A season of joy, love and peace at Trove JB

It’s the season of joy, love and peace again at the Trove Johor Baru and I’m at Lada & Clove restaurant for a preview of the Christmas and New Year buffet highlights.

A range of gingerbread men
designed on ginger and cinnamon cookies

Trove Johor Baru has established itself as a popular city hotel and the comments heard from friends and relatives who have stayed with them, (I’m glad to note!) are all rather encouraging.

The feedback was positive on the rooms, its facilities and service as well as the food served in Lada & Clove so I’m more than pleased to be here again.

For the coming festive season, Executive Sous Chef Firdaus and his culinary team has planned an exciting menu of dishes to serve in the buffet spreads for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as well as on Christmas Day.

I arrive early, while the chefs are putting the finishing touches to the buffet spread, so I stand well back to let them complete what they are doing to present the dishes to the best advantage.

Chef Kevin introducing the dishes in the Roast section
served in Lada & Clove restaurant

Eager to see what is in the spread, I keep an eye on the chefs and make my way to the buffet once they have completed their tasks. While the selection may not be extensive, its important that the food variety is both fresh and tastes good.

In the true tradition of the season, the Roast section features whole roasted turkey and there is also roasted spring chicken for those who do not fancy turkey.

Chef Kevin is proud to introduce Roast highlights that include roasted leg-of-lamb, Beef Wellington and roasted deer.

These Roast items are skillfully carved and served with a choice of sauces like Cranberry sauce, Giblet gravy, Rosemary and popular Black Pepper sauce.

My favourite, Brussels Sprouts

To strike a balance with the meats, there are roasted potatoes and vegetables, and seasonal vegetables with butter glazed Brussels Sprouts (my favourite!)

Salad appetizers can be assembled from garden greens to savour with a choice of sauces and there is also a cheese board for diners to nibble on a range of fragrant cheeses like Camembert, Emmental, Brie and stronger tasting Blue Cheese.

In the Cold Cuts section, Chef Zabrina has designed a range of appetizing bites like Prawn Cocktail, stuffed Cheesy Tomatoes with Tuna Mousse, Turkey Ham Rolls with Gherkin and a platter of Smoked Salmon.

While surveying the interesting items served within glass jars on this counter, I reach for a bread-stick displayed among the carrot and celery sticks with a dip sauce on the side.

At my first bite of the crunchy bread-stick, I’m hooked!

Don't miss the bread-sticks among the cold appetizers!

The right balance of its savoury and spicy flavours got to me and I cannot resist reaching out for the next and the next…

The Lada & Clove stays true to its identity by offering some dishes in the Christmas buffet that are tinged with a hint of spice, just to satisfy the local palate.

Popular Malaysian dish, Nasi Lemak or rice steamed in coconut milk, is served warm from a steamer, wrapped in banana leaves for an added fragrance.

Then diners can unwrap the leaf to top the rice with a choice of condiments like crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts, half a hardboiled egg, sambal sauce and the restaurant’s specialty, deep-fried whole sardines.

Set within a warmer, there is also Briyani Rice served with Mumbai Fried Chicken and nearby there is a choice of Oriental dishes like Butter Prawns, wok-fried Squid with dried chilli and cashew nuts and vegetarian dish, Loh Hon Chai.

Warm Nasi Lemak wrapped in banana leaf
with condiments on the side

As freshly made pasta in a choice of creamy or tomato gravy is served from a live-cooking station, my roaming eyes also spot Cheesy Mussels topped with salsa sauce among the dishes served in warming trays.

The taste of Christmas continues in the Dessert section where I admire attractively designed cakes, traditional Christmas log cakes and gingerbread men outlined on ginger and cinnamon cookies.

“He’s our pride and joy,” I cannot help but overhear this phrase.

I tear myself away from the desserts to focus on the conversation and soon discover that it is a reference to Chef Adam, the pastry chef who added his magic touch to create this festive range of Christmas cakes and goodies.

Chef Adam introducing his range of Christmas cakes,
cookies and delightful desserts

Holding this thought, I start my own celebration of joy, love and peace with a sweet treat in a slice of Chocolate Christmas log cake. Mmm…simply delicious!

The Christmas Eve dinner buffet on Dec 24 is served from 7pm at RM118 nett per adult and RM50 nett per child aged between five to 12 years old. Price includes party packs, live music entertainment by Christmas carolers and a Santa Claus appearance.

On Christmas Day, Dec 25, the buffet brunch is served from 11am to 3pm, priced at RM48 nett per adult and RM35 nett per child aged between five to 12 years old.

Among the highlights in this buffet brunch is a Sandwich counter that will feature assorted breads to assemble your own sandwich, spread with a choice of six types of jams and to fill with your pick from fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, sausages, assorted cheese, turkey ham, sliced beef, sliced chicken, a range of Tuna Mayo, Egg Mayo and Chicken Mayo, as well as sautéed mushrooms and Bolognese Beef Balls.

My sweet indulgence of joy, love and peace
at Lada & Clove restaurant

The New Year’s Eve dinner buffet on Dec 31 is served from 7pm at RM118 nett per adult and RM50 nett per child aged between five to 12 years old.

To close the year 2019 and to welcome 2020, the special menu arranged at Lada & Clove restaurant will include a Sushi station to savour a range of freshly made sushi and Seafood-on-Ice that feature juicy green mussels and plump Tiger prawns.

For larger groups, private events can also be hosted in the Grand Columbus Ballroom. The team at Trove Johor Baru is ready to create an unforgettable year-end celebration with an exciting meal menu, specially tailored for your group.

Lada & Clove restaurant is on Level 8 of Trove Johor Baru, situated at the corner where Jalan Abdullah Tahir meets with Jalan Tebrau, 80300 Johor Baru, Johor. Tel: +607 – 272 8888.

For reservations, Tel: +6012 881 8413 or +6016 771 7585.