Mexican food for buka puasa

What say you on the issue below?

FANCY hand-rolled sushi for breaking fast or some piping hot tortillas loaded with all the good stuff?

Ramadan at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa comes with a wider array of international flavours this year so take your pick and go Asian, Indian, Japanese, Italian, Chinese or Mexican at the Terrace Cafe.

In the late evenings this month, Terrace Cafe on the lower ground floor of the hotel teems with diners keen to try old and new dishes. And, in between having their fill of the food, guests can enjoy the melodious tunes of “asli” music and some classical Malay songs.

Signature offerings: The Gulai Kawah makes an annual appearance at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa.

The hotel’s signature Gulai Kawah or seven varieties of curries, predominantly Malay and Indian, is a must-have at the Terrace Cafe. Moreover, the chefs are on standby to stir each brew to provide a great photo opportunity especially for first-time visitors.

Even before you approach the setup, the heady mix of spices will flirt with your nostrils. This year’s offerings are Daging Gulai Kawah, Ikan Assam Pedas, Perut Lembu Masak Lemak Cili Padi, Kambing Kuzi, Dalcha Tulang Rawan, Kari Kepala Ikan and Ayam Masak Kerutup.

If you saunter over to other parts of the cafe, often packed beyond capacity these days, you’re bound to spot the colourful display of California Rolls and Maki Sushi.

Scaled down: The IOI Special Ais Kacang condiments may have been reduced in number but the counter remained popular with the young and old.

The chefs here swiftly attend to each order and deftly prepare the rolls so you have ample time to enjoy the delicacies at your table before the seaweed turns chewy.

The Mexican flavour, introduced to Terrace Cafe just this year, features tacos, nachos, enchiladas and quesaladillas. You can butter the tortilla shells with guacamole and choose a variety of filling, chopped tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, grapes or minced meat.

Malay chef Zulkafli Mohammad recommends the Arabian Grilled Whole Lamb and Hentian Muara Ikan Bakar Station.

House specials: Chef Zulkafli Mohammad with his recommendations from the lineup Fruit melange: The Acar Buah. of appetisers.

Here, once you’ve braved the steam (think of it as a mini facial), you’re in for a treat of choice cuts of lamb or grilled sotong or fish slathered in a yummy marinade.

Near the lamb and fish stations is the Italian a la minute pasta station where the al dente spaghetti whipped up can be enjoyed with bolognese sauce (minced beef) or simply, aglio olio (olive oil) style. The Chinese section offers a noodle bar.

The dessert section is popular with adults and children alike. Though the 101 condiments for the do-it-yourself IOI Special Ais Kacang were scaled down this year to prevent wastage, there was still a variety of toppings to entice the young and old.

The Ramadan Seribu Impian Buka Puasa Buffet at the Terrace Cafe is priced at RM78++ per adult and RM47++ per child. The Ramadan All You Can Eat at Summer Palace is priced at RM68++, the Ramadan Bento at Midori is RM58++ and the Ramadan Italian Set Dinner at Tuscany is RM68++.