Buttery Pandoro Bread Pudding.
PANDORO, which means golden bread, is a somewhat sweet and toothsome Italian bread from Verona.
Recognisable from its eight-point star shape, the pandoro just like its Milanese rival panettone are popular desserts for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Italy.
While the light, fluffy panettone is studded with nuts and dried fruits, the buttery and pillowy pandoro is even-coloured and a little more dense.
Unlike the pandoro, the dome-shaped panettone has impressed gourmands in Malaysia for some years now.
At this time of the year, it can be found in supermarkets and some bakeries.
Decadent Chocolate Brioche French Toast.
For curious taste buds looking for something festive and new, the pandoro is a delectable find at Huckleberry Damansara Heights and Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC), both in Kuala Lumpur.
Served as a dessert on its penguin-themed festive menu, the buttery Pandoro Bread Pudding (RM24) sits in an orange and vanilla custard sauce dotted with mixed dried fruits, crystallised ginger and hints of Christmas spices.
For an even richer experience, ask for a scoop of Madagascar Vanilla (RM6) and just drift away with each spoonful of this simply satisfying dessert.
The warm and enjoyable Chocolate Brioche French Toast (RM24) soaked with creamy custard and drizzled with chocolate sauce, with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkling of chocolate crumble accompanied with more chocolate sauce on the side, will definitely tickle Willy Wonka’s fancy.
Another Italian dessert is the classic tiramisu (RM19) with layers of delicate sponge cake soaked in espresso, rich mascarpone cream and a generous dusting of cocoa powder.
That’s just the dessert creations on Huckleberry’s Christmas menu.
Available until 3pm are savoury dishes such as Cranberry Chicken Ciabatta Toastie (RM26), Truffle Smash Burger (RM40) and Creamy Tomato Pasta with Burrata (RM46).
Decadent Chocolate Brioche French Toast.
The ciabatta toastie − layered with tender chicken breast, chestnut stuffing, cheddar, pickled cucumber and fresh thyme − has a pretty purplish tinge thanks to the inclusion of sweet potato aioli.
The burger with its combination of smoked, maple-glazed shiitake mushrooms, mild cheddar, roasted cherry tomatoes, Romaine lettuce and truffle aioli and juicy smashed beef, scores big flavour-wise.
While I am not particularly fond of burgers, this has made it into my list of exceptions to the general rule.
The addition of creamy tomato pasta to the menu caters to vegetarians.
It has lots of fresh cherry tomatoes, shallots and garlic, and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.
The jewel in this hearty dish is the enticing imported creamy burrata.
Another interesting, not to mention creative, feature on the Christmas menu is the Gingerbread Latte (RM13.90 hot, RM14.90 iced) – a beverage that stops you in your tracks.
The first thing to catch my eye is the tiny gingerbread man sitting with his hands outstretched in frothy whipped cream.
He sinks the longer you take to drink up your coffee!
While the gingerbread man is adorable, the latte with its deep layers of steamed milk, espresso and homemade gingerbread syrup is just the perfect finish to your meal.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate (RM19 hot, RM21 iced), Iced Peppermint Mocha (RM18.90) and Classic Eggnog (RM15 without alcohol, RM26 spiked with bourbon) are other festive drinks available on the menu.
The restaurant also has Christmas cakes and biscuits to deck your table with.
There is also a takeaway menu with Roast Turkey with Sage and Thyme, Beef Wellington, Roast Leg of Lamb and Baked Truffle Mac and Cheese for those wanting to take a break from the kitchen this merry season.
For orders, WhatsApp 011-3603 4011 (Damansara Heights), 012-320 0250 (BSC), 012-576 7335 (Pavilion Bukit Jalil) and 012-372 7335 (Intermark Mall).
Huckleberry Damansara Heights has also set up a fun experience for children to meet Santa Claus at Santa’s Grotto.
Complimentary biscuits will be handed out from today until Dec 24, from 10am to 4pm.HUCKLEBERRY Damansara Heights, No.2G&4G, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, KL. (Tel: 011-3603 4011). Business hours: 7.30am to 10.30pm (Mondays to Sundays).
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
