This article is part of my Christmas 2018 compilation.
Special thanks to Olive Tree Hotel for extending this food review invitation.
In the spirit of Christmas, Olive Tree Hotel is serving the Festive Buffet Luncheon at Sukkah Coffee House. The meal is held every weekday from 12 December 2018 to 28 December 2018 (except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). A broader menu is prepared on Sundays.
For most people, the main attraction is the Roast Turkey. It is served with chestnut & raisin stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, onion rings and assorted vegetables. Giblet gravy and cranberry sauce serve as condiments. Personally, I feel that the turkey is on the drier side of things. It would have been tastier if the meat were juicier.
On the other hand, I truly enjoy the Turkey Square. The loaf of turkey is glazed with honey, giving it a sweet touch which gratifies my taste buds. The Turkey Square is garnished with candied pineapple slices, but I think grilled pineapple slices would have been a better choice.
Seafood Paella is a popular dish from the coastal city of Valencia, Spain. The rice is cooked with seafood broth, which explains the dish’s rich taste. Also included are delectable seafood like shrimps and green-lipped mussels. I cannot recommend this dish highly enough.
The Lamb Sausages are commendable too. Served with braised red cabbage and apples, the sausages are not too salty even when eaten directly.
Proceeding to the Japanese corner, I am pleased to see cold soba (蕎麦) on the menu. The noodle is customarily eaten with a sweet sauce called soba tsuyu (蕎麦つゆ). Other delicacies at the Japanese corner are omelette (玉子焼き) and assorted sushi (寿司).
The chocolate fountain steals the spotlight at the desserts section. Instead of milk chocolate, Sukkah uses white chocolate to fit the Christmas theme. Skewered marshmallows and apricots are provided. The chocolate fountain appeals to children in particular.
Mixed Fruit Cake is a popular treat during Christmas. The cake is filled with candied fruits, dried nuts and spices, making every morsel very satisfying. According to the traditional recipe, the cake can also be drenched with rum.
The Cranberry Layer Cake has cream cheese frosting between layers, while the Raspberry Chocolate Mousse is topped with thick raspberry sauce. Both choices are certainly recommended.
I am also attracted by the presentation of Violet Mousse. It is elegantly decorated with jasmine tea jelly and chocolate squares. At the top is a block of chocolate molded in the likeness of Santa Claus.
The gingerbread house is meant for decoration. However if you crave gingerbread like a fox, you may devour the poor gingerbread man!
Compared to other Christmas buffet menus that I tasted so far, Olive Tree Hotel places more emphasis on confections. As far as yuletide meals are concerned, I think this is a move in the right direction.
Name: Sukkah Coffee House
Address: 76, Jalan Mahsuri, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-637-7856
Business hours: 6:00am-10:30am, 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-11:00pm (Monday-Friday), 6:00am-10:30am, 12:00pm-3:00pm, 6:30pm-11:00pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Website: http://olivetreehotel.com.my/dining/sukkah
Coordinates: 5.32692 N, 100.27932 E
Directions: Olive Tree Hotel is located at Bayan Baru, just across the street from SPICE Arena. Sukkah is located at Level 1, just above a flight of elevator from the lobby. The hotel’s multi-storey parking charges RM3.00 for the first hour, then RM1.00 for each subsequent hour.