YUMMY YUMMY PARKROYAL

WITH CHRISTMAS JUST ROUND THE CORNER, restaurants everywhere are gearing up to prepare everyone for D-Day: or rather X Day in this case. 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 but get this: most of it comes with FREE FLOW house wine, beer or soft drinks! AI YO! No consideration whatsoever for my poor liver .. and it's only the beginning of the season!! Of course, I can hear you say, some people should be MATURE and RESPONSIBLE for their OWN liver!

On Christmas Eve for example, the open-air Tamarind Brasserie Coffee House has a Buffet Dinner on offer for RM250++, and Tiffins, their fine-dining restaurant is offering a Set Dinner for RM308++ - there's turkey (surprise, surprise), beef or lamb, with some delicious-sounding sauces which have either been reduced or wined or something.

But on Christmas Day, there's a Buffet Lunch for RM68++ at the Tamarind Brasserie, and Carvery Buffet Dinner for RM138++, although on Boxing Day it's a Seafood Buffet.

If you're at a loose end of New Year's Eve, then there's another Buffet Dinner for RM300++ which will also include entertainment in the ballroom, or a romantic Set Dinner at Tiffins for RM408++. As though that's not enough to eat, on New Year's Day there are yet more buffets available. At the end of the festive season, your liver will be BEGGING you to stop or it will rebel! I know mine will be, for sure!!

Desserts, I'm sure, will include lots of festive mince pies - theirs is really quite delicious, fruity and rich and sweet ... goes beautifully with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or thick cream - christmas puddings and yule logs. Mmmm ...