I was fortunate to be invited to the preview of Nostalgia Ramadan Buffet Dinner or The Nostalgia Feast at Thyme Restaurant, located in the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur. The word ‘feast’ implied an exciting and diverse array of dishes, and I must admit it certainly delivered. With an incredible selection ranging from Rendang Kambing Golek, Ayam Kampung Berlado Hijau and OP Ribs Bakar to barbecued Malay classics such as Otak Otak and Satay, the whole experience was a food lover’s dream.
The entire Thyme restaurant was transformed into a vibrant showcase of flavours, with live action stations set up, with barbecue on the outdoor terrace. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the sight of a colourful fruit station next to the restaurant entrance. Mentally planned that for the grand finale and proceeded to the counter where fresh sashimi and sushi were being prepared. I couldn’t resist diving in, and I was not disappointed. The fish – particularly the salmon, tuna, and butterfish – was exceptionally fresh and delicious.
The next stop was a station where two chefs expertly crafted Fresh Lobster Som Tam right before my eyes. It was fun to watch them as they pounded the chillies and garlic, then added fresh papaya and carrots to the mix. They then combined everything with lobster and topped it off with a sprinkle of peanuts. The end result was a vibrant, fresh and flavourful dish.
Afterward, I made my way to another of my staples – the Nyonya Laksa station. This dish, with its rich and creamy broth, was comforting and delicious, as always. In the meantime, my companion explored the Rendang section, sampling three variations – beef, chicken, and duck. While the Beef Rendang was a little tough and overly sweet, the Chicken Rendang was very well-executed, and the Duck Rendang stood out for its robust flavours.
Being a fish lover, I couldn’t resist trying the Steamed Snapper in Soya Sauce and the Mediterranean-style snapper. Both were good, but I preferred the steamed snapper with its tender, melt-in-your-mouth fish in the rich, flavourful sauce. Meanwhile, my companion opted for the centrepiece of the restaurant – the Roasted Lamb – which was tender and packed with flavours. It was accompanied by the eye-catching blue Nasi Kerabu.
Of course, no Malaysian meal would be complete without Satay. The grilled skewers at Thyme were perfectly charred and served with a variety of dipping sauces. We complemented the Satay with a selection of fresh Salads from the Salad station, including a refreshing Mango Salad and a zesty Seafood Salad that offered the perfect balance of tanginess.
To finish, the dessert spread at Thyme Restaurant was impressive. From the colourful fruit station serving Mango Sticky Rice to a rich chocolate fountain, there was no shortage of indulgence. There was a nice variety of local and Western desserts on offer. For my companion, the Ice Kacang, particularly with the mashed durian topping, was the highlight.
Ambiance at Thyme
Throughout the evening, we were entertained by live Ghazal performances, which enhanced our enjoyment of the experience.
The service at Thyme throughout the night was very good – the efficient and polite staff ensured that our every need was met with a smile.
At a price of RM248 per adult and RM124 for children, The Nostalgia Feast is excellent value for such a lavish spread. And if you purchase tickets via the eShop, you get a 20% discount, making it even more affordable. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a flavourful Ramadan Iftar buffet with your family and friends, the Nostalgia Ramadan Buffet Dinner at Thyme is the perfect destination. There’s truly something for everyone!
We were invited by PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
