RAMADAN typically brings a specific kind of transformation to a hotel in Shah Alam located close to the state mosque.
As the call to prayer approaches, the air around Concorde Hotel Shah Alam begins to carry the scent of charcoal and slow-roasting meat: the hallmarks of a kitchen preparing for the breaking of fast.
At the heart of “Jelajah Rasa Warisan” buffet at the hotel’s Melting Pot Cafe is executive chef Alham Daldiri.
A Seremban native who spent five years honing his craft in France, Thailand and Vietnam, Alham has crafted traditional recipes and global favourites this Ramadan.
The star of the buffet is whole roasted lamb which has a loyal following; regulars book tables weeks in advance to try slices of the grass-fed New Zealand meat.
“We marinate the lamb for 24 hours in a blend of mushroom, thyme and barbecue sauce, flavoured with black pepper, dried chilli flakes and sweet paprika,” said Alham.
The secret is the temperature. “The lamb is slow-roasted at 140°C for four hours.
“The skin gets that essential crispness, but the inside stays lean and tender,” he said.
The buffet also highlights three signature soups, namely Sup Kambing, Sup Rawan (ribs) and Sup Ayam Berempah.
Beyond their depth of flavour, these soups are known for their high protein and collagen content, designed to nourish the body after a day of abstinence.
The spread also features Malaysian staples including three varieties of bubur lambuk, lemang, Kerabu Perut Lembu Pedas and Udang Masak Lemak Rebung.
To wash down the meal, there’s the hotel’s famous teh tarik, served alongside air bandung and cincau.
The journey ends with sweet and savoury treats at the pastry section, prepared by chef de partie Muhd Al Firdhavsy.
Traditional kuih lapis and lepat pisang sit alongside French-style blueberry cakes and mango cheese tarts.
For the purists, tapai pulut wrapped in rubber tree leaves offers a nostalgic finish to the meal.
The buffet until March 20 is priced from RM130nett (adult), RM109nett (senior citizen) and RM79nett (child), depending on date.
MELTING POT CAFE, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, 3 Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah C9/C, Shah Alam, Selangor. (Tel: 03-5520 8000 ext.2824 or 012-788 7926). Business hours: 7pm to 10.30pm, daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
