Makanan Lazat: A Malaysian Food Festival at Corniche Restaurant, Diamond Hotel Philippines

Diamond Hotel Philippines celebrates culinary diversity of Malaysia as they present Makanan Lazat, a Malaysian Food Festival at Corniche. Malaysian cuisine is known for its variety of flavors and cooking style influenced by Malay, Indian, and Chinese together with other ethnic group hailing from its region. With this delightful combination of palate pleasers prepared by guest Malaysian Chef Cheong Yan See of Enderun Colleges, lunch and dinner buffet at Corniche Restaurant is made all the more special.

Ongoing until the 16th of September 2012, Makanan Lazat features gastronomic feast of Malaysian cuisine to add to the already festive buffet spread at Corniche Restaurant.

Already known for dishing out impressive buffet spread in a luxurious and cozy ambiance, Corniche took several steps further as they present additional variety in their spread through this festival. Several Malaysian dishes coupled with Indian, Chinese, among many other dishes are set to satisfy diners.

Corniche Malaysian Festival offers variety of selection on its menu. While not most of us are familiar with this cuisine, I deem that this festival is a beautiful introduction to such culinary treasure. I included the menu below courtesy of Diamond Hotel, for those who are interested to have a glimpse of what this festival offers.

Appetizers include Kerabu Dagang Salai ~ Charbroiled beef with mango salad, Sayur Pecal ~ Native Vegetable salad with peanut sauce, Taufu Sumbat ~ Stuffed tofu, Kerabu Jantung Dan Ayan Panggang ~ Charbroiled chicken, palm and banana salad, Popiah ~ Fresh Yambean springrolls, Salam Timun,

Tomato Bersama Tairu ~ Mixed salad with yogurt dressing,Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri Avocado Dan Tomato ~ Tanguigue ceviche with avocado and tomatoes, Sambal Udang Kacang botol and Paku Pakis ~ Shrimp, angled beans and fern top salad, and Pasembor ~ Indian rojak.

Starters are indeed festive enough but a Malaysian festival wouldn't be complete without the heartwarming soup that everybody loves. I was able to try their Curry Laksa during our visit and had I not thought of other Malaysian dishes I would like to try, I would have probably down a couple of bowl or more!

Soup and noodle station at Corniche highlights Malaysian heart-warmer such as Mee Rebus, Bakuteh, Soto Ayam ~ Chicken broth, Satay Ayam Condiments and Peanut Sauce, Soup Kambing ~ Malaysian version of a mutton soup #5 and my favorite Curry Laksa. Alongside the station is the Roti Canai Sandwich station graced with curry chicken for satisfying accompaniment.

Numbers of Malaysian main courses are also well worth the try. It includes Dalca Kambing ~ Lamb shank and chickpea stew, Ikan Asam Pedas ~ Hasa hasa in Spicy tamarind gravy, Ayam Pangngan Percik ~ Malaysian style chicken inasal.

Udang Masak Sambal Pedas ~ My mother's style of chilli prawns, Sayur Lodeh ~ Stewed jackfruit and native vegetables in yellow coconut gravy, Nasi Lemak ~ Steamed coconut rice.

Another dishes that made the main course spread of the festival are Ipoh Chicken, rice and condiments Babi Masak Taucheco Dan Balimbing ~ Stew spareribs with fermented soy beans, chilli and kamias, Beef Rendang ~ Slow cooked beef coconut stew.

Mamak Fish Head Curry ~ Famous tanguigue fish head and steaks curry, Lala Goreng Pedas ~ Stir fried chilli clams, Asparagus Goreng Dan Sambal Udang Kering ~ Stir fried asparagus with dried shrimp chilli sauce, Hokkiem Mee ~ Stir fried thich egg noodles in black smoke.

To add to the already bountiful list of main course are Ayam Kurma ~ Chicken kurma stew, Biryani Rice ~ Saffron basmati rice, Masala Kambing Bersama Sayur Bayam ~ Spinach and mutton masala, Ikan Kukus ~ Steamed Apahap with sour plum sauce, Sotong Sumbat Sambal Tumis ~ Stuffed squid on sour chilli sauce.

Indian fares included on the spread are also well worth gastronomic celebration. I myself is forever in love with Indian food so when the spread glinted of variety of such cuisine, my heart rejoices. The spread includes Chicken Tandoori, Vegetable Curry, Lamb Masala, and Fish Curry among many other Indian dishes.

Grilling station boast of different meat ready to satisfy the diner's tummies. My favorite are the variety of satay. Fish meat, vegetables, and lamb are also available as the chef in charge grill the night and day away.

Wonders of Malaysian gastronomical feast does not just end with the festive meal as Chef Francis Loh demonstrate how Teh Tarik, an Indian Milk Tea Beverage is made with impeccable tea pouring skill to boot.

Friends and family can gather and share culinary adventure at Corniche with their Malaysian Festival. In the event that some would rather stick with the usual yet equally satisfying buffet fare, Corniche do not disappoint as the same spread loved by many is still served.

Corniche buffet spread wouldn't be complete without their impressive lines of dessert. Diamond Hotel is known for dishing out impressive sweets at their Kohikan and Cake Club, hence, it is already expected that their dessert station is equally impressive.

Malaysian dessert spread includes Airbatu Campur ~ Malaysian Halo Halo, Bubur Pulut Hitam ~ Red glutinous rice pudding, Sabernika Kuih Muih ~ selection of rice cakes, Sago Gola Melaka ~ Shaved ice with coconut sugar and sago.

Bubur Kacang Merah ~ Red bean cream, Cicncau soya bean milk, and Bubur Cha Cha. Though most of their names sound rather new, one will most likely be amazed at how these desserts are somewhat similar to what we are used to, especially their selection of rice cakes.

Usual dessert selections such as cakes, chocolate fountains, cookies, and Diamond Hotel's famous homemade ice cream are also available.

Diamond Hotel's Makanan Lazat, a Malaysian Food Festival started last September 5, 2012 and will run until September 16, 2012. For only Php 1,600 net, one can already satisfy their Malaysian cravings and enjoy other dishes as well. For Php 1,888 net, you can also enjoy a free flow of tropical juices. This festival is made possible in partnership with Enderun Colleges, Robinson's Supermarket, and Tourism Malaysia and in cooperation with media partner 105.1 FM Crossover.

I have enjoyed Malaysian cuisine before but this food festival at Corniche Diamond Hotel made me all the more aware of other Malaysian dishes I could enjoy. Indeed Makanan Lazat is not just a food festival, but a culinary adventure as well.