Weekends are very important to me as that is the only time I get to sleep in, relax and unwind. But there are times I wake up hankering for an occasional cholesterol-laden buffet. When Cheryl and Leslie of Mandarin Oriental invited me to try the Sunday Roast Buffet at the Mandarin Grill, I happily accepted.
The restaurant looked unassuming from the outside, but it was plush and magnificent inside. To match the sophisticated décor, the spread at Mandarin Grill was extensive and indulgent. It’s almost impossible to try everything on offer; I didn’t manage to. In addition to the buffet spread, diners can also help themselves to a selection of main courses (which changes every week).
I walked around the spread for a while, not knowing where to start! Cheeses, pastries, freshly baked breads, luscious butter, seafood bar, salad bar, tapas…I was spoilt for choice. Appetizer and antipasti were prepared in small, individual portions and the assortment of amuse bouche tasted as good as they looked. The seafood bar comprised mussels, clams, tiger prawns, eagles rock oyster and crabs, with a choice of shallot xeres vinegar, Rosemarie sauce, cocktail sauce, Tabasco, wasabi mayonnaise as a complement.
The huge chunk of Cote De Boeuf was done just the way I like – nice and charred on the outside with a warm centre. Also quite delicious was the seabass, which was fresh and moist. While tucking into my food, a waiter came over with a plate of tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce and offered some to me. Not bad, but I preferred the smoked duck risotto. Creamy, firm and nicely chewy, I was tempted to have another serving but stopped short after looking at my plateful of unfinished food.
rif’s cottage pie with beef cheek was much tastier. Presentation was lovely – the pie was almost too beautiful to eat. I wished I could try a few more items from the main course menu, but I barely had any room left for dessert.
The desserts were delicious, each in their own way. My favourites were the chocolate ganache cake and crème brulee. The latter had a bold vanilla taste while the cake was incredibly rich with a pleasant bitter aftertaste. I thought the scones were nothing to shout about and the panna cotta, although decent, wasn’t soft/wobbly enough.
The Sunday Roast Buffet cost RM199++ per person, and for an extra RM100, diners will enjoy a free-flow of alcoholic beverage. That’s RM299++ for free flow of champagne, wines, bloody mary, cosmopolitan, mojito, pina colada, beer and house spirits. On a whole, the food was delicious, presentation was elegant and service was attentive – I had a fabulous time. But in all honesty, this is a tad pricey for my meagre income. I’ll be saving this for special occasions. If you feel like indulging in large quantities of fine food, this is the place to go to.
Ambiance: 8.5/10Price: 4/10
Food: 7.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Mandarin Grill’s Sunday Roast Buffet was sumptuous, indulgent and delectable. Definitely an experience to remember!
Mandarin Grill
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2380 8888