STROLLING around a hotel’s Christmas buffet can feel like stepping into Santa’s secret pantry.

Everywhere you look, there is something irresistible, and that is precisely what revellers can expect at Amari Spice Penang.

Chefs have crafted two holiday feasts so cheerful that even Father Christmas would approve.

It comes as no surprise that traditional roasted turkey is the highlight of both the Christmas Eve buffet dinner and Christmas Day buffet lunch at its Amaya Food Gallery.

Marinated in herbs and spices, it emerges golden and succulent. Once carved into generous slices, it can be paired with cranberry marmalade or creamy peppercorn sauce.

Buttered Brussels sprouts, poached beetroot and stuffed baked tomatoes add nostalgic charm.

Another signature offering is the Roasted Australian Pulled Lamb Rosti, slow-cooked until tender, folded into russet potato pancakes and finished with burnt garlic sauce.

Roasted Australian Pulled Lamb Rosti delivers a contrast of flavours and textures with every bite.

Each bite delivers a delightful contrast of textures – savoury lamb against lightly crunchy potato base, with a herby pungency to finish.

Equally enticing are the Salmon Coulibiac, a pastry-encased festive favourite served with creamy tomato basil sauce, and Salamander-Baked Cheese Oysters that ooze richness.

Follow your nose to one outdoor action stall and you will find Barbecued Hickory Beef Ribs sizzling over hot coals, accompanied by baked jacket potatoes and grain mustard.

Among the hot dishes are Beef Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Ballotine with Mornay Sauce, Lemon Thyme Tiger Prawn Fricassee, Nile Perch Fillet Rolls with Creamy Crustacean Sauce,

Honey Pumpkin Vichy, and Baked Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Cannelloni.

Hotel marketing and communications director Janet Lam said the chefs drew on time-honoured dishes with modern twists to capture the essence of the season.

“Our Christmas spreads are all about bringing family, friends and loved ones together over heart-warming flavours,” she shared.

This is reflected in the bountiful seafood on ice, which includes crabs, prawns, yabbies, mussels and scallops, as well as salmon, tuna and octopus sashimi.

The pastry-encased Salmon Coulibiac is another festive delicacy.

The chilled antipasti, salads, cold cuts and cheese board offer more delights.

A sight to behold is the steamed seafood station brimming with golden pomfret, tiger prawns, mud crabs and assorted shellfish, served with a variety of sauces and dips.

Adding a local touch are dishes such as Amari Mee Udang Harimau and Char Kuey Teow, each made to order.

Turkish Chicken Shawarma adds an international flavour.

Dessert is where the Christmas magic truly sparkles.

Pastry chef Amirul Yakub Zainul Abidin had built a replica of the Penang Bridge to frame the festive sweets.

Whimsical creations include Christmas Chocolate Log Cake, Pavlova, Strawberry Charlotte, Pistachio Profiteroles, Red Velvet Cake, Eclairs, Pandan Gula Melaka Cake, Pear Crumble, Apple Cinnamon Strudel and Panettone, alongside cookies, biscuits, candies and ice cream.

Be sure to try Amirul’s special tiramisu, available in four luscious flavours – classic, pistachio, strawberry and banana biscoff. You are bound to go back for seconds.

After all, ’tis the season when calories are optional and cheer is mandatory!

The Christmas Eve buffet dinner will be served from 6.30pm onwards on Dec 24, priced at RM248nett for adults, RM168nett for seniors (aged 60 and above) and RM128nett for children (aged six to 12).

An early bird deal at RM198nett for adults is available with full payment by Dec 15.

The Christmas Day buffet lunch at noon on Dec 25 is

priced at RM188nett for adults, RM138nett for seniors and RM98nett for children.

The hotel will also serve a New Year’s Eve buffet dinner on Dec 31 and a New Year’s Day buffet lunch on Jan 1 featuring more international spreads at similar pricing and timing.

The New Year’s Eve celebration includes a performance by stand-up comedian Andrew Netto and a countdown to a dazzling fireworks display atmidnight.

For reservations, visit www.amari.com/penang/festive

AMAYA FOOD GALLERY, Level 4, Amari Spice Penang, No. 2 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas, Penang. (Tel: 04-683 1188) Business hours: 6am to 10.30pm.

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.