Over the past year (or two), the comfort of home and human connections has shaped all of our lives in small but significant ways. With the restrictions on movement, we’ve also found creative ways to “travel”—through experiences, as well as staycations where we rediscover ourselves and what our city has to offer. Mindful of social distancing, we’ve become attuned to smaller and more intimate gatherings.
For BURO Malaysia’s sixth birthday, we embraced these “new” norms by welcoming five guests—Maggy Wang, Nana Law, Vanessa Tevi Kumares, Anjoe Koh, Cherrie Liong—and their plus-ones to a relaxing ‘24-hour Stopover’ Staycation with BURO at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur and The Starhill KL. (We’re looking forward to meeting up and hanging out with more Friends of BURO soon!)
Day One
Checking in
After our guests cleared all the SOPs, including negative Covid-19 test results, it was time to head up and enjoy the quiet luxury of JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur’s rooms. A few surprises awaited them there, including champagnes from Moët & Chandon, and Dyson’s Supersonic hairdryer and Corrale straightener. We left small gifts for our guests too that we hoped would make their stay all the more enjoyable.
The New Yorker Afternoon Tea — Festive Edition
Delicious food is no doubt one of the highlights of any staycation. And what better way to take a break from reality than to have time for tea? Following a warm welcome from our Editor, Rachel Au, our guests sat back and caught up in a cosy corner of The Alchemy, at The Starhill Dining. Conversations flowed in between bites of the sweet and savoury treats that make up The New Yorker Afternoon Tea — Festive Edition. These delectable morsels were distinctively seasonal to ring in the holiday spirit.
Dinner with Moët & Chandon
Following a break after tea to unwind and freshen up, our guests were dressed to the nines for dinner at The Starhill Dining’s iconic Shook! Here, a festive celebration of tantalising flavours from around the world awaited, paired exquisitely with Moët & Chandon’s champagnes that sparkled with bright fruitiness and elegance.
The night began with an amuse bouche of delicate sushi rolls; paired with the Moët Impérial. An appetiser of crispy blue cheese fritters was next, made all the more delicious with red onion marmalade, caramelised walnut, pear salad and pomegranate molasse. Truly a match made in gastronomic heaven with the Moët Impérial Grand Vintage 2012. The heirloom cherry tomato gazpacho was another favourite of the evening as the mulled wine jelly, cinnamon croutons and torched clementine both cleansed and whetted our palates.
With a choice of festive turkey or blackened loin of beef, the main course was eagerly anticipated. Both selections arrived at the table juicy, tender and bursting with flavours enhanced by the pairing of Moët & Chandon’s Rosé Impérial. The slow-roast turkey breast came accompanied with turkey and cranberry sausage rolls, brussel sprouts choucruote, and cranberry relish. Not to be outdone, the blackened loin of beef was plated with caramelised root vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, fluffy roast potatoes, and brussel sprout au gratin. Needless to say, both dishes won rave reviews.
No meal would be truly complete without dessert—and so we eagerly said yes to the noel baked apple. A great decision as it was scrumptious consisting of sweet mincemeat, spiced maple, and brandy saffron anglaise. After a sparkling evening of good food and drinks, among amazing company, a restful night’s sleep awaited in the plush and super-comfortable beds of the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur’s hotel rooms.
Day Two
Breakfast and pool time
What a joy to rise and shine to another wonderful day! It was a leisurely morning, with the warm contentment of breakfast at Shook! and the option to take a dip in the hotel’s pool with views of KL’s landmarks (definitely one for the ‘gram!).
Lunch
The very best staycations are those where you do nothing but eat, drink, relax and do what sparks joy. With this in mind, we couldn’t wait to fill our tummies with the refined comfort food that Luk Yu Tea House, at The Starhill Dining, is well-known for.
We reckon it’s one of the very best places in the country for Hong Kong dim sum and it’s halal too. The yum cha staples, Cantonese dishes brimming with wok hei, and homey Chiu Chow cooking techniques reminded us of the wholesomeness that is soul food. You must try the egg tart too: it comes highly recommended by us and our guests.
Fun fact: Luk Yu Tea House draws its inspiration from the Tang Dynasty poet Lu Yu, who wrote on the history and culture of Chinese tea. In homage to this respected Chinese tea master, it serves a selection of fine teas from Taiwan and China that enhance the food—and the connections that are forged or strengthened—in this welcoming dining spot.
Boutique Tours at The Starhill KL
If dining is the spice of life, then shopping at some of KL’s finest boutiques surely ranks high too on this list of pleasures. The newly renovated and rejuvenated The Starhill KL is a destination familiar to Malaysian residents who value the best in life. On a guided tour of Balmain, Paul & Shark, Bedat & Co, and Tom Ford, our guests discovered more about these brands that recently opened at The Starhill KL, as well as the latest collections available in the country.
With that, it was time to say goodbye and wrap up the ‘24-hour Stopover’ Staycation with BURO. Connections were made and renewed, alongside fond memories of time well-spent.
Thank you to every one of you reading this, for being with us throughout the year as #BUROTurnsSix. In the meantime, Go Around the World with BURO and take part in our giveaway.
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