By Helen Ong

WITH CHRISTMAS JUST ROUND THE CORNER, restaurants and hotels all over Penang are gearing up to prepare everyone for D-Day: or rather X(mas) Day in this case. Here in the humid tropics, it’s the one time of year you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove: the only reason for a red face is the sherry or champagne that you’ve been imbibing whilst everyone is opening their presents! And especially not with so many places offering great Christmas and New Year repasts. One is an old favourite: the Parkroyal Penang, where they are going to show everyone how it's done.

They've got a host of set meals and buffets to keep everyone in the family happy, and many include free-flow house wine, beer or soft drinks, starting with Christmas Eve at the open-air Tamarind Brasserie Coffee House which is offering a Buffet Dinner for RM250++. If you prefer somewhere a bit more sedate, then there’s a Set Dinner at RM308++ at Tiffins, their award-winning fine-dining restaurant with some Oven Braised Lamb Shank served with red wine reduction or Porcini Crusted Beef Tenderloin.

When you’ve had your fill, count down in style and party away in the Andaman Grand Ballroom, where music by the “Wildcat Dancers”, Disc Jockey and Music Machine will keep you on your feet from 9.30pm to 1am.

On Christmas Day, get into the mood with their Buffet Lunch for RM68++ at the Tamarind Brasserie, and Carvery Buffet Dinner for RM138++, although on Boxing Day it's a Seafood Buffet.

Desserts will include lots of festive goodies: must-have gooey Christmas Pudding with lashings of crème anglaise, Yule logs and of course mince pies - theirs is really quite delicious, fruity and rich and sweet ... goes beautifully with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or thick cream. Mmmm ...