I LOVE Christmas. I have been known to have our unit all decked up as early as September (to expand on this: this was during COVID times and hey, I think everyone needed some festive cheer during those months of lockdown!) to welcome the end of the year festivities. I have to admit though, I have toned down (became normal??) in recent years since the kid became a teen, and since our years in Seoul.
To be invited to EQ Kuala Lumpur for a journey through all their F&B outlets in one night, to sample their holiday offerings, was something I was never going to say no to. I mean – carols + Christmas food and goodies + Christmas décor = yes please!
Nipah
First up is Nipah. Nipah is where you head to if you’re unsure of how to cater to picky eaters (key words: children and teens and in my case, my father) in your group. Nipah serves up an international buffet, where you will get everything from seafood on ice to festive specials of Wagyu Beef Hammer, Roast Lamb Leg, Lobster Thermidor and desserts (but of course!).
I will attest to the fact that the meats on offer are top notch – tender, juicy, and full of flavour. The teen went back for multiple servings, as did I. Tip: do not stuff yourself on the meats. Save room for the decadent desserts on offer!
Throughout December, Nipah’s Festive Buffet Lunch will take place every day except on 25 December 2024. It is priced at RM158+ per adult and RM79+ per child (6 -12 years old).
The Festive BBQ Weekend Buffet Dinner, priced RM178+ per adult and RM89+ per child, will run from Thursday to Sunday except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Christmas Eve Buffet includes unlimited chilled juices and soft drinks for RM238+ per adult and RM119+ per child.
Nipah’s Christmas Day Buffet Lunch will be a bountiful spread of traditional Christmas fare such as Roast Angus Prime Rib, Australian Lamb Rack, Roast Duck and Capon Chicken, Meatloaf with Cranberry Sauce, and a selection of German Sausages priced at RM188+ per adult and RM94+ per child.
Kampachi
For a Christmas with a ‘twist’, head to Kampachi. If you’re not in the mood for the usual Chrismas fare (turkey and roast meats), Kampachi offers up a different take on Christmas with sushi, sashimi and even sake. Better yet, why not go for the omakase menu? I did just that three Christmases ago, and I must say, it was such a refreshing change to the Western Christmas fare that we usually go for. I still remember my meal to this day. The omakase set that I had didn’t leave me in a food coma with an overstuffed tummy.
Kampachi’s Christmas offering is a refined Brunch Buffet priced at RM268+ per adult, RM98+ per child with an optional sake buffet add-on at RM158+ per person.
Kampachi is offering a Christmas Eve Five-Course Omakase Dinner priced at RM508+ per person, with the option of a premium ala carte menu and sake buffet at RM158+ per person.
Sabayon
Fine-dining restaurant Sabayon’s Festive Dinner Course priced at RM588+ per person for the four-course menu, and RM888+ per person for the eight-course degustation will feature options such as Angus Beef Tartare with Toast, Scottish Salmon with Sour Cream, Capers and Dill, and Cheese Raclette with Potato and Cornichons.
Sabayon will offer a Christmas Eve Six-Course Dinner with classic dishes from French and central European cuisine. For an extra special treat, opt for selections from the champagne trolley with prices starting from RM488+ per bottle. The six-course dinner is priced at RM788+ per person for the limited window seats, and RM688+ per person for regular seats.
Best of all? Chalet will return for pop-up sessions every Sunday in December where the Chalet Festive Sunday Four-Course Lunch featuring signature dishes like Duck Breast à l’Orange, Filet de Saumon Norvégien, Crêpes Suzette, and more. Priced at RM288+ per person and RM98+ per child (6-12 years old), guests can also dial up the luxury with the Lobster Thermidor upgrade or the add-on of an unlimited drinks trolley for RM288+ per person, with a free flow of sparkling wine, white or red wine, gin trolley, juices, soft drinks and mocktail.
I will admit that I’m just a wee bit biased in my opinion that Chalet was the best station out of all the rest, that night we were there. Chalet was once my go to dining option for special occasions at the old Hotel Equatorial before it was torn down. I did a little whoop of joy (internally of course, lest I embarrass the teen) when I realised that it was back for the festive season. I wanted to go back again and again for the Cheese Raclette alone!
Sabayon will serve up a Chalet Christmas Day Buffet Lunch. The Christmas buffet, priced at RM308+ per person and RM154+ per child offers an upgrade to its famous Lobster Thermidor, with a further addition of free flow sparkling wine, white or red wine, gin trolley, juices, soft drinks and mocktails for RM288+ per person.
The rest
For the introverts (or those who just wants a cosy and quiet family affair at home) there’s always the takeaway options. Have a look at their Holiday Spirit catalogue.
Visits from Santa at the hotel are also on the schedule for the 24th (7pm to 8.30pm) and 25th (12.30pm to 4pm) December 2024, alongside special carollers within the same time period.
Lastly, what is Christmas without giving back? Support The Angel Tree initiative, which supports children from Shelter Home, by picking a wish card, and either donating cash or getting a gift for a child.
We were invited by EQ. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
