Citarasa flavours at Berjaya Waterfront

In presenting its new image this Ramadan, Berjaya Waterfront Johor Baru is kicking off with a buffet spread of international flavours dubbed Citarasa Antarabangsa at the Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant in Berjaya Waterfront Hotel Johor Baru.

Executive Chef at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel Johor Baru,
Chef Carson, presenting a section of the Ramadan buffet

Planned to coincide with this festive season, an integrated programme in a series of exciting events and activities has been organized for the very first time among the Berjaya Waterfront Complex, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel JB and the Ferry Terminal.

In a media briefing, Berjaya Waterfront Johor Baru Senior General Manager, Tan Yew Chuan, said while the hotel is ushering in the month of Ramadan with a sumptuous buffet spread, the Berjaya Waterfront Complex will be the venue for a series of events.

From May 25 to June 23, a Ramadan Bazaar featuring more than 100 vendors for food and beverage, festive goods and items suitable for the nation’s multi-racial community, will flood the atrium and second level of the complex.

Entrance to the Salt 'n Pepper Cafe Restaurant on
level five of the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel Johor Baru

Fans of local celebrities, Elfira Loy and Sufian Suhaimi, can look forward to meeting the stars on Friday, May 26 when they make an exclusive star-tour of the Ramadan Bazaar. This event is an opportunity for the social media stars to interact with their fans.

Among the local brands participating in the bazaar held in the outdoor Carpark E are Marry Brown Chicken, The Pot’s and Berjaya Waterfront Hotel JB.

Some popular online brands like Kioda, Cuir Boutique, iQueen, B.Adore. D Shoes and L Sports are taking advantage of the festive season to engage with their shoppers in a physical of their products.

The clear signage is a plus point in this buffet spread!

In the spirit of unity, the event will also feature music entertainment by Bangsa Johor Drums, a 3-piece acoustic band as well as the band, Graffiti Arts. The complex will also collaborate with the Amitabha Association in a blood donation drive and a recycling campaign.

On level 2, some 60 vendors in a Pop-Up Market will offer a range of Malay traditional clothes, Raya cookies and other festive goodies. Starbucks will also partner in providing enhanced food and beverage offers.

Fashionistas must not miss the first ever Escalator Fashion Show on Saturday, June 17, where models will parade a beautiful range of traditional and trendy apparel, from the escalator to a runway on the ground floor atrium.

Chef Carson, Dev Singh and Tan Yew Chuan [Left to Right]

Berjaya Waterfront Johor Baru has a month-long Lucky Draw where participants stand to win attractive prizes tucked within festive green packets.

Among the prizes are Berjaya Waterfront Hotel room stays for up to five nights and 12 free tickets to Batam Center, Harbour Bay and Tanjung Pinang sponsored by the Ferry Terminal. Besides shopping vouchers, there are food voucher prizes for 10 guests to dine at the Berjaya Waterfront Chinese Restaurant and 10 guests to dine at the Ramadan buffet in Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant.

After the briefing, we were invited for a preview of the Ramadan buffet.

Wow! A fire-eating artiste... Glad we did not have to eat fire.

While Executive Chef at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel JB, Chef Carson, assured diners that they will savour their breaking-of-fast meals here with complete satisfaction, no effort was spared in unveiling the Citarasa Antarabangsa buffet.

Lights were dimmed and with a loud fanfare, two waiters marched into the restaurant waving large flags and after circling around, they retreated.

Just as we thought the presentation was over, an artiste appeared next to the buffet, with bright tongues of flames leaping into the air from torches he held in each hand. For a moment, everyone was mesmerized at his stunning fire-swallowing performance!

Live cooking station for grilled meats served with sauces

Then it was time to eat. In the tradition of Ramadan buffets, diners at Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant can relish unlimited helpings of a wide range of local and international dishes served daily in rotating menus.

While traditional elements are retained in the preparation of local Malay dishes, Chef Carson and his culinary team have created a range of unique specialties like Cajun marinated lamb chops and grilled garlic and mixed herbs prawns.

Diners can look forward to savouring local favourites like Assam Pedas, Mussel Curry, Gulai Kawah, Ikan Bakar, assorted Kerabu salads, Tauhu Sumbat as well as traditional desserts and a range of delectable cakes, pastries and puddings.

Ayam Goreng Palembang,
my favourite type of ayam berempah!

Fresh salad choices include Ulam-Ulam Kampung or traditional village greens that diners may combine to their tastes or pick from a variety of ready-made salads.

No buffet is complete without a few live cooking stations where diners can enjoy freshly made favourites like Satay, grilled meats, Chicken Shawarma and Laksa Johor.

Throughout the Ramadan month, the hotel has also assigned rooms as surau where diners may perform their Magrib and Isyak prayers. There is also a children’s playground in a section of the restaurant for them to enjoy while diners enjoy a relaxing meal.

Delicious Mussel Curry is kept warm on a stove

Berjaya Waterfront Hotel JB, General Manager, Dev Singh, is pleased to share the joy of the holy month by distributing bubur lambuk to the neighbouring community in Stulang Laut. This event is jointly organized with Surau An-Nur, Stulang Laut for the fifth consecutive year. 

Bubur lambuk, a traditional rice porridge for the breaking-of-fast, is also in the menu of the Citarasa Antarabangsa buffet.

This buffet is priced at RM98 nett per adult and RM55 nett per child aged between 5 and 12 years, and served at Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant from May 29 to June 22, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Berjaya Waterfront Hotel room promotion during this Ramadan at a special package rate of RM150 nett per person on a twin-sharing basis that includes one-night stay in a deluxe room, Citarase Antarabangsa buffet dinner and sahur breakfast for two persons per room.

On June 25 & 26, a special buffet, Juada Lebaran at the Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant starts with High Tea from 12pm to 4pm and for dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

For reservations and enquiries, Tel: 607 – 2219999.

The Salt ‘n Pepper Café Restaurant is located on level 5 of the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel Johor Baru, at Berjaya Waterfront Complex, 88 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Baru. Visit their Facebook page for more information on the programme of events.