I've not done buffets in a long while - a far cry from a year ago where buffets seemed to dominate the palatte at least once a month! Perhaps I've grown to realise that marginal utility nosedives when one is too stuffed. Anyhow, off to Cafe Vic for dinner buffet. This was attempted in August so menu is different - believe they are running the Sri Lankan Crab Buffet now!
Assorted Sushi
Instead of the usual maki, the chefs presented a really pretty sushi platter. Delicious too! I couldn't help refilling the plate with so many pieces of them.
Seafood Platter (Oysters, Prawns, Shellfish, Sashimi)
The smart will load up on the aphrodisiacs - fresh oysters with a dash of red wine sauce or tabasco. Sashimi was somewhat tasteless.
Salad Bar (Prawn Salad, DIY Caesar Salad, Ham, Pickles, Drunken Chicken, Smoked Salmon)
Bland drunken chicken, normal prawn salad..nothing too memorable.
Assortment of Cheese and Crackers
I love the huge figs they paired with cheeses.
Bread Bar
The only cranberry bread I attempted proved to be disastrous - rock hard and dry.
Potato and Leek Soup
No attempt made.
Duck with Sour Vegetable Soup
Companions deemed this too salty - or just what the Grandma would make.
Spring Roll
Looked too greasy.
Seafood Pizza
They plonked in squid and salmon with tomatoes, flavour was lacking though. Pizza base was limp as well.
Soft Shell Crab with Wasabi Mayo
For once I thought the wasabi mayo packed enough punch only to be letdown by the super limp fried soft shell crab.
Pasta Station (Aglio Olio, Carbonara, Tomato)
The row of partially cooked pasta was quite a sight - bowls of fusili, capellini, spaghetti, linguine, penne and conchiglie.
Aglio Olio - Capellini and Linguine tossed in spicy chilli flakes and seafood. Loved this! Texture of pasta awesome, flavour was strong and I adored the generous sprinkling of clams and prawns in this. Wish I had the space to stomach yet another bowl.
Spaghetti Carbonara - Rich creamy sauce paired with mushroom and bacon, thought this was second best to aglio olio.
Tomato Conchiglie - The least favourite of the lot, surprisingly rather ordinary.
Fried Vegetables Station
Skipped this.
Satay (Chicken, Beef, Mutton)
Really tasty sticks!
Beef Stew with Potato Mash
Surprisingly tender and tasty!
Prata with Mutton Curry and Eggplant Curry
Instant made dense prata with curries. Did not warrant seconds.
Pork Knuckle with Potato Wedges
Salty and tough, possibly the worst pork knuckle attempted. Did not help the potato wedges were dry too.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Salt overload once again.
Sambal Stingray
Tough and a huge disgrace to this hawker favourite.
Teriyaki Chicken
At last, something close to what I'm familiar with...decent.
Roast Duck
As bland as the drunken chicken.
Steamed Seabass
Did not try.
Shooters always get me so excited - the complex and multitude of flavours...colours even, put together to present a perfect dessert. Yet that being said, I'm hardly wowed by shooters, somehow or rather, they look better than they taste.
Petites
Peach with Pepper Cream
In all its moussey-ness, it was too forgettable - save for the cute mini macaron that was too small to create a tasteful impression either.
Creme Brulee
Hard custard, ack!
Cream Puff
No attempt.
Orange Tart
Pleasant curd on soggy waffle cone, bleah!
Pineapple with Coconut Cream
Possibly the most delightful in comparison with the rest, the kueh lapis sliced so fine - hid any flaws if at all. Honestly thought it was an apple compote beneath the cream. Neither did I realise it was coconut cream.
Orange Grand Marnier Cream
No trace of alcohol, though it tasted like rumba cake beneath - soaked through.
Pineapple Green Tea Pudding
Horribly wrong it went - coarse and a really odd combination.
Bread and Butter Pudding
Surprisingly good with the crisp toasted bread edges.
Durian Pengat
Too pungent and sweet for comfort.
Cranberry Tart
Tiramisu
After all the mistakes, I did not dare to even try when it barely looked normal.
Chocolate Fondue
White chocolate fondue! Was looking forward to it since most fondues are milk chocolate based. Regular toppings for dippings - pocky sticks, marshmellows, some jelly block, strawberries and preserved mango. Thought the white chocolate was a tad watered down, the chocolate layer barely hardened.
Assortment of Kuehs
As pretty as they looked, harum manis was the only one attempted - would have loved to have more bananas in the light sponge.
Assortment of Icecream (Mango, Chocolate)
Headed to the mango tub, strange that it had crumbles and oreos embedded in it - provided a nice crunch. Other than that, pretty normal mango icecream.
Green Bean Soup with Sweet Potato
Missed this totally.
Coffee, Tea and cookies
Tip at buffets - go easy on drinks. Missed out on tea but adored the crunchy fruit cookies.
Cafe Vic is moderate at best, the only memorable ones were pasta, sushi and cheese. Once again not impressed with Carlton Hotel despite a couple of attempts.
Cafe Vic
Carlton Hotel
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