Lashings of prosperity

Welcome the Year of the Rabbit with Makan Kitchen’s festive set menus, lavish buffets and, of course, yee sang.

A week was all it took for Chinese chef Kua Beng Hooi to come up with his Prosperity Set menus and array of specialties for Makan Kitchen’s inaugural Chinese New Year buffet spread.

“Our Reunion Dinner buffet spread will be more lavish than usual,” promises Kua.

Chef Kua Beng Hooi of Makan Kitchen – Ching Yee Sing

“In addition to over 150 local delicacies from our Malay, Indian, Portuguese-Malacca and Iban kitchens, complimentary yee sang (spring festival salad) will be served at tables with a minimum of six diners. The Chinese/Peranakan kitchen will also offer special dishes such as Fried Tiger Prawns with Superior Soy Sauce, Braised Dried Seafood Soup with Sea Moss and Durian Pancake among others,” he adds.

The outlet also has two special Prosperity Set Menus for families and office gatherings. Priced respectively at RM98++ and RM128++ per person for a minimum of eight persons per table, the menus include a complimentary bottle of house red or white wine and yee sang.

In the following interview, Kua reveals the host of exciting offerings at Makan Kitchen to help patrons usher in the Year of the Rabbit.

Q: How is the festive spread different from Makan Kitchen’s regular buffet?

A: In line with Makan Kitchen’s multi-ethnic dining concept, our Chinese/Peranakan show kitchen is advocating localised and more piquant flavours that appeal to all Malaysians for its Lunar New Year offerings.

We’ll also be serving three choices of yee sang: Abalone, Norwegian Salmon and Bluefin Tuna for dine-in or takeaway, in half or full portion. This colourful raw fish salad has become a requisite Chinese New Year delicacy as it symbolises abundance, prosperity and vigour.

Those who prefer a full banquet should consider our 10-course Prosperity Set Menus.

What are some of the distinct specialities in your CNY menu?

Makan Kitchen’s Hot and Cold Combination from a Prosperity Set Menu. – Ching Yee Sing

Besides customary festive dishes such as Braised Black Mushroom with Fish Maw, Sea Moss and Broccoli, Steamed Pomfret with Wolfberries and Crispy Fried Pipa Chicken Marinated with Five Spice and Salt, we’ve included our signature Hong Kong Style Roast Duck, Stir-Fried Scallops with XO Sauce, Fried Tiger Prawns with Shallot, Ginger and Chilli and Steamed Lotus Leaf Rice.

For a light, pleasant finish, I’ve selected two delicate desserts: Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Parcel with prunes and sesame seeds topped with raspberry coulis and Chilled Soya Bean with ginkgo nut and snow fungus to balance the richer tasting main courses.

Are there any other interesting activities being lined up?

Yes, diners who succeed in picking Makan Kitchen’s “Double Prosperity Angpow” will win a free dinner on their next visit to Doubletree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s Makan Kitchen. Held daily, the lucky draw will be from Jan 14-Feb 17. There will be two Double Prosperity Angpows in the draw every day.

Calligraphy master C. K. Chia will also demonstrate his artful calligraphic works depicting brush strokes and written auspicious spring couplets from Jan 29-Feb 17 (except from Feb 3-12), from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

For a rousing toast to welcome the Lunar New Year, don’t forget to check out our range of premium Chinese teas, vintage Chinese rice wines (aged eight years onwards) and exquisitely-flavoured Korean Bokbunja Black Raspberry Wine.

Citibank cardholders will be entitled to a free night’s stay at Doubletree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur when they spend RM388++ in a single receipt on the Makan Kitchen “Double Prosperity” Celebration promotion. The offer is valid for full price purchase till Feb 17, 2011.

Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion. The accommodation voucher has to be collected on the day of dining. Prior reservation is required and subject to availability. The on-going promotion of 10% off will not be applicable during this period.