Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Fresh oysters on the Rocks – Go crazy on these and guaranteed satisfaction. In every sense of the word.

I once stayed at Holiday Villa Subang, sometime back in 2008 or 2009. Good experience though, still remember how spacious the room was, and the easy access to everywhere around PJ and Subang. That experience (back when I was still with the civil service) was definitely one of the better ones throughout my tenure in the service. If you’ve been following this blog since 2008, you would have realized that travelling’s part of the job. (To some extent … eating as well)

Anyway, fast forward a couple of years and here I am, stranded relocated to the almighty madhouse that is Kuala Lumpur. But good to know that I am in good company, surrounded by foodies with a deep passion and penchant for everything and anything edible. 🙂

From the look of it, this poor baby ain’t gonna miss his Mama too long …..

Holiday Villa Hotel & Resort Suites Subang (that’s the full name, btw) recently held a tasting session for the media; launching their inaugural New Year’s EveCarnival – BBQ Poolside Buffet. As far as Christmas and New Year buffets go, every year we’ll see tough competition amongst the F&B players and no doubt the thousand-and-one hotels in the Klang Valley.

Routinely, to set each other apart from the competition, the hotel would go to the extent of organizing a feast surrounding a particular theme. A gimmick or a timeless business strategy, it all depends on the execution of the tactics.

For this year, the management of Holiday Villa Subang has decided to embrace a carnival-like theme; and judging from the camaraderie of wacky costumed personnel, fancy decorations and the experience of eating beside their Olympic-sized swimming pool; caressed by the warm breeze of the night …..

The set up was an elegant one yet mashed with elements of fun; and make-shift stalls serving a myriad of local and international delights surrounded the dining area; which by the way is directly adjacent to the pool.

There were roughly 15 of us; from all corners. The buffet spread on display that evening was merely 80% or so of the real deal. And believe me, the selection of food that we sampled were already mind-bogglingly impressive; almost to the point of necessary revisits before you can even nibble on one bite of each. As usual, there was the ever prominent traditional roast turkey on the carving board, and then there were the compulsory protein heavyweights; marinated barbecued whole lamb and roasted rib eye, aside from the items grilled over charcoal fire (eg. Cajun chicken, marinated minute steak, seafood in aluminium foil ala Cortoccio-style, and even grilled marinated crabs)

The Carvery Station saw the flock of ravening wolves swarming the poor chef blinded temporarily from the flashes and attention. Not to say that we were not in our best behaviour!

Fresh poached seafood from The Ocean Wave – In particular, the oysters, mussels and prawns deserved a mention; a squeeze of lemon did the trick in revealing the freshness within. The full menu will have live yabbies and even salmon.

Shrunk to her most reserved self, the poor bird got flashed, carved and walloped in a flash. Cranberry sauce as usual, became the tried-and-tested accompaniment.

Can’t say I was gleefully devouring the turkey, as I had a piece of the breast (thankfully not tough/coarse as sandpaper) and that was it. This little tummy space of mine (don’t laugh) was having a whale of a time bulldozing my way through the other selections; especially from the grill station and the fresh seafood. Anyway, not much of a fan of turkey myself, but good to know that you CAN get roasted turkey for the season at Subang Parade, where Holiday Villa’s setting up a booth and selling the birds there for a reasonable price.

The Tandoori Clay Oven – In reality, the boneless cuts of chicken were tender, infused with an aromatic mix of herbs & spices then slowly grilled over slow fire; Tandoori style. There were two types of roti (Indian flatbread) to go along with the meat, and a splendid curried mutton that I did not take a photo of.

Thai Hot Stuff – This was a station I completely missed; owing to the prior over-consumption of the other stuff. Here you can get various poached meats and seafood in a Tom Yam broth, fried rice and even a fiery Kerabu (Thai salad)

In awe of the conducive dining environment, on the warmer days, you can even strip off on the spot and jump in for a refreshing finish. Just don’t quote me on this.

There was also a salad bar named The Poetic Salad (maybe because they speak to you?) where you get freshly tossed on the spot salads of your choice, with additional meats and condiments like croutons, feta cheese, olives, etc tailored to your tastebud. Mesclun leaves in abundance; hence you can have your most original Caesar’s, or go wild with the assortment of dressings.

I left mine to the cheery staff on duty, and the crunchy, fresh greens lightly dressed and tossed came out pretty well. Just hold the meats, in favour of the extensive array of meats at the other stations. You’ll be thankful.

There was also a Japanese station; awkwardly named December 19/41 (ahem) manned by their in-house Japanese chef; Takashi. How authentic can this be? Well, let’s just say … he’s one who’s well over this 50’s (maybe 60’s) and does not even speak English or Malay. 🙂

Tempura, hand rolls (temaki) and an assortment of sushi for your dining pleasure.

Sweet Agent – To cap the sinful feast off; you have even more decadent stuff like rich chocolate cakes, pastries, tartlets and puddings. Pity they missed out on the Christmas pudding for this one; but then again … this was a prelude to the NEW YEAR’s EVE buffet. Not X’mas. Hmm.

And we have the almost there but rarely visited ABC (ais batu campur; a classic Malaysian dessert of shaved ice with syrup and various toppings and ingredients) stall, where you can customize your own bowl of Ais Kacang.

The presentation incorporated a theme of carnival-like fun (letting one’s hair down … and naturally, throwing caution to the wind) interchangeably mixed with elements from a proper dining ambience.

Although there were hits and there were misses (can’t be pleasing everyone, right?), the New Year Eve Carnival BBQ Dinner At Pool Side (what a Motor-mouthful!) priced at RM111/USD37 per person sounds like a good deal; given the sheer quality control they impose on their food and service.

But wait for this, let’s say you’re not a local (like yours truly here, before I moved to KL) and seeking for a proper hotel with various business facilities, basic amenities, and naturally … a polished, refined interior without having to mortgage your assets or children, consider Holiday Villa Subang’s newly refurbished Corporate Deluxe Room.

Corporate Deluxe Room (only RM295+ from now until 31st December 2010!) – One of the more spacious deluxe room (previously I was put up in a similar suite-like setting, but that was before the transformation)

Some lucky chaps won a night stay at the aforementioned room, and I got a mere mug. Ahem.

We should count our blessings and see the cup (or mug) as half full right? I learned my lesson well. Hehe … but seriously, this coming from one who had stayed there before; consider Holiday Villa Subang for your leisurely needs, or even a business venture like holding a function, meeting or seminar. Maybe the deluge of newer and swankier hotels around KL and PJ had most turning away from these older establishments, but never leave them out of the equation.

Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Subang is a 5 Star hotel, in case you’re in doubt.

Do visit their website here : http://www.holidayvillahotelsubang.com/ for more information, room tariffs and promotions.

*This prelude to Holiday Villa Subang’s New Year Eve Carnival was by invitation; attended by about 15 other bloggers. We received no compensation or fee from the write-ups, but the dinner was on the house.*

HOLIDAY VILLA HOTEL & SUITES SUBANG
9, Jalan SS 12/1,
47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: (6-03) 5633-8788 Fax: (6-03) 5633-7449
Email : hvs@holidayvillasubang.com.my

* For similar reviews on the New Year Eve Carnival; visit Submerryn‘s detailed post on the food (she’s a TANK) and Incoherent Rambling‘s take on the buffet, as well as a very useful chart on the complete F&B promotion at Holiday Villa Subang. Mike Yip and Rebecca had a few good shots of the fiesta as well.