This Ramadhan buffet phenomenon is getting out of hand. Prices have become exhorbitant and Malaysians (or KLites to be precise) go on a feeding frenzy despite the prices restaurants and hotels are charging for these meals.
(I'm not proud to say that despite my resolutions this year, I've joined the crowd albeit minus the gorging myself silly bit.)
Take for example, Chinoz on the Park, at RM45++, is almost RM10 more expensive as compared to last year. The selection is still the same, although I would argue that the food is not as fresh as it was last year. It also doesn't help that they prevent you from ordering ala carte from 6.30 to 7.30 to 'make way' for the buffet.
Shrooms, also in KLCC, has maintained its price, although I cannot comment on the quality of the food because the crowd resembles that of typical Malaysian kenduri kahwin. That and the restaurant's need to blare loud music that can be heard clearly all the way down the KLCC fountain-side strip have both managed to keep me away this year.
I had the opportunity to sample the buffet in Nikko Hotel within the first couple of days of Ramadhan - which I must say has improved in terms of supply (the choices available is as good as last year) and quality. Everything from the oysters and yabbies to the nans and paneer tastes fresh, and they somehow managed to keep the restaurant uncluttered by distributing the buffet to various parts of the restaurant - eliminating queues and crowds. But the price is a bit hefty - RM77 nett - I can't really compare though because I didn't pay for my meal last year...
Which brings me to my latest buffet experience. Our seminar host today was thoughtful enough to give F&B vouchers to the Muslim attendees, which brought my buffet dinner at the Westin down by RM40.
The Westin next to the Marriott is very new - it was opened just in time for OIC sometime last month. The decor is modern and urban, what caught my eye was the amazing chandelier-type pieces that reminded me of very colourful rambutans.
The hotel is decked with lots of glass surfaces and dark wood - two of my favourite furnishing finishes. Minimalist yet distinctly Asian, I was told that the hotel was proudly high tech. High tech as it was, I think someone didn't know how to use the environmental controls when it came to our conference room!
But back to dinner. The Westin has 4 F&B outlets, Prego - an Italian restaurant, The Living Room - the hotel restaurant, Splash - a poolside health food cafe and the hotel bar. The Ramadhan buffet, available for RM88 nett, is served at The Living Room.
The ambience was great. Soft lighting, distributed buffet areas and jazzy music (live and recorded) makes The Living Room a great business dinner venue (Ella Fitzgerald called me to the restaurant, and the Girl from Ipanema kept me there). You can actually hear yourself talk, and not hear the conversation of others nearby. You don't get elbowed at the buffet, and the staff look you in the eye when they smile at you.
The spread itself was nothing to shout about at first, until you taste the food. Dessert, my main interest whenever I go for a buffet, was simple yet distinctive. Of course, they had the local fruits, local kuih selection, and a mean pengat pisang, but what makes me give this place a double thumbs up is the Middle Eastern dessert platters (see this post for my obvious obssession with Middle Eastern culture). Yes - baklavas made a huge appearance here my friends! I was pleasantly surprised with the other stuff - Zeinab fingers and other Middle Eastern sweets I can't recall made my teh tarik not as sweet as it should have been!
The buffet included a very fresh selection of Japanese dishes, from your typical sashimi and sushi selections to the more exotic edameme, octopus and jellyfish salad. The makis were elaborate enough, not those half-hearted attempts by other establishments that try to be more 'international'.
I didn't get to try the local dishes, but I was informed that they were good - especially the ayam masak merah. Other dishes included roasted duck, beef rendang and two types of soup (sup ekor and minestrone), a very succulent fish on skewer dish and inventive vegetable selections - broccoli with prawns and pine nuts - yummy...
At this juncture, I would like to end my rave of this place on a high note - they serve authentic bubur lambuk! For the benefit of the non-Muslims, bubur lambuk is a special type of porridge usually given out in mosques. It consists of beef and chicken and a host of vegetables, or potatoes at the very least. This bubur lambuk reminds me of the ones I get in Johor. Very nice!
Overall, the ambience, selection of food, seating arrangements and quality of the hotel staff made this a very pleasing experience. I'm going again. Although, I'm not sure how much I'd rave about this place if I actually had to pay the full RM88 price tag...
Other Reviews:
1. Maju Palace by Jemi
2. Sheraton Subang by Hazarizal
3. Marriott Hotel by Hazarizal
4. Islamic Arts Museum by Kaz
(email me to add your review to this list)
Side Note:
A Beeeeeg Happy 1st birthday to Alysha Badrul Jabar.
I hear Prego is making waves with the socialites. So is Cuba, my boss swears by them.... should try it out someday ye ;) ?
Posted by: meesh at 2003年11月12日 07:53Pregos at the Westin is their signature restaurant. The one in Singapore has always gotten high acclaim. You get hooked once thy serve the fresh bread loaf wrapped in a napkin, having it with olive oil is fabulous.
Meesh, I can understand the Prego attraction only too well. It is the place to see and be seen for business lunches and dinners.
Posted by: TiFische at 2003年11月12日 10:22Hi Najah,
I have to agree with you on the exhorbitant ramadhan buffet prices. Its not like we can eat a lot during berbuka anyway. I had a buffet berbuka last week at the Islamic Arts Museum. Food was good, but I think the selection is similar to last year's (middle eastern & some Malay). The price wasnt though. It was RM 39 nett last year and its 55 nett this year. Talk about a huge jump! If they increase the price next year, I dont think I'll go.
Posted by: Iza at 2003年11月12日 12:23RM88 for a buffet - ye gods! That is really exorbitant, and they had the cheek to price it as a "lucky number" as well!
Posted by: et at 2003年11月13日 08:27