Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

No, I didn't get to stay there, but I did get to hang out at the Shangri-La this week observing one of The Boy's events there. What a nice hotel!

From an events point of view the staff, service and catering were impeccable, but I seriously want to stay there now. From the moment you walk into the lobby, everything is luxurious and beautiful and nice. And the guest rooms are great too - The Boy was lucky enough to get a free upgrade to an Apartment Suite last year and it was wow!

Highlights of my week:
- Lobby with amazing water feature and beautifully relaxing lounge
- Lunch buffet at Lemon Garden cafe, they have EVERYTHING including delicious sashimi, my favourite :)
- Strawberry tartlets, chocolate brownies and pretty much most of the corporate events menu...

Pretty and delicious...chocolate brownies at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

No I didn't eat four, though I was seriously tempted...strawberry tartlets

Christmas Day brunch at the Ritz Carlton

This year would be the first Christmas away from home for The Boy and I, so to fend off any bouts of homesickness, we needed a Christmas feast to rival any either of us have had with our families. Around this time it seems that every nice hotel and restaurant puts on a fantastic buffet to help KL-ites who don't want to cook at home indulge in a festive feast. 

Being half-English, Christmas at home has always meant traditional fare of turkey and ham with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and the like. While I knew ham was going to be hard to come by in KL, I set about finding the buffet closest to what was familiar. I love local cuisine but on Christmas Day, I didn't want to see any noodles or nasi lemak at the buffet!

Eventually we decided on the Christmas Day Brunch at the Ritz Carlton - stylish surrounds and the promise of delights including turkey, roast beef and venison plus an array of seafood.

Beautiful Christmas tree outside Cesar's restaurant, Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

We arrived right on time (The Boy wanted to be first in line for the food!) and were shown to our table in Cesar's restaurant. As I had expected, the place looked wonderful and the food was delicious.

The interior of Cesar's restaurant, Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

I completely overindulged on the seafood selection - tiger prawns, mussels, lobster tails, Alaskan king crab, smoked salmon and more - then moved onto the requisite turkey. Ordinarily, I  find turkey to be a bit bland, but with chestnut stuffing, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and delicious gravy, it tasted just like Christmas. Meanwhile, The Boy raved about the venison next to me - pink and juicy on the inside just like it's meant to be, the meat was tender and flavoursome.

One of my multiple plates of seafood featuring prawns, smoked salmon, mussels, lobster tails, a crudite of pear and blue cheese, marinated eggplant and semi-dried tomatoes.

Soon it was time for my favourite part of the meal - dessert! And what a spread there was. The traditional favourites of Christmas pudding, log cake and mince pies; a chocolate fountain with fruit pieces and marshmallows; an array of miniature desserts from tiramisu to trifle; and the choice of crepes, ice cream and Eton mess made to order. 

Eton Mess

Did I mention the mugs of pure liquid chocolate in milk and white varieties? The Boy decided to try both and they were pure heaven, though the white chocolate was so sweet I could only take a small sip after eating so much food!

It was a wonderful meal and we were both feeling completely overindulged and too full to move - just the way Christmas is meant to be!

The Boy and me in front of the giant gingerbread house in the Ritz-Carlton lobby

Merry Christmas everyone!