The MCO does not deter hotels from pleasing their customers by jumping on the delivery bandwagon in order to stay afloat

by LYDIA NATHAN

IF YOU can’t get to the buffet, we’ll bring the buffet to you, it seems. Five-star hotels are getting more innovative lately in mitigating the downturn that is apparent due to the global Covid-19 crisis.

Some of the hotels are now quarantine centres, while many are operating with the least amount of staff and high productivity.

Despite all that, the food and beverage (F&B) sector for hotels has always been a driving force of revenue, and each hotel seems to strive with its own twist on cuisine and creative take on food.

Ramadhan, which used to be the best time for hotels to cash in, might be a little different this time around.

Still, all the restrictions during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period do not seem to deter the hotels from pleasing the customers. Many hotels have jumped on the delivery bandwagon in order to stay afloat.

Here are some of the hotels’ Ramadhan offerings for the homebound Malaysians throughout the season.

EQ Hotel

EQ Hotel’s all-day dining outlet Nipah has prepared a specially curated menu for both delivery and takeaway options called Citarasa Nipah.

Clients can now enjoy four different sets priced at RM35, including desserts. After all, those who are familiar with Nipah’s repertoire of comfort food will testify to its classic recipes that have been shared for generations.

Among the offerings include crowd favourites like Briyani Gam Johor with a choice of chicken, lamb, tandoori chicken and Hainanese chicken.

The Citarasa Nipah Family Set, for six people, is priced at RM238. It includes mains, appetisers and desserts, as well as Mariami dates for a complete and filling meal.

There is also a variety of dishes like Kambing Bakar Ala Nipah, Ayam Golek with Sos Percik and the comforting Ayam Kurma Berkentang.

Hampers filled with festive items and bespoke fine quality gifts like premium dates, pineapple tarts, kuih bangkit, traditional dodol, premium tea, cakar ayam and traditional cookies are also available.

Additionally, the Nostalgik Hamper includes a maxi bag from the Jalan Jalan in the Park line created by lifestyle brand Nala Designs that showcases truly Malaysian features.

EQ GM Robert Lagerwey said even during this MCO period, the hotel still wants its clients to enjoy the kind of food they’ve been familiar with for decades.

The Citarasa Nipah delivery and takeaway will be available from April 24 to May 23, with pre-order times between 10am and 6pm. Deliveries will begin from 12pm to 7pm, while self-pickups will also run from 12pm to 7pm.

Four Seasons KL

At Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur (KL), the offerings are mainly award-winning and all-time favourite dishes from the hotel’s renowned food outlets.

Presented by Chef Muhd Mujtahid Ahmad Lukman, guests will be able to savour à la carte delights like Nasi Goreng, Hainan Chicken Rice and Mee Mamak, or go on an international food journey across India, China, Europe and the Middle East.

Four Seasons’ Chinese restaurant, Yun House, offers signature dishes straight from Chef Jimmy Wong’s magic wok, including Kung Pao Chicken and Wok-Fried Garoupa with Spicy Scallop Sauce.

Meanwhile, its all-day dining restaurant Curate will present a culinary journey from Western classics like Seafood Pasta and Catalan Meatballs by Chef Junious Dickerson, to Indian crowd-pleasers like Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani by Chef Raman Durairajan.

Healthy options are also available like Caesar Salad, Harra Roasted Cod and Charred Tasmanian Salmon prepared by Chef Moustafa Elsaady.

Both delivery and takeaway options are already available today and will run from 9am to 6pm daily.

It is also advisable to order in advance as both deliveries and pickups will be ready within an hour. Areas within 10km of the hotel will have a delivery fee of RM5 to RM10, whereas pickups can be collected at the hotel’s concierge.

Marriott International Hotels

Various different hotels under the Marriott Group will be offering special iftar menus for families to enjoy together without needing to leave the house.

Aloft KL Sentral’s all-day dining outlet Nook will present an array of island delights for its Makan Yuk! Indonesian-themed menu.

Creatively crafted by Executive Chef Arfizan Abdul Rahim and Nook’s Chef de Cuisine Mohd Rais Effendi and their talented team, guests will be able to enjoy dishes like Daging Sapi Gonso, Kambing Bakar Bumbu and Ayam Bakar Ingkung. Each set caters for four to five people and is priced at RM168 nett.

Pickups are available between 7am and 9pm daily, while deliveries within 1km radius are free.

Meanwhile, Le Méridien KL offers traditional recipes that are supervised by Executive Sous Chef Budiman Bistari Mohamed.

Its outlet, Santapan Muhibah, features Le Méridien Nasi Minyak Haruman Air Mawar, Bubur Lambuk, Rendang Tok Kelapa Sangai, Berbiri Vindaloo Cili Kering and Ayam Percik, with à la carte add-ons.

Both pickups and deliveries will be available from April 24 till May 23, while orders can be made via TableApp.

The iftar menu offered by Trace at Element KL is called Selera Malaysia, with three takeaway options all of which have appetisers, mains and dessert.

The menu is available from April 27 till May 25, starting from RM25 with a minimum of two orders and done 48 hours in advance.

Free delivery is available within a 5km-radius and a minimum spend of RM80, while standard delivery charges of RM20 is applied for orders below RM80. Deliveries will run from 2pm to 7pm daily, whereas pickup times are from 11am to 7pm daily.

Marriott Putrajaya will begin its takeaway menu from April 24 with scrumptious dishes like its famous charcoal-grilled, roasted to perfection Ayam and Kambing Golek, perfectly paired with the aromatic Briyani Rice.

No prior booking is required and clients can book their meals via e-hailing application that currently has a tie-up with the hotel from 11am to 7pm daily.

Sheraton Imperial KL, led by Chef Hazif Ramli, will present the Rasa Muhibah set, comprising favourites with the addition of Roti John, Ulam Ulaman, Sambal Belacan, Air Asam, Jeruk Buah-Buahan, Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi, Ikan Siakap Asam Pedas, Sayur Goreng Campur, Nasi Briyani, Nasi Putih, Sago Gula Melaka and Air Tebu.

À la carte dishes will start from RM8, while set menus can serve up to five people and will cost RM222.

Up north, The Westin Langkawi offers the opportunity to try extensive takeaway menus curated by Sous Chef Syahir Ismail and Chef de Cuisine Sagar Das through its à la carte or set menus.

Dishes will include Asam Pedas Ikan, Ikan Masak Lemak, Daging Masak Lada Hitam, Beef Rendang, Ayam Percik and Rose Chicken, among others. Clients can end the evening with desserts like Chilled Fresh Mango Pudding, Pudding Kelapa Muda and Chilled Sago Gula Melaka.

The hotel said prices for its à la carte menu will start from RM20, whereas prices for the set menu start from RM80.