HIGH ON THE FINE ESSENCE OF RAMADAN (part 4)

Continuation of this year's Ramadan series highlighting the top 5 dishes from five hotel buka puasa buffets

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel unleashes its multinational culinary force to cook up a gastronomic feast for buka puasa at its  halal-certified Essence restaurant until 6 August. At the sneak preview, we were treated to a plethora of specialities from around the world but the best of the best ranks as such:

 

 1. The All Star Steamboat

Its all-star billing is no joke. Imagine having to pick one out of six types of broths: Jonker Street Asam Pedas, Thai Tom Yam, Penang Nyonya Curry, Chicken Soto, Napoli (Italian) Beef Braising Broth and Secret Seafood but take heart, each table will get at least a choice of two so you'd have a steamy time all right. We haven't even touch on the vast array of meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, noodles, fish balls and fish paste items that you can select...but I'm sure you get the idea.

2. Sup Tulang Merah

From down south comes this hearty, full bodied Singapore-style lamb stew. Fiery red but deeply rustic and bursting with deep-seated tomato flavour, I love every spoonful of it.

3. Yemeni Mandy Lamb Rice

Similar to briyani, this saffron-scented rice with roast lamb, fresh coriander and crispy fried shallot is a comforting treat that leaves you replete. Spoon some of that chunky tomato sauce (its enticing flavour reminds me of salsa) over the fluffy grains to temper the dish's richness. The Mandy Rice is available for take away at Toastina Café & Bar from 4pm until 6pm until 6 August at RM15nett per person.

4. Oppa Kandar Style Daging Masak Hitam

Once you have a bite of this superb tasting beef dish, you'd gladly cross over to the "dark side" ;D The depths of briny-sweet, spiced accents are gradually released as you masticate and chew on the tender beef cubes. Kinda like beef jerky but juicier.

This speciality is part of the Penang Nasi Kandar-type array such as spicy Hj Kassim Fish Head Curry, crispy Mamak-style Battered Fried Squid and delicious Hj Kundur Honeyed Chicken that will be served as part of the hotel's lavish buka puasa buffet.

 

5. Kuih Bakar

One of my perennial favourites, this custardy-spongy local cake's appeal lies in its slightly toasty crust sprinkled with sesame seeds on top. In the East Coast, the eggy, pandan-flavoured and floral shaped treat is also known as Kuih Kemboja.

What else should you zoom in on? For starters, choice picks include Kerabu Jantung Pisang (banana flower salad), Ox Tongue Percik Salad (only if you love offal and such), grilled sugarcane chicken salad (nice and moist, this Vietnamese-inspired delight really hits the spot) and Stuffed Marinated Prawns with Young Mango Salad.

Don't know about 'apa lagi Cina mau' (what else does the Chinese want) but at this feast, I guarantee you will surely 'mau makan' (wanna eat) some Hot & Spicy Tiger Prawns with Oats and Kowloon-style Steamed Half Shell Scallops with Black Beans.

Even the resident Italian chef refuses to be outdone...chef Alessandro Graziosi will proffer his Herb-braised Beef Prime Ribs with Potato Mille Feuille and a super-rich Cannelloni Spinach & Ricotta Gratin with Parmesan Bechamel Sauce.

 

To sweeten you up, there's evergreen favourites of Home Made Durian Crepe (a boon for durian lovers), Traditional Tapai Pulut (love the tingly effect this fermented creation has on the palate) wrapped in rubber leaves and Kuih Cara Berlauk (savoury little cakes filled with spicy meat or dried prawn filling) to name but a few.

Essence's buka puasa buffet is priced at RM108++ per person. For reservations, call Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel’s Essence restaurant, +60 3 2717 9933 or go online www.sheraton.com/imperialkualalumpur for further details.

GO WESTIN FOR MORE HIGH FIVES (PART 3)

Mind-boggling and jaw-dropping was how I felt after I surveyed The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s Juadah Iftar-Night of Traditions spread. 

Muslim patrons will have the chance to break their day-long fast with Zam Zam water served at their tables.  A selection of refreshing, ice-cold drinks such as sugar cane, sirap bandung (rose syrup with milk) and soya bean among others is also available to quench one's thirst.

The entire restaurant resembles a festive night market, complete with a gambus-strumming musician and live cooking stations dishing out 101 local delights for buka puasa.

Downstairs at the Lower Lobby, a small exhibition and display of imported marble, leather and brass handicrafts is held; a boon for those who wish to spruce up their homes for the coming Hari Raya celebration.

It's a veritable treasure trove of fine rosewood furniture, hand-knotted carpets and intricate, hand-embroidered fabrics with gold and coloured threads.

But I digress. Back to the food front, these are the 'must makan' dishes when you break fast at The Living Room:

1. Westin Briyani  

Golden hued briyani rice with pillowy thick Mamak-style omelette, braised spiced pineapple & cucumber salad, sesame seeds, fried shallot, cashews and chunky beef pieces. Scrumptious on its own or accompanied by Rendang Paru (sliced beef lungs simmered in chilli and spice paste with coconut milk), Sambal Goreng Jawa (fresh prawn sambal) and Daging Gulai Kawah (curried beef).

2. Ayam Kampung Gulai Nangka

A typical kampung dish that should assuage the longing for one's far-flung village or hometown. This rustic, simple but super-sedap chicken and young jackfruit with cassava leaves curry will transform plain white rice into something utterly magical; its delicate spiciness and lemak richness heartwarmingly comforting.

3. Hot Dog

This is an unexpected addition but what's a Malaysian pasar malam without a burger stall? It's a hot hit too especially with young diners who couldn't get enough of the tender chicken frankfurters. I give it the thumbs up too as these are the better quality ones; mine had a faintly charred smokiness to it which made it even more irresistible. There are also chicken patties in burger buns which are not too bad either.

 4. Roasted Snapper with Chive Cream Sauce

Ok, this is not very Malay but there's no reason why you should miss out on this gorgeous specimen. The fish's firm, sweet flesh tasted superb enough on its own. Turn it into an epicurean delight by dabbing on a little of the oniony chive cream sauce that will have you returning for more.

5.  Indian Odyssey

Tease your tastebuds with a distinctly different spectrum of spices from the Indian continent over at the Indian kitchen. The chefs on duty will oblige your requests for oven-fresh Naan, Chapati and Puri. Traditional condiments of Dhall Thadga, Potato Masala, Reshmi Kebab, Lamb Tandoori, Fish Tikka and Prawn Tandoori are available to complement them.

I felt like Aladdin as I uncovered several claypots and found them brimming with piquant curries of Chicken Khadai, Hyderabadi Paneer Tikka Masala, Shabji Jal Frezy, Aloo Ghobi Punjabi and Vegetable Pakora fritters.

Due to the extensive array available, I found more than five delectable dishes of course. I'd recommend these meaty options to sample: mildly spiced shawarma (pic above) and tender baked ribeye with thyme sauce and grilled squid with black soy sauce spiked with bird's eye chillies.

Other popular dishes run the gamut from Prawn & Glass Noodles Kerabu, Nasi Ulam, Assorted Tacos and Kerabu Pelam Daging Bakar (Spiced Mango with Grilled Beef Salad) to Ayam Panggang Pedas Pucuk Paku (Spicy Roasted Chicken with Ground Coconut & Fern Tendrils),  Rojak Buah Hentian Pagoh (Tropical Mixed Fruit Salad with Shrimp Paste Dressing) and Bubur Lambuk. 

I was thrilled to bits when the dessert section proffered wispy swirls of baby pink Candy Floss on a stick; jolting back childhood memories of fun fairs and amusement parks. There was also a bountiful counter of tropical fruit slices of every colour imaginable, Malay kuihs and decadent cakes: Red Velvet Cake (surprisingly moist and topped with a light cheese frosting), Chocolate Ganache, Fudgy Cashewnut Brownie and Cherry Cheesecake as well as local sweet broths.

Priced at RM128++ per adult and at RM64++ per child (complimentary for children below 6 years old), the Ramadan buffet spread will be served from 6.30pm to 10.30pm until 31 July.

Reservations are highly recommended. Call 03-2773 8338 for seats are going like hot cakes.
  

News Flash!

THE WESTIN TEAM USHERED THE FIRST DAY OF RAMADAN WITH FREE BUBUR LAMBUK GIVEAWAY TO MOTORISTS IN BUKIT BINTANG

MORE BUKA PUASA HIGH FIVES (PART 2)

Fancy breaking fast with scrumptious dishes cooked by one of the judges of MasterChef Malaysia? If you relish such an idea, then join celeb chef Zubir Mohd Zain to buka puasa at Latest Recipe.

 

Ikan Percik...more fish in the buffet to reel you in

The extensive dinner buffet is centred on delicious memories of Chef Zubir’s childhood – that of family gatherings and his mother’s delicious cooking.  

After scouring the impressive line up, the top 5 dishes that you must sample at Latest Recipe:

1. Bubur Lambuk

Forget about chicken soup for the soul and have your fill of this salubrious gruel instead. Scented with a heady mixture of local spices, let the beguilingly creamy smooth texture unleash big, bold and deep-seated flavours across your palate. Every mouthful yields savoury beef, herbaceous coriander, sweet fried shallots and other unexpected surprises that will have you begging for more like Oliver Twist.

 2. Rendang

We discovered 2-3 different variants on our visit and each is better than the last. The hotties include Rendang Kerbau Rempah Sangai-Kelapa Bakar and a bewitchingly dark Rendang Tok. The first was slightly moist with the discernible fragrance of fresh turmeric leaves and toasty, nutty nuance of roasted grated coconut coming through. The second was drier but no less delectable, the beef releasing its rich juices the longer it's chewed on.

 3. Roast Lamb

Rubbed with an exotic hodge-podge of Arabic spices, the whole roast lamb needs no other frills except for its natural jus to enhance its flavour. Tender, moist and suffused with spices that reminds you of a Middle Eastern souq, it is best savoured with a serving of chickpea-coucous.

                           

4. Siput Belitung Masak Lemak Cili Api & Belimbing Buluh

Now's the time to suck up...if you wanna relish these local escargots. Yes, we know it's a perennial offering at most buka puasa buffets but the differentiation lies in the crafty inclusion of tiny belimbing buluh – their bracingly tart sourness lends perfect balance to the gravy's unctuous richness. Never mind your manners, just get those springy morsels outta their shells.

5. Pengat Durian & Pankek Gulung

I almost missed out on this irresistible offering had not been for the chef on duty who persuaded me to try one. I succumbed and it was love at first bite! Sinfully delicious, the thick, nectar-sweet broth really 'grabbed' me with its heavenly durian aroma. Douse it liberally onto the pristine white, lacey rolled pancake (think roti jala) and it's transformed into an orgasmic great treat.

Flossy delight...spiced serunding heralds the imminent arrival of Hari Raya

Bear in mind that these five dishes are merely the tip of the lavish line-up. You'd literally be circumventing the globe as Latest Recipe also boasts Japanese, Western, Chinese and Indian live cooking counters where chefs will whip up your orders on the spot.

 

Kambing Kari Cabai Hijau...Penang's famed mutton curry with green chillies

Sashimi, sushi (both hand roll and seafood-topped nigiri) and the teppan-cooked meat or seafood invariably attract a constant queue but your patience will be duly rewarded once you sink your teeth into the goodies.

 

Goreng-goreng...crispy deep-fried banana, jackfruit, sweet potato and yam lend a rustic touch

The Indian section is another notable section with pots of brilliant coloured curries beckoning; yummy to the max with puffy naan breads or pilaf.

 

Sweet array of Malay kuihs to tickle the tastebuds

If you can find more tummy space, don't miss mouth-watering delicacies such as sup jernih udang galah (clear freshwater prawn soup), rendang ayam pencen pucuk ubi (dry chicken rendang with sweet potato shoots), asam pedas batang keladi (tangy, spicy yam plant stalks), satay kepal udang dan ikan a la Thai (Thai-style fish and seafood skewers), rusuk lembu panggang a la Mongolia (Mongolian-style grilled beef ribs) and solok sotong bakar lemak kuning (grilled stuffed squid with turmeric sauce).

This scrumptious buffet dinner is available until 6 August 2013 at RM128++ per person (from Monday to Friday), at RM118++ per person (on Saturday & Sunday) and at RM88++ per person (for bookings after 9pm from Monday to Thursday).  Free flow kurma juice, teh tarik, sirap bandung, sugar cane juice and soya bean milk inclusive.

For reservations, visit www.discoverlemeridien.com,
e-mail: dining.lmkl@lemeridien.com or call Dining Reservations at +603 2263 7434.