For a kampung feel, some items are dished out directly from woks. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
AFTER a day of fasting, one is bound to crave sweets and finding durian among the pastries and cakes is all it takes to remind one of home.
Essence, an all-day dining restaurant at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, is offering diners plenty of such treats.
Spice-filled Kari Kepala Ikan is a must-try.
Durian Cheesecake, Durian Trifle, Durian Marshmallow Cake and Durian Pavlova are among some of the mouth-watering confections available.
Moist and velvety, the cheesecake will surely appeal with its creamy texture.
As for the marshmallow version, the soft durian-flavoured filling nicely complements the dense cake, balancing its chocolate taste.
But durian-inspired desserts are not the only tempting treats to entice diners at the break of fast.
Plenty of traditional dishes are available such as those served at the main course area.
The Sambal Tumis Lala with Petai dish.
For a kampung feel, many dishes such as the Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Api and Daging Kerutuk are served in large woks (kawah).
The duck egg curry has a thick and creamy broth while the beef dish has meat so delicate that it falls apart at the touch of a fork.
Both dishes go well with the aromatic Nasi Hujan Panas, that has a fluffy texture and will tempt diners to get a second helping.
Those with a more adventurous palate may seek out the Goat Vindaloo which is a tad spicier.
Roasted Whole Lamb Kuzi at the live carving station.
Equally exotic is the Braised Moroccan Lamb Stew with Chickpea and Tomato, which has sweet and sour taste, and offers a richer blend of herbs and spices.
No less appealing are the Kong Poh Chicken with Dry Chillies and the Stir-fried Beef with Ginger, which are both appetising.
At the live carving station, the chefs have prepared Roast Whole Lamb Kuzi and Chicken Malai with Fenugreek Leaves.
Seafood connoisseurs are not left out as there are plenty of options here.
The Durian Pavlova is among the desserts on the buffet.
The Sambal Tumis Lala with Petai is a savoury delight while the Wok-fried Prawn Kam Heong is milder in taste.
There is also the Kari Kepala Ikan, which is a must-try, alongside the Deep-fried Fish with Sweet Sour Sauce.
Diners who want to balance their meals with some greens can opt for kerabu such as Kerabu Pucuk Paku, Kerabu Kaki Ayam and Kerabu Taugeh.
These are on top of a wide selection of fresh fruits such as watermelons, mangoes, grapes and strawberries.
The restaurant also has many traditional Malay sweets such as tepung pelita, kuih ketayap, dodol and kuih buah melaka.
The tepung pelita, which is a Ramadan bazaar favourite, is the highlight among the desserts – it is creamy with a mild honeyed taste.
The kuih buah melaka lends a lovely burst of sweetness the moment you bite into it.
This dining experience is priced at RM197nett (adults) and RM97nett (children) and is available until April 21.
ESSENCE, Level One, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2717 9933; 012-337 9980) Business hours: 6am to 11pm, daily.
This is the writer’s observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
