Berbuka at the Cita Rasa Els Buffet Dinner

Ramadan is just around the corner and in Desaru Coast, one of the preferred dining destinations must be the Cita Rasa Els Buffet Dinner for a satisfying breaking-of-fast meal.

Whole roasted lamb attracts the longest queue!

With the experience garnered from the previous Ramadan, the culinary team at all-new Els Club Desaru Coast is all set to present another sumptuous spread for diners to enjoy.

Set up on the verandah that overlooks the Ocean Course, the buffet has live cooking stations where chefs are busy putting the finishing touches to a whole roasted lamb, frying keropok crisps, grilling whole fish and skewers of satay, and frying split buns to make Roti John.

On the opposite end of the verandah, stalls are lined up to serve a variety of warm broths ranging from traditional Bubur Lambok, Soup Kambing (lamb) Berempah and Mee Rebus, stewed noodles in rich gravy.

Patin Masak Tempoyak

In the hot food buffet, Nasi Briyani Kambing (lamb) is kept warm on its serving dish while a row of chafing dishes are filled with mouthwatering items like Gulai Daging Kawah, Ayam Masak Merah, Patin Masak Tempoyak, Fried Butter Prawns and Vegetable Dalca made with brinjals and potatoes.

Indoors, at the rear section of the ballroom, the appetizer, salad and dessert sections display an array of ulam-ulam or kampong greens along with refreshing and colourful fruit and vegetable salads.

I cannot help being drawn closer to look at the fresh fruits, dried dates, ice-cream, local kueh and puddings, especially when I spot little bowls of Sago Gula Melaka!

A serving of Soup Kambing

Group General Manager, Stephen Havrilla, welcomes us to the preview event and later joins our table to sample some of the Asian and local specialties from the buffet.

From his heavy American accent, we can safely conclude that Stephen is from the USA and I must commend him for his adventurous palate, as he’s ready to taste some of our local cuisine.

A buka puasa meal seems incomplete without a taste of Bubur Lambok, a traditional rice porridge, and a steaming hot bowl of Soup Kambing so I help myself to a small portion of each to warm my stomach.

I must say that I’m rather impressed with how the Ayam Masak Merah is prepared here – in a recipe where the chicken is not deep-fried – so I can taste its tender flesh, and the gravy is non-spicy (as it should be!) with a rich tomato puree flavour.

Sago Gula Melaka is among the choices in the Dessert section

Fans of tempoyak – fermented durian – cannot get enough of the Patin (fish) cooked in Tempoyak. (By the way, tempoyak is an acquired taste and the advice to non-fans is to just stay clear of it!)

As always, the line waiting to be served a portion of roasted lamb, is the longest queue. So instead of waiting, I help myself to a few sticks of satay – skewers of grilled marinated meat – to savour with a tasty peanut sauce dip.

I will go back for the lamb later.

Cita Rasa Els Buffet Dinner will be served at the Els Ballroom from May 20 to June 12, priced at RM70 nett per adult, RM50 nett for seniors aged 60 and above and RM35 nett per child aged from six to 12 years.

A section of diners at the buffet set up on the verandah overlooking the Ocean Course at The Els Club Desaru Coast 

Early bird purchases from now till May 17 are priced at only RM60 nett per adult.

The Els Club Desaru Coast is at No. 4 Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, 81930 Desaru, Johor.

For enquiries and reservations, Tel: +607 – 878 0002.

For more info, visit website: www.elsclubmalaysia.com