When I first saw The HSS’ pictures of Latest Recipe, I cursed. No, no, it wasn’t an imaginary curse. I sent him an SMS with some colourful language. Firstly, I was jealous of his pictures, and secondly, I wasn’t there. (Commercial break: This talented dude takes FABULOUS pictures. I have a shrine for him in my garden where my pet frog, Tom, lives. Tom worships him too. End of commercial.) So when I received an invitation to dine at Latest Recipe, I didn’t give two hoots whether The HSS was invited. I was going, baby, and I was going to taste some of that gorgeous psychedelic teppanyaki ice cream which I had salivated over at his Flickr site. Boolicious, Paprika and Cheryl Lum (the Director of Communications at Le Meridien KL) made up the ravenous group.
Indian Counter
Tandooris and naans. Chapatis and dhal. Raita and Mutton. Green pea curry and kebabs. Beautiful colours, lovely aromas and fiery flavours. I was happy to just stand at this counter and bask in the atmosphere. Until somebody asked me for a slab of the Mutton Skewer.
Salad Bar
It certainly got my attention! The rows of test tubes contained a variety of salad dressings, pre-mixed and ready to pour. Boo and I felt like Form 5 students in the lab as we picked up each tube, peered at it closely through thick rimmed glasses, made an analysis of it, and poured a different mix into each of the 6 little piles of salad. Mrs Easau, my Chemistry teacher, would have been so proud of me. And the salad! Crisp mesclun, romaine lettuce, cucumber, carrots, corn, radish and sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, croutons, capers, pickled vegetables and a whole lot more tantalized us as we struggled to make up our minds. And to top it all off, there was balsamic vinegar in fascinating fruity flavours – raspberry to apricot to orange, and truffle oil for a splash of luxury. Salad never looked so good.
Japanese Counter
I confess. I reached for the sashimi first. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I’ve had years of conditioning at buffet lines, and the one-two have always been sashimi and oysters. You there. Yes you. I heard you say “how typical”. Now do 20 pushups before I tell your mama.
The sashimi was nice with a selection of salmon, maguro, butterfish and octopus. The teppanyaki brought about mixed reactions. We had no complaints about the taste, a beautiful buttery blend with seafood mayo topping, but the scallops were a little undercooked. Of course, that would have been easily rectifiable had we taken it back and asked the chef to cook it further, but our butts felt a little too heavy at this point. Anyhow, a soft mushy scallop ain’t so bad after the third piece. The beef was soft and pliable, just like my grandmother’s gums.
Chilean Oysters
I was in polite company, so I didn’t take more than four. You there. Did you say something again? Give me another 20 pushups.
There was also a range of other seafood on ice – Green lipped mussels, pacific prawns, slipper lobster and blue yabbies.
Malay Counter
I headed straight for the seafood barbeque. Marinated in a simple sauce of light soy, onions and pepper, we had a choice of stingray, prawns, squid and bamboo clam. I loved the asam jawa sauce which I liberally poured over the seafood, but I thought the bamboo clams were a bit sandy. Who needs fibre, eh?
Chinese and Western Counter
We weren’t impressed with the dim sum which we found a bit too hard and the skin too thick. The shanghai noodles in hot and sour sauce was absolutely delicious. Imagine one bowl shared among four people (we wanted to make space for other food). We were practically fighting to slurp up the last bit of starchy soup.
The pasta was the chef’s special. The squid ink fettucine with garlic, mushroom, chili and shrimp in olive oil was very good, although the flavours were rather subtle. All pastas are made on the spot, so you’re assured of freshness.
Chocolate Fountain
There are normally three chocolate fountains at Latest Recipe: dark, milk and white. But the white had thrown a bit of a tantrum when we were there and was taken away for a rotan session, so we settled for the remaining two. There was a lovely selection of marshmallows (filled with assorted flavours), chocolate cake and strawberries – sweet, juicy strawberries that turned into sinful glossy temptations after being rained on with melted chocolate.
Tapas and Other Desserts
It was easy enough to mistake some of the savoury tapas as desserts. The shredded duck rillette looked more like nougat, while the cauliflower panna cotta didn’t look like it had cauliflower in it. (Now that’s an idea to get the kids to eat their vegetables!) The sweet desserts didn’t quite excite me. The pretty presentation was just that. Pretty.
The freshly prepared waffles came with an assortment of condiments: raspberry jam, peanut butter, mango, chocolate and raspberry sauce. Very nice, although it was a bit too thick.
Lovely lacquered trays with moulded compartments for individual items were provided for ease of carrying. It is thoughtful details like these that draw me to a place. Likewise, the Japanese counter also had a similar type of tray with different sized compartments to lay out the sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki items. The trays fit in perfectly with the lively coloured panels along the counters. Similarly, the presentation of the food in cast iron pans, woks and chinaware made it look much more appealing as compared to your run-o’-the-mill buffets.
Teppanyaki Ice-Cream
Being part Japanese, I chose the green tea ice cream over the less exciting chocolate, strawberry and coconut. With a wide array of sprinkles, from dried fruits, nuts and jellies, I picked the ever-popular Koko Krunch (perhaps I had heard it mentioned once too often this past week) to be mixed together with the ice-cream on the ice-cold table top. The resultant product was a chunky blended ice cream. Whilst I liked the texture, I thought the flavour of the green tea was a bit too strong.
Paprika scorned at my selection and declared that she was going to get something resembling the rainbow. The rainbow in her part of the world must be very different from mine.
Overall, I felt that the buffet was worth the price as quite a bit of the food was freshly prepared. Service wasn’t so great , though, as they kept clearing but not replacing my utensils. Don’t skip the Indian counter – it was definitely one of the best, while the teppanyaki at the Japanese counter came a close second. Desserts are always a novelty, so the next time I visit, I shall spend more time trying the cooked food instead of reserving space for desserts. The ice-cream can be improved. The noodles and pasta were a surprise – I loved them both. And finally, a big thank you to Cheryl for the invitation.
Also check out:
Latest Recipe
Level 5, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.
For reservations, call: 03-2263 7434
Operating hours: 12.00pm to 2.30pm (lunch), 6.30pm to 11.00pm (dinner)
Buffet lunch: RM68++
Buffet dinner: RM78++
(Surcharge of RM10++ on weekends)
Buffet desserts: RM38++
Sigh. So much food and so little space.
Green lips? Did you say green lips?
^_^
Yes,Argus, they’re long lost relatives of The Grinch. But tastier.
Looks really really good! We shud kick ass babe! lol!
don’t la worship me like that. i’m improving along the way. as long you kaki makan you’re safe. i like your perspective of the indian counter sauces.
BBO: Yah. Worth a visit! 🙂
Riz Baby: I refuse to remove the shrine. Tom will cry. Not Tim. Tom. You like the indian counter sauces? I had to do a snooker move there. I think some of my kelemumur masuk the periuk. 😛
Who is Manuel?! And how did Kenny get you mixed up with him? (I’m assuming it’s a ‘him’ and not an ‘it’.)
Wow..!! that’s alot of food..!
I am confused.. is this a buffet restaurant with all these food being served?? Amazing it it is!!
oops! I think I had to do a lot of push ups 😉
*scream* All the food looks SOOOooooo GOOD!!!!
And i was heading for my mid-term paper later while struggling with my last bit of revision. HELP!!! FOOD NEEDED~
Love the salad bar part,never did i visit any salad bar with so many dressings!
The indian counter looks good, so does the Jap, seafood, malay, choc fondue, tapas, dessert & ice-cream I WANT THEM ALL!
Okay, LL, you know now tat i’m food deprived! Anyone want to DHL some over?
Burp!!! Food glorious food! Everything looks wonderful!
Fuwah, i like the picture of the pots (indian counter)….. eating is now more focus on photography!!
the teppanyaki ice-cream is widely available in australia..its known as cold rock!! cold rock ice-cream here i come!!!
man, i want the chocolate fountain and the sushi! Lots and lots of sushi…oh and did I mention the Indian counter too?
Argus: Manuel is Kenny’s friend, and I HAVE met him. It’s just my skewed sense of humour showing on your blog at that ungodly hour in the morning, dear. Re-read it and tell me if you get it. 🙂
Crunchasaurus Rex: Absolutely. It’s a buffet. 😉
Hazza: Dear me, I didn’t mention the buffet part, did I? Bad lemongrass. *slaps wrist*
Msiagirl: Yes, that remark was targetted at you. 😛
JOjo: Study hard and if you’re really good, I’ll send you some food. 🙂
Precious Sista: Well, if you’d like to go, my Starwood card is still valid. 😉
neko-hime: Nay, eating will never be focused on photography. I still choose eating over photography anytime. Hehe.
lotsofcravings: Cold rock, eh? It’s a nice concept. 🙂
daphne: Hahaha. You’ll have to come over here soon, girl!
Nothing beats buffet at Shang
Until Le Meridien you sang
Shall start CNY with a bang
My diet plan I’ll hang.
I also have a shrine in my garden for you mah…
Complete with a pot of lemongrass…
Useful when I wanna cook curry or tom yam…
“The beef was soft and pliable,..” I want those!
“.. just like my grandmother’s gums.” I’ll have those later .. much later. Esp after a dose of Mrs Lovett’s pies.
It is Koko Krunch!
Nic:
Brilliant plan
To screw the diet
Let’s get on with it
Before I’m tired.
Your place or mine
Not for THAT lar, you idiot
Perhaps we’ll dine
At Neroteca or Palate Palette?
A shrine for me
Is an excellent idea
No mozzies for sure
But you can’t repel me, I fear.
Tummythoz: Oh they certainly can’t compare to Mrs. Lovett’s pies. Not that I’ve tried any. 😛
Zahara: That para and pics were dedicated to you, the eternal fan of Koko Krunch 😉
http://www.creamandfudge.com/
too bad they are only in bangkok (but then again I go there every June). Anyone want to bring this franchise in?
This gotta be heaven!
Oh dear, the only thing I can connect with ‘Manuel’ is ‘manual’. Terrible, hor?
Is the first pic tiny pillows of buffalo mozzarella? Mmm… my fav cheese product.
Oh dear! Those are really really GOOD…
Your photos/pictures tell all the stories!!!!
gorgeous! and i think the price’s quite reasonable for the type of food served..hungry now..
“Being part Japanese….” LOL!!! No one read that or is that really a fact that I didn’t realise…LOL!
We’ll go nice and slow………….
To Palate Pallette we’ll flow
This Saturday, ok or no?
Let this shrine-cleaner know.
Emailed you already… 🙂
Henry: Too bad I got no money to bring them in. hehe.
a feast, everyday: almost! 😀
argus: Manuel is this GORGEOUS dude from Italy. GORGEOUS WORGEOUS, I tell you. And a great personality to boot. 🙂 At least you’re thinking Manual. I have worse thoughts. 😛 And no, that’s just plain old marshmallows. Well, not plain old, I guess. I love toasted marshmallows, and marshmallows in hot chocolate. Mmmmmmm. Look what you’ve done to me, you bad girl!
BigFish: Thankyew thankyew. So sweet of yew!!
sc: The price is even more reasonable with the Starwood card. hehehe. I gotta use it before it expires soon!
wmw: How observant. I was going to reward the first person to notice that! Top marks for you. Please remember to claim your prize. 😀
Nic:
What a charmer you are
I’m weak in my knees
Saturday lunch is good
It’s a date, call me please.
sashimi, sashimi, sashimi! I’ll prolly spend most of the time hanging around the jap counter.
XLB: LOL. Maybe we shouldn’t eat together. Nanti we’ll be pulling out each other’s hair fighting for the last bit of sashimi. Aiyoyo.
Hi there!
Haven’t commented since you shifted blog.. i LOVE this post esp your photography! Really of professional standard.. Gosh the food looks too good and definitely bad for my diet.. haha. anyway, keep up the good work! 😉
Oooo… Italian! My fav European cuisine, ahem.
Now, is that why I love the Italian footie team?
(Are you sure Bald Eagle is not reading your droolings like tea leaves at the bottom of the C-cup?)
200,000. Mark it.
jesscet: You’re too kind lah. Your comment really cheered me up. I was just feeling a little down about my photography, and it’s nice to hear encouragement such as yours. 🙂
argus: Oh, Bald Eagle is reading every word. Trust me. He may be holidaying in Australia right now, but he still finds time to read my blog. I’m sure he doesn’t mind my droolings over all things Italian, male or otherwise. 😀 Are we shifting from Japanese to Italian now, argus? Tsk tsk….make up your mind, girl!
those are not silk worms on a stick right?
Tepanyaki ice cream? so cool!!!
oysters! chocolate fountain! *drools*
Oh, looks so yummy!!
not to be nitpicky but ‘teppanyaki’ means grilled on an iron plate so the ice-cream really isn’t really a ‘teppanyaki’-prepared ice-cream. actually, it’s very similar to the ice-creams made and served by the Cold Stone Creamery. check them out. delish.
O.o!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG so cheap! so good! So fresh! so beautiful! Aih…if only penang have such good buffets at good price. I would sapu foods from all counters la…But of course I will down at least 2 dozen oyster first XD
That teppanyaki ice cream is not something new. I saw it more than 2 years ago in Singapore. It never reach Msian shores…dunno why.
You so lucky!!!
*pouts, look at the pathetic looking bowl of mee maggi in hand and walk away sadly *
tepanyaki ice cream?! i am drooling over now…
Zahara: Yep, did it. 🙂
teckiee: Nothing that exotic, dear. Just marshmallows.
Christine: And apparently, not so new after all!
Bee Nee: hehe. wipe that saliva!
Ling: It was nice 🙂
aeric: thanks for the info! You’re right…I’ve had Cold Stone Creamery in the US before.
Jian: Awww poor thang. Maggi Mee oso nice mah.
ai wei: hehe. drool away!
i went there last weekend
the food is not as good as what v see here
the variety anf quality of ffod is not worth for what we pay
only the prawns, oyssters and the green tea ice cream were good
the rest were very common
ok ok u have blogged enuf now ………. its going to be my turn to blog abt it ….. will be goin to taste for sure
Which hotel the dessert is the best u think ah? i mad about dessert…..either le meridien & imperial…which 1…is better ehhh?
Can I have a birthday party there?