Le Meridien’s iftar buffet has a touch of tradition

Located in the heart of Jeddah, Le Meridien welcomes the holy month of Ramadan every year with special arrangements and flavors for its guests.
One of its restaurants, La Brasserie, is hosting a daily Ramadan buffet that serves up both local and international cuisines with a twist of tradition. Moreover, a 10 percent discount is on offer for a booking of 10 or more persons and for in-house guests.
Mohammed Asif, executive chef at Le Méridien, said seven different menus are served throughout the week. Apart from the default dates and Arabic coffee, drinks on offer every day include Kamar-el-deen, Tamar-Hindi, Laban, Vimto and Zam Zam. Other drinks that vary throughout the week include Karkadi, rose syrup, Erkasus, Jallab, fresh lemonade and orange juice.
I broke my fast with dates and Tamar-Hindi. There was a lot to taste but I chose the good old sambosa with mince, Moutabel, olive salad and yogurt with cucumber. I especially loved the famous Moroccan soup Harira with lime that whetted my appetite.
I tasted grapevine leaves stuffed with rice; they had a distinct taste of Lebanese traditional food. Egyptian Kosheri was another delicious dish.
Next, Chef Asif served baked hammour and a mixed grill platter. The grill was tender, almost melt-in-mouth. The mild spices gave it a unique taste and aroma.
Seafood lovers would especially enjoy the baked hammour. Its taste reminded me of the fish I used to eat in my childhood.
Biryani rice, roasted duck and meat with mushroom sauce were served on the side. The meat dish tasted better with the addition of black pepper.
Chef Asif explained that they have a team of cooks from around the globe to give the customers a taste of cuisines from all parts of the world.
Cold appetizers and salads that are on offer include hummus, Moutabel, Fattoush, Baba Ghanoush, Potato Harra, labneh with garlic, Loubiya Bil Zait, mix pickles with olives, garden greens, tomato wedges, sliced cucumber, shredded carrot, sweet corn, tomato-mozzarella with basil pesto, Basturma, Makdous, Fasoulia, Greek salad with feta and Kalamata olive, tomato pickle and grilled vegetables of the day with tahini. In the category of hot mezzeh, there was kebbeh, sambosa with cheese, meat and vegetable, and foul medames.
For soups, you can enjoy traditional lentil soup, cream of broccoli, Harira, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and vermicelli rice soup, all presented with a large variety of bread and butter.
Smoked salmon with condiments, poached shrimps with cocktail sauce and marinated tomato with sliced mozzarella are some of the European appetizers.
Smoked Salmon Platte is a scrumptious seafood appetizer on the menu.
In daily specials, you can enjoy oriental mixed grill and Kouzi, Chicken Mahshi, Whole Hammour Harra, beef tagine with sweet potatoes, assorted dolma, Seafood Machbous, spinach lasagna, vegetable moussaka, Morocco steamed couscous, lamb oriental rice, kebbeh bel laban, dijaj kabsa, seafood with kuzbara, vegetable lasagna, stuffed vine leaves with lamb chops, vermicelli rice, Grilled Hammour Harra, Bamia bel laham, macaroni béchamel, steamed rice, Chicken Mulukhiya, Hammour Fillet Harra, kofta bel batatas, spinach with lamb mince, seafood with kuzbara, mutton kabsa, vegetable ratatouille, Saleek, Hammour Sayadia, chicken tagine, Lamb and beans stew, stir-fried chicken with vegetables, Seafood Harra, Lamb Mulukhiya, meat lasagna and buttered rice.
For desserts, there was the usual fare of traditional Arabic delicacies such as cheese kunafa, Nablousiah, Mohalabiyah, Aish el Saraya, Basbousa, dates cake and my favorite Umm Ali.
If you love continental desserts, the restaurant has a good selection for you too. Fresh fruit tarts, cream caramel, tiramisu, Black Forest cake, fruit trifle, assorted Éclairs, mango mousse, black and white chocolate mousse, selected French pastries, a selection of cut fruits and much more are on offer.
The food was great, the ambiance homely and the service impeccable. I would definitely love to come back, especially for the baked hammour.
At SR 195 per person, the fantastic dinner was absolutely worth it.

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