Special thanks to DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Penang for extending this food review invitation.
Riding on favorable response to DoubleTree Resort‘s Poolside BBQ Buffet, the hotel has crafted a special menu for the month of Ramadan. Held at Makan Kitchen, the buffet dinner is served every Saturday evening throughout the holy month.
The unique feature in this Ramadan-themed menu is the kerabu counter, where diners are able to create their own kerabu (Malay salad). Choose from traditional ingredients such as shallots and unripe papaya, or unusual ones like perut lembu (beef stomach) and kaki ayam (chicken feet).
Ulam-ulaman cover daun gajus (cashew leaves), daun selom (selom leaves), kacang botol (winged beans) and more. These raw vegetables are usually eaten with condiments like sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste), sambal mangga (mango chili relish), budu (fermented anchovies) and cincalok (fermented shrimps). Ikan masin (salted fish) and telur masin (salted egg) are provided too.
As expected, the section that gets the most attention is the grilling station. The barbecue grill is heated by charcoal instead of cooking gas. The former has the advantage of imparting a distinctive touch of toastiness.
Grilled meats such as beef, lamb and chicken are marinated with tantalizing local spices. Meanwhile, seafood choices are fish, prawns and squid. The fish of choice this evening is tilapia, one of the sustainable fishes as recommended by Hilton’s corporate responsibility.
Ayam Bakar Madu Mustard is a recommended hot dish from the kitchen. Chicken pieces are cooked with honey mustard sauce until they turn golden brown. Other notable dishes are Ayam Rendang Lasagna (chicken rendang lasagna), Dalcha Sayur Sayuran (vegetable curry) and Sambal Terung Berlada (spicy eggplant).
Next, Nasi Briyani Kambing is a signature dish of the hotel’s Indian Chef. Rice is cooked with mutton, ghee and a variety of spices. The dish uses long-grain basmati rice as its light, fluffy texture makes it blend well with spices.
The buffet features several action stations where à la minute dishes are prepared. As Penang’s iconic hawker food, Char Koay Teow (炒粿条) is well received. The flat rice noodle is stir-fried with garlic, soy sauce, chili paste, garlic chives, bean sprouts, fish cake and shrimps. Char Koay Teow is best enjoyed while it is piping hot from the wok.
DoubleTree Resort is among the few places in Penang that have a dedicated Indian section in the kitchen. Spicy Lamb Masala and Aloo Matter represent Indian cuisine this evening. Both snacks are wrapped with chapati, a type of unleavened flatbread that is popular in the subcontinent.
Signature Seafood Tomyam is something that you do not easily find elsewhere. The spicy Thai soup contains shrimps, mussels and clams, and is steamed in miniature bowls made from coconut shells. The fiery taste of the soup is complemented by soothing sweetness of coconut flesh. Be sure not to miss this unique delicacy!
Towards the end of the meal, diners can help themselves to warm desserts like Bubur Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice porridge), Bubur Kacang Hijau (mung bean soup) and Bubur Jagung (sweet corn porridge).
Pastry choices this evening are Cheesecake, Red Velvet Cake, Tartlets and Fruit Jellies. I am particularly fascinated by the Warm Chocolate Pudding. The fragrant cocoa aroma makes my mouth water!
Finally, cleanse your palate with refreshing beverages like teh tarik (pulled milk tea), asam boi (lime & plum juice) and sirap bandung (rose-flavored milk). These chilled drinks are prepared in classic hawker-style dispensers. Coffee and fruit juices are not part of the buffet and they need to be ordered separately.
Like the ongoing Poolside BBQ Buffet, this Ramadan-theme buffet is priced at RM99.00 per person. Children and senior citizens enjoy 50% discount. If buffet is not your cup of tea, opt for a 3-course meal that is priced at RM49.00 net person. The course meal is served between 1 May 2019 and 4 June 2019, and is available for lunch and dinner.
Name: Makan Kitchen
Address: 56, Jalan Low Yat, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-892-8000
Business hours: 6:30am-10:30pm
Website: Click here
Coordinates: 5.47781 N, 100.26905 E
Directions: DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Penang is located halfway between Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. The hotel is on the left when driving from the former. Makan Kitchen is located one level below the hotel lobby. Parking costs RM5.00 per entry.