Christmas & New Year Buffet at Paya Serai, Hilton PJ

images by Veronica Ng, text Dave Avran

While every hotel worth its salt will have their own spread of scrumptious year end festive menus, Hilton Petaling Jaya never fails to impress with their creative fare. This year they have conjured an enticing buffet spread of Christmassy delights at their famed Paya Serai Restaurant.

We were fortunate enough to get a sneak taste of what’s in store for diners here.

The Appetizer of grilled vegetables with pesto sauce had eggplant, onions and red bell peppers tenderly seasoned with salt, pepper and olive oil before being grilled to tenderness then topped with the pesto. We were glad they were not overcooked and remained crunchy to the bite, just the way we love our vegetables.

Next to appear before us was smoked duck with sliced pear topped with red berries. The smoked duck was moist and juicy, and it paired well with the pear slivers. The combination was indeed a great taste experience for our jaded palates.

The mainstay of all pizzas, tomato and Mozzarella were given an innovative twist here where Chef Carlos layered fresh succulent tomato with chewy gooey Mozarella to create another winner of an appetizer.

The Prawn Salad with peppers, celery and Spanish olives was fresh and refreshing, with well balanced textures and flavors.

Next, we had Pumpkin soup with truffle essence. A few spoonfuls of the  Soup will certainly not be enough if you are a Pumpkin  fan as it is deliciously aromatic, enhanced by the truffle essence and given a boost in creaminess with the sinfully rich topping. The flavors balanced each other well, resulting in a soup that’s slurp-worthy without being overwhelming.

The Oven Sage Turkey grilled with chestnut stuffing will set you well on your way into a Christmas mood. The star of every Christmas dinner worldwide is served here with giblet sauce which looks simple but tastes heavenly. Chef Carlos explained that the making it was a long and tedious process, taking almost 6 hours to come up with the perfect texture!

Of course there was the traditional cranberry sauce on the side as well for the purists.  They also have Baked Potatoes with sour cream and bacon bits. The potatoes are well baked and had a lovely naturally-sweet taste and texture.

The Lamb Shank is superbly combined with a mushroom casserole. The meat is fall off the bone tender and juicy while the mushrooms soaked up the gravy provided a generous crunch.

Our dessert was so impressively plated that it left us with a lasting impression, with all of so busy oohing and aahing that no one wanted to take the first bite!   We had a petite and very detailed sugarcraft Santa and Christmas tree, along with Christmas fruit cake, Yule log, Christmas pudding and mince pies to end our meal on a sweet note.

We have to say that the Christmas Buffet Hi-Tea priced at RM 120++ and the Christmas Buffet Dinner priced at RM 110++ is pretty good value for money as the portions are pretty generous.

To end the year with a bang, you’ll be able to countdown to 2013 with another extensive and delectable buffet spread at Paya Serai with the New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner priced at RM 125++. Or head on down to Uncle Chillies and party like there’s no tomorrow with the red hot show band MOF. For reservation, contact 03-7955 9122 ext 4060/56.

On New Year’s Day, treat your loved ones to a spanking new year with the Buffet Hi Tea priced of RM 99++

Check out the festivities at other outlets at Hilton Petaling Jaya.

Ramadhan Bazaar at Paya Serai, Hilton Petaling Jaya

image credits: Veronica Ng

Paya Serai, Hilton Petaling Jaya are back with their famous over-the-top Ramadhan specials.

Break fast or “Berbuka Puasa” at Paya Serai, Hilton Petaling Jaya, is definitely an occasion not to be missed. Serving an extravagant spread of over 100 local as well as international delights, the extensive buffet contains a large variety of options.   Moreover, the buffet menu is on rotation everyday – there is always something new to try!

Live-cooking  stations  especially  the  roasted  lamb  carving  and  the  newly  added Chinese “lok lok” steamboat station are not to be missed.   Pick the ingredients and watch them prepared a la minute and served in a lively and interactive atmosphere at the bustling gourmet bazaar.

Popular for delicious and bountiful buffet spread, especially tailored for this spiritual month, Paya Serai’s brigade of talented chefs led by Chef Noor Hisham will spoil you with choices from authentic local “kampung” delights and quintessential Malay Ramadhan dishes to Indian, Chinese cuisine and hawker food.

Start your “Buka Puasa” experience by sampling some of the scrumptious salads and appetizers such as Buah Jeruk, Acar Buah Sri Rampai, Kerabu Sotong Kering, Kerabu Nangka,  Taufu  Sumbat,  Bubur  Lambuk,  Sup  Soto  Ayam.    Take  your  pick  of  salad ingredient  and  dip  with  a  wide  selection  of  dressing  from  Sambal  Belacan  to  Italian dressing.

For the main course, feast on local offerings such as Daging Rendang Tok, Burung Puyuh Goreng Madu, Lobster Slipper Masak Lemak Belimbing, Fish Head Curry, Chicken and Beef Serunding, Udang Tumis Daun Kari, Roasted Duck, Sweet & Sour Flower Crab, Gulai Nangka Masak Lada Hitam, Ayam Pongteh, Nasi Bokhari Ayam among many more.

There are various side dishes and accompaniments namely Lemang, Ketupat Palas, Kacang Botol, Vegetable Platter, Assorted Dim Sum and much more.  Not to leave out too, zest up your palate with the succulent Fresh Oyster, Fresh Mussel, Boiled Tiger Prawns and Boiled Slipper Lobster.

In addition, the “a la minute stalls” feature an interesting dining experience with spark and flames where one can catch exciting cooking action. To ensure the freshness of the dishes,  Kambing Panggang, Chicken and Lamb Shawarma with Pita Bread, Nasi Kandar, Roti  Canai,  Murtabak,  Putu  Piring,  Roti  Jala,  Nasi  Lemak,  Assam  Laksa,  Assorted Tempura, Satay and Grilled Fish, just to name a few, are made to order.

Apart from that, refresh yourself with invigorating drinks that include Soymilk, Air Sirap Bandung, Apple Juice, Barley Water, Ice Kacang, Cendol, and of course, the must-have Teh Tarik.

A perfect ending to this hearty meal is plenty of mouth-watering desserts that you simply must leave some room for, such as Pengat Pisang Bersago, Serawa Durian, Buah Kurma, Mango Pudding, Tapai Ubi, Pisang Emas, Pulut Hitam and Apam Balik with variety of fillings. Also available are cosmic selections of Malay Kuih, French pastries, ice creams, jellies and not to leave out the all-time favourite, Chocolate Fountain and Fruit Skewers.

Available from 7pm to 10.30pm, the abundant feast is priced attractively at RM99++ per guest on the first week and RM129++ per guest the following days. Child below 12 years old enjoy 50% discount on the Ramadhan price.

For Ramadhan Buffet reservations, please call 03-7955 9122 extn 4567/4261/4096. 

Visit Hilton PJ’s F&B blog, www.ZestPJ.com for the latest F&B promotions and entertainment scenes.    

Minangkabau Cuisine

Seize this chance to sample the traditional dishes like Kerabu Kacang Botol dengan Taugeh, Kerabu Jantung Pisang dengan Daun Kemagi, Kerabu Perut Minang and much more. For piping hot soup, there are Sup Ikan Pindang, Sup Sayur Cendawan and Sup Ayam Berempah.

In addition, main course such as Ayam Bakar Palembang, Ikan Keli Salai Masak Lemak Cili Api, Daging Dendeng, Gulai Ayam Kampung Pindang, Nasi Ulam Desa, Burung Puyuh Goreng Berempah, Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Api, Paru Goreng Berlada and Berkedil Kentang are just some of the must-try. For dessert, enjoy the selections of Puding Gula Hangus, Sago Gula Melaka and local fruits.

The buffet spread is available for lunch at RM68++ for adult and RM45++ for child (below 12 years old) and dinner at RM75++ for adult and RM45++ for child (below 12 years old).

Learn about Negeri Sembilan culture through this exotic culinary journey. For reservations, please call 03-7955 9122 extn 4060. Visit Hilton PJ’s F&B blog, www.ZestPJ.com for the latest F&B promotions and entertainment scenes. .