Often stressed
out in our busy work week, there’s no better way to wind down for the weekend
than with a treat of a leisurely feast.
 |
| Executive Sous Chef Patrick Ooi and the able culinary team at Amaya Food Gallery, Amari Johor Baru |
So every
Friday from now till end October, there’s an exciting Friday Super Buffet to
savour at the Amaya Food Gallery.
Since its
inception, this restaurant in Amari Johor Baru has earned a reputation for its
sumptuous spreads and I’m here again to sample the buffet spread prepared by
Executive Sous Chef, Patrick Ooi and his culinary team.
With
culinary experience earned from a career with international brand hotels, Chef
Patrick is no stranger to presenting a feast that ranges from appetisers,
salads, main course items to desserts.
Chef
Patrick leads us on a walk-through to see the exciting spread and candidly responds
as I quiz him about the various featured dishes.
 |
| Chef Patrick showing off the rich broth in the Double-Boiled Winter Melon Soup |
Having
been to this restaurant numerous times, I’m still impressed with the
interesting layout with sections dedicated to Thai, Japanese, Malay, Chinese,
Indian and European cuisine, as well as for beverages, fresh fruits and
desserts.
I’m
familiar with the salad bar for fresh greens and the sashimi section that
serves chilled raw fish fillets along with condiments like wasabi with soya
sauce and pickled ginger.
Among the
appetizers, I spot something different.
Looking
closer, I see choices like Cured Beetroot Salmon Tartare with Avocado Cucumber,
Thai Spicy Grilled Beef with Glass Noodles, Roasted Potato Salad with Chicken
Ham and Mustard besides ingredients for popular Rojak to enjoy with homemade
sauce and ground peanuts.
Chef
Patrick is clearly proud of his own recipe for Chinese broth, a Double-Boiled
Winter Melon Soup brewed with White Fungus and free-range Chicken.
He scoops
up the broth to show how it is prepared, rich with natural ingredients.
Alternatively,
there is another choice of cream soup in the Basil Tomato Shellfish Bisque.
 |
| Hong Kong Roasted Duck in Chinese herbal flavours |
He
recommends that we start with hot snacks like Vegetable Samosa topped with
chilli sauce, raita yoghurt and condiments as well as Thai Pandan Chicken
Rolls.
For
diners who enjoy something local, the buffet offers juicy Rendang Beef Short
Ribs to savour with Lontong Rice and Toasted Coconut Kerisik.
Among the
hot food, there are Wok-fried Fresh Water Prawns Tom Yam style, Malay recipe Caramel
Venison Ribs, Tandoori Chicken Tika along with rice and noodles like Wok-fried
Mee Sua with fresh shrimps and chicken, and Indonesian fried rice.
Another
noodle choice is Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles in soup, served at a
Do-It-Yourself counter.
Just add
to your noodles, ingredients like fresh prawns, fish cake, wedges of hardboiled
eggs, kangkong (water spinach, water
convolvulus or morning glory) and bean sprouts before you top it off with hot
soup, a dash of chilli paste and a sprinkle of fried shallots.
 |
| Chef Patrick carving the Sea Salt crusted Norwegian Salmon Fillet |
Some of
the hot favourites from this super buffet must be the freshly-grilled skewers
of satay to savour with peanut sauce and condiments, and the Hong Kong Roasted
Duck in Chinese herbal flavours.
Chef
Patrick then introduces us to the fish dish – Sea Salt crusted Norwegian Salmon
Fillet – an entire fish served with a drizzle of juice from lemon wedges and
citrus emulsion.
Another
exciting choice must be the Grilled Premium Marbling Beef grilled ala minute
(upon request) and served with your choice of Au Jus, Black Peppercorn or
Mushroom Sauces.
Just pick
your choice of sauce and tell the chef your preference for meat doneness to let
him grill and serve it to you!
 |
| Tender Leg of Lamb to savour wrapped in Tortilla bread with fresh lettuce, onions and condiments |
If you
enjoy lamb, then the chef’s recommendation for you must be the tender, 12-hour
slow-cooked Leg of Lamb to savour, wrapped in Tortilla bread along with
condiments like fresh lettuce and onions.
Amaya
Food Gallery even has a special Kids Corner where kids can play and enjoy their
own little buffet of favourite food like Breaded Fish Fingers, Tempura Chicken
Nuggets and Cheesy Potato Wedges.
Over at
the dessert section, Pastry Chef Syeriff Hafizal, has prepared a range of
tempting cakes and pastries to let diners end their meal sweetly.
My
attention is drawn to the handbags – Yes, lady’s handbags – not one or two but
three of them, perched on pedestals among the delightful array of desserts!
 |
| The cake-handbags by Pastry Chef Syeriff Hafizal are displayed among the delightful array of desserts |
Smiling
modestly, Chef Syeriff is pleased that his cake-handbags are attracting
interest but tells me that they are for display only.
Instead,
he directs my attention to the Lemon Meringue Tarts, Pandan Chiffon Cake, Thai
Red Rubies, Oreo Cheesecake and Raspberry Lychee Rose Gateau.
There are
also local favourites like assorted Malay kuih – Kuih Tepong Pelita, Seri Muka,
Kuih Ketayap, Kuih Lapis, Kuih Lopes, Kuih Bingka Ubi – and freshly-made Apam Balik or grilled pancakes filled
with a spread of sugary crushed peanuts.
There are
more dessert choices from warm Apple Crumble drizzled with Vanilla Sauce to
warm Bubur Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice), Bubur Cha-Cha with bananas to
chilled Soya Bean Curd with Longan, Mango Sticky Rice and Glutinous Rice Balls
filled with crushed peanuts.
 |
| Pastry Chef Syeriff preparing traditional Apam Balik pancakes |
Ah! Choices!
Choices! So many choices even just for desserts.
No wonder
this sumptuous spread is dubbed the Friday Super Buffet!
The Friday Super Buffet dinner is served
from 6.30pm to 10.30pm at RM138 nett
per person with 50% off this price
for the second person. This discount also applies to children aged between six
to 12 years old.
For a
pre-weekend treat, Amaya Food Gallery also serves a dinner buffet spread on Thursday prepared in the theme, Around The World, featuring cuisine
from all around the world!
And on Saturday night, Amaya Food Gallery
serves a meat-lovers dinner buffet in the theme, Carvery & Panggang
(grilled) where a range of meats are freshly prepared to your taste.
Amaya
Food Gallery is on Level 6, the lobby level of Amari Johor Baru at No. 82-C Jalan
Trus, 80000 Johor Baru.
For reservations,
Tel: 607 – 266 8888 or email: amaya.johorbahru@amari.com.
For more
info, visit website: www.amari.com
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