Albion @ Changkat

Pix by Raymond Ooi, The Star

I love being luggage. I'm usually the Thirsty Blogger's luggage but we swap places sometimes. Anyways, I was Abby's luggage this time as she needed to scout out restaurants serving Xmas dishes with a local twist. Only managed to follow her to one as the rest were too far away and I was just too stuffed by then.

Location : Changkat Bukit Bintang. Restaurant : Albion.

At a table outside

Inside deco

Albion  is a year-old restaurant that has recently snagged the title Best Independent Restaurant in the Time Out Food Awards 2010. It says that it's a British restaurant but the food ain't very British which is kinda good I guess. English food are meant for pubs with beer & all and this place doesn't have much choices in draft - only Carlsberg eww.. but they had an interesting cocktail on the menu.

Blasphemy or ingenuity?

The restaurant is serving a Christmas party menu throughout this month for groups of six and above. You can opt for a 4-course menu at RM98++ per person or a three-course at RM80++ per person. There are meat, fish & vegetarian options.

Place is run by James Grierson, an ex-musician from England and chef Colin Yap who takes care of the kitchen.

James (left) and Colin run the place

Gravadlax with Dill, Honey and Mustard Dressing

We sampled the apetizers first - Gravadlax with Dill, Honey and Mustard Dressing. The salmon was nicely cooked and wasn't too fishy coz I'm not one for raw food and if I could eat it, you can too. The other appetizer we tried is the Seared Scallops, Pumpkin Puree and Roasted Cauliflower. Not too bad la.. There are a few more appetizer options btw but our small lil tummies just couldn't take that many.

First of the mains - can't remember the name but it was tuna served with the most amazing cherry tomatoes ever! The skin broke and released a flood of liquid delight that was almost orgasmic. It was like biting into pure heaven. Vegetables were very fresh and done just right. Tuna was slightly dry though but still tasted ok.

Biting into heaven

Another main choice will be the turkey served with all the trimmings. What's Xmas without the turkey eh? It had roast potatoes, parsnips, brussels sprouts, carrots and pigs-in-blankets. Served with bread sauce and cranberry sauce. They managed to retain the moisture so turkey was good.

Roast turkey w all the trimmings

 There are 3 desserts to choose from and we sampled just 2, both of which was deliciously unique. The Xmas pudding was oh so moist and you could taste the rum. Chef said he soaked it since November.

Xmas pudding

This other dessert is a must try. It's some tradional Scotish dish that has been modernised to fusion. Damn I can't recall the name! Just ask for the Scotish thingy topped with raspberry puree I think. Sinfully delicious... melt-in-your-mouth delight.

Yuuuummmm.....

Address : 31, Jalan Berangan, Bukit Bintang (right next to Bakita)

For reservations, call 03-2141 9282. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.