Chinese New Year 2017 At Celestial Court, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur

This year, Chinese New Year is fairly early in the year, so actually, just after Christmas, there were already pictures in social media of Yee Sang etc....Another reminder what a dietary disaster the months of December and January are.

The first for me this year (as in first Yee Sang review) was at Celestial Court, one of my favourite pork free Chinese Restaurants, for dim sum in particular.  Time flies, as the last time I was there was actually last year.  Gasp.

The highlight of the night was their signature Nian Gao, specially designed by Dim Sum Chef, Ken Liew shaped as Koi Fish that symbolizes good fortune, success, prosperity and longevity. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao during this time, because ‘nian gao’ is a homonym for “higher year”. As such, eating ‘nian gao’ has the symbolism of raising oneself taller in each coming year (年年高升).

I always thought from legend that Nian Gao was made by wives to seal the mouth of the Kitchen God shut from blabbing tales of their misdemeanours to their hubbies.

 Their r special home-made ‘Nian Gao’ is available in 2 different size package – Twin Koi Fish priced at RM 88 nett per pack or 1-large Single Koi Fish priced at RM 118 nett per box.

A visual feast for the eyes with an array of dazzling colours, Yee Sang, for the uninformed, is as far as I know, a Malaysian invention, and everyone gathers around the platter for a communal toss.  When the sauces and condiments are poured onto the dry ingredients, the server or whoever is pouring the stuff say auspicious words, like "good health and long life", "prosperity in business", "may your life be sweet like the plum sauce",  before everyone uses their chopsticks and toss the stuff high into air, while also regurgitating those same auspicious mantras.  One cannot help but be reminded of the underlying materialistic nature of the Chinese in general.

The yee sang is also available for take away, at the following prices.

Roasted Corn Fed Chicken served with Spicy Onion Sauce RM69(Half Bird) RM135(Whole Bird).

Fragrant Golden Jin Sha Style Spicy Slipper Lobster.  The "fragrant" was no exaggeration, the gorgeous aroma of the sauce permeated the entire restaurant. RM150(S) RM225(M) RM300(L)

Wok-fried Fresh Scallop and Shrimps with Macadamia Nuts and Sweet Bean RM128(S) RM192(M) RM258(L).  Pretty standard fare, scallops were plump and juicy, ...actually the word "KIN HONG" (health) was bandied about a few times, as our menu was specifically catered to be "healthy" with lots of greens.

Braised Abalone Top Shell Meat with Scallop and Black Mushroom In Supreme Oyster Sauce
RM118(S) RM177(M) RM236(L).  They weren't kidding with the health theme, which suited me fine actually.  It was a refreshing change not to be plied with tonnes of meat.

Seasonal Vegetable with Morel Mushroom Topped with Diced Seafood and Crab Meat Roe Sauce
RM80(S) RM120(M) RM160(L).  Touted as the chinese truffle, at least on that table I was on, I personally found the morels did nothing for me, and tasted a tad bland, like a sponge.  The morel of the story is I guess sometimes it's best to stick to the familiar.  Especially if people don't really appreciate how expensive these things are.   I loved the crab meat with the roe though.

And finally, fried nian gao for dessert.  Everyone commented it looked like fried luncheon meat.  Haha.  But taste def was nothing like luncheon meat.

Ours was an ala carte menu, but diners can take their pick from the 4 exclusive prosperity 9-course set menus titled Abundance (财源广进套餐), Fortune (发财好事套餐), Auspicious (恭贺新禧套餐) and Luxurious (一本万利套餐) to treat family and friends. Guests can take pleasure in a variety of the delicious dishes such as Yee Sang with Crispy Soft-Shell Crab and Snow Pear served with spicy Mango Plum Sauce, Braised Sun-dried Oyster, Sea Cucumber & Black Moss on Garden Greens, Signature Roasted Crispy Duck with Five Spice Herbs & Rock Sea Salt, Double Boiled China Pear with Red Dates, Snow Fungus & Kumquat and others more. The price for the set menu starts from RM 1,788 nett onward respectively per table of 10 persons.

Celestial Court will be open during the Chinese New Year celebration from 17 Jan 2017 till 6 Feb 2017 for CNY lunch (12noon to 2.30pm), CNY Dinner (6.30pm to 10.30pm). On weekends during Chinese New Year weekends from 21 to 29 January 2017, the usual Dim Sum Brunch Buffet will not available but replaced with the CNY menu.

To book:  03-2717 9900 ext. 6933
email: celestialcourt.imperial@sheraton.com.
For real time reservations, visit http://www.celestialcourtrestaurant.com/