Words: Aidil Harith, Dining Editor
The holiday magic returns to Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur as the hotel unveils its Season of Golden Tidings which is a month-long celebration filled with joy, warmth, and meaningful gatherings.
Throughout December, the Intercontinental transforms into a haven of festive elegance, where shimmering decorations, heartwarming moments, and exceptional culinary experiences bring the spirit of the season to life.
Pictures (Left to Right): The buffet table quickly became a bustling hub as guests queued for their favourites.
Serena Brasserie Price
Celebrate the season with an impressive spread of festive buffets at Serena Brasserie, where a variety of seasonal delights await. The Sparkling Season Dinner Buffet, available from 1–23 December 2025 and 26–30 December 2025, is priced at RM278 nett per adult and RM139 nett per child, and served from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Children aged five and below dine for free.
The Buffet
Pictures (Top (L-R) to Bottom (L-R): Fresh raw seafood bar and whole poached salmon. | Succulent prawns, plump oysters, and sweet clams|Impressive cheese selection featuring blue cheese, gouda, emmental & brie.
The buffet table offers a magnificent spread that begins with a fresh raw seafood bar, teeming with ocean delights. Diners can indulge in succulent prawns, plump oysters, and sweet clams, beautifully chilled and displayed on ice to preserve their natural freshness. There is also a whole poached salmon on display served with the head and tail intact. It had been cold-smoked then chilled for the perfect presentation. Cucumbers are arranged like fish scales across its body with noticeably garnish skewers of black and green olives suggesting high end catering.
Picture : Slices of Stollen bread and date financiers adorn the Christmas buffet table.
The appetizer corner presents a delightful mix of festive and artisanal bites. Slices of stollen bread and date financiers offer a charming nod to the season, while an impressive cheese selection featuring blue cheese, gouda, emmental, brie, and more which invites guests to savour classic European flavours. The stollen bread was unique as it represents the traditional German Christmas bread dense with nuts and dried fruits.
Pictures (1-4): The Slow-cooked Roasted Prime Rib Beef | Baked Salmon in sauteed spinach with Creamy Mustard Sauce. | Stir Fried Clams in Black Bean Sauce | Roasted Duck Galantine with Cherry Sauce.
From there, guests can explore the meat carving station, where the highlight is the signature Slow-Cooked Roasted Prime Rib of Beef is a clear favourite and a major hit among diners for its tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture and perfectly seasoned crust. It would be a sin if I were to miss this signature dish as the meat was typically well-marbled, allowing the natural fats to melt into the roast, creating a deep, beefy flavor that feels luxurious on the palate.
Complementing this crowd-pleaser are dishes such as Baked Salmon on sautéed spinach with creamy mustard sauce and Stir-Fried Clams in Black Bean Sauce, adding both richness and variety to the hot selection.
For duck lovers, there is also the Roasted Duck which had a polished, festive look, with the vibrant cherry sauce balancing the rustic elegance of the duck galantine.
Picture: The Slow cooked roasted prime rib is a major hit among the diners | A plate of that signature meat on my plate.
A major highlight of the buffet is the Pasta Live Station, where chefs prepare pasta à la minute. Diners may choose from potato gnocchi, prawn & crab ravioli, spaghetti, or rigatoni, paired with either Alfredo or Carbonara sauce for a warm, comforting dish tailored to individual taste.
Pictures from (L) to (R): The Pasta Section where the Chef would prepare pasta a la minute. My choice was the Potato Gnocchi.
I went for the potato gnocchi which flavor-wise, was mild and comforting, with a gentle potato sweetness that absorbs sauces beautifully. On its own, gnocchi tastes subtle and earthy but paired with the alfredo, it was rich, silky, and deeply satisfying. The waiting period for the chef to make this wonderful gnocchi was no more than 10 minutes.
Picture (Left to Right): Garlic naan and plain naan, paired with hearty Aloo Dal Curry, refreshing Cucumber Raita, and vibrant Mango Chutney.
For those craving Indian flavours, the spread includes garlic naan and plain naan, paired with hearty Aloo Dal Curry, refreshing Cucumber Raita, and vibrant Mango Chutney. The garlic naan was soft, pillowy, and had a chewy savory punch of roasted garlic. When dipped into the aloo dhal curry, it picks up the curry’s warm, earthy flavors. The aloo dhal curry itself is hearty and velvety, with the lentils cooked until soft and creamy.
Pictures (Left to Right): A Festive Carving table with Jumbo Chicken Sausage, Whole Lamb, Slipper Lobster Thermidor and Grilled Vegetables Skewers | A plate of Succulent Prawns and Chunks of Jumbo Chicken Sausage
Guests looking to embrace the full Christmas spirit will be delighted by the festive carving table, showcasing seasonal favourites such as Jumbo Chicken Sausage, Oven-Baked Whole Lamb, Slipper Lobster Thermidor, and colourful Grilled Vegetable Skewers. As a huge sausage fan, I went for the Jumbo Chicken Sausage and it delivered a juicy flavor. Each bite was plump and succulent with a tender snap to the casing. It was modestly seasoned which was perfect to allow the natural sweetness to come through. The sausage was savory without being too heavy, and the larger size gives it a meatier, more satisfying bite compared to regular sausages.
Pictures (Left to Right): The dessert table is adorned with an irresistable assortment of treats including Macadamia Maple tart, Cherry Trifle, Mont Blanc, Vanilla Mille-Feuille and many others.
To end on a sweet note, the dessert table is adorned with an irresistible assortment of treats, including Macadamia Maple Tart, Cherry Trifle, Mont Blanc, and Vanilla Mille-Feuille .
I went for the Cherry Trifle of which the first bite was memorable due to the the bright, juicy sweetness of the cherries. This fruitiness was beautifully balanced by the velvety smooth custard, which adds a rich, creamy depth. The Caramelised Pecan Cheesecake, on the other had a buttery sweetness due to the caramelized pecans. It had a toasty crunch with hints of brown sugar, caramel, and roasted nuttiness that complimented the cheesecake beautifully. Both desserts were simply a decadent finale to an already extraordinary feast.
Pictures (Left to Right: Serena Brasserie features a spacious, contemporary dining area with a warm and inviting ambiance..
The Seating Arrangements
Serena Brasserie features a spacious, contemporary dining area with a warm and inviting ambiance. The seating is a mix of plush upholstered chairs, modern armchairs, and sleek wooden seats, offering both comfort and style. Tables are arranged with ample spacing, giving diners a sense of privacy while still maintaining an open, social atmosphere. Soft, warm lighting and clean architectural lines contribute to a relaxed yet elegant setting, while subtle decorative elements on the walls and festive touches from the staff add to the overall charm. The layout allows for easy movement around the buffet stations, and the mix of families, couples, and groups creates a lively, welcoming environment perfect for an enjoyable dining experience.
Picture : Diners queuing at the entrance of Serena Brasserie to enjoy the season of Golden Tidings at the Intercontinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur