Christmas came early with One World Hotel’s sprawling buffet, here’s our review

We’re no strangers to One World Hotel’s Cinnamon Coffee House. The last time we visited was in March for their Ramadhan spread, shortly after the soft launch of their newly renovated space.

Recently, we went back for a preview of their Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner. 

Located on the Concourse Level of One World Hotel in PJ, the restaurant was modern and the ambience warm. A large buffet spread awaited along its long straight corridor. 

Much of it was “hidden” in alcoves behind the main alleyway, so before you stack your plates full with the main area’s offerings, be sure to explore the whole area. 

Each food station and live interactive kitchen offered an array of cuisine, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Japanese. 

But as it was a Christmas-themed buffet, we were excited to dig into their Christmas specials. 

An ice sculpture marked the spot for briny fresh seafood-on-ice. This included delicacies like freshly shucked oysters, Atlantic jackknife clams, snow crabs, slipper lobsters, and the usual clams and mussels.

Most of the seafood here was a bit too salty for our tastes, but the freshness was undoubtable. 

For soups, the buffet offered a pumpkin soup and an oxtail soup, giving a mild, creamy option as well as a rich, brothy option. Going for the pumpkin soup, it certainly whetted our appetites with its warm and comforting flavours. 

One of our favourites from the evening was all the meats from the grill station. From Wagyu beef striploin steak and sliced lamb shoulder to Cajun chicken breast, this was a meat-lover’s dream. The lamb was juicy and tender, while the wagyu beef was firm and had a subtle nutty flavour.

The condiments area should not be missed out, especially the garlic butter. Other sauces included red peppercorn gravy, rosemary au jus, and chimichurri sauce. 

Tucked away in one of those aforementioned alcoves were more succulent roasts such as Australian striploin, beef wellington, baby lamb, spatchcock chicken, as well as a salmon option for those who can’t get enough of the seafood. 

The beef wellington was wrapped in layers of pâté, though we did wish it was slightly thicker, the flavourful duxelles and tender beef made up for it. On the other hand, the baby lamb and spatchcock chicken were juicy and paired well with rosemary sauce, cranberry sauce, and mint sauce.

Each of the sauces brought out the flavours of the roasts so it’s up to personal preference. But we personally found that a mix of all three made for a good combination.

The Christmas specials spread was also complemented by baked goods like yorkshire pudding, baked baby herb potatoes, and baked cottage beef pie.

Chefs were stationed in the area to offer a-la minute pasta too, so you could enjoy a hot and fresh batch of pasta at any time. 

Other meat dishes included a seared beef medallion, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and baked seabass fish. 

The fish was packed with flavours, what with the garlic spinach creme, mushroom ragout, and salsa bringing out a vibrant, Mediterranean touch. The fish itself was a bit tough and felt slightly overcooked, but the sauce more than made up for it. 

The lamb was tender and flavourful, completed by the peach puree, braised shallots, and a vintage rosemary sauce for that perfectly festive touch. It was dressed up with some peas, carrots, and potatoes to make it a more wholesome dish.

A veggie option here was the buttered glazed brussels sprouts, baby carrot, and roasted pumpkin. This was delightful, with a bite to the brussel sprouts mellowed by a soft, steamed carrot and pumpkin. 
Continuing the vegetable train was the classic roasted potatoes that could do no wrong, and some caramelised onions and green beans, offering a simple yet hearty note to our meal.

One World is never one to skimp out on variety, which we all know is the spice of life, so classic buffet options are available, including local items such as satay and chicken rice as well as Japanese dishes like sashimi, sushi, and teppanyaki. 

An unexpected favourite of ours was the Malaysian dish of baked roasted chicken with percik sauce. With the most tender flesh and a satisfying kick to it, this chicken made for a uniquely festive dish. 

Those who enjoy Asian cuisine will also be delighted to know there’s a yummy ginger garlic mussel with Thai green curry. It might seem like an unusual pairing but the Thai green curry actually brings out the freshness of the mussels. 

No Christmas buffet is complete without a spread of delicious desserts, and One World definitely got the memo. 

Some of the highlighted desserts were the Christmas Yule log, fruit cake, Christmas pudding, and traditional Christmas Stollen bread. Their Christmas Goodies Counter also included an array of quintessential sweet treats, all decked up with Christmas themes and motifs. 

The berries panna cotta featured detailed mistletoe leaves, there were lovely little present-shaped moelleux cakes, Christmas tree-shaped tarts, mont blanc petit gateaux, Ispahan mousse, and lots of other assorted pastries.  

One particularly adorable (and delicious) treat was the two-tiered cream puffs, designed in the shape of a brown bear. 

And if you want something more classic, their ice cream options will satisfy. There were dip chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffle ice cream, and various flavoured scoops like sea salt, blueberry, and green tea.

From now until December 15, 2023, One World Hotel is offering an early bird special with the following prices: 

Those looking to enjoy a hearty meal filled with offerings with different cuisines won’t go wrong with One World Hotel. From festive dishes to local options, there’s something for everyone to ensure all is in good spirits to celebrate the season. 

Cinnamon Coffee House @ One World Hotel

Address: One World Hotel, City Centre, First Avenue, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Contact: +603 7681 1157 or WhatsApp at https://wa.me/60162109521

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.oneworldhotel.com.my/