Durian feast at Tonka Bean Café and Deli's Selera Serantau Ramadan preview

By Laura Lee

What I enjoyed most at my recent Ramadan preview at Impiana KLCC Hotel was the durian “fiesta” held outside of its Tonka Bean Café and Deli. The hotel is one of the few that serves durian as part of its “berbuka puasa” offerings, and theirs are good durians from Raub, Pahang. 

Its staff can’t open them fast enough for us to taste. We could only get two or three pieces to be fair to the rest but there’s no stopping you going for a second or third round if you care to queue for it.  

Small round table stands are placed outside for you to put your platter of durian and have a tete-a-tete with those who enjoy durians and are willing to share their varieties with you as some come bitter sweet and others real creamy. 

If you are thinking of coming just to whack durians, forget about it as I overhead a staff saying durians will be served from 8pm although its Selera Serantau Ramadan buffet dinner starts at 6.30pm. 

As you enter this open-air section you, the fruits are attractively placed here. Mangosteens are available too. They are supposed to be “cooling” after eating all those heaty durians.

One of the highlights of the buffet spread at Tonka Bean Café and Deli at all times is its vast variety of Baskin Robbins ice cream. I certainly had to squeeze some room for it despite taking so much durian that night.

One of the chef’s signature dishes is Sup Gearbox Meletup!, which I refrained from having it that night after taking so much durian. I certainly did not want to meletup or explode and raise my blood pressure. 

I could see the couple at my table enjoying this soup, sucking out the bone marrow from those huge joints with the plastic straw. Don’t worry if you think this dish finishes fast as I could see the chefs replenishing it.

Other signature dishes not to missed are its Kari Kepala Ikan Selatan and Nasi Briyani Gam Kambing Istimewa. For those who know how to enjoy the former, some of them like to go for the cheek of the fish head where the flesh is smoother while others would even go for its eyes.  

With over 200 specially prepared traditional local favourites to choose from amidst the soothing sounds of a live traditional ghazal performance, it’s not an easy choice to make what to try. 

This whole marinated roast lamb is one of its highlights

Anyway, you have until 10 pm to savour the widespread offerings from its Ocean Treasures counter to its dedicated counters for Western and Chinese cuisine, and live stations.

The hotel is starting its Ramadan promotion from 5 May to 4 June and pricing it at RM148⁺ per adult or RM74⁺ per child. For those who missed its 30% early bird discount, there is still its 25% early bird discount which is valid until 4 May.

The discount reduces to 20% during the first and last week of Ramadan from 5-9 May and 30 May-4 June respectively. For group bookings, there’s the “Buy 10 Free 1” offer from 10-29 May.

I'm for Chinese New Year meals served banquet style

by Laura Lee

CNY selections from Impiana KLCC Hotel 

Say whatever you like, I am still very much a traditionalist. I prefer to have meals with my family members and relatives during Chinese New Year (CNY) ordered from the a la carte or set menu rather than going for a buffet spread.

Also, I find this to be more intimate as we can sit around the table, catch up with one another and toss yee sang together from a big plate with the condiments prepared by the staff. All we have to do is just Huat! Huat! Huat! 

Eating out on the first day of CNY at Restoran Yin Her in Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh, Selangor with my relatives for a nine-course lunch set

With all the eating sessions during CNY, I find Impiana KLCC Hotel's Fusion Chinese Specialty Menu promotion at Cedar on 15 from 15-19 February quite appealing as you can opt for four or six-course fusion Chinese dishes with a small group of friends.

Better still if they are drinking kaki as the price is inclusive of free flow of wine or aerated drinks throughout your dining period. You can opt for the noon to 2pm or the 6pm to 9.30pm. It’s RM188 nett per person for a four-course meal or RM288 nett a person for a six-course. 

Among the dishes featured under this menu are the Chef’s Prosperity Yee Sang with a Twist. Yin Yang of Pistolet Bay Scallops, Consomme of Tiger Prawn with Crabmeat, Black Fungus, Bamboo Shoots and ‘Money Bags’, Calamansi Lime Australian Black Angus Beef Tournedos baked with Soy and Five Spices.

In between your course meal, you will get served Ginger Sherbet. For dessert at the end of the meal, the selection will be Trio of Opera Cake, Green Tea Mousse and Longan Ice Cream. 

When I was at Cedar on 15 previously for its Romantic Valentine’s Dinner preview, I had my first glimpse of this award-winning rooftop restaurant and lounge on the hotel's 15th floor. 

I like the cosy ambience that was created for us much ahead of 14 February date for Valentine's Day. Our wine selection comprised sparkling wine from Australia, plus red and white wines from Chile. 

Enjoyed this Chilean white wine - Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc 2017 -  which I was told would be the same wine served at its CNY buffet dinner

What I also like about Cedar on 15 is you can get to see panoramic views of the city skyline while you enjoy your meal. 

CNY sets

If you are with a bigger group, the hotel’s chef has lined up three CNY set menus featuring eight or nine-course dishes. They are priced at RM1,488.00⁺, RM1,788.00⁺ and RM2,388.00⁺ for a table of 10 persons respectively, with a bottle of red or white wine thrown in per table.

Among the well-known Chinese traditional dishes included in its chef’s favourite selection are Braised Seafood Soup with Five Treasures, Steamed Sea Dragon Tiger Grouper with Superior Soya Sauce, Black Mushrooms with Dried Oysters and Winter Melon with Black Moss Sauce.

The list also includes Wok Fried Fresh Tiger Prawns with Aromatic Garlic, Ginger and Tomato Paste, Roasted Chicken with Szechuan Sauce, Pumpkin Puree with Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls and Deep Fried Crispy New Year Cake.

Prior reservation is required if you plan to go for this CNY set. The dining venue is within the hotel with the time slot determined at your time of reservation. Best to book early to make the necessary arrangements and avoid disappointment.

I was at the hotel again for the preview of its CNY buffet specialties at Tonka Bean Café Deli, a contemporary all-day casual dining restaurant as it was promoting its CNY buffet dinner here on the eve of CNY and CNY High Tea on 5 February.  

This whole fried red snapper with sweet sour pineapple sauce was my colleague's favourite

I went for the meat dishes like this roasted lamb and seafood such as prawns and crabs cooked in various styles. 

The buffet spread was so wide, comprising western and local dishes, that I came out wondering apart from its CNY setting, did I have a CNY meal? Which means I might need to return to the hotel to check out its Fusion Chinese Specialty promotion.

The array of dessert at the buffet left me dumbfounded on what to select. I picked up a fortune cookie which tells me, "Fame, riches and romance are yours for the asking". What more can I ask for now?