Amansari RR presents Sinaran Ramadan

A great deal has changed in the landscape since I last visited the Amansari Residence Resort.

A section of the hot buffet at the Courtyard Cafe terrace
in Amansari Residence Resort, Bandar Seri Alam

Now a smooth drive on the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) via the bridge to Bandar Baru Permas Jaya conveniently links Johor Baru city to the Resort in Bandar Seri Alam.

I’m at the Resort again, this time to preview the Ramadan buffet, themed Sinaran Ramadan, where diners can look forward to breaking their fast with a good spread of local specialties.

Chef Meng and his culinary team have created a festive feel on the terrace outside the Courtyard Cafe, set up with live-cooking stalls and self-serve stations.

Freshly-made Roti from an action stall

The Resort has invited some corporate guests to sample the Ramadan menu so while waiting for their arrival, I take a closer look at the items in the buffet spread.

I read the labels next to the dishes in the hot buffet to discover mouthwatering items like Honey Rock Sugar Chicken, Lamb Masala, Fried Seabass 3 Rasa (three flavours!), Nyonya-style Flower Crabs, Stir-fried Nestum Butter Prawns, Japanese Beancurd with Minced Chicken and Kailan stir-fried with Salted Fish, to savour with a choice of Pilaf Rice or steamed white rice.

This is a good mix of popular recipes in Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines which I understand from Chef Meng, will be changed in daily menus throughout the month.

He explains that the clientele in this area have a taste for dishes that they don’t cook at home and this encourages him to create menus to tempt their tastebuds with a range of Chinese, Malay and Indian recipes.

Topping Laksa Johor will sambal belacan for added zing!

Besides the live action stall for making Roti and Murtabak, there are stalls that serve Roasted Whole Lamb, Ikan Bakar or grilled fish, Satay, Deep-fried snacks and Air Batu Campur (ABC) or shaved ice dessert.

It good to see that the buffet also serves Laksa Johor with all the essential ingredients, especially slivers of cucumber - cut the traditional way - and real sambal belacan to add a little more zing to the flavour.

I like the rustic display of the Appetizer section with items that are reminiscent of traditional breaking-of-fast meals at home.

The Appetizer section

I spot juicy dried dates, Kerabu mixed salads, keropok crisps, jars of preserved fruits, and choices of ulam-ulam or kampung greens to savour with a selection of traditional sambal sauces.

Next to popular fried snacks like Cucur Udang or prawn fritters, Fried Durian Fritters, Fried Bananas and Fried Cempedak, I see a platter of steamed items.

Taking a closer look, I recognise whole potatoes and slices of sweet potatoes and chunks of tapioca or cassava. And by its side, there is a bowl of sambal ikan bilis (anchovies).

The sight of the fluffy chunks of tapioca with a side of sambal ikan bilis gives me a sudden flashback to my first taste of this Javanese specialty at a kampung homestay experience with a family at Kampung Sarang Buaya (near Batu Pahat) so many years ago.

My interesting experience led me to acquire a taste for this and other humble food.

A platter of deep-fried items with the steamed items beside it

So without a moment’s hesitation, I help myself to a portion of tapioca topped with a dollop of sambal ikan bilis as my first choice of food from this buffet.

I hear the pleasant strains of traditional music and am delighted that throughout this meal, we will be entertained by tunes from a live gamelan band.

After mingling with their corporate guests, Amansari Group General Manager, Tan Jin Seng, sits down with us for a chat.

He is familiar with my review of the Resort in 2011 and shares about the plans to upgrade the property as well as other exciting plans the owners have for their business expansion.

Javanese steamed tapioca with a dollop of sambal ikan bilis

We relax and enjoy convivial conversation over refreshing drinks and delightful local dessert broths like Bubur Pulut Hitam, Bubur Cha-Cha, Bubur Kacang Hijau and Pengat Pisang as well as a range of pretty puddings, jellies, kueh, pastries, cakes and cookies.

While the chit-chat continues, I give in to a hankering for more tapioca with sambal ikan bilis so I excuse myself from the table to get myself yet another helping! Yum.

The Sinaran Ramadan Buka Puasa Buffet will be served at the Courtyard Café in Amansari Residence Resort from May 10 to June 4, daily from 6.30pm.

Live traditional music entertainment by a gamelan band

Rates are RM85 nett per person and RM40 nett for children aged five to 11 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

                                                                        

Early Bird deals are offered for every five [5] adult vouchers, one voucher is for free when vouchers are purchased by cash before April 30.

There are also Group deals when one voucher is for free for every ten [10] adult vouchers are purchased by cash from May 1.

The Amansari Residence Resort is located at Jalan Persiaran Seri Alam, Bandar Seri Alam, 81750 Masai, Johor.

For reservations, Tel: 607 – 381 7070 Extn. 811.

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