Vasco’s,
Hilton Kuala Lumpur,
Lobby Level, 3,
Jalan Stesen Sentral,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2264 2592 / 2596
Business hours: All-day dining.
Chef de cuisine Mohammad Hasrul and senior sous chef Mohd Faizal Abd Ghani have incorporated some family recipes into the buka puasa spread at Vasco?s, Hilton Kuala Lumpur.
Hasrul, who hails from Johor, and Faizal, a KL boy, have married classic recipes with modern styles and techniques to whip up a gastronomic experience that is suitable for all.
Some dishes such as the Ayam Masak Merah Bentayan is made based on the recipe by Hasrul?s mother while other recipes such as Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Padi were sourced from family members.
With some 150 dishes available every day, one hardly knows where to start.
Faizal recommends his speciality, Vasco?s Special Ayam Golek. The simple presentation of the dish belies the rich flavour.
Nestled in banana leaf, the chicken is served with a simple garnish. The flesh is tender and juicy. The taste of the chicken is intact and the spices used complement its natural flavour.
The ayam golek is marinated like peri-peri chicken but with Faizal?s own concoction of spices. It is then put on the rotisserie and slow-cooked to juicy perfection.
Another must-have is Ikan Pari Asam Pedas Johor. The buffet features a fish station every day where diners get to select their own slice of fish to be seared in banana leaf.
But for the asam pedas, the fish is cooked in chilli-tamarind broth. The broth is nothing like the thick, smooth, curry-like gravy of most asam pedas; it is peppered with bits of fresh ingredients such as chillies, making it a rich brew.
Hasrul recommends a visit to the roasted whole lamb stall. The lamb, usually marinated the Western way, is given the Middle East treatment with Arabic spices for a ?different taste?. The gamey taste of the lamb is pleasantly missing.
The Sambal Udang Petai is infused with the raw, green taste of petai, which goes well with the prawns. Other dishes that have pleasantly surprised diners are the Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Padi and Rendang Kepah Utara.
According to Faizal, the heat level of the dishes had been toned down as spicy food does not bode well for the stomach during the fasting month.
Apart from the Ramadan specialities, the buka puasa buffet also features a wide range of kerabu, soups, salads, mains and desserts. Other cuisines such as Chinese and Western food are also available.
Vasco?s, which replaced Sudu and The Noodle Room, started welcoming diners in June.
The new all-day dining restaurant does more to pique diners? senses with its interactive kitchen elements designed to entertain guests with culinary theatrics.
Apart from good food, diners will be kept busy with the preparation of various dishes at different stalls.
The Kampung Vasco?s Buka Puasa Buffet is priced at RM139++ per adult and RM69.50++ per child. Hilton Premier Club Cardholders are entitled to a 10% discount during weekdays and 15% discount during weekends while CIMB credit card holders will get a 10% discount.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
