This Ramadhan, hotels are cooking up the staples of buka puasa menus, and have opted to offer delivery and take-away options apart from dining-in

By NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK

LAST year’s Ramadhan was low-key and very sombre. Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), no one was allowed to dine in at any restaurant and the term Ramadhan bazaar was downplayed.

Hotels that used to make a killing during the holy month of fasting via the buka puasa buffet spread in the previous years were also not allowed to take in guests or dine-in customers.

This year, as the economy recovers and movement restrictions being eased under the Conditional MCO, hotels can look forward to a more prosperous food and beverage revenue via the Ramadhan packages and buffet offerings.

For the “best buffet hunters”, this is the time to fill up the diary and make necessary arrangements and bookings for those glorious gastronomy adventures.

To satisfy a myriad of patrons, many major hotels have also opted to offer delivery, take-away and dine-in options. This would allow customers to get into the festive spirit and buka puasa while staying safe at home.

This Ramadhan, hotels are cooking up the staples of buka puasa menus.

For instance, G Hotel Kelawai in Penang is offering to deliver roasted lamb for RM200 per 2.5kg, ayam golek percik at RM70 per 1.8kg, bubur lambuk for RM10 per bowl, and not to forget the sweet taste of dates.

As for Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur (KL), their buka puasa buffet spread is expected to serve authentic dishes from all parts of Malaysia.

Its senior GM Wilfred Yeo said the hotel will be offering a variety of dishes inspired by different states and exciting food cities in Malaysia.

“As travel restrictions are still in place, we have decided to bring popular Malay delicacies from all over the country to Sunway Putra Hotel instead.

“Diners will certainly be excited to recognise classics such as midin belacan from Sarawak, rendang tok Perak, gulai pisang muda from Kedah, umai-umai from Sabah and so much more,” he said.

Sunway Putra Hotel’s buka puasa buffet dinner is priced at RM99 nett per adult, RM49.50 nett per child or senior citizen, and available from 6.30pm to 10.30pm from April 13 to May 12, 2021 at the Coffee House.

Crystal Crown Hotel Petaling Jaya (PJ) is also offering buffet packages that include the chef’s signature durian cendol, while also sharing the alternative of delivery and take- away, with complimentary dates and bubur lambuk.

The buffet is priced at RM108 nett per adult and RM54 nett per child or senior citizen. Delivery and takeaway are at RM180 nett for four paxs and RM40 nett per additional pax.

To immerse in the buka puasa buffet experience at the hotel, The Malaysian Reserve visited Sheraton PJ to try out its selection, sampling flavours of Selera Bazaar at The Feast.

But before one can reach out to sample the dishes, they would have to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

After registering with MySejahtera and checking the temperature, each customer is also required to don plastic gloves before choosing their dishes.

Among the main dishes are braised beef, potatoes, chicken, butter prawn and baked fish (for the less traditional taste). The buffet also includes a line that comprises claypots of various dishes inspired by your typical Malaysian flavours.

Yes, Sheraton PJ has its version of nasi minyak, and a choice of accompaniments including daging rendang, gulai daging, kambing masak kari hijau and ketam masak lemak cili api.

If the rice and the multitudes of lauk weren’t enough, the hotel also has a counter for those who are looking to enjoy a bowl of rojak buah, with various fruits such as guava, mango, pineapple and cucumber, as well as crushed peanuts and thick, sweet sauce to top off the nature-made dessert.

Right next to the selection of fruits for the rojak buah is an entire line of condiments from salted eggs, bean sprouts and a selection of vegetables, and sauces and sambal for the diners to choose from.

There are also counters for fried food — bits of crab and chicken and many more that might please those who prefer finger food.

Japanese food lovers would also be happy with the hotel’s selection of sushi, as well as freshly-cut salmon and red tuna sashimi.

There is something for everyone at Shera- ton PJ’s buffet. Apart from the various options of appetisers and desserts, the hotel also offers the traditional bubur lambuk and a selection of soups.

Sheraton PJ will be serving the Ramadhan buffet from April 13 until May 13. Early bird price package is tagged at RM118 nett, limited to 2,000 voucher pieces, while the normal price stands at RM138.

The hotel also offers the buffet at its ballroom from April 19 until May 9, with the price of RM88 nett for early birds and limited to 3,000 vouchers, and the normal price at RM98 nett, which is an option for companies or families looking to organise something together.

The hotel also offers takeaways for those looking to enjoy its selection at home, available for two persons up to five persons with a weekly menu rotation priced at RM158 per set of two and RM250 for a set of five persons.

Sheraton PJ ‘s selection takes the bazaar as its theme, comprising four main compartments which will be filled with appetiser, main dish, vegetables and rice to select from, and will be complemented with three additional items, namely dessert, sauce or sambal and side dish.

Other hotels that are also opening up for buka puasa dinners are Four Seasons Hotel KL featuring traditional food prepared by celebrity chef Datuk Fazley Yaakob and The Westin KL with food prepared by Chef Halim Chek Lah and his team.