IMPIANA KLCC'S IFTAR RAMADHAN

Durians – strictly forbidden in hotels – are surprisingly making their pungent presence felt at certain hotels for the breaking of fast buffet. One of the pioneers is Tonka Bean Café at Impiana KLCC and the King of Fruits have proved popular with patrons.

The only snag is you’d have to relish the fruits at the covered patio area, to prevent the strong odour from permeating the entire hotel. Besides durians, seasonal and local tropical fruits such as duku langsat, buah salak, dragonfruit (pitaya), lychees, mangoes, cikus and jackfruit are served.

Available throughout the fasting month from 18 June until 17 July 2015, Tonka Bean’s bazaar concept dinner beckons with over 300 traditional dishes from different regions in Malaysia. The buffet's appeal is further boosted by complimentary Zam Zam water (one glass per diner), and unlimited servings of Baskin Robbins ice cream in several flavours.

Adding to the pot-pourri is whole roast lamb with spice-scented briyani rice. Roast beef carving, whole roast chicken and 'gear box' soup also make a comeback by popular demand.

Since one can only eat so much despite the lavish spread, it pays to be selective with food choices. Some savoury bubur lambuk helps to pave the way to break the day-long fast as the soft, liquidy texture is easy on the tummy.

Local salads such as kerabu and ulam are always ideal, to help fill the essential quota of greens one should partake daily. Delicate slices of cured salmon and unctuous crab meat soup are noteworthy considerations too.

Apart from the ubiquitous Chinese and Indian specialities laid out (think stir-fried beef, buttered prawns and roti canai, some Middle Eastern items such as stuffed pita pockets with grilled chicken can be sampled.

Beat the current sweltering weather and all that heaty food with some fresh coconut juice. Some traditional biscuits: batang buruk, dodol and kuih bahulu or perhaps skewers of fresh fruits and marshmallows dipped in chocolate would ensure a befitting end to dinner.

The Iftar Ramadhan buffet is priced at RM148 per person but diners will enjoy a special price of RM128 per person on the last 3 days of Ramadhan. Melodious renditions by a seven-piece ghazal band will also entertain throughout the dinner period.

For reservations, please call Tonka Bean Café, IMPIANA KLCC, tel: 03-2147 1111 extension 3034, 3035 or 3320.

RIB-TICKLING TIME AT TICKLISH RIBS

Praise the lard...porcine havens are springing up in town. The latest contender tempting us to pig out is Ticklish Ribs in PJ.

The informal interior is littered with piggy wall murals, tongue-in-cheek graffiti and pendant lights fashioned from woven rattan baskets used for transporting pigs. A poster issues wannabe gluttons to 'Eat Like A Pig' challenge (refer poster below) and those who succeed will be inducted into the outlet's gallery of fame.

Ticklish Ribs' founder TC divulges the secret behind his pork for thought is the Asian inspired sauce for the resto's pork ribs and 'wiches (as he calls them). At his urging, we sampled the Ultimate Tickle (RM38-6 ribs, RM20-3 ribs; add RM8 for sides with a drink) - the signature bbq ribs. It's delivered on a little trolley whizzing down a custom-built ramp amidst flashing lights. Apparently, pigs can 'fly' here!

Marinated in a secret blend of briny-sweetish-tart sauce, the ribs had that slightly charred crispness on outside before yielding to moist, tender meat underneath. Although the assertively tangy marinade helped to temper the porky richness, I prefer more 'bite' to the meat. In this instance, TR's soft ribs result from pre-boiling the pork before it hits the grill.

You have a choice of spicy or 'not really'...most of us prefer the latter. Try both before you decide which suits your palate best. Carb fans would be happy to know some options are available to appease them.

Oodles of Noodles (RM12) basically is a simpler, tweaked version of spaghetti bolognese. The al dente pasta topped with roughly minced pork cooked in the same house sauce is nothing fancy but should be adequate enough to please unfussy eaters.

We prefer Rice Vice (RM12) - a bare-frills katsudon of sorts. The meaty sauce doused over the rice has wisps of egg and caramelised onion in it whilst some pork crackling and fried pork cutlet lent textural finish. A decent take on homespun comfort food.

Hearty eaters may want to boost their meal with sides orders known as Koochi Koos range from OMGarlic (deep-fried, lightly salted fried garlic RM5) to Zzzalad (RM5) and Sloppy Freaky Fries (French fries smothered with cheesy sauce and mince pork sauce, RM8). Messy to eat but addictive.

I'm a big sandwich fan but I'm not psycho enough to attempt the Psycho Sandwich (RM80) which is piled with seven types of meat cuts in white, wholemeal or charcoal bread. You'd be tickled pink with sinful fillings such as You Braise Me Up (braised fatty streaky loin RM16), Pull Your Leg (slow-cooked and shredded pork RM16), Ssshock Sendiri (battered lean pork in signature sauce RM15), Hoilam Ting (Hainanese pork chop RM15) and Lazy Bones (stripped rib meat RM22).

Keen to go the whole hog? Trot over to TICKLISH RIBS & 'WICHES, No. 5, Ground Floor, Jalan 21/11A, SEA Park, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 016 228 8419

AIRASIA FREE SEATS!

Yes, I'm eyeing those AirAsia Free Seats! It would be a dream come true to experience Vivid Sydney with AirAsia X...that much-talked about art, music & creative ideas festival Down Under. That’s why I want to participate with AirAsia Free Seats contest...it'd save my hard-earned MYR budgeted for flights so I'd have more pocket money to spend ;))

Vivid Sydney is my absolute Must-Do Festival for 2016. Why? Because Creativity is the juice of every writer’s life. If I win those AirAsia Free Seats, I'd fly to Sydney to experience the wondrous multi-sensorial components of Vivid Sydney. It would be a dream come true to see and admire first-hand the illuminating light sculptures and arty installations created for the event.

Since music is the food of love, I’d love to soak up the tempo and rhythm of Vivid Sydney – literally feeding my heart and soul with the many lively, world-class performances lined up. After all, life's a stage so I want to be swept up by the exhilarating celebration of live performing talents. 

Of course, I would get into the thick of all the action where Vivid Ideas thrive. I know creative minds, innovators and like-minded community of people from around the world converge at Vivid Sydney to share, exchange and inspire one another like birds of a feather flocking together. I want to win those AirAsia Free Seats to make my participation a reality!