I attended the Christmas Tree Light-Up and Festive Buffet Preview at Thyme, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur and it was easily one of the strongest festive spreads in the city this season.
The lobby has been transformed for the holidays: two tall, elegantly decorated Christmas trees glowed softly as a pianist played familiar Christmas classics. Whilst the team greeted guests, glasses of warm mulled wine were offered, and Santa moved through the crowd handing out candy canes. After a brief welcome from the General Manager, the trees were lit to generous applause, and we were invited into Thyme.
Thyme – let’s dig in
The buffet at Thyme was exceptional in every department. The seafood station alone was worth the visit: glistening Irish oysters shucked to order, poached tiger prawns, local lobsters, green mussels, scallops and clams on ice.
The Japanese counter offered pristine salmon trout, bluefin tuna and octopus sashimi, plus hand-rolled nigiri and maki, with a variety of Japanese pickles. On Christmas Eve they’ll add the live slicing of a whole bluefin tuna – definitely worth marking in the calendar.
At the carving station the chefs were on top form: juicy spit-roasted prime rib with horseradish, honey-glazed local turkey with chestnut stuffing, perfectly pink lamb rack, and a perfectly executed salmon Wellington wrapped in crisp pastry. Sides included roasted baby potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked duck lardons and chestnuts, and proper Yorkshire puddings.
The Malay section brought local flair – think Australian lamb rendang, oxtail asam pedas and flower-crab masak lemak chilli padi – while Western classics such as duck confit and beef cheek sat comfortably alongside a halibut with capers and a baked whole salmon Mediterranean style. There were also Chinese and Indian delicacies as well as everyone’s favourite noodle station. A generous well curated cheese board and some smoked meats kept me circling back.
Then came dessert at Thyme, and I practically sighed with happiness. A little Christmas train chugged through the display, surrounded by colourful sweets: chocolate Yule logs, fruit-studded German stollen, red velvet, minced pie, chocolate fountains, gingerbread cookies, and delicious warm Apple crumble with vanilla sauce which i might have had twice. Not to mention the chiller selection with such favourites as pavlova or crème brûlée, where every piece was calling me.
The live sweet-crêpe station was the final indulgence – thin, lacy crêpes folded with condiments of choice. I watched grown adults queue twice including my husband.
This exact line-up will be served for Christmas Eve Seafood Buffet Dinner and Christmas Day Buffet. Quality and variety are both top-tier; the chefs are clearly at the top of their game. If you want one unforgettable festive feast in Kuala Lumpur this December, put PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur at the top of your list. Highly recommended.
We were invited by PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
