Thai treasures at Big Apple Restaurant

They say when you taste a chef’s cooking, you would have had a sample of his or her personality. Well, if you have taken your first bite of any dish prepared by Chef Thitikorn Chenwitchu (fondly known as Chef Thiti) from Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, you will know that each food you taste is as robust and exuberant as she is.

Don’t just take our word for it; drop by The Big Apple Restaurant at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and discover her culinary talents for yourself. The winner of Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) Awards 2013-2015 is showcasing her exceptional culinary talents at the ‘Taste of True Thai’ buffet dinner every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from now month until May 31^st 2014.

For this promotion, expect an exciting array of more than 80 items in the buffet line, carefully created, made and curated by the gregarious Chef Thiti to bring the best of Thailand to you. This talented trilingual chef (she speaks English, Thai and Malay) began her culinary career in her mother’s kitchen before eventually pursuing a diploma and degree in home economy and science.

Today, experiences under her belt include providing culinary service to the Ambassador of Thailand in Kelantan and Copenhagen. Her Thai roots and experiences as a well-travelled chef are reflected in the fragrant variety of dishes available in this scrumptious buffet spread that range from hereditary recipes to personal creations. You can always take a walk around the buffet spread after you have had your warm lemongrass welcome drink to ponder over what item you should begin your dining experience at The Big Apple with.

Stir-fried squid with Thai chilli paste

Start off your experience here at this buffet by swinging over to the salad station – the young mango salad’s tartness is definitely the best way to get your palates warmed up for the food ahead. Be prepared if you are planning to try Chef Thiti’s tom yam goong. Its spiciness is enriched by bits of lemongrass and galangal; we note that Chef Thiti put the inherent flavours of these ingredients in the soup with expert precision.

Thai beef phad prik

The main courses here are an assortment of dishes that include Thai, as well as a few dishes inspired from Malay and Chinese cuisine. Chef Thiti’s stir-fried squid with Thai Chili paste and stir-fried chicken exemplifiy the fieriness commonly associated with Thai food. The beef paprik, garnished with chillies, was another fortifying dish. Her fondness for Malaysian cuisine is reflected in her choice to include a few local delights such as ayam masak merah and kambing panggang with curry sauce – which we discovered went well with her authentic pineapple fried rice.

Thai beef noodles soup

Those who like it hot will be able to visit live action stalls, where you can have a serving of steamed seabass with any choice of sauce or some helpings of stir-fried kangkong with belacan. Do not miss out on her specialty beef noodles soup, a recipe she inherited from her mother. Tender beef, cooked to perfection, is served with a choice of noodles (kuey teow would be the optimum choice as these rice noodles absorb the flavours of the soup) and numerous herbs and condiments.

Thai desserts are always scene-stealers, so practice a little delayed gratification and keep this to the last. The red ruby water chestnut and coconut milk, jackfruit in syrup, mango sticky rice and tako hits the spot as we knew it would.

As mentioned before, the Thai buffet is only available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday so make your reservations now to avoid disappointment. BCard holders are entitled to a 20% discount (points not applicable). Do also note there will be a complimentary buffet for one adult with every five paying adults.

Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, 1 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2117 8000

We recommend:

• Returning to Thailand at Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine
• Fire up your palate at Imperial Chakri Palace, KLCC