Been hearing for so long about this top Jakarta buffet restaurant at the 5-star luxury hotel in Jakarta, JW Marriott, finally I had a chance to dine in here last night. I was honoured to be part of Sailendra's Ramadhan Gathering which present preview menu of their Ramadhan package. Along with several food bloggers, I came here around 6PM and had a chance to walk around the restaurant first before the dinner started. It is actually a super wide and luxury buffet restaurant with more than hundreds set table, open kitchen and live cooking stations. They're serving cuisine from all around Asia, western specialties and sumptuous desserts. Oh, they're also have a walk-in wine cellar with several world's finest wines collection.
During the upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, Sailendra invites their customer to take a tour on a special breakfasting culinary journey to enjoy four different delicious dishes every week from Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon and Pakistan. This mouth-watering offers, made me feel like I was in those Middle East countries hihihi...
Starting from the first
week of Ramadhan (June 17 - 25), Sailendra will bring us to enjoy Morocco
cuisine. Several best dishes have been prepared to boost the the fusion of
traditional spices and distinctive spices aroma of Morocco. Here's some of
Morocco's best cuisine:
Spiced Lamb Shanks with
Preserve Lemon and Prunes
I believe you know that lamb is one of tricky food to cook. When it's not cooked in a right way, you know what will happen, that bad smell ouch! But gosh, I gotta tell you that Sailendra's lamb shanks was DA BOMB! The meat was so juicy and tender, no bad smell at all, with the refreshing fragrant of lemon and prunes which made it rich in flavour. NO complaint!
I believe you know that lamb is one of tricky food to cook. When it's not cooked in a right way, you know what will happen, that bad smell ouch! But gosh, I gotta tell you that Sailendra's lamb shanks was DA BOMB! The meat was so juicy and tender, no bad smell at all, with the refreshing fragrant of lemon and prunes which made it rich in flavour. NO complaint!
Moroccan Meatballs with Tomato
Another Mediterranean style, this dish highlight the tomato paste without overpowering it. The meatballs was actually unique, made from a mix of mince beef and breadcrumbs. So, it's not like a typical 'bakso' in Indonesia, it is more dense but still juicy to chew.
Couscous with Chicken, Lemon and Raisin
"Couscous
is a traditional Berber dish of semolina (granules of durum wheat) which is
cooked by steaming." I never tasted couscous before, I just ever watched
it was presented in one of TV Show in Asian Food Channel. I thought it was made
from a rice, but it is durum wheat actually. The texture is more gritty like
sands but still light and fluffy to consume. This dish is served with chicken
and raisin with balance lemon flavor.
Chicken Tagine with Olive and Lemon
Thanks God,
Mediterranean style in Moroccan dishes is not always plain with tomato paste. I
found this slow-cooked chicken tagine was suit for my palate. The broth
reminded me of 'Soto Ayam Bening' in Indonesia. Rich in turmeric, cumin and
little bit ginger. Really refresh my throat, supeeeer love this one!!
The culinary tour is continued to Turkey. During the second week of
Ramadhan (26 June - 2 July) we will enjoy Turkish cuisine such as these Arabic
Mezzah.
"Mezzah or Mezze is selection of small dishes served as appetizers
before the main course or usually in the Near East or the Balkans to accompany
alcoholic drinks."
*clockwise : Feta Cheese, Fatoush,
Babaganoush, Tabuleh, Hummus
In Sailendra, they're serving some of Arabic Mezzah such as Hummus, Babaganush, Fatoush, Tabuleh, Zabneh Feta (Feta Cheese, my fav!), Mutabe, Imam Bayildi which most of all can be served/eat with pita bread. Again I have no idea how to serve and eat this kind of dishes hahaha...The one thing I know only Hummus, but thanks God, all these small dishes actually served with pita bread. So, the way to eat it only by choosing the Mezzah you like then spread or dip it into the pita bread. As simple as you eat Nachos. Most of the Mezzah are plain, so it is better for you to have sweet drinks companion.
In Sailendra, they're serving some of Arabic Mezzah such as Hummus, Babaganush, Fatoush, Tabuleh, Zabneh Feta (Feta Cheese, my fav!), Mutabe, Imam Bayildi which most of all can be served/eat with pita bread. Again I have no idea how to serve and eat this kind of dishes hahaha...The one thing I know only Hummus, but thanks God, all these small dishes actually served with pita bread. So, the way to eat it only by choosing the Mezzah you like then spread or dip it into the pita bread. As simple as you eat Nachos. Most of the Mezzah are plain, so it is better for you to have sweet drinks companion.
There are also Arabic
Fritters, such as Falafel, Cheese and Beef Samosas for the appetizers (sorry, I
couldn't take the picture since it is served one small bite for one person and
I couldn't wait any longer to bite it hahaha)
Braised Snapper Fillet
in Tomato
This dish presented a
juicy snapper fillet in a balance tomato paste. Since it's too plain for my
palate, I just try it a bit, but for you who loves tomato paste, this one is
quite tempting.
Lentil Soup with Arabic
Crouton
"Lentil soup refers
to a variety of vegetarian and meat soups made with lentils. The soup may
consist of green, brown, red, yellow or black lentils, with or without the
husk. Dehulled yellow and red lentils disintegrate in cooking, making a thick
soup." This thick soup was rich in taste since it was made from lentils
(nuts). The savoury and a little sweet flavour was suit for my palate.
I always love everything with coriander since it's make any dishes more fragrant. So does this dishes, the juicy and tender braised chicken wings was cooked with tomato, lemon juice and coriander which boost the fragrant more... love it love it!
After Turkey, savour the greatness of the eastern of Mediterranen Sea, Lebanon, on the third week (3 - 9 July) and try their famous Lebanese Beef Makloubi (Maqlooba) made from meat, rice, and fried vegetables such as raisins and cashews. In the origin country, it actually was served 'maqlooba' or place in a pot and get it upside-down. The rice was so fragrant and I love to eat that with the cashwes. Surely it turned my taste bud upside and down!
Eggplant and Tomatoes
This dish was a combination of eggplant and lebanese beef in a plate. Rich in spice but not too overpowering the whole flavor.
On the last week of Ramadhan (10-16 July), break your fasting with Pakistan specialties. Tonight I tried their Pakistan Beef Kofta and Chicken, a simple dishes made from deep-fried minced beef which for me was better served as appetizer hehehe...Besides, there are also Chicken Karahi. spicy chicken with peppers, Boti Kebab and Chapli Kebab.
Well, well, don't stop before you find the authentic Middle-Eastern desserts, Sailendra serves Um Ali, Baklava and Katayef
Um
Ali, an Arabic bread pudding with soft and fluffy texture. Um Ali used to be
very sweet, I tried in several Mediterranean resto before, but thanks God,
Sailendra made it balance, the sweetness is light and balance.
Baklava,
a rich, sweet Middle-Eastern pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped
nuts and sweetened. The flavor was too sweet for me but I still can keep it up
for two bites hahaha
Katayef, a sort of sweet dumpling filled with cream or nuts. Crunchy but unfortunately for me it's tooo sweet.
Katayef, a sort of sweet dumpling filled with cream or nuts. Crunchy but unfortunately for me it's tooo sweet.
*clockwise : Um Ali, Baklava, Katayef
Other desserts on Sailendra's regular buffet
Wow it's such a long culinary journey that night. A perfect choice for you who loves to explore Middle-Eastern cuisines. Only for IDR338,000++ you could enjoy all those scrumptious yet unique dishes from four countries to break your fast. Special for Ramadhan, Sailendra will present Marawis music everyday from 18.00 to 20.00 WIB and Sufi dance every Friday. For more info and reservation you can call them on +6221-5798 8888.
Thank you so much JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta for this chance especially for Mba Marlene and Cherry. Looking forward for another scrumptious dishes served at your best buffet restaurant. Gonna back for sure for your Morroccan Lamb Shank!
Sailendra Restaurant
JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta
Jl. DR. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung
Kav. E.12 no. 1&2
Mega Kuningan Central Business District
Jakarta 12950
www.marriot.com/jktjw
IG : @JWMARRIOTTJKT
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