The awesome Rendang Tok from Perak, Nasi Kerabu from Terengganu and the perky, spicy and rich Sup Ekor or oxtail soup set the delicious tone for me at a recent preview of the Festive Feast at Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur for the month of Ramadan beginning today. To berbuka puasa or break fast, there is a wide array of sweet drinks, kuih, bubur sago with nangka and other desserts, both local and western.
Superb Rendang Tok
Masak Tempoyak Pahang — a dish from every state in A Festive Feast
Paru Goreng Berlada Selangor
At the Cobalt Room in the hotel, the Festive Feast takes diners on a journey through the 13 States in Malaysia, featuring dishes representative of each state. So we wandered round the buffet, first picking out the Kerabu Daging, Mango with Prawns, Kerabu Kacang Botol, Umai and the Keropok Lekor Terengganu which my friend found so addictive.
Ulam and sambal
Then for me it was the main courses: Pajeri Nenas Berempah Johor (I have always loved pineapple in curry), some of the blue-tinted Nasi Kerabu with fragrant hints of herbs and, Sotong Goreng Lada Hitam Sarawak, Kari Kambing Penang, Mee Goreng Mamak Penang, Sambal Udang Petai Perak, Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak Pahang and Paru Goreng Berlada Selangor. I would have loved more tempoyak in the ikan patin curry.
Sup Ekor or Oxtail Soup — delicious
Then it was to the lemang with the fish, chicken and yummy beef serunding, excellent lontong, then the murtabak made a la minute. I have always remembered the Oxtail Soup that was recommended to me by a wait staff last year. It was just as good with the tender, meaty chunks of oxtail in a flavourful, well spiced, tangy and lovely stew.
Shawarma — lamb or chicken on a spit to be eaten with pita bread
I was drawn to the Shawarma, waiting for the lamb and chicken on the red hot rotating spit to be sliced by the chef and filled in pockets of pita bread. It was so delicious. I enjoyed the thick, creamy hummous and chicken bryani at this station. The Kambing Panggang or Roast Lamb on a spit is the centrepiece at every Berbuka Puasa and I had a piece of this juicy lamb.
Murtabak made a la minute
On the dessert table, I picked out the lovely and smooth tapioca tapai, the superb bubur sago with nangka, and various kuih like Kek Lapis Sarawak, Talam Pandan Sabah, and Cik Mek Molek from Kelantan, Cucur Badak Kelantan, Bubur Cha Cha Kedah and Sago Gula Melaka. Then there are the western cakes and cold desserts.
Kuih from the different states in A Festive Feast
Sago Gula Melaka
The food at this Berbuka Puasa dinner caters to every palate with its vast variety.The Festive Feast at The Cobalt Room on Level One will be from now till June 12 between 6.30pm and 10pm. It is priced at RM118 nett for adults and RM59 nett for children aged 12 years and below. For reservations and enquiries, please call +60 3 2782 9122 or email dining@ritzcarlton.com.my.
The Cobalt Room where this Festive Feast is held