With the Grand Opening of Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel by YAM Tunku Idris Iskandar on 28 May 2013, Johor Bahru now has more exciting dining choices.
Cafe BLD is the cafe at the newly opened Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel. I am fortunate to visit this exciting new dining option in Johor Bahru twice recently, once at Renaissance JB's Grand Opening and again today during lunch at the invitation of Ervina. Two days, and yet not enough stomach space to try everything. All I could do was to eat to my heart's content, and the rest, I can only take photos and feast with my eyes only.
Inside Cafe BLD, everything is spanking new, squeaky clean, yet the decor is warm and has rich welcoming tones. Seating is comfortable and spacious at Cafe BLD.
The food is prepared on order in a central island, open concept kitchen - the first and only such kitchen in Johor Bahru at the moment. We can enjoy watching the chefs prepare our food :)
I went round and round the four sides and corners of this kitchen, hunting for the best food and photo opportunities. I seemed to discover new, interesting things with every round.
This is the friendly Executive Chef Foong making cotton candy for us :) Chef Foong who hails from Ipoh has a wealth of experience in international cuisine having worked in restaurants and hotels in London, Osaka, Shanghai, Perth, Jakarta and Singapore.
In case you wonder, and some of you might have already guessed it, Cafe BLD stands for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Follow me and let me take you around Cafe BLD.
There are lots of Western and local appetisers - this is the succulent smoked duck, my personal favourite :)
The seafood station during the Grand Opening - I tried only the oysters and they were plump and fresh. I could literally taste the sea - went two rounds on this one :P
Chef Foong is very proud of his signature Nasi Goreng Kampung. The prawns and scallops were fresh and well executed. The fried rice was savoury. That sunny side up quail egg was a interesting touch and the fried keropok were crispy and tasty. The nasi goreng kampung is served with a couple of sticks of satay. Available from the a la carte menu.
I didn't take the satay - saving it for another day but from the looks, charred bits at the edges and the meat grilled to golden brown, they must be delicious.
The chef was frying thick chunks of fish with a spicy looking sauce.
Sushi from the Japanese station.
Roast duck lovers - look out for this roast duck, it is one of the best that I've tried. This roast duck is one of the signature dishes at Renaissance's own Cantonese restaurant, Wan Li.
The roti canai station - everything is freshly made.
Shaolin pizza by Chef Yap at the pizza station.
Crispy, thin crust pizza.
Fire works at the pasta station.
I can't help myself catching another flambe at the pasta station - this spectacular one by Sous Chef Thana who was visiting from Marriott Singapore, helping out at the Grand Opening.
The Briyani station during the Grand Opening. The lamb was gamey, tender, succulent and infused with spice fragrance. I had two helpings :P
The spicy tom yam noodle soup from the noodle station.
We were spoilt for choice for dessert, both Western and local.
For cake lovers, the Western desserts are made at Renaissance's own Chocolate Cake Company.
Cafe BLD changes its menu regularly, so you can expect to see something different during different visits.
Lunch Buffet : RM 55.00++ (Mon- Thurs)/ RM 60.00++ (Fri – Sun)
Dinner Buffet : RM68.00++ (Mon- Thurs)/ RM80.00++ (Fri – Sun)
· 50% for children below 12 year old – 7 year old
· FOC for children below 6 years old
Restaurant name: Cafe BLD (in Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel)
Address: 2, Jalan Permas 11. Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, Masai, Johor
GPS: 1.495097,103.812786
Hours: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
Date visited: 28 May 2013, 31 May 2013
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