Special thanks to Eastin Hotel Penang for extending this food review invitation.
Eastin Hotel Penang is the next hotel to reveal its Chinese New Year menu. The Family Reunion Buffet Dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom on Level 3. However for this evening’s preview event, dinner is served at Swez Brasserie instead.
Fish is considered auspicious because the Chinese word for “fish” (鱼) is a homonym for “abundance” (余). This explains why Salmon Gravlax is the main attraction on the menu. The cured salmon fillet has a green coating made from coriander, kaffir lime leaves, miso paste and other spices. Gravlax is somewhat similar to sashimi but not quite as “raw”.
Roast Lamb is served at the carving station. The lamb leg is marinated with Provençale-style seasonings. Black pepper sauce and mint gravy are provided as condiments. In addition, grilled vegetables and potatoes are presented on the side.
Poon Choi (盆菜) is traditionally served in a large wooden basin. This Cantonese delicacy uses premium seafood ingredients such as abalones, oysters, scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw (鱼肚) and tiger prawns.
Yook Poon (肉盘) is well received too. The platter comprises of chicken and duck, each of which comes in two flavors: roasted and char siew (叉烧). Thick plum sauce (苏梅酱) serves as the condiment for this poultry dish.
Diners who appreciate the taste of Chinese herbs should go for Braised Herbal Duck. This exquisite dish uses traditional herbs like wolfberries (枸杞), poor man’s ginseng (党参) and scented Solomon’s seal (玉竹).
Steamed Sea Bass Fillet is prepared à la Teochew style. Steaming is the best way to accentuate the freshness of this fish. The dish is garnished with pickled mustard (榨菜), mushrooms, tomato, ginger and coriander.
Still on the subject of fish, another noteworthy dish is Baked Salmon Fillet. What I like about the fish is its scrumptious skin. However, I feel that the garlic and herb butter is saltier than necessary.
The herb-crusted Baked Lamb Chop Provençale is succulent indeed. The lamb is garnished with an assortment of grilled vegetables. Meanwhile, the dipping sauce is served in a small cup carved from capsicum.
Moving on, the sushi platter presents a decent selection of nigiri- and maki-style sushi (寿司). Diners who love sashimi (刺身) can help themselves to raw slices of salmon and tuna. Other chilled seafood include oysters, scallops, green-lipped mussels, tiger prawns and snow crabs.
The salad counter presents a handful of raw vegetables and dressings. This allows diners to mix their own salads. In the meantime, ready-made salads are Thai spicy grilled chicken salad, young papaya salad, honeydew & sausage salad and baby octopus salad.
As for cold cuts, seafood terrine and smoked salmon stand out as the most prominent choices. People who enjoy Korean food can also savor some kimchi (김치).
Chinese New Year cookies play a vital role during this festive season. The buffet delights my palate with lovely treats like pineapple tarts (黄梨酥) and peanut cookies (花生饼). I am particularly attracted by almond cookies (杏仁饼); their unique taste is simply amazing!
Other popular Chinese New Year titbits are bahulu (鸡蛋糕), love letters (鸡蛋卷) and sesame balls (煎堆). Complementing them are Western pastries such as Moist Chocolate Cake, which I appreciate due to its bold cocoa content.
Tangyuan (汤圆) is warm dessert of glutinous rice balls in ginger-infused syrup. Each ball contains sweet filling made from black sesame. Meanwhile, other soupy desserts this evening are Tau Fu Fa (豆腐花), Leng Chee Kang (莲子汤) and Almond Bean Curd & Longan.
During the Family Reunion Buffet Dinner, Eastin Hotel has arranged a series of performances throughout the joyous evening. As for people who are unable to join on Chinese New Year’s Eve, Swez Brasserie serves buffet lunch and dinner over the next two days. Do take advantage of the hotel’s early bird promotion: For every 5 paying adults, the 6th person’s meals is on the house!
As for customers who wish to order yee sang (鱼生) for home consumption, Eastin Hotel offers 3 different versions: Abalone Yee Sang (RM188.00), Salmon Fillet Yee Sang (RM158.00) and Jellyfish Yee Sang (RM128.00). Yee sang is available for purchase from 22 January 2019 to 19 February 2019. Pre-ordering is highly recommended.
Name: Swez Brasserie
Address: 1, Solok Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-612-1111
Business hours: 6:00am-12:00am
Website: http://www.eastin.com/penang/dining
Coordinates: 5.33629 N, 100.30632 E
Directions: Eastin Hotel Penang is located along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu) and is conveniently next to Queensbay Mall. Swez Brasserie an eatery next to the hotel lobby. There are parking spaces at the basement levels of the hotel.