Juniper
Buffets are something everyone looks forward to because there is just so much choice! You can stuff yourself to your heart’s content and eat all the food you don’t normally eat at home or elsewhere. This Ramadan, all of us can partake of the “Selera Ramadan” Buffet At Hotel Istana KL City Centre prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Al Fitri Al Bakri and his culinary team. This halal buffet spread features more than 100 dishes which will showcase the best authentic local dishes and flavours that will satisfy any gourmand.
A good Ramadan buffet must have a wide assortment of kerabu and you will be so spoilt for choice here as you can indulge in a myriad of kerabu including Kerabu Clam, Kerabu Isi Ketam, Kerabu Betik, Kerabu Udang, Kerabu Nasi Tomato and Kerabu Ayam Pegaga.
Guests can look forward to Istana’s signature dishes such as Braised Fish Head in rich local style thick curry with tomato, Butter Prawns, Beef Kurma and Chicken Kong Po.
My favourites from this buffet are the lamb murtabak which is so crispy on the outside and aromatic minced lamb inside makes this little parcel a must-have. The Whole Roasted Balinese Marinated Lamb is extremely tender, hardly any chewing required and choices of sauce are rosemary, mustard, mushroom and black pepper. Goes especially well with the rosemary sauce. One helping of this lamb is not enough.
I was so thirsty when I arrived that I downed a few glasses of sirap selasih before starting on the buffet. It’s my favourite drink! So thirst-quenching and satisfying. I wish more places served this drink.
The colour of the Nasi Dagang is so lovely. the rice tasted a bit dry on its own but was perfect with the budu sauce.
Other than local favourites, the fresh seafood was calling out to me. The mussels and prawns were my pick. I usually skip crabs as they are too time-consuming and messy.
One of the live action cooking stations situated near the pool area is the Wok Station where you get to choose any of the seafood available. I chose clams and squid to be cooked in buttermilk sauce and was impressed with the thickness and richness of the sauce. I went back for a second helping. Other sauces are black pepper and kam hiong.
The dessert table is laden with so many goodies that I didn’t know where to start. The cakes and pastries are the best! Although I am not a chocoholic, I love looking at Choc Fountains.
The “Selera Ramadan” Buffet At Hotel Istana KL City Centre is priced at RM155.00 nett per adult and RM78.00 nett per child (4-11 years).
They have an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (Advance Reservation until 6 May 2018) or ADVANCE PURCHASE VOUCHER (from now until 15 May 2018), both at RM117 nett per adult.
There will be a 15% discount for selected credit cards from 17 May until 14 June 2018. The Raya Buffet Hi-Tea will be available on 15 and 16 June 2018 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm for RM115 nett per adult.
For enquiries and reservations, call 03-2141 99988.
