Ramadan at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, is a colourful affair. This year’s theme is Essence of Melaka and it will showcase Melaka-born Chef Jamsari bin Mohammad’s childhood memories of delicious cuisines.

Influenced by cuisine from a young age, Chef Jamsari has his grandfather to thank for, for where he is today. He grew up assisting his grandfather, who cooks at various kenduris in the kampong. Mostly for wedding celebrations, his grandfather’s specialities include daging masak hitam, rendang, nasi minyak, nasi briyani and others. His other happiest memory when it comes to food is when his mother used to cook for him and his siblings. Acar rempah and chicken curry never fail to remind him of his hometown, Jasin. When he is not cooking up a storm in the Sheraton Imperial Malay Kitchen, he relaxes by fishing with friends around the many fishing spots in Malaysia.

What can I say? Walking around and checking out the spread at Essence, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the delicious aromas of food cooked on the spot over blazing flames. Chef Jamsari and his team (Chef Kabir and Chef Kamaruddin), are behind the counters, dishing out Baba Nyonya cuisines which consists of Chinese, Portugese, Dutch, Indian, British, and Malay influences. Also known as Peranakan cuisine, the main ingredient in many dishes would mainly consist of Belacan which is a Malay variety of shrimp paste. Samples of Peranakan dishes on the buka puasa buffet are Nyonya Chap Chia, Pongteh Chicken, Nyonya Duck Curry, Black Pepper Crab, Pajeri Nenas Peranakan, Nyonya Kari Kepala Ikan Merah, Ikan Jenahak Masak Tauchu and nany more.

From traditional recipes passed from generations to generations to colourful live action stations. Assam pedas is a dish close to Chef Jamsari’s heart as he believes this is the dish Melaka is best known for. Be prepared to take on a spicy gastronomical journey when you stop by this stall. Two types of assam pedas sauces, with distinctive tangy fragrant of tamarind will assault your senses. In addition to the usual assam pedas sauce, there will be the Assam Pedas Daging Tetel sauce – which is a true Melakan recipe. Each night, Chef Jamsari will prepare a variety of assam pedas dishes showcasing 5 or 6 types of fish, beef, prawns, crabs and a variety of vegetables.

vegetable counter for the asam pedas

fish and seafood for the asam pedas

Chef Jamsari cooks the asam pedas on the spot

There will also be a tantalizing buka puasa spread of more than 100 mouth-watering Ramadan specialities as well as International dishes. Check out the restaurant’s signature favourite – Roasted Whole Lamb with Nyonya Sambal Marination and Roasted Potatoes. Some of the local fare included the likes of Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball, Sambal Udang Petai, Satay Celup, Daging Masak Semur, Sayur Labu Kundur Masak dengan Ikan Bilis, Acar Berempah Kampong Air Panas, and more.

carving station for meat lovers

plump dates

Satay Celup

Chicken Rice station

For those who are craving non-traditional fare, there are also other specials on the buffet tables like Steamed New Zealand Mussel with Ginger, Chili, Saffron and Lime, a selection of Sushi, Sashimi and California Hand Rolls, Creamy Mushroom Soup, Steamed Dory with Lemon, Mango and Tomato Duxelle Salsa, and many more.

fresh oysters

And if that is not enough to whet your appetite, there are a couple of fun-filled action stations, whipping up Roti Canai, Murtabak, Roti John, Ikan Bakar that are worth checking out. Chef Jamsari recommended we try the Roti Canai with his assam pedas sauce, and it really worked well together.

roti, chapati, curries..

Over at the drinks station, you can quench your thirst with a wide range of beverages such as the traditional Teh ‘Tarik, Nescafe Tarik, Sirap Bandung and other selections of juices and cordials. You should also check out the Hang Tuah’s Well where delicious coconut juices and concoctions will be served.

drinks and dessert station

No buka puasa fare is complete without tempting desserts. You might be gob-smacked with the array of sweets on display. Traditional favourites like Seri Muka, Kuih Lapis, Kuih Talam, Bengkang Bunga, Kasui, Bingka Ubi, Ang Ku, Kuih Gandus, Onde Onde Buah Melaka, as well as other alluring desserts – Cheese Cake, Blueberry Creme Brulee, Chocolate Banana Cake, Carrot Cake, and a variety of cool Ice Creams, were stand-outs that night.

local desserts

The buffet is priced at RM108.00++ per person and is available for dinner only from August 3, 2011 till August 27, 2011. I also heard that there is a fabulous promotion that you might want to take advantage of – Sheraton will be giving away two complimentary seats for every 10 paying guests. There will also be nightly lucky draws and slices of date cakes for diners to take home.

Well, what are you waiting for? Treat yourself and your loved ones to a special and memorable ‘buka puasa’ gathering now!

As this is the month of Ramadan, One World hotel’s chefs at Cinnamon Coffee House, located on the concourse level of One World Hotel, will be preparing a sumptuous spread of home-cooked favourites, every night, just like mum’s.. from 1 – 30 August 2011.  We were recently invited to Cinnamon, to sample a myriad of traditional favourites such as, nasi minyak sari shawal, kari daging tetel berkentang, ayam masak rendang raya, ikan tenggiri goreng belada, udang sambal petai hirisan, ketam goreng berempah, nangka muda lemak cili padi dengan tulang ikan masin and many more authentic Malay dishes.

The spread is huge! The food stations even spill out into the garden. If you have not checked it out yet, we highly recommend you do so.

There was also, a great selection of Middle Eastern specialties, Penang nasi kandar, barbecued delights, whole roast lamb and hawker stalls featuring char kway teow, laksa, mee mamak, popiah and rojak prepared a ala minute. We particularly enjoyed the “mix it yourself kerabu rice station”, the dim sum corner, the Japanese counter and the Italian corner.  An assortment of refreshing beverages and sweet desserts completed a memorable dining experience.

Buffet Dinner:  6.30 pm to 10.30 pm : RM108++ per adult and RM54++ per child aged 4 – 12 years. One World also has Surau facilities for Muslim guests as well, before buka puasa.

Mix it yourself, Kerabu Rice/Nasi Kerabu

Condiments below

Kerabu Station

Ikan Masin Goreng Belada, Kerabu Kacang Panjang, Kerabu Tomato Dengan Bawang, Acar Buah, Urap Daun Pucuk Ubi, Tahu Sambal, Kerabu  Timun Berkelapa

Delicious!

DO YOUR OWN TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN SALAD

Rojak buah-buahan with traditional condiments

INTERNATIONAL APPETIZERS

Ulam -  Ulaman Serantau, Petai , Jering , Kacang ,Botol , Timun

Daun Ceylon , Pegaga , Ulam Raja

Malaysian local favourites

Delectable Chicken and Beef Satay

ANEKA PANGGANG “SERANTAU”

Cencaru, Tenggiri , Kembong , Selar ,Pari With Kicap Manis, Charcoal Grilled Chicken Wing, Beef, Lamb , Squid  , Mini Steak, Green Mussel , Crab, Otak – Otak , Lamb Chop, Terubuk , Cincaluk , etc

Savories And Pickles

Lemang , Ketupat Palas, Nasi Himpit, Serunding Ayam, Serunding Daging,  Aneka Keropok , Aneka Papadom , Tempeh Ikan Bilis Berlada, Telur Masin

ANEKA KERABU STATION

Urap Pegaga Sari, Kerabu Kaki Ayam, Kerabu Udang Dengan So Hoon, Acar Rampai Mahligai, Kerabu Mangga Bunga Kantan, Kerabu Taugeh Bercili

Sushi & Sashimi Deli Corner

Maguro & Salmon Sushi, Baby Octopus & Unagi Sashimi, Futomaki Rice Rolls With Prawns & Vegetables, California Rolls With Avocado & Cucumber Served With Kikoman, Wasabe & Pickles Radish

DEEP BLUE SEAFOOD ON ICE WITH CONDIMENTS (cold)

Green Mussel, Tiger Prawn, Crab and Lemon Wedges, Cocktail Sauce, Red Tabasco

Carving Of The Day With Condiment And Sauce

Marinated Roasted Whole Lamb with Garlic Rosemary Sauce

HOMEMADE FUSION BREAD COUNTER

Assorted Bread Loaves & Roll,  Serunding Bread, Morocco Bread, Spices Zatar Bread Kurma Roll, Grissini Stick & Lavash

Dim Sum From the Chinese Chef

Assorted Dim Sum Of Steam,  Pau With Chili & Sweet Sauce, Putu Piring , Putu Mayam, Kacang Kuda Rebus

Chocolate Fountain

Strawberry, Grapes, Marshmallow, Wafer Biscuit, Chocolate Éclair, Profiterole, Chocolate Brownie, Selection Of Dates

Dessert A La Minute

Dessert Malaysian

Variety Of Malay Kuih, Pandan Kurma Layer Cake, Nutmeg Coconut Pie, White Lady Cake, Agar-Agar Gula Melaka, Agar-Agar Santan,Rich Cherry Chocolate Moist Cake, Kurma Cheese Cake, Cream Caramel, Fruit Tartlets,Cinnamon Souflle, Kurma Linzer Tart

Honeydew Pudding In Glass,Passion Pannacotta, Tart Kurma, Brownies, Dodol, Bahulu, Strawberry Mousse, Tapai Pulut , Tapai Ubi , Pisang Rebus, Jala Emas, Badak Berendam

Mini Popia, Kuih Sepit, Kuih Bijan, Kuih Cakat Ayam, Tart Nenas ,Pulut Panggang, Kuih Kuci, Lepat Pisang, Ondeh- Ondeh , Kuih Lapis , Bingka Ubi, Kuih Talam

Seasonal Fruit Of The Day

Longan, Rambutan, Jambu Air  And Banana Mas

For those who would like to buka puasa in the comfort and privacy of function rooms, One World has a terrific set menu priced from RM130++ per person. If you would prefer to hold a buka puasa or Hari Raya open house at your doorstep, One World also offers some innovative menus via their experienced catering team. For enquiries, call Conventions & Events Department at 603 7712 2289.

Other take home favourites include, Cinnamon’s traditional festive take aways, such as the delicious Chicken Rendang, Beef Rendang or Roasted Marinated Chicken, serunding and lemang and a Chef’s Speciality Cake from RM180++. 2 day’s notice is required for these takeaways. For orders, call Cinnamon Coffee House at 603 7681 1157.

We had a rocking time with the Winners of our Santapan Buffet Contest , inconjunction with by Le Meridien’s Ramadan promotions. The Santapan Buffet Dinner and prize giving location and date was at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien KL, held on Friday, the 22nd July @ 7PM. Here are the winners with KYSpeaks and Ciki!

Congratulations to Norazalia Musa, Chen Mee Kuan, Jennifer Amelia Clement and Joel Tan Tyan Min. Hope you guys had fun!

Here are some photos of the magnificent Ramadan buffet spread, at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien KL. For the entire month of Ramadan, break your fast at Latest Recipe from Sunday – Thursday, Adults RM118, Children RM59. Friday and Saturday, Adults RM128, Children RM64.

A great place for friends and family to buka puasa (break fast). Latest Recipe is definitely child friendly!

A massive spread

Ciki loves her seafood

fresh oysters, prawns, mussels and tons of seafood

the pasta connection

Delicious congee.. a must try!

teppanyaki counter

martial arts at the teppanyaki station!

hugest lamb I have ever seen..

Chef Antoine works the pasta!

sweets

Indian station

more martial arts..

scallops and prawns were my favourites..

enough for everybody

local kuih

Delicious cakes

Venue: Latest Recipe at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
Price on Sun-Thurs: RM118 (adult) / RM59 (child)
Price on Fri,Sat: RM128 (adult) / RM64 (child)
Time: 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Reservation: 603 2263 7769
Online reservation: Click here