SWEZ Brasserie,
Eastin Hotel Petaling Jaya,
13 Jalan 16/11,
Pusat Dagang Section 16,
Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7665 1111 ext 183
Business hours: 6.30pm-10.00pm.
EVOKING the spirit of traditional Christmas in Europe, Swez Brasserie’s chef Jean Marc Veron has prepared some 100 dishes for the coming buffet on Dec 24.
Although Veron has stayed in Malaysia for about 14 years, he still misses family time during the festive season.
“It is very different in Europe. Christmas is not just about the presents and bright lights but it is for families to spend quality time over many dinners,” he said.
Showing his chops:Chef Veron carving the turkey.With that in mind, most of the dishes available on the buffet line are traditional in terms of flavours and the ingredients used.
For the review, Veron handpicked eight dishes presented in fine dining style for us to indulge in.
A trio of appetisers — Beetroot and Feta Cheese Canape, Smoked Salmon Rosette and Waldorf Salad — was a good way to ease us into some heavy dishes later. The beetroot combo was juicy and refreshing while the cheese was used to hold the slices together. The salmon was fresh with the right amount of fat in it.
Inspired by the Italians, we were served Pumpkin Risotto with Saffron plus two dollops of mozzarella cheese. It was creamy and smooth while the risotto was al dente. The saffron and pumpkin flavours were subtle as well.
Pumpkin seemed to be a recurring ingredient when we slurped in the Pumpkin Soup with Quail Wanton. The soup was thick and brought out the gameyness of the quail in a pleasant way.
Next came the Sauteed Salmon with Apple Sauce and Walnut which had a distinct Christmas feel to it, thanks to the use of apple and walnut bits. The feel of Christmas continued with the Basil and Pine Nut Stuffed Turkey Breast.
The turkey breast made into a roll with crunchy stuffing in the middle. It felt a bit dry and the cut of meat was void of fat and its skin. The dish also came with the Almond Cranberry Squash Bake. It lent some sweetness and sourish flavours to the rather savoury turkey.
Then the star of the night was wheeled out to greet us. The Roasted Honey Glazed Turkey was a slight departure from the traditional preparation style.
Veron said the turkey was coated with honey to give it a dark caramel colour on the outside. Its meat was sweet as it was stuffed with glazed chestnut. As for the cranberry sauce and savoury gravy, they were done in the traditional style.
As we were equally stuffed like turkeys, dessert made it way to our tables. The Cranberry Cheese Yule Log had the right balance of sweet and sour. At the end of the meal, our appetite was feted and it did feel like Christmas as we wind down the evening with light-hearted chat, just like dinner at the family table.
The one-night only Christmas Eve dinner is priced at RM92++ while the buffet dinner on New Year’s Eve is at RM98++. Other restaurants at Eastin are also offering different promotions.
For details, call 03-7665 1111.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.