We were very glad to get an invite from Hilton Kuala Lumpur in Sentral for a preview of their Christmas buffet at restaurant Vasco, situated on the ground floor of the hotel. As soon as we walked in, we felt a lovely energy that had filled the small space.
After being welcomed warmly, we were offered mulled wine, flavoured nicely with star anise, orange pulp and spirits. We found our table by the window and settled in for a good night.
Carolers and a huge turkey
As we walked around to get our food (admittedly not the biggest buffet, but what was there was top notch), carolers came out to serenade us. There was a live band as well at restaurant Vasco.
The turkey was huge and delicious (with cranberry sauce and other accoutrements), as was the whole salmon, which was some of the best I ever had, with large flakes of salt on top. The honey braised chicken with chili (like a char siu) went well with the yellow fragrant biryani rice. I usually avoid the carbs on a night like this, but I just couldn’t resist!
Seafood galore
The paella was well-seasoned and full of aromatic garlic, while the pizza was also delectable with lots of turkey ham topping. Of course there was seafood galore at restaurant Vasco, with prawns – very fresh and unadorned, just simply cooked -, tender and flavourful slipper lobster, as well as beef on a wheeled cart, thinly sliced (not as thin as carpaccio) and pushed from table to table. The roast chicken was also moist and tasty.
Thumbs up for desserts
Onto the desserts! I had a few favourites, like the framboise vanilla buche de noel (aka raspberry log) with a thick chewy biscuit base, and of course Christmas pudding – very moist and the accompanying cream was very well matched. We also had some tasty little treats like coconut mango dome, mini mince pie, and Mont Blanc tart.
We ended our evening of decadence with a selection of herbal teas, which was quite a treat. The atmosphere and food were excellent, as well as the service. Highly recommended and by far our favourite seasonal buffet to date.
Useful info
Festive at Vasco Buffet Lunch will be served from 1 to 31 December 2022, Monday to Friday 12- 2.30pm. It is priced at RM148 nett per adult and RM88 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs). On Saturday and Sunday the buffet will be priced at RM208 nett per adult and RM108 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs) and the buffet will be open till 3pm.
The Festive Buffet Dinner will be served from 1 to 31 December 2022 and from Sunday to Thursday 6.30 – 10.30pm there will be a Festive Seafood Buffet, priced at RM198 nett per adult and RM98 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs).
On Fridays and Saturdays from 6.30 – 10.30pm there will be a Festive Super Seafood Buffet, priced at RM228 nett per adult and RM118 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs).
A Cracking Christmas
Christmas Eve Dinner Special on 24 December 2022 from 6.30 to 10.30pm, priced at RM298 nett per adult and RM128 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs).
The Big Festive Feast
Christmas Day Lunch on 25 December 2022 from 1 – 3.30pm, priced at RM298 nett per adult and RM128 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs). Christmas Day Dinner on 25 December 2022 from 6.30 – 10.30pm, priced at RM268 nett per adult and RM118 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs).
Beverage packages for all buffets as mentioned above are priced at RM160 nett per adult with a free flow of house wine, Carlsberg bottle beer, soft drinks and chilled juices.
How to book
For reservations and more information about the menu at restaurant Vasco, please call 03 2264 2264 or visit the hotel here. For more information about Hilton Kuala Lumpur, please view their FB page here.
For group bookings, kindly send an email to the restaurant here.
We were invited to the Christmas buffet at restaurant Vasco. As always, our opinion is honest and our own.
