We could all use a little help sometimes, especially as the year ends, and work and social commitments seem to double at equal rates. Fortunately there are a bunch of services in Kuala Lumpur designed to take the workload off you and make the festive season an enjoyable, rather than a labourious, affair. Here we’ve collected some of our favourite teams to assist.
FOOD FOR GATHERINGS
Why shop, cook and clean yourself when chefs at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur with make a roast with all the trimmings for you? They have a bunch of Christmas desserts, cakes and cookies too that make delicious endings to a meal, or sweet gifts for friends. Check out their service here.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional turkey, Table and Apron have come up with three delicious roasts – porchetta, chicken and lamb. Not only are their roasts delicious, but so too are their wonderful sides. For a look at some of our favourites click here.
Housing a high quality range of European goodies, this deli delivers cold cuts, cheeses, pastas, sauces and even wine to your doorstep. All of those festive platters are taken care of with a single phone call, or visit to their website.
After using this service for the first time, I swore I’d never bake again. This online cakery has both ready-to-go treats and custom made designer offerings easily ordered through their website and delivered to your home, at very reasonable prices. Check out some of their goodies here.
Cute Christmas themed cupcakes and other treats can be picked up from Huckleberry Food and Fare.
DRINKS FOR FESTIVE GATHERINGS
A little lubrication usually adds merriment to any event, and Wine Talk is yet another service happy to send their goods directly to your door. Wines and craft beers are hand picked by their in-house sommelier to suit your individual preferences of colour, grape and region. We recently tried some new additions from France and a bottle of bubbly that all made it to our request lists for Santa. There’s a very cool subscription service too.
Preferring to end the year on a healthy note, or perhaps counterbalance some of those celebratory drinks, aLIVE d-tox Water makes refreshing beverages of fruit infused in lemon water, yoghurt, tea and honey – flawless sustenance to bring in the New Year on a healthier note.
GIFTS AND DECORATIONS
Ning, founder and head chocolatier of Chocolate Concierge, is the only man in Malaysia that we trust to deliver handmade original chocolate creations in beautiful packaging – marvellous gifts for friends, family, colleagues, or even yourself.
I have to admit that I have a soft spot for flowers. There’s nothing like a fresh bunch to add joy to a table or room. A gift to friends, family or colleagues (or myself) is made especially convenient with FlowerChimp’s easy to use website, same day dispatch if ordered before 12 noon, and free delivery within Malaysia.
Again, equally as enticing for yourself or as a gift, Energy Spa and Wellness has a number of excellent spa packages to leave you looking great and full of energy for the festive season. Find our favourite package and very good deal here.
GO OUT
The best value festive menu we’ve found this season is at Em by Tedboy. At the tiny price of RM60 for a four-course meal, we challenge you to find a better quality meal for this price anywhere in the city.
While Em wins the value for money menu, Skillet@163 leads the city in providing the most creative and beautifully presented line-up. And, with a head chef with an extraordinary resume of chocolate making, the seasonal Texture of Chocolate is a don’t-miss!
For a menu with a Spanish twist and affordable prices, La Bodega’s offerings are hard to beat. A range of new tapas is ideal for sharing, and some especially themed Spanish festive coffees are delicious endings to a meal. Check out the deliciousness here.
One of Kuala Lumpur’s (and the world’s) most notable restaurants, Nobu Kuala Lumpur, has composed an exclusive omakase menu aimed at setting hearts and taste buds aflutter. With incredible views of the city centre, superb service and a menu hand-crafted by the culinary giant himself, a meal at Nobu is guaranteed to be a memorable occasion.
St. Regis Festive Afternoon Tea
A lighter, sweeter affair is found at The St. Regis with an especially crafted festive afternoon tea. The chocolate shots (cookies shaped as petite edible glasses containing hot chocolate) and your very own chocolate fountain complete a sweet tooth’s dream.
A New York themed year-end is found at The Westin Kuala Lumpur with famous districts from The Big Apple mimicked in their festive theme. Perhaps one of the most unique gifts we’ve come across this season can be picked up here too – adult colouring pages by artist Johanna Basford.
And, to truly see the year off on a ‘high’ note, some of the most spectacular views in Kuala Lumpur are provided on the rooftop of Trillion Kuala Lumpur at Roofino Skydining and Bar. What’s more? The Yum List readers receive 10% off festive menus with mention of YUMLIST10 when making a reservation – now that’s a jolly good way to conclude 2016.
