Lebanese Kharoof Roasted Whole Lamb is served at the live carving station.
VISIT any Ramadan bazaar and you might come across a stall or two selling ayam tempayan (chicken cooked in claypot).
This simple but wholesome dish is popular among locals because it can be eaten on its own or with rice.
To get the best results, the chicken is marinated overnight with herbs and spices before it is cooked in a claypot.
It is then served with a piquant sauce.
If the ayam tempayan dish sounds appealing, then you have the option of the Ramadan buffet at The Mill Cafe in Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur.
What’s interesting about the restaurant’s serving of ayam tempayan is the variety in flavour namely percik, honey, kemangi (lemon basil), rosemary garlic and five spices.
The succulent chicken is served in bite-sized pieces for diners to relish a little bit of everything.
The ayam tempayan, regardless of flavour, makes an excellent pairing with nasi bukhari.
The pajeri terung’s delightful sweet and slightly spicy taste is a dish that goes well with the claypot chicken and rice.
Diners with a liking for savoury dishes will enjoy the Ikan Pari Assam Pedas – a dish synonymous with Melaka.
A Ramadan buffet is not complete without rendang and the kitchen team has invested effort into making a tasty version of the dark-hued rendang tok from Perak.
This braised beef dish does not disappoint as it packs a punch with spices, herbs, coconut milk, kerisik and aromatics dancing on the palate.
I liked that the rendang tok was not too spicy and that the meat fell apart easily at the touch of a fork.
Diners who are craving for more beef should check out the live carving station for the Lebanese Kharoof Roasted Whole Lamb.
Raya must-haves such as serunding ayam and serunding daging as well as ketupat and lemang are a nice find here.
Seafood lovers are not left out as there are ample choices for them too.
While the Sotong Masak Hitam seemed a tad briny, I nevertheless enjoyed its overall taste.
Chinese and Indian favourites such as Hot and Sour Sichuan Soup, Penang Char Kuey Teow, Chicken Paratel, Lamb Saagwala and Dhal Fry are other dishes on the menu.
A Japanese corner presents favourites like sushi, tempura and condiments while shawarma is available for those who enjoy this Middle Eastern vertical spit-roasted dish.
It is advisable to end your dining experience at the dessert section and try sweet porridge such as Bubur Serawa Nangka and Bubur Pulut Hitam.
Other traditional Malay kuih include the popular kuih talam, buah melaka, kuih lapis and savoury cucur udang.
Western-type desserts such as Sticky Banana Pudding, Creme Brulee, Strawberry Cream Cheesecake and Biscoff Cream Puff add variety for one’s dining pleasure.
To liven up your evening, the Picha-Picha Band Linda Eva belts out melodious tunes over dinner.
This buffet, priced at RM168++(adults), RM128++ (senior citizens) and RM84++ (child), is available until April 21.
THE MILL CAFE,
Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur,
160, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2117 4163/012-317 0120)
Business hours: 6am to 11pm, daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
Food Gallery
Fluffy and aromatic nasi bukhari.
The savoury Ikan Pari Assam Pedas is a signature dish from Melaka.
Rendang tok from Perak is not to be missed.
The ayam tempayan is cut into bite-sized pieces.
Sotong Masak Hitam for seafood lovers.
Kuih lapis (left) and buah melaka are among traditional Malay desserts on offer.
