FASTING month is here and our Muslim friends will once again be spoilt for choice when breaking fast – not that anybody’s complaining.
Restaurants and hotels including Putrajaya Marriott Hotel are whipping up tasty dishes to bring warmth to the stomach.
Themed Warna-Warna Ramadan, the hotel wants to celebrate Malaysia’s vibrant culture and this is reflected in its different dishes.
The highlight of the Ramadan menu is the Tujuh Kawah that includes Kari Kepala Ikan, Kambing Kandar, Asam Pedas Tenggiri, Kari Sotong Mamak and Daging Gulai Kawah.
Upon the chef’s recommendation, I tried the Daging Gulai Kawah, and it tasted really good, especially if paired with the fragrant nasi bukhari.
For someone who seldom indulges in Malay cuisine and cannot cope with spicy stuff, the curry did not send me off to hunt down for a cold drink.
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel Malay sous chef Tengku Abdul Hakim Tengku Yahya Shah revealed that the spice used in the dish was actually homemade. “This is a recipe from my grandmother passed down to my mum and now to my sister.
“I went back to Terengganu to get this spice specifically for this dish as I know it would go well with the beef,” explained the 35-year-old from Chukai, Kemaman.
Speaking of beef, the slices were tender. Unfortunately, the potatoes were a little hard.
The roti john, on the other hand, is simple, fresh and delightful with the minced chicken, egg and coleslaw.
The murtabak was not a let down either as the thin layer of dough was just the right kind of crispy that complemented the savoury minced meat.
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel’s Ramadan menu also includes bubur lambuk, lemang and serunding, aneka satay Kajang, asam laksa, pasembur, muara ikan bakar and grilled seafood.
There are also carving stations serving roast lamb and ayam golek with a variety of Western and local sauces.
Tengku Abdul Hakim said there are five Ramadan menus on a daily rotation with about 130 dishes including dessert.
As for the drinks, there are seven options to choose from, and I took the asam boi to wash and refresh my palate for dessert.
But if there is still space and you fancy a variety, a wide spread of pasta, salad, chicken tandoori, kerabu, ulam-ulam, chee cheong fun, steamed dim sum, yong tau foo and sushi await.
Putrajaya Marriott Hotel is also proud to announce its fruit orchard located in the garden, which serves a variety of fruits that includes durian.
It is a great way to bond with the family as you sit by the tables outside, the cool breeze and trees providing a nice shade from the setting sun while you savour the tasty durian.
On another note, the hotel’s Ramadan theme is also clearly reflected in the assortment of kuih-muih that are not only vibrant in colours but fresh too.
They might just stop you in your tracks and steer you to whip up your phone to take a picture — like I did.
Being a sweet-tooth that I am, I made a beeline for the serawa durian made with durian puree, coconut milk and palm sugar.
It is served with glutinous rice but if you are feeling adventurous, Tengku Abdul Hakim cheekily suggested trying it with baguette or roti jala, which I did for experience sake.
The little apprehension that I had prior evaporated the moment I took the first spoon because the dessert was just right with its sweetness; puree not too thick, and the roti jala blended well with the taste.
This, I believe, was by far my favourite dish because of the warm and smooth texture; making it a nice way to end my dinner.
The Marriott Bazaar Ramadan at Zest Lifestyle Restaurant is priced at RM135 nett per adult and RM90 nett per child ages five to 12, until June 24.
ZEST LIFESTYLE RESTAURANT, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, IOI Resort City, Sepang Utara, Malaysia. (Tel: 03-8949 8888). Business hours: 24-hours daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
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