This article is part of my Chinese New Year 2019 compilation.
Special thanks to The Wembley for extending this food review invitation.
The Wembley is a 4-star hotel at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine). It is the sister property of Cititel Penang. This evening, The Wembley is introducing its upcoming Chinese New Year buffet menu. The preview event is held at Wembley Cafe, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant on Level 2.
Today’s meal begins with a jolly tossing of Salmon Yee Sang. Yee sang (鱼生) comprises of a colorful assortment of ingredients, each of which has symbolism pertaining to its name. For instance, salmon is used because the Chinese word for “fish” (鱼) is a homonym for “abundance” (余).
Braised Mock Shark’s Fin With Crab Meat has a similar consistency as actual shark fin soup. Fortunately, no actual shark fins are used. Indeed, the soup’s rich flavor comes from the broth itself. Should you prefer something creamy, go for Roasted Pumpkin Soup Scent Of Ginger. Bread rolls are provided.
Baked Fish With Chili Mayonnaise is well received this evening. Sweet-tangy sauce makes the salmon fillet quite succulent. The fish is also garnished with assorted vegetables like zucchini, capsicum and onions.
As for seafood on ice, the marine delicacies are snow crabs, slipper lobsters, crayfish, prawns, oysters, scallops and bay mussels. Lemon slices, Tabasco sauce and other dipping sauces are provided.
Diners who refer hot seafood dishes can start with the Chili Mussels. The bay mussels are pan-fried with garlic and chili peppers. They also go well with crusty bread.
I am quite impressed with Crispy Fried Prawns With Spices. Thanks to intense heat from the wok, fiery aroma is imbued into the shrimps. Other notable seafood dishes are Grilled Fish With Red Pepper Dill Sauce and Steamed Half Shell Scallops With Pickled Lettuce.
Moving on to poultry, Crispy Fried Marinated Chicken is popular among children. The chicken strips are coated in batter and deep-fried to golden crispiness. The dipping sauce is Chinese brown sauce. Its intense tanginess is satisfying indeed.
Chili Spiced Lamb Shanks are delightfully tender. Thanks to clever use of spices, the strong smell of lamb is absent. The dish is garnished with Roma tomatoes and microgreens.
Another crowd favorite is Braised Assorted Seafood & Mushrooms. Dried oysters provide most of the dish’s flavor. As a mushroom lover, I am pleased to see a combination of mushrooms: oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms and button mushrooms.
Spanish Lasagna is a creamy mixture of mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. The top crust is essentially melted cheese. If creamy food is your cup of tea, help yourself to Carbonara With Smoked Duck too!
The Japanese section presents several nigiri- and maki-type sushi (寿司). As for sashimi (刺身), there are salmon, tuna and octopus. Condiments like wasabi (山葵) and soy sauce (醬油) are provided.
Moving on to desserts, there is a wide variety Western pastries such as mousse cakes, cream cakes, fruit jellies, tartlets, macarons and pralines. Most of these confections are decorated in Chinese New Year colors. In addition, do not pass up the opportunity to savor crème brûlée at the à la minute counter!
If you are fond of Nyonya kuih, you will be pleased to sink your teeth in layer cake (九层糕), tapioca cake (木薯糕), kuih talam (达兰糕) and pulut tai tai (咖椰蝶豆花糯米糕). Furthermore, check out the Chinese New Year cookies in airtight jars.
The Wembley’s Chinese New Year buffet menu is available for lunch and dinner from 28 January 2019 to 10 February 2019, except on Chinese New Year’s Eve (4 February 2019) when only the Reunion Buffet Dinner is served. Early booking is highly recommended as available dates are snapped up quickly.
Name: Wembley Cafe
Address: 183, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-259-8123
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.stgileshotels.com/hotels/malaysia/penang/stgiles-wembley/wembley-cafe
Coordinates: 5.41311 N, 100.32989 E
Directions: The Wembley is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), just opposite of Hotel Jen and 1st Avenue Mall. Wembley Cafe is located at Level 2 of the hotel. There is a multilevel parking garage at the hotel. Patrons to Wembley Cafe can get their parking tickets validated for a flat rate of RM6.00 per entry.
