Asia's best this Ramadan at Amaya Food Gallery


The best of Asian specialties for the Ramadan buffet in the theme Warisan Tradisi Asia, was so successful last year that the Amaya Food Gallery at the Amari Johor Baru, is bringing it back again this year.

The talented culinary team at Amaya Food Gallery
I’m excited to see how the talented culinary team, led by Cluster Executive Chef, Andy Oh, has created an interesting concept of a bustling local street scene in the Amaya Food Gallery, 

At the lobby on level six, I meet friends from JARO, the short-form for Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation, who are invited to showcase their handicrafts and offer them for sale from Friday to Saturday, 6pm to 9pm, during the Ramadan month.

Then I join some 350 corporate guests at the Amaya Food Gallery for a preview of the extensive Ramadan buffet. I hear the pleasant strains from a traditional gambus playing familiar tunes in a live ghazal band to entertain throughout our meal.

Live music entertainment by a ghazal band
Staying true to the hotel’s Thai brand, this breaking-of-fast buffet will present an exciting range of authentic Thai dishes in the hot buffet, complete with live-cooking stations and self-serve stations to satisfy.

I read the labels next to the dishes to discover mouthwatering dishes like Thai Red Curry Chicken, Thai Fish Cake, Thai Chicken Tamarind Sauce, Stir-fried Shrimps with Young Coconut, Stir-fried Minced Beef with Garlic and Hot Basil and the ever popular Tom Yam Goong Soup.

I know that the buffet menu will be rotated for diners to enjoy a wide range of dishes daily during the Ramadan month so I go on to check out the dishes in the Chinese, Malay and Indian sections, as well as the desserts and drinks.

A delightful choice of thirst-quenchers here
Besides juicy dried dates, there is a choice of thirst-quenchers like traditional Nescafe Tarik and Teh Tarik and a range of colourful, chilled sweet drinks like Lemongrass, Sirap Bandung, Sirap Selasih and Assam Boi juice.

At the Seafood-on-Ice counter, there is an attractive pile of whole prawns, mussels and scallops and in the salad and appetizer section, there are fresh greens plus ulam-ulam or kampung greens, keropok crisps and jars of preserved fruits.

I keep my eyes peeled for traditional Ramadan staple, Bubur Lambuk, and find it kept warm in an earthen bowl with toppings of fried shallots and chopped spring onions, provided at its side.

Huge platters of dishes in the hot buffet!
Other Ramadan staples include Soup Berempah and Gulai Kawah (Rendang Kawah Rusa) and Nasi Impit served with Sayur Lodeh and a choice of Beef, Chicken and Coconut Serunding.

At a glance, I can see a good number of popular Malay, Chinese and Indian specialties like Ayam Masak Merah, Udang Goreng Kunyit, Ikan Bakar, Lamb Curry, beef and chicken Satay, assorted dim sum, Yong Chow fried rice, Fried fish in Sweet-and-Sour sauce, Wok-fried Mixed Vegetables, Kung Pao Chicken, Tandoori Chicken with Naan bread and Lentil Curry.

There is a live station where whole Roasted Lamb is served with fragrant Briyani rice.

Carving the whole roasted lamb to serve with Briyani rice
Meat-lovers will enjoy the choice of juicy meats from the Grilled section like New Zealand beef tenderloin, chicken, sausages and calamai – where your pick will be freshly grilled for you.

In the dessert section, there are popular fried snacks like Cucur Udang, Curry Puffs, Fried Bananas, Fried Cempedak and even Fried Durian Tempura.

If you fancy durians, then indulge in more durian desserts in the form of Durian Cheesecake, Durian Crepes, Durian Sticky Rice, Durian Pudding, Durian Dodol, Durian in shaved ice and traditional Durian Porridge.

Plenty of food for diners to choose from at Amaya
Look out for local dessert broths like Bubur Pulut Hitam, Bubur Kacang Hijau and Pengat Pisang as well as a range of pretty puddings, jellies, kueh, pastries, cakes, cookies and ice-cream in assorted flavours.

I like how the comfortable layout in the Amaya Food Gallery welcomes diners to return to the buffet again and again to help themselves to countless helpings of food and drinks.

The Warisan Tradisi Asia Buffet will be served at Amaya Food Gallery from May 8 to June 4, daily from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
                                                                                                                                 
Piping hot soup to warm your stomach
Enjoy Early Bird deals of RM103.20 nett per person and RM51.60 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above, when vouchers are purchased before May 7.

After May 7, prices are RM129 nett per person and 50% off for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above. For every five [5] adult vouchers, one voucher is for free!

Amaya Food Gallery also serves a Sahur Buffet from May 7 to June 4, daily from 3am to 5.30am. Priced at RM29 nett per person.

Come celebrate with festive meals during Hari Raya Aidilfitri on June 5 & 6:

Hari Raya High Tea Buffet from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at RM78 nett per person and RM39 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

Traditional appetizers, kampung greens with dip sauces
Hari Raya Aidilfitri Buffet Dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm at RM98 nett per person and RM49 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

The Amaya Food Gallery is on the sixth floor, lobby level of Amari Johor Baru at No. 82-C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Baru.

Driving access is only from Jalan Trus while pedestrian access is convenient from Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

For reservations, Tel: 607 – 266 8888 or email: amaya.johorbahru@amari.com. 

Visit website: www.amari.com for full details of menus and special promotions at the hotel and restaurant.

No comments:

Post a Comment