HILTON Hotel Petaling Jaya's critically acclaimed Paya Serai restaurant is a favourite with those breaking fast during Ramadan.
Patrons can count on a wide variety of traditional kampung, Indian, Chinese and Western favourites at the restaurant.
Business at Paya Serai during Ramadan is so good that guests have to make reservations or come early to book a table.
A culinary team led by the hotel's executive chef Ridzuan Malek has prepared over 300 dishes for the buffet spread.
It will be a daunting task to choose your favourite dishes from the buffet table such as lawa roasted beef salad, fish head curry, rendang tok, ikan bakar Melaka, whole roasted lamb Malay-style, serawa durian and pulut, kerabu gamat and apam balik.
Paya Serai executive sous chef Hassan Raweter said guests must not miss out on the special roast lamb.
"We marinate the lamb with spices and herbs such as cajun seasoning, rosemary, thyme and garlic and place the meat in a chiller for the flavours to be infused into the meat.
"The lamb is slow-roasted for 31/2 hours in an oven until the meat is tender, succulent and bursting with flavour.
"You have a choice of barbecue, mint or rosemary sauce to go with it," he said.
You will also find the ayam golek percik special at the same station. Shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, turmeric, red chilli powder and coconut milk are among the ingredients that lend this popular dish its characteristic flavour.
The fish head curry is one of Hassan's favourite dishes as it is based on his mother's recipe. The spicy and slightly sour curry is good to the last spoonful.
At the roti canai station, a stall attendant can be seen turning out yummy knockout delights like roti canai, roti telur and chicken murtabak.
If you must have Chinese cuisine, there is a stall offering nasi goreng China, wok-fried prawns with spicy sauce, hot and sour Szechuan soup, wok-fried beef with ginger and spring onions and Chinese mixed vegetables.
A salad station nearby is where you can make your own dream salad. There are plenty of leafy greens and dressings such as Thousand Island and yogurt mint dressing. The "mandatory" rojak buah is also available.
One of the best places to stop by is the live-action grill station where you will be introduced to the joys of Mongolian barbecued food.
The friendly stall chef will throw items of your choice such as crabs, gizzards, green mussels, black mussels, tiger prawns, chicken, lamb, tomatoes, celery, saba, bean sprouts, onions, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, carrots and more, on the grill.
A special Mongolian barbecue sauce is added to this combination of meat, vegetables and seafood to create a splendid dinner option.
At this station, you will also find cooked dishes like squid rings, fried chicken, grilled pari and cencaru fish in leaves, fish tikka, chicken tandoori, garlic cheese naan, plain naan and butter naan.
Middle Eastern food is not left out as there is a special Arab Corner where guests can get Shawerma Chicken Kebabs.
At the Indian station, you will love the Indian food prepared by chef Raman Durairajan who hails from Madurai, South India but now calls Malaysia home after living here for over 20 years.
His specialities include Navaratna kurma, South Indian lamb curry, and briyani, among others.
The Apam Balik stall, ABC counter, Durian Orchard station and Malay Corner are sections of the buffet promotion you should check out.
For desserts, there are homemade cheesecake, tiramisu, kuih lapis, chocolate fountain with marshmallows, chocolate cakes, fruit tartlets and more.
The buffet promotion is priced at RM139++ (adult) and RM79++ (child). From July 23 to 27, the price is RM119++ (adult).
For details, call 03-7955 9122 or www.petaling-jaya.hilton.com.