Friday, January 16, 2015

Celestial Court's Lunar New Year Offerings

It's taken me awhile to realise, but I think I can more or less say now, that my favourite (or at least top 3 favourite) pork free Chinese restaurant is Celestial Court in Sheraton Imperial.  Their dim sum is creative and delish, and the food in general is excellent.  I recall fondly when Starwood still sold their privilege cards, and there was 50% off dining for two people, the wife and I would feast away on their peking duck, and whatever else.

And after knowing the marcomm people for so long, there's a certain familiarity, and gratitude, that after so many years, we are still on the media guest list.

Christmas seems barely over, but already, ever ready to feast Malaysians, specifically Malaysian Chinese, have already let loose the pre Chinese New Year revelry.  I swear soon they'll be serving Yu Sang for Halloween....

The signature Yee Sang With New Zealand Swordfish and Netherland Arctic Char Fish.  (Pic below).  The flesh of the char fish is rather unique, it has an orangy pinkish hue, almost like smoked salmon, but the taste is no salmony despite the facial similarities.


Whilst our waitress did the do with her repertoire of chinese blessings, we could hear an English translation on the next table for the benefit of a couple of foreigners who were present.  Basically most wishes in Chinese revolve around prosperity.  Wishes of good business, the occasional wish for health, if you're a student, for you to do well in your studies.  And each element of course has its own significance, from the oil, to sweet plum sauce.

Ready, get set, GO.............

Lou hei, lou hei, make the best...ooops, I meant  mess out of it...I liked this version because it was more or less the traditional one.  I am not too sure about those that stray too far from the original, even for moon cakes.  I'm an old traditionalist that way.



The wonderful Poon Choy, or Celestial Court's Premium Treasure Pot. As I said, I hardly missed the unmentionable meat, because all the other stuff was more than enough to compensate.  My favourite dried scallops, fresh scallops, tender succulent abalone, (which didn't taste or feel like it was from a goodyear factory), crunchy delicious prawns, sea cucumber, clams, bamboo clams, chicken and duck.  The gravy beneath was so lovely, I am surprised I was the only one surreptitiously slurping it up. 

Price : RM888++ for a pot enough for 5 people. 

Wok heated prawns with nutmeg, asparagus and smoked chicken.  I can't really say I tasted any nutmeg, and one of the guys on the table was sure the smoked chicken was actually duck, but it was definitely chicken.  Very well smoked and well prepared.  I liked the crispy prawn in batter, but didnt care much for the mayo it was doused in. 



My selection from the Poon Choy pot, not to shabby I have to say.  I could do with one of those abalone and scallop pieces just about now. 

Stir fried scallops with pumpkin, asparagus and celery served with Macadamia Nuts.  I am not sure when it became the rage to serve scallops with macadamias, but then again, macadamias go with anything!  And asparagus, my favourite.  (Oh, they were in the prawn dish too, much to my delight).  Succulent perfectly seared scallops.  And that pumpkin was yummy too.  Didn't care much for the celery. 


To wash it all down, a Chilled Earl Grey Syrup with Hasma, Snow Fungus and Black Dates.  To my horror, I had finished the entire bowl, slurped it down with gusto, when 2 facts were revealed.  Hasma, which I always thought was the saliva gland or some gland of the frog, is actually something else.  Initially, Kelly Siew, that fount of wisdom seated next to me, said that hasma was where the frog keeps its sperm.  Anyway, upon googling, she very kindly pointed out that it is actually some part of the fallopian tube.  The second fact was when she read out the menu, EARL GREY SYRUP!!! AAAAAAAAAARGH, that's worse than a fallopian tube, I am caffeine intolerant past 4pm, and I knew it was going to be a sleepless in KL kind of night.  I was right.  Nevertheless, it was good!

Check out their Ala Carte Menu:

Chinese New Year Ala Carte Menu 2015

Soup

1. Braised Sze Chuan Soup with Baby Lobster Meat
RM 50++ per person

2. Monk Jump over the Wall
RM128++ per person

3. Braised Assorted Seafood Broth with Trio Mushroom
RM 38++ per person

4. Double-boiled Maitake Mushroom with Fleece Flower Root and Garden Chicken
RM 50++ per person



Dried Seafood

1. Braised Supreme Dried Seafood with Sliced Abalone in Broth
Small - RM 320++ Medium - RM 480++ Large - RM 640++

2. Braised Baby Abalone with Imported Asparagus, Sea Cucumber and Sea Moss
Small - RM 118++ Medium - RM 172++ Large - RM 228++

3. Braised Giant Fish Belly with Sea Cucumber, Chinese Mushrooms, Dried Oysters and Sea Moss
Small - RM 108++ Medium - RM162++ Large - RM 216++

4. Stewed Oysters with Sun-dried Scallops and Sea Moss and Lettuce
Small - RM 108++ Medium - RM162++ Large - RM 216++



Seafood

1. Simmered Cod with Chili and Lime
Small - RM128++ Medium - RM192++ Large - RM 256++

2. Pan-fried Prawns with Red Curry Paste
Small - RM 100++ Medium - RM 150++ Large - RM 200++

3. Combination of Crispy Fresh Scallops topped with Caviar and Stir-fried Prawns in Spicy Sauce
Small - RM 138++ Medium - RM207++ Large RM 276++

4. Steamed Cod Fish Fillet with Egg White and Julienne Ginger
Small - RM128++ Medium - RM192++ Large RM 256++

5. Braised Australian Red Grouper with Flower Fungi and Vegetable Curry
Small - RM 60++ Medium - RM90++ Large - RM 120 ++

6. Steamed Fresh Water Prawns with Two variety of Garlic and Glass Noodle
RM 50++ per portion (minimum order of 2 portions)



Poultry

1. Oven-baked Crispy Black Truffle Chicken with Spicy Garlic Topping
Half - RM 88++ Whole - RM 176 ++

2. Signature Hong Kong-styled Crispy Roasted Duck
Half - RM 90++ Whole - RM 180 ++

3. Braised Garden Chicken with Lettuce in Dried Scallop Sauce
Half - RM 60++ Whole - RM120++

4. Combination of Barbeque Premium
Small - RM 68++ Medium - RM 102++ Large - RM136++

5. Signature Braised Duck with Ginger, Water Chestnut and Bean Curd Stick
Small - RM 68++ Medium - RM 102++ Large - RM136++



Vegetables & Bean Curd

1. Stir-fried Scallops with Pumpkin, Asparagus, Celery and Macadamia Nut
Small - RM 88++ Medium - RM 132++ Large - RM 176++

2. Home-styled Special Assorted Vegetarian Curry in Claypot
Small - RM 38++ Medium - RM 57++ Large - RM 76++

3. Braised Vegetarian with Glass Noodle in Claypot
Small - RM 38++ Medium - RM 57++ Large - RM 76++

4. Braised Bean Curd with Marrow Gourd and Assorted Seafood
Small - RM 68++ Medium - RM 108++ Large - RM 138++

5. Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables with Dried Prawn Topping
Small - RM 58++ Medium - RM 88++ Large - RM 116++



Noodle & Rice

1. Braised Rice with Roasted Duck and Dried Scallops in Abalone Sauce
Small - RM 80++ Medium - RM 120++ Large - RM 160++

2. Thai Fried Rice with Tomato, Seafood and Walnut
Small - RM 60 ++ Medium - RM 90 ++ Large - RM 120++

3. Fried Rice with Pickled Cabbage, Minced Chicken and Mushroom
Small - RM 38++ Medium - RM 58++ Large - RM 76++

4. Fried Rice with Minced Duck and French Bean in Peanut Sauce
Small - RM 38++ Medium - RM 58++ Large - RM 76++

5. Wok Fried Glass Noodle pairs with Rice Noodle with Crispy Cod Fish
Small - RM 80++ Medium - RM 120++ Large RM160++

6. Signature Prawn Consommé with Egg Noodles, Seafood and Enoki Mushroom
Small - RM 60 ++ Medium - RM 90 ++ Large - RM 120++

7. Wok-fried Flat Noodle with Beef, Spring Onions, Ginger in Balck Bean Sauce
Small - RM 38++ Medium - RM 58++ Large RM 76++


And some of their Set Menus


Chinese New Year Wealth Set Menu

1. Yee Sang with Norwegian Salmon, Fish Roe and Snow Pear

2. Boiled Tom Yam Soup with Assorted Seafood, Mushrooms and Chinese Parsley

3. Oven-baked Crispy Chicken with Truffle Essence and Spicy Garlic Topping

4. Smoked Pomfret with Spicy Thai Mango Salad

5. Deep-fried Squid with Lemon Sauce, Salt and Pepper

6. Braised Sea Cucumber with Dried Oysters and Chinese Mushrooms

7. Fried Rice with Shredded Dried Scallops, Diced Chicken, Roast Duck and Mushroom

8. Double-boiled Hasma with Snow Fungus, Red Date, Chinese Pear and Ginseng

9. Chilled Coconut Layer Cake

***
Chinese Tea

***
A complimentary bottle of selected wine


RM2288 nett for a table of 10 persons
* Price quoted is inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% Government Tax


Chinese New Year Fortune Set Menu

1. Yee Sang with a combination of Smoked Sliced Lamb and Salmon

2. Premium Eight Treasure Soup

3. Steamed Cod Fish with Chilli and Lime Sauce

4. Poached Sliced Lamb with Spinash, Century Eggs and Salted Egg Yolk Broth

5. Traditional Roasted Duck with Pickled Papaya

6. Pan-fried Prawns with Red Curry Paste

7. Thai Fried Rice with Pineapples and Crispy Rice Grains

8. Chilled Earl Grey Syrup with Hasma, Snow Fungus and Black Dates

9. Deep-fried Golden Banana Fritters with Chocolate Dripping

***
Chinese Tea

***
A complimentary bottle of selected wine


RM2488 nett for a table of 10 persons
* Price quoted is inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% Government Tax



Chinese New Year Happiness Set Menu

1. Signature Yee Sang with Norwegian Salmon and Sliced Abalone served with Chrysanthemum Sauce

2. Double-boiled Mini Monk Jump over the Wall

3. Crispy Roasted Truffle Chicken served with Thai Hoi Sin Sauce

4. Steamed Cod Fish with Golden Garlic paired with Fish Belly

5. Deep-fried Prawns with Fresh Fruits and Wasabi Mayo Dressing

6. Braised Sea Cucumber with Dried Scallops, Mushrooms, Sea Moss and Vegetables

7. Braised Rice with Diced Roasted Duck topped with Dried Scallops and Abalone Sauce

8. Double-boiled Bird’s Nest with Young Coconut and Ginseng

9. Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls with Coated Minced Peanut Crush

***
Chinese Tea

***
A complimentary bottle of selected wine


RM2688 nett for a table of 10 persons
* Price quoted is inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% Government Tax

Premium Chinese New Year Set Menu

1. Yee Sang with New Zealand Tarakihi Fish served with Traditional Plum Sauce

2. Double-boiled Mini Abalone Soup with Bamboo Pith and Dried Scallops

3. Oven-baked Crispy Truffle Essence Chicken paired with Peking Duck Rolls with Foie Gras Pâté

4. Steamed Cod Fish with concentrated Chicken Soya Sauce

5. Braised Sea Cucumber with Chinese Mushrooms, Fish Maw served with Stir-fried Scallops with fresh Lily Bulbs in Spicy Sauce

6. Sesame Prawns with Nutmeg and Smoked Chicken and Asparagus

7. Signature Crispy Noodles with fresh Water Prawns

8. Double-boiled Bird Nest’s with Sugar Cane Syrup in Whole Chinese Pear and paired with Tiramisu in Mini Chocolate Cup

***
Chinese Tea

***
A complimentary bottle of Hennessy Cognac


RM 3388 nett for a table of 10 persons
* Price quoted is inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% Government Tax

For further inquiries on these packages,
Call 03-2717 9900
E-mail: reservations.imperial@sheraton.com,
Real time reservations please visit www.sheratonimperialkualalumpur.com

For Reservations:





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