Feast on Prosperity meals at Amari JB

It’s always a pleasure to be a guest at the Amari Johor Baru, especially when I have Area General Manager, Dean Rossilli, for company in the pre-Lunar New Year preview of the Prosperity Set Menus to usher in the coming Spring Festival.

Amari Prosperity Yee Sang with
a side of Norwegian Smoked Salmon [Left]

In the Amaya Food Gallery, a section is set up with Chinese banquet tables for our sit-down meal with the décor designed in Red colours to match the mood for this festive season.

In the Lunar New Year tradition, the meal kicks off with the appetizing Amari Prosperity Yee Sang or raw fish salad topped with Norwegian Smoked Salmon.

For a change, the raw fish is replaced by Smoked Salmon and I must say that it tastes rather agreeable.

The Chef’s Signature Hot & Cold Five Combination is a colourful and eye-catching platter of five items for the appetizer.

Area General Manager, Dean Rossilli [4th from Left] tossing
for greater prosperity with guests at the set menu preview

Individual portions of Steamed Siew Mai, Crispy Money Bags, Pickled Baby Squid and Young Papaya Salad with Prawn Mayo in the center, are all sitting in a sea of Blue.

With my appetite whet by these tasty morsels, I’m ready for the rich taste of the Four-Treasure Broth, a soup filled with crabmeat and chunks of prawns and shreds of scallops.

The chicken dish is a Double-boiled Whole Chicken in Lotus Leaf, a comfort food which is tender and tasty with the aroma of Chinese herbs.

Prawns are an auspicious food item for the Lunar New Year and the next dish of whole prawns – without shells – are wok-tossed King Prawns with Macadamia Nuts.

Appetizer of the Chef's Signature Hot & Cold
Five Combination - all sitting in a sea of Blue!

I like the taste of the contrasting textures of crunchy Macadamia Nuts against the firm flesh of the prawns.

The braised vegetable dish is made with auspicious ingredients like broccoli florets, whole Chinese mushrooms and topped with Baby Abalone.

A whole fish augurs well for the Lunar New Year and this serving comes in the form of Steamed Whole Seabass with Red Dates and Wolfberries.

The rice dish is a traditional Chinese recipe for Egg Fried Rice with bits of barbecued chicken, topped with Dried Scallop Crisps.

This set meal ends sweetly with a delicious warm dessert of Double-boiled Snow Pear with White Fungus and Dates.

Serving portions of the Four-Treasure Broth

Cluster Executive Chef Andy Oh with Chinese cuisine Chef Keh Zun and their culinary team, have created a range of traditional menus to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

From now to Feb 19, diners may pick from three menu choices for 10 persons dubbed The Great Prosperity with Wealth menu (7-course at RM988 nett), The Great Prosperity with Huge Wealth menu (9-course at RM1288 nett) and The Great Prosperity with Enormous Wealth menu (10-course at RM2388 nett).

Note: These set menus are NOT available from Feb 2 to 9.

The busy chefs will need three (3) days advance notice to prepare the dishes for the auspicious set menus. Set menu reservations with full payment before Jan 20 will enjoy a 20% Early Bird discount.

All the goodness in the Four-Treasure Broth

Meanwhile, diners who enjoy buffets may dine on the Chinese New Year Reunion Buffet Dinner from Feb 4 to 6 served at the Amaya Food Gallery from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

This spread features South East Asian favourites and popular International dishes.

To celebrate this festive season, there are Boston Lobsters prepared Cantonese style with tasty, rich and creamy flavours in the split lobsters filled with chunks of lobster and shrimps, fragrant with garlic butter and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.

In line with the season for auspicious dishes, the spread offers Prosperity Yee Sang salad, Steamed Fish Fillet in Superior Sauce, Braised Seafood Hotpot with Fatt Choy, Crispy Chicken Money Bag, Braised Chinese Cabbage with Dried Oysters, Lotus Leaf Rice with barbecued chicken as well as Cantonese Roast Duck and Roast Chicken.

Braised vegetable dish made with broccoli florets,
whole Chinese mushrooms and topped with Baby Abalone

Renowned for its Thai specialties by Thai Executive Sou Chef, Gina Kanokwan, and her culinary team, here’s where you can taste authentic Thai dishes.

The spread includes Thai Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic & Lime, Thai Beef Red Curry with Eggplant and Sweet Basil, Phad Thai, Thai-style Barbecued Squid, Thai Laksa and the all-time favourite, Tom Yum Goong.

Among the items to enjoy from the International section are Sashimi, a range of fresh salads, barbecued meats like lamb and beef steaks, chicken and cheese sausages, Seafood Lasagne, Seafood Paella and Seafood-on-Ice.

For a taste of local cuisine, there are favourites like Ayam Percik, Malay-style Oxtail Soup and skewers of freshly grilled Chicken and Beef Satay.

A taste of Boston Lobsters prepared Cantonese style

The desserts and drinks in the buffet spread include Sago Gula Melaka, Chinese New Year cookies, local kuih, pastries and fresh fruits, along with signature pulled-drinks like Teh Tarik and Coffee Tarik.

Rates are RM148 nett per person and 50% discount for children aged six to 12 and senior citizens aged 60 and above.

Enjoy an Early Bird deal of 20% discount with full payment before Jan 20.

On Feb 5 and 6, the Amaya Food Gallery will serve Chinese New Year High-Tea from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Rates are RM88 nett per person with 50% discount for children aged six to 12 and senior citizens aged 60 and above.

The Amaya Food Gallery is located on Level 6 of Amari Johor Baru, at No. 82-C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Baru.

For reservations, Tel: 607 – 266 8888 or email: amaya.johorbahru@amari.com. 

Visit website: www.amari.com for full details of menus and special promotions at the hotel and restaurant.