Friday, January 18, 2013

Chinese New Year's Buffet @ Eastin Hotel, Queensbay, Penang.

It has been two weeks since we had celebrated New Year of 2013 and within the glimpse of an eye, the Lunar Year of Snake is just around the corner at early February. With just less than one month to go, have you thought of any places/ restaurants to go for and dine in during this meaningful festive season? In conjunction with the forthcoming Chinese New Year, Eastin Hotel is glad to offer diners an array of authentic Chinese cuisine for the celebration. Apart from the delectable dishes, Eastin Hotel Penang has arranged some performances for the crowd too. Below are some of the details of the Buffet and Performances:

Buffet:
  • Chinese New Year's Eve auspicious Reunion Buffet Dinner with Yee Sang. 9th of Feb 2013, 6:30pm to 10pm. Rm 98++ (adults) and Rm 52++ (kids).
  • Chinese New year prosperity Buffet Dinner with Yee Sang. 10th and 11th of Feb 2013, 6:30pm to 10pm. Rm 88++ (adults) and Rm 44++ (kids).
  • Chinese New Year Special Dynasty Hi-Tea with Yee Sang. 10th and 11th of Feb 2013, 12pm to 3pm. Rm 68++ (adults) and Rm 34++ (kids).
Performances:
  • Meet and greet the "Fok Lok Sau". 9th of Feb 2013, 8pm to 9pm.
  • Chinese Orchestra Performance. 9th, 10th and 11th of Feb 2013, 8pm to 9pm.
  • Meet and greet the God of Prosperity. 10th and 11th of Feb 2013, 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
  • Lion Dance Performance. 11th Feb 2013, 10am.
Fresh Salmon Yee Sang is also available for take away from 4th to 23rd of February 2013.
  • RM 68++ (4 to 6 persons)
  • Rm 88++ (8 to 10 persons)


It was my honor to be invited to sample some of their selected dishes under their monthly themed buffet of Chinese Odyssey for this month. The buffet is available during lunch, Hi-Tea and dinner at Swez Brasserie, Ground Floor of Eastin Hotel Penang from 1st to 28th of February 2013. Below are the list of prices for the buffet:

Lunch: Monday to Friday
12pm to 2:30pm. 
Rm 48++ (adults), Rm 24++ (kids)

Hi-Tea: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
12pm to 3pm.
Rm 55++ (adults), Rm 28++ (kids)

Hi-Tea: Festive Occasions
12pm to 3pm.
Rm 68++ (adults), Rm 34++ (kids)

Semi-Buffet Dinner: Sunday to Thursday
6:30pm to 10pm.
From Rm 48++ per person

February Credit Card Promotions:

MAYBANKARD, Standard Chartered Bank and VISA card members, guests can enjoy 15% discount for Chinese Odyssey Semi Buffet Dinner (Monday to Thursday) and Weekend Buffet Dinner (Friday and Saturday) from 6:30pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, kindly contact Eastin Hotel Penang, Swez Brasserie at 604- 612 1128.


Yee Sang (鱼生) is definitely one of the traditional must-have delicacy during Chinese New Year, which resembles prosperity and longevity. As such, Eastin Hotel Penang offers diners the opportunity to savor their Fresh Salmon Yee Sang (鲜鲑鱼捞鱼生), with more than nine types of ingredients, diners can simply take their preferred ingredients and to be mixed at their own. 


Marinated Jellyfish with Shredded Chicken (海蜇凉拌鸡丝) was one of my favorite appetizers of the day. The Jellyfish was crunchy enough to my liking, with the sweet and spicy sauce, no doubt they have made a very good combination. The use of Chicken Breast, however, has contributed a slightly dry and rough texture to the dish. Nevertheless, it was still an impressive and appetizing dish to me!


Their Roasted Duck Rolled with Spring Roll Skin and Mix Vegetables (脆皮烧鸭春卷) have failed to please me. The texture of the Spring Roll Skin was soggy and the fillings were lacked of the bite either. I would prefer if they can add in more Duck meat instead of the vegetables for a more meaty bite. It would be even better if they allow diners to wrap their own according to their own preference too. The Spring Rolls are to be savored with their specially made Duck Sauce.


I was in love with their Superior Sauce, it tasted sweet and aromatic enough to my liking. They have paired it with Seabass, the dish Steamed Seabass with Superior Sauce, laying on a bed of Asparagus. I did not really like the choice of Seabass due to its texture, but I guess it was still okay. The dish was cold when served to us and I reckon it would be way better if served hot.


Another traditional dish of Chinese New Year would be this Braised Chinese Cabbage with "Fatt Choi" Black Moss and Dried Oysters (红烧小白菜,发菜与蚝). The Black Moss (pronounced "Fatt Choi" in Cantonese) symbolizes To Be Prosperous, wishing the diners to make a fortune in the coming year. The sauce was a bit too "watery" in my opinion and the Black Moss can be easily torn away and lacked of the bite, same goes to the Oysters. Otherwise, the dish should be a decent one.


This is a dish that not to be missed by prawn lovers. Stir Fried Tiger Prawns with Golden Pumpkin Sauce (南瓜酱炒大虾) were perfectly cooked with a springy texture and has a tangy flavor where some of us find it too overpowering for the dish. However, I myself found it okay as the sauce has a hint of sweetness. Unique in its own way I must say. Not sure if it works but I would love see the sauce infuse with some Salted Egg Yolk for a more distinctive taste.


Double Boiled Papaya with Fresh Milk (鲜牛奶炖木瓜) was a disappointment. I have actually tasted a hint of bitterness in this dessert despite the fact that this dessert was very sweet at the same time. I have no idea what has happened but I did not really like it. It tasted something similar to Papaya infused Creme Brulee, the custard-y texture.


I suppose many will agree to give their Baked Mandarin Orange Cheese Cake (烤橘子奶酪蛋糕) full marks due to its light, smooth and creamy texture. It was not sweet at all (just good enough to my liking) nor too creamy, juggling perfectly between the sweetness and the zestiness. Bites of Mandarin Oranges can be eaten within the cake. Just the perfect dessert to end the meal.


The palatable dishes were prepared by Eastin Hotel's Junior Sous Chef- Chef Ong (top left) and their Chinese Chef, Chef Cheah (top right). The picture above features fellow bloggers having a great time tossing the Yee Sang together. May the Year of Snake be a prosperous year for all of us.

Additional Information:
Address: Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang. 1, Solok Bayan Indah, Queensbay, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Contact Number: 604- 612 1111
Email: info.pg@eastin.com
Website: www.eastin.com

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