Turmeric celebrates tradition and togetherness

 

In recent years, I have had the privilege to often visit the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas in Desaru Coast for food reviews at Sea.Fire.Salt and Turmeric as well as for events hosted with foreign media at The Observatory.

 

View of the resort pools and landscaped garden
to a backdrop of the South China Sea

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is the Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas group’s first luxury hotel in Malaysia, designed within lush tropical gardens on the exclusive Desaru Coast in Johor.

 

After a smooth and uneventful drive on the Senai-Desaru Expressway, I am at the resort again for a media preview of their Ramadan breaking-of-fast dinner spread in the theme, Citarasa Rempah Warisan.

 

I always feel that walking in from the main entrance was like stepping through a portal to another world within… I know I will never get tired of that stunning view in shades of blue, the dazzling panoramic view of the resort pools and landscaped garden to a backdrop of the South China Sea…

 

An array of gravies in the Lauk Kawah

Staying true to its Thai brand, the décor throughout the Anantara, from the wooden furniture to the stuffed cushions, clearly reflected a typically Thai identity.

 

After a few minutes of drinking in this familiar, fabulous view, I walked down the wide flight of stairs and was warmly welcomed into Turmeric restaurant.

 

I watched the culinary team as they were putting the finishing touches to the buffet being set up within the dining hall and headed outdoors to see the live-cooking stations and the rows of kwali that served Lauk Kawah traditional rice and gravies.

 

Mouth-watering appetizers to savour
with traditional sauces

It soon became clear that the Citarasa Rempah Warisan buffet spread is a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia that honours the tradition of Ramadan with an ambiance that reflects the warmth and spirituality of the holy month.

 

Rice, a staple is the Malaysian diet, is presented in choices of Lamb Briyani, Nasi Minyak Kismis or rice steamed with raisins, and Steamed Brown Rice, to savour with the mouth-watering gravies in this hot buffet.

 

I liked that gravies in the Lauk Kawah were clearly labelled with Malay names along with English translation as well as brief descriptions of the main ingredients, preparation and State of origin.

 

Lemang to top with various types of Serunding

A closer look at the labels revealed that the gravies in this menu were meticulously presented to showcase specialties from various States in the nation.

 

Among these interesting gravies were Ayam Masak Nomsoon Bambangan or Chicken cooked with Bambangan Mango (Sabah), Kurma Ayam Adabi or Chicken Korma (Selangor), Itik Salai Masak Lomak Cili Api or Smoked Duck in spicy gravy (Negeri Sembilan), Kambing Masak Hitam or Lamb cooked in spicy dark sauce (Kedah), Ikan Pais Kukus Daun Pisang or Fish with Spicy Shredded Coconut steamed in banana leaves (Perak) and Sotong Katok Serai Wangi or Squid with Lemongrass (Kelantan).

 

A serving of Laksa Johor

There were also popular gravies like, Asam Pedas Ikan Bawal or Hot and Sour Pomfret Fish (Melaka), Kari Kepala Ikan or Fish Head Curry (Penang) and Rendang Daging Penanggah or Braised Beef in traditional spices (Johor).

 

While the Patin Masak Tempoyak translated as, Silver Catfish cooked in Fermented Durian, may be a favourite among fans of fermented durian, it was very good that info was provided in English to help diners make their gravy selections.

 

The Citarasa Rempah Warisan spread in the outdoor section also features popular breaking-of-fast items, freshly made from live-cooking stati0ns.

 

A choice of comforting broths

In addition to stations for Laksa Johor, Thai Soup Noodles and Soto Ayam, that will be served on rotation, there was also a Pasta station that serves the diners’ choice of pasta topped with premium seafood in artisanal sauces.

 

Nearby, the Grill and Tandoori section serves Percik marinated Beef Fillet, Thai marinated Lamb Chops and Prawn on skewers, along with popular Beef and Chicken satay with condiments and a range of sauces.

 

Seasonal favourite, Kambing Golek, whole roasted lamb on a spit, remains a popular choice for meat-lovers who patiently joined a queue to be served.

 

Indoors, the spread included a range of Appetizers with mixed salads and ingredients for diners to create their mix of local greens or ulam-ulam topped with traditional sauces of their choice.

 

Turmeric serves Bubur Lambuk Ostrich

A hot buffet of Ramadan specialties features comforting broths like Chicken Soup, Tom Yum Mushroom and traditional Bubur Lambuk rice porridge, uniquely brewed with Ostrich meat.

 

The taste of tradition continues with Lemang, steamed coins of glutinous rice, to savour with a selection of Serunding or savoury meat floss.

 

A section dedicated to Thai cuisine served items like Talay Pad Prik Pow (stir-fried seafood), Gaeng Panang Neup (Red Curry Beef), Gaeng Massaman Gai (Chicken in Massaman Curry) and Plamug Tod Gratiem (deep-fried squid with garlic).

 

There was also a platter of Miang Pla Too for diners to make their own lettuce wraps filled with Mackerel and condiments.

 

A range of sauces to taste with Seafood-on-Ice

To complement the breaking-of-fast meal, there is a range of refreshing drinks and sweets to enjoy in a range of local cakes, cookies, puddings and pastries as well as shaved ice specialty, a chocolate fountain and fresh cut fruits.

 

There are also traditional sweet porridge choices like Bubur Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice) and Bubur Jagung (corn) to enjoy.

 

I was pleased to see a choice of dried dates as well as a traditional treat in mini triangles of Kueh Dodol to savour in a few flavours including fragrant Durian.

 

As I joined diners to linger over the meal, it was clear that this spread was designed to bring families and friends together for a breaking-of-fast experience with a sense of unity and gratitude.

 

A traditional treat of mini triangles of Dodol

The Citarasa Rempah Warisan dinner buffet at Turmeric restaurant will be served served from March 2 to 29, daily from 6.30pm to 10pm. Price at RM228+ per adult.

 

Group bookings for 30 persons and above will enjoy 25% savings while CIMB Cardholders will enjoy 20% savings for up to 12 persons.

 

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is located at Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, just a smooth drive away from Johor Baru city via the Senai-Desaru Expressway.

 

For reservations, email: fb.ades@anantara.com or chat on the Anantara app.

 

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, visit webpage: www.anantara.com