Kuala Lumpur - The month of Ramadan is around the corner and many hotels and restaurants are getting ready to woo the crowd with their buka puasa spread.
While many families break their fast at home, it has now become the trend, especially in cities and big towns, for people to try the meals offered at various food outlets.
With the endless variety of appetisers, mains and desserts at the buffet table, it is not surprising that many non-Muslims also make a beeline for the Ramadan delicacies for their dinner.
Other than the vast array of delicious dishes, some of which are only offered during the fasting month, the ambience and decor at these restaurants are also a pulling factor.
Colourful ketupat decorations hanging from the ceilings, ice sculptures in the form of mosques, and live music all provide a special atmosphere unique to Ramadan.
Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant even provides a one-hour cultural show featuring nine types of traditional dances.
Their theme for this year will centre around the state of Kedah and will feature traditional, healthy, home-cooked dishes such as opor ayam, ayam masak rus, pindang ikan utara, gulai udang kerisik, daging kesumar and kepala ikan asam pedas.
Another Malay-themed restaurant popular among tourists, Restoran Seri Mela- yu, will feature live keroncong music and traditional shows daily from 8.30pm to 9.15pm.
One of the show‘s highlights is a mock traditional Malay wedding to entertain guests as they dine.
Even the most fussy diner will be satisfied here as they offer more than 200 dishes every day at RM70 per person.
The sky is the limit as far as the Seri Angkasa Restaurant, towering at 282-metre, is concerned.
The revolving restaurant at Kuala Lumpur Tower is offering a gastronomic feast with a spectacular view of the city.
This unforgettable experience comes at a cost of RM132.25 nett per adult and RM74.75 nett per child from Wednesday.
Diners will also be spoilt for choice as there are 100 dishes to choose from. The menu changes daily.
The dishes include rendang ayam minangkabau, kari kambing ubi benggala, sotong goreng kunyit and nasi pandan basmati.
Besides local delicacies, international dishes such as Norwegian smoked salmon, mollusc shellfish on ice, sushi nagiri and shashimi are also served.
Alternatively, diners can opt for JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur‘s dining experience at RM62.10 nett per adult where patrons can enjoy 108 traditional dishes from various states amidst a kampung ambience, including live traditional music playing in the background.
Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel at Taman Tasik Perdana is offering a buffet spread fit for a king while Nikko Hotel in Jalan Ampang promises an array of kampung dishes. Both are priced are RM95++ per person.
Those who like their food piping hot can also check out the "action stalls" at other well-known hotels in the city.
Many hotels do not forget the underprivileged during the holy month. They often treat children from orphanages and senior citizens from old folk homes to a good feast during Ramadan.
Concorde Inn at Kuala Lumpur International Airport will donate RM1 to a charity home for every adult who has the Ramadan buffet there.
It is priced at RM39.50++ and will feature 70 per cent authentic Malay traditional food and 30 per cent Western dishes.
Source: www.nst.com.my (11 September 2007)