Festive Dinner Buffet amazes at Lemon Garden Cafe

I like it when Hokkien Noodles and Char Kwayteow hold their own alongside Nasi Bokhari, Bubur Lambuk, Kambing Kuzi and Kari Kepala Ikan in a Festive Dinner Buffet at Lemon Garden Cafe in Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. This buffet for Ramadan is truly Malaysian, with international flavours, and presents an endless variety of dishes. It weaves its way round the inside of the cafe to the live action corner on the terrace.

The Char Kwayteow stall outside saw a lot of action as the chef was constantly frying and serving up the noodles that were moist, spicy and garlicky. The Hokkien Noodles, fried with chicken fat and toasted flat sole, and glistening with dark sauce, were flavourful too.

The Hokkien Noodles were in the Chinese section of the buffet, where an array of steaming hot double-boiled soups awaited. There is nothing more soothing to an empty stomach than one of these energy boosting and nutritious soups. The Double-boiled Black Chicken Herbal Soup stands out for its innate sweetness steeped from the black chicken and herbs. The Double-Boiled Winter Melon Soup with Dried Mussels would help cool the body systems at this time.  There were some awesome baked buns at this station too – its flaky, buttery pastry got me, and its sweet chicken char siu filling.

Rendang Pipi Lembu (beef cheek rendang) stands out at this festive buffet with its tender meat almost melting in the mouth, with all the aromas and spiciness of chilli, roots and herbs and coconut embedded in it.

The Kari Kepala Ikan, Sweet and Sour Red Snapper, Roasted Short Ribs with BBQ Sauce and Lamb Kuzi were particularly appealing and I liked both the fish dishes and loved the Lamb Kuzi from the Indian station.

The Roast Lamb is always the top draw at this Festive Dinner Buffet and this one was roasted with ghee and spices and was exceptional. The meat was juicy, tender and fragrant. Beneath it was a tray of delicious bryani rice to be eaten with the lamb.

Out on the terrace was the Chicken Shawarma and we had meat tucked into soft pita bread with pickles, tomato and cabbage.

A BBQ station out here too turned out on a charcoal grill Iranian Tikka Mastih (Marinated Beef Cubes with Yogurt), Iranian Kubbiedeh (Marinated Minced Lamb), Pandan Chicken and BBQ Chicken Wings among others. Freshwater prawns on skewer, Siamese style, Grilled Oysters with garlic, onion and coriander and Grilled spiced giant squid were irresistible.

Dates, apricot, dried mango, sambal cashewnuts, candied walnuts and caramel macadamia are indulgences at the Nuts & Dried Fruit Stall. But for me it would be the deepfried cempedak, Apam Balik, Bubur Pengat Durian, Pandan Mango Sticky Rice that made the night.

Of course there is the dessert corner inside where all kinds of kuih, date tarts, cakes, puddings and ice cream are served.

Mention must also be made of the fresh oysters, crabs, scallops and other seafood on the buffet and the pizzas and pasta at the Italian action station.

This amazing Festive Dinner Buffet is on from now till 14 June. It is priced at RM198 nett per person from Sunday to Thursday while the Festive Seafood Dinner Buffet is priced at RM 228 nett per person from Friday to Saturday. There’s an Early Bird Offer from now till 23 May at RM175 nett and is valid from Sunday to Thursday.

For reservations call (03) 2074 3900 or email restaurantreservations.slkl@shangri-la.com or visit www.shangri-la-specials.com.