconds and thirds because one helping is never enough.
For hot dishes, there are options such as Oxtail Osso Buco, Chicken Parmigiana, Shepherd’s Pie, Wok-Fried Prawns with Butter and Cereal, Chilli Crabs, Oven Baked Fish Fillet with Capers Glaze and Gratinated Slipper Lobster.
These dishes are complemented with a fragrant burst of flavours in the form of Pilaf Rice with Dried Fruits and Nuts.
Senior restaurant manager David Syamsul (in suit) taking a wefie with executive chef M. Partiben (centre) and some of the kitchen team in front of the life-sized gingerbread house at the hotel lobby.
Signature dishes like Salmon Fish Head Curry, Roasted Duck served with Hoi Sin Sauce and Seafood Paella are not to be missed.
In addition, there are dedicated sections for noodles, grilled items, and pastas.
Ensure there is room for dessert, with Sarkies offering a wide range of sugary treats with a Christmas twist.
The smooth Ginger Creme Brulee, perfectly baked Christmas Fruit Cake, beautiful Strawberry Bavarois, Berries Pavlova, Yule Log, panettone, stollen, macaron tower and Christmas pudding will have diners wishing they have more room to relish the festive treats.
The buffet dinner at Sarkies is available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, from 6.30pm to 10pm.
The buffet dinner at Sarkies includes a section dedicated to chilled and poached seafood, including fresh oysters and green mussels.
It is priced at RM248nett per adult and RM148nett per senior citizen or child.
Sarkies’ Christmas Day buffet lunch is from 12.30pm to 3pm.
It is priced at RM188nett per adult and RM128nett per senior citizen or child.
The celebrations go on until the end of the year with Sarkies serving New Year’s Eve buffet dinner priced at RM258nett per adult and RM158nett per senior citizen or child, from 6.30pm to 10pm.
The spread with over 130 dishes will have guests ringing in the new year in style, and with full bellies.
One of the many Christmas-themed pastries available as part of the hotel’s festive goodies takeaway option.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s Planters Lounge is serving a Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve Roast dinner meals.
Planters Lounge will also have a Festive Asian High-Tea on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
In addition, the hotel’s Palm Court presents a Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve three-course set dinner.
All festive buffets come with an early bird discount for each paying adult diner in bookings with full payment done by Dec 1.
Guests can also head over to the lobby area now to admire the life-sized gingerbread house and pose for photos.
The hotel also has an extensive selection of takeaway roasts and treats for those who prefer entertaining at home.
A selection of fresh sashimi in the festive buffet.
The menu includes Roasted Whole Chicken at RM168nett, Roasted Turkey at RM980nett, Roasted Prime Beef at RM980nett, Oven Roasted Lamb Leg at RM780nett, Christmas Fruit Cake at RM120nett, Linzer Tart at RM120nett, Cinnamon Apple Crumble Tart at RM120nett, Raspberry Cream Cheese Yule Log at RM210nett, Black Forest Yule Log at RM210nett and Berries Cheesecake at RM210nett.
Orders must be placed at least three days in advance.
For reservations, call the festive desk from 10am to 6pm daily.
SARKIES, Eastern and Oriental Hotel, Lebuh Farquhar, Penang. (Tel: 04-222 2000. Email: fbcentral.resv@eohotels.com). Business hours: 6.30am-10.30pm daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
