The Ritz-Carlton KL's Peruvian Gastronomic Week

me at Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, Cesar

My Sunday dinner was a tad bit more elegant than usual. Invited to feast on a Peruvian Buffet spread, I thought nothing less than a cultural Peruvian dinner in the usual buffet dining hall of any hotel. Culture shock ensued, as I step into César’s, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. The place was elegant, like a fine-dining restaurant. Another culture shock was the burst of flavors from a fusion of heritage, culture and arts. Now that's what I called a gastronomic adventure.

The Peruvian Gastronomic Week 10 - 16th Oct, 2012 (7.30pm - 10.30pm).

magnificent view of the buffet spread

Located on level one, César’s serves daily breakfast featuring a contemporary twist on global cuisine, tantalising the taste buds with the freshest organic ingredients from its unique brasserie-style menu. The recently refurbished restaurant offers a spacious, luxe-elegant ambience, framed by the animated crimson theatre kitchen which overlooks the lively and colourful restaurant.

• Sophisticated casual attire recommended
• Reservations are recommended

elegant and chic dining area

cuisine made rich by a long history of emigration from East & West

 Buaya Wing, Jean & Johann (Director of F&B)

two complimentary Pisco Sour with your Peruvian dinner

Pisco Sour is the national cocktail of Peru. Made from a type of grape brandy called Peruvian pisco as its base, the cocktail is mixed with limes imported specially from Peru, syrup, ice, egg white, and bitters. While I don't normally drink, I find the sourish cocktail drink a surprising perk me up.

notice the red wine glass? that's Chica

We also had a non-alcoholic Peruvian drink called the Chica which is one of the unique drinks found in the world to be tried! Chica is made of fermented corn mixed with a few other ingredients to create a cloudy, sour and slightly carbonated beverage. It tastes like Ribena for adults.

Chef Rafael introduces his signature dish, Ceviche

Executive Chef Rafael was specially flown here by The Ritz-Carlton just for the Peruvian Gastronomic Week. As he laughed with us, he introduces a dish which is a favorite for Peruvians called Ceviche. Ceviche is a seafood dish made from raw fish, marinated with lemon/lime, and spiced with chili peppers. Combine with corn which I notice is found in most of the dishes today. Other combinations include onion, sweet potatoes, raw squid, cooked prawn and raw tuna. Not normally a raw food person, I found myself liking this new found dish and taste! Marinated with lemon, the fish does not taste raw at all and is super fresh. 

a Peruvian chef prepares the Ceviche for us

 "choros a la chalaca" Peruvian mussels steamed with salsa

Fava beans and fresh cheese salad
Pickled Chicken Escabesche (marinate)
Potatoes with Huiancana sauce

a variety of starters set to surprise you

main course: Peruvian cuisine you have never heard of

(like spicy fish cooked in beer, chicken with peanut stew)

sirloin beef strips stir fried with oinons

Peruvians love rice & so do I

(their rice has corns in it!)

Pisco Chocolate Cake (yes the alcoholic Pisco!)
Pecans, Dried Fruits served with Crispy Bread & Cheese

Chinmoya, Orange & Meringue

Lucana Crunch

rice pudding & Apricot with Coconut Cake

I'm not food expect here so I'll refrain from trying to describe what the food is made of haha. What I can say is it's truly a unique dining experience for me to be able to taste cuisines from Peruvian, other than the normal buffet types you can get here in Malaysia. How often do you get to try something extraordinary from the usual International, Continental or BBQ buffets? Not that often, which is why the Peruvian Gastronomic Week is only from 10th to 16th October, 2012. There's only 2 more days to go and I heard tomorrow is fully booked!

Anyone interested can make a reservation by calling 03-2142 8000. It's RM180++ per pax and includes two Pisco Sours.

César’s (Level 1)

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur,
168 Jalan Imbi,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Tel: 03-2142 8000
Dress code: Formal.

Coming up next: Coffee at The Lobby Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur.