BUKA PUASA AT THE WESTIN BAZAAR IN KUALA LUMPUR

Local favourites at bazaar Ramadan will rule the roost at The Living Room, The Westin Kuala Lumpur come fasting month this year, accompanied by some international offerings in the line-up.

Conceived with diners’ well-being in mind, Chief Executive Chef Halim Chek Lah and the Westin team have gone to town, cooking up a lavish buffet for the recent media preview.

Pushing the boat out literally, the salad and appetisers range from Kerabu Mangga Perut Lembu and Kerabu Smoked Salmon Buah Delima to glistening slices of Sashimi and DIY Caesar Salad.

Meat lovers will be in for a protein feast as tempting choices such as Kambing Golek Berempah Kuzi, Beef Shin Rendang, Daging Salai, Ikan Kembung & Cencaru Bakar, Satay and Murtabak Ayam beckon invitingly.

 

Typical Malaysian favourites: Chicken Rice, Chilli Crabs, Fried Salted Egg Buns, Nangka Masak Lemak, Biryani Chicken Rice, and Assorted Indian Curries form part and parcel of the attractions.

 

Those hankering for Hari Raya fare like Rendang, Ketupat, Lemang and Serunding will be overjoyed to find them at the buffet too. Dodol and nostalgic kiddies’ snack items are laid out over at the Go Local corner.

 

Remember to leave ample tummy space for the extensive dessert parade. Whether your penchant is for Malay Kuih, Tapai Ubi and Cendol Jelly or Crepe with Gula Melaka Ice Cream, Assorted Petit Gateaux or Chocolate Bread Pudding, rest assured the chefs have got you covered.

Early Bird Promotion! The Westin Bazaar is available at RM128 nett per adult for bookings made between now and 5 April 2022.

From 6 – 30 April, the normal price of The Westin Bazaar buffet will be RM188 per adult and RM94 per child (7 – 12 years old). Selected bank cardholders will enjoy a 20% discount off the normal price for the said promotion.

Reservations are highly recommended. Call Westin Dining, tel: 03-2773 8495, WhatsApp +6012 305 1715 or email: westindining@westin.com or visit: www.thewestinkualalumpur.com

AROUND MALAYSIA IN 80 DISHES AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON PUTRAJAYA LAKESIDE

Eighty mouth-watering dishes representing the best of our nation's 13 states beckons for buka puasa at Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside this year.

Drawing inspiration from the nationwide Jelajah Selera Bersama Hilton campaign, Executive Chef Mohd Faizal Abd Ghani and his team are highlighting a culinary voyage around Malaysia.

Muslim guests can break their day-long fast with a variety of dates and cold drinks before sampling assorted local salads such as Urap Pengaga Udang Batu Jemala (Pegaga Leaves Tossed with Prawns and Spicy Grated Coconut) and Kerabu Paku (Spicy Fern Shoots Salad) among others.

Then whet the appetite with Assorted Spiced Seafood: Sambal Gesek Prawns, Tom Yum Mussels, Sambal Hijau Bamboo Clams, Nyonya Asam Sauce Scallops and Sambal Merah Manila Clams. These options are a tantalising departure from the usual poached version served elsewhere. Balance it with some Ulam-ulaman, fresh raw local herbs with condiments.

 

The eye-catching centrepiece of Kambing Panggang Berempah Sanggai  (Marinated Roast Lamb with Roasted Spice Rub) accompanied by Nasi Briyani Saudagar Arab (Spiced Biryani Rice) taste as good as they look.

Enhance the rice with some delicious Gulai Daging Rusa Kapar (Kapar Venison Curry) and Salmon Fish Head Curry. Biryani Rice with Quail Egg in Bamboo offers an interesting variation with the aromatic rice studded with sultanas and cashews, wrapped in turmeric leaf cooked in bamboo containers.

From the East Coast, Chef Faizal proffers distinctive dishes such as Ketupat Sotong Ganu (Stuffed Squid and Minced Seafood Served with Coconut Gravy) and Satar (Grilled Parcels of Spiced Fish Paste in Banana Leaves).

Traditional Hari Raya delights: Lemang, Ketupat Palas and Serunding are also available, evoking a sense of festive spirit into the dinner. Street food-style specialities such as Ikan Bakar (grilled fish), Otak Otak (grilled parcels of fish paste wrapped in coconut leaves), Satay and fritters add to the expansive culinary line-up.

Sweet endings are equally varied, ranging from fresh fruits and local kuih to mini glasses of puddings and creamy dessert broth such as Pengat Pisang.

The ‘Around The World in 80 Dishes’ themed-buffet dinner (6:30pm to 10:30pm) begins from 3 April to 3 May is priced at RM178 nett per adult and RM89 nett per child (aged 6 – 12).

For reservations at DOUBLETREE BY HILTON PUTRAJAYA LAKESIDE, call tel: 03 8890 0000, email: KULPR_FB@hilton.com or visit: www.EatDrinkHilton.com

NEW MENU FEEDS ALL AT HOTEL MAYA KUALA LUMPUR

One menu integrating signature specialities from Still Waters (Japanese and Cantonese), Maya Brasserie (all-day dining) and Ramah Tamah (deli) makes it debut at Hotel Maya KL, to provide a seamless dining experience in the new normal.

 

Sharmini Morganasundram, General Manager of Hotel Maya KL said “a lot of thought has been put into this initiative, to ensure diners can enjoy their preferred cuisine at affordable prices whilst maintaining safe social distancing guidelines.”

 

The expansive selection lists Malaysian favourites, Western choices, Japanese and Chinese specialities, and even healthy vegan fare. 

 

 

Deftly prepared appetisers such as Wok-Fried Shelled Tiger Prawns with Butter, Golden Oats, Curry Leaves and Bird’s Eye Chillies (RM23), and Butter Squid with Salted Egg Yolk (RM28) hit the right note thanks to the delicacies’ airy-light batter and on-point crispiness.

We highly recommend the show-stealing Set Nasi Kerabu (RM18) – blue-tinged rice with butterfly pea flower jus accompanied by delectable fried marinated fried chicken, fish crackers, salted egg, grated coconut fish flakes and shredded raw vegetables. A marvellous ensemble of vividly robust accents and varied textural interests that will induce you to make short work of everything.

For a perennial dish that conjures up the feeling of festive revelry, nothing beats the stellar Set Nasi Tomato, Ayam Masak Merah, Jelatah, Sambal Belacan & Papadom (RM18). Again, the culinary team here pulls off the tomato rice with aplomb: the zesty-tomatoey chicken in chilli is sublime especially when augmented by the tart pickled vegetables, zingy shrimp paste sambal and crunchy papadom.

More sedate, non-spicy fare like Olive Vegetable Fried Rice with Shrimps, Fish and Golden Crispy Garlic (RM18) should go down well if you’re not partial to spices and chillies.

Tastes of the Orient take centrestage in three set menus: Ixora (RM60 nett for 2 persons), Hibiscus (RM80 nett for 2 persons) and Rafflesia (RM100 nett for 2 persons). Crowd-pleasing curtain-raisers such as Japanese Gyoza with Shrimp & Chicken and Unagi Tempura with Tobiko pave the way for heartwarming broths — my personal pick is the tantalising Braised Hot & Sour Szechuan Soup with Crabmeat, Fish Lip, Shrimps, Black Fungus, Mushroom, Szechuan Vegetable and Beancurd.

Creamy Chicken with Curry Leaves and Housemade Spicy Dried Shrimp Sauce, Deep-fried Spicy Seabass Fillet with Housemade Plum Sauce and Shredded Young Mango, and Stir-fried Sweet Beans with Celery, Carrot, Black Fungus, Lotus Root, Ginkgo Nuts and Crispy Almond Flakes are among some of the main dishes featured in the set menus. They pass muster with white or brown rice serving as the foil to partake them with.

 

Dessert to choose from range between Chilled Sea Coconut with Longan and Lemon Syrup and Double Boiled Dried Pear with Chrysanthemum, Sea Bird’s Nest, White Fungus and Dried Longan.

 

Dine-in at Hotel Maya KL on weekdays (except public holidays) from 11am to 8pm (last order 7pm). You can also bring Maya Meals Home via self pick-up or delivery: hotelmayakl.beepit.com daily from 11am to 8pm. Free delivery for minimum spend of RM60 within 5km from the hotel and RM80 within 10km radius.

For more information, contact Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur F&B Hotline: 012-282 8187. Hotel Maya KL is located at 138 Jalan Ampang, KL.