ROASTED MAY SIZZLES AT SUBSTANCE

‘Buy 1 Free 1’. Isn’t this music to your ears? Especially when the irresistible deal is for the All-You-Can-Eat Roasted Buffet this May at Substance all-day dining restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott KL South.

Expect a well-balanced, expansive buffet spread highlighting splendid roasts, meat and vegetables alike, to feed you well and succeed at it too. Headliners of Roast Lamb and Chicken are amply supported by roasted pumpkin, sweet potatoes, eggplant and capsicums, alongside crispy fried potato wedges.

We enjoyed savouring the rosemary-scented roast lamb and juicy chicken, made memorable by the house Peri-Peri sauce – it’s unapologetically fiery and perfect for those who like sauces with bite.

Get the dining party started with King Neptune’s ransom of Seafood Appetisers: freshly shucked oysters and a trio of sashimi along with poached prawns, flower crabs and mussels.

Salad days never look better than fresh options like Smoked Duck Salad with Orange (smoky, subtly briny duck breast slices mellowed by wedges of orangey brightness atop mixed greens), tuna-flecked Salad Nicoise, Pasta Salad, and DIY Gado-gado (blanched long beans, beansprouts, cabbage and diced fried beancurd dressed with peanut sauce) among others.

Smoked Salmon, Assorted Nigiri and Maki Sushi, and little bowls of Soba Noodles with hot and cold broth jazz up the spread with vibrant colours and textural variety.

 

Also flexing some serious muscle are notable hot dishes such as the deeply flavourful Asam Pedas Oxtail (think lip-smacking chunks of oxtail falling apart at the bone), Balitong Masak Lemak (little horn shells in tantalising chilli and turmeric-based gravy), Sweet & Spicy Prawns and a not-too-shabby Beef Rendang.

Don’t pass up on the Curry Mee either. Lemak-rich santan broth nuanced with aromatic, rounded rempah (spices) make this noodle dish sing.

Fluffy Green Peas Rice serves as the ideal canvas to embrace all those delicate, comforting flavours of Braised Lamb with Radish and Carrots, restorative Steamed Herbal Chicken with Minced Ginger and homey Braised Chicken in Sesame Oil.

Other gems worth the calories: Baked Oysters with Spinach and Cheese and Chinese Fried Rice with tiny silverfish for that subtle crunch. Over at the Indian corner, creamy-rich and well-spiced Chicken Makhani coupled with Idli and Samosa ensure a strong showing.

 

Sweet endings range from assorted Nyonya Kuih, Sweet Wheat Porridge, Fresh Fruits, dainty slices of Carrot, Red Velvet and Cheese Cake, Chocolate Eclairs and two types of Fruit Jelly.

Verdict? The Roasted May promotion is varied enough, locally grounded, and boldly cranks up the flavour when it counts whether it's a power lunch or a laid-back dinner.

Available for Saturday & Sunday Lunch from 12.30pm - 3pm at RM138 nett per Adult, RM98 nett per Senior Citizen and RM69 nett per Child and Thursday to Sunday Dinner from 6.30pm - 11pm at RM158 nett per Adult, RM108 nett per Senior Citizen and RM79 nett per Child.

For more information and reservations at Susbtance (Level 3), Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South, please WhatsApp: +603 8682 8898.

Cheers to 137 Bar

Hidden gem of a bar is a compelling pitstop post-dinner. Tucked away up a flight of stairs just beyond the cosy setting of Courtyard Lounge, 137 Bar should be your port of call, for drinks and chill-out session.

 

Fronted by a contemporary bar with backlit drinks display, 137 Bar is tastefully furnished with mellow lighting, cushy armchairs and a secluded nook for small parties who desire some privacy. The décor is sleek bordering on minimalist.

Cocktails abound, imaginative with local twists cleverly included. The friendly mixologist rustles up a curated selection for our sampling, starting with KL South Sling.

It’s house-infused lemongrass syrup with Absolut Vodka, pineapple juice, lime juice, fresh pineapple slice, lychee fruit, grenadine, and a dash of Angostura bitters – a pleasantly bright and vibrant notes on the palate.

My fave has to be Assam-boi Mojito – an invigorating blend of Bacardi Rum with salted prune infused syrup, lime, mint leaves, and soda. Superbly refreshing and cleansing.

Tea fans will love Teh Tarik Twist – a grown-up version of brewed local black tea laced with spice-infused rum, condensed milk, cardamom, and cinnamon stick. Irresistibly potent so go easy on this.

Blending classic cocktail with local coffee gives rise to Kopi O – White Russian; mixing Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa with condensed milk, strong local black coffee, and coffee beans.

It’s only befitting local fresh coconut takes centrestage, to create a beach-worthy Coco-Mojito. Here, fresh coconut is married with Nusa Caña Rum, lime syrup, mint leaves, and fresh coconut water. Panacea for our sweltering weather yo.

Ginger loving drinkers will enjoy Twice As Nice at 137: an ingenious concoction of ginger-infused rum, sliced ginger, lemongrass, calamansi lime and orange curaçao, with a dash of Angostura bitters.

Bar 137 should be your port of call when visiting Courtyard by Marriott KL South, be it for personal or corporate entertaining purpose. The cool laidback vibes is perfect for date nights, convivial gatherings and casual way to welcome the weekend. 

 

BERGEMA SEPANJANG MALAM AT CONCORDE HOTEL KL

 

Fanning the balik kampung spirit at Melting Pot, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, guests will find lots to cherish and savour at the hotel’s Bergema Sepanjang Malam nightly buffet come Ramadan.

 

Available 2-30 March from 630pm - 1030pm, the buka puasa session will integrate the essence of home-cooked meals to the buffet spread, highlighting a cornucopia of cherished kampung favourites, classic Malay and Thai dishes, international specialities and hawker-style offerings.

 

Malay Kitchen Chef Arif Ibrahim and his team will prepare time-honoured recipes such as Asam Pedas Daging Tetel, Rendang Tok, Gulai Tunjang, Nangka Masak Lemak Ikan Bilis, Ayam Bawang, Siput Sedut Masak Lemak, and Sambal Tumis Udang Petai among others.

We recommend sampling unmissable culinary gems such as Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Padi, Gulai Ketam Nipah, Ikan Keli Berlada, Sup Gearbox and the inventive Asam Pedas Kepala Ikan Salmon too.

 

From our northern neighbour comes inspired offerings of Thai Sour & Spicy Fish, Thai Red Curry Prawns, Beef Pad Kra Pao (Minced Beef with Basil), and Seafood Tom Yum. 

 

Typical crowd-pleasing Chinese dishes: Kam Heong Lala, Beef with Ginger and Spring Onion, Kung Pao Chicken and Steamed Seabass Fish with Ginger Sauce along with live cooking stations serving Kambing Panggang with Biryani Rice, Murtabak Ayam, Roti Canai Sarang Burung and BBQ Teppan Theatre add further variety to the expansive selection.

 

Appetising Seafood on Ice station proffering oysters, mussels, prawns and bamboo clams clamour for attention in addition to Japanese Sushi Maki Rolls and slices of Salmon, Tuna and Octopus Sashimi. Noodle fans will find satisfaction in Laksa Johor and Creamy Cheese Wheel Pasta, served on the spot.

 

Before calling it a night, indulge in the plethora of dessert: Serawa Durian made using D24 and Musang King durians, Ais Kacang, Kek Batik, Cendol Pudding, Macarons, Assorted Malay Kuih, Durian Cream Cake, Sago Gula Melaka and Chocolate Walnut Dates.

On 2-4 March and 28-30 March, the Bergema Sepanjang Malam nightly buffet dinner is priced at RM178 nett per person. Normal price at RM198 nett per person; 50% off for children 6-11 years old.

 

Guests will be serenaded throughout the evening by the hotel’s Begema 5 Batak Band, creating a festive atmosphere in the spirit of Ramadan.

For bookings or inquiries, please call Concorde Hotel KL, tel: 03-2717 2233 and 012-399 0734.