My previous visit to Favola for dinner was barely a week ago.
And I’m back this week for their antipasti lunch buffet, which says a lot about what I feel in regards to the quality, portioning, taste & value of the food here.
The assortment of antipasti was richly varied, and a main might not even be necessary if you are opting for a light lunch.
But for a heavy LUNCH eater like me, I thought an additional pasta or pizza might have to do …
till I saw this…
Oh baby!! All that for me???
LOL. No, of course it’s not only for me. But it could have been; for there were only a number of tables occupied throughout the lunch hours of 12 to 2pm, & most diners opted for ala-carte.
So I had serious fun at the buffet, literally polishing some serving bowls clean; like for example the WONDERFUL seafood salad below, with its springy prawns, bouncy squids & meaty scallops (that’s coming from someone who doesn’t like prawns under normal circumstances) .
The mushrooms tossed in olive oil topped with parmesan shavings & rocket were superb! So marvelously juicy & sweet! Even the grilled vegetables; (zuchini, capsicums, chilli & carrots) were nicely charred & drizzled with gourmet olive oil.
And I learned that these little cut (triangular or rectangular) sandwiches are called tramezzini in Italy. For lack of a better description, they are crustless tea sandwiches. Except, Italians do not have them with tea, but with wine.
Lastly, in the collage below, is the stuffed loaf. It looked wonderful, packed full of ingredients but was actually just tomatoes, capsicums & a load of other vegetables which was nice, but do skip if you are hard up for precious stomach space.
My favourites are of course, the BREADS. If you are a bread lover like me, it is a futile attempt to try stopping at one slice.
Each loaf is remarkably fragrant with its crusty outer layer & soft chewy centres. There is an assortment of dips & spreads for you to flavour your breads if you so wish.
Then there was this intriguing jelly-like thing. The first thing that crossed my mind was it could be a terrine of some sort. Upon tasting its frutti essences (& being the pleb that I am), I couldn’t place nor identify what it was till Chef Amir explained that it was FIG JELLY! And why is the jelly presented with the raw meats?
Seriously, isn’t this buffet such an interesting feast for both the eyes & tummy???
Italians are so healthy. I mean, other than the cheese, cheese & more cheese and yeah, wines, they do eat a lot of vegetables. (Anyone been to Italy? Do they eat like this everyday??)
I do not know where Favola got their supplies of tomatoes, which is so freaking JUICY it makes me almost comtemplating asking the Chef for the supplier’s name.
The feta cheese stuffed tomatoes (I thought it was blue cheese at first) was very pungent, so be warned.
Melanzane alla Parmigiana; baked layered eggplant, zucchini & parmesan cheese with tomato sauce & basil is worth at least a bite for taste.
I love quiches & this was one of the first few appetisers I grabbed off the spread.
Turned out it is an Yorkshire-pudding inspired creation, stuffed with potatoes, eggplant, onions, grapes & GREEN APPLES.
Some onions inside lends a hint of pungency while the sweet tartness of the apple makes this an interesting mouthful. I truly like this.
This innovation fat bag of a ravioli was sitting pretty in its little pool of tangy bleeding-with – absolute-flavour sauce.
I slashed open the bag, to find a TOO THICK skin encasing some delicious innards. Needless to say, I didn’t quite fancy the skin but I did suck the insides dry 😉
And then we have these jars & jars of pickles.
Clockwise from top left; we’ve got sun dried tomatoes, pearl barley (big shallot), mixed olives,
gherkins, garlic, & shallots.
No comment on these since pickles ain’t my thing & I didn’t try them.
All of the above is a lot for RM40.25 right?
BUT there’s more below!
The octopus, crunchy to the bite & chewy for the finish. Very nice!
Feta in oil.
Mozzarella buffalo cheese balls bathed in olive oil & capsicums. It was bland, milky, & provided a very firm meaty bite.
Capsicum & olive oil Salad.
Fresh vegetables with dressing.
Light potato salad.
Chestnut & Artichoke salad. Oh my! All that artichokes!
Ok, this is just a picture I accidentally left out from the collage 😉
So there you have it, what I ate for my Favola Antipasti noon buffet.
And below is the Favola DESSERT noon buffet.
Not as much choices but I have heard good reviews about Favola’s desserts so maybe I will give it a try one day.
ps: They got this huge jar of parmesan cheese!
Note:
Favola’s Antipasti buffet @RM35++ is only available NOON, 12-2pm SUN to FRI.
On Saturdays, Favola is open for dinner only.
Dessert buffet : Likewise as above.
Based on the selections available, this is value for money! Food is fresh, ingredients are of top quality & each dish is skillfully prepared.
I was there from 1230pm to 2, & noted that there were no refills of the antipasti if it was finished. I’m inclined to think that was because there wasn’t much diners for the buffet spread & hence there wasn’t a need for a refill.
The array of antipasti was supposed to be both Hot & Cold (according to one of the waitress) but even at 1230pm, every dish was cold.
However, they all tasted fine to me.
Favola, Le Meridien (8th floor)
2 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Malaysia
Contact: + 603 – 2263 7888
http://www.lemeridiendining.com.my/
Everyone's talking about Favola! Am I the only one in KL belum pegi? 😛
Kira saya dua pun belum pergi.
Oh my, do u really eat like this yet still look like u do??!!! I so hate u.
Here's a to a Happier New Year!
I must go!! I think the antipasti looks more interesting than the desserts. =P
LFB – I haven't gone there either so we can go together-gether 😀
This is one crazy awesome deal!! I'm not crazy about an entirely cold meal, but this one has to be an exception!
omg! at this cheap???
happy new year!
Can u get 50% off with the starwood card? hahaha…
that's an amazing spread for that price! how to even imagine ordering a main course after sampling all that! but shhhhh, we probably shouldn't keep remarking that the price is so incredibly low; otherwise, they might naik harga, heheh!
i bet the tomatoes are imported 😀
Hhmm.. Recommended?
Was it packed when you were there?
i like this place!
Happy New Year gal!
I haven't been to Favola too 🙁 mustgo!!
Wow, RM 35 ++ really value for money.
That Parmesan cheese jar is so special leh! And all those breads are so inviting!!! RM 35++ is worth it!
lfb: I'm sure u r not la ;p
tummythoz: aiyo! a hate comment ;(
Hehe.. I exercise mahh
bangsar-babe: Tht's why i went straight for antipasti! ;p
yin: go go! the more the merrier!
minchow: yeah, i stuffed myself w loads of the warm bread, then went for the others!
aiwei: yea man..thts why must quickly go!
tummyrumble: Some of my friends asked too! Let me try ask the Dir of Comm 😉
sean: Hahah.. Cheryl did say there MIGHT be a price increase ;(
chong: Yes, recommended 😉
Nope, I almost had the whole buffet to myself!
c&c: I'm sure u guys do!
Christine: Happy New Year babe! Aiyo, so many places hor? Pressroom, Malones, Albion..my list gettin longer too!
Simon: Go makan then!
allie: Imagine for cheese lovers, sure faint of euphoria! lol
eh.. ask if the starwood card is accepted for the buffet or not???
by the way.. SUN to MON??? 2 days only?? what about Tuesday to Friday???
No refill – I will 'downgrade' it loh. 🙂
lol, I can imagine your excitement to see all that gorgeous bread! But all the other food looks freeeeaaaaking good!
How is beef marinated in pistachio? Sounds fab. What's the secret, I wonder?
p.s. I can't comment with my domain name…can you add a name/url option to your comment box?
Wow, that's quite a feast for a reasonable price. Must go there for lunch since my office is so near. 🙂
Leo: I'm not sure abt the Starwood card..
Eiks! I meant Sun to Fri..amended! Hehe
cariso: Well, there wasnt much diners so if they refill, it would be wasted so I rather prefer less waste than more food
burpandslurp: Yea, I hv no idea hw one marinate meat with pistachio, wish the chef wasnt so busy so I could ask more!
yes yes, I almost choked shovin dwn all that bread down my throat ;p
What? u cant comment?? Hw do u add that option to the comment box? Eikss..
LL: Oh u must try! Ya lor hor..yr office so near somemore!
no doubt very nice place to have food here….when working in plaza sentral, many vendor treat me at this restaurant…nice food i would say…best thing is i dun have to pay for it…kekeke
only rm35++!! Reasonable price and will go try soon
Helo
awesome post – i’m creating video about it and i will post it to youtube !
if you wana to help or just need a link send me email !
Outstanding taste – for anyone who loves ginger, this taste is devine
Eh, thanks for this!was googleing on Favola & I didn’t read about this one. you’re the only one that covers this. Keep developing your site!
I wish there open on Suns! Could bring my whole family! Can’t take long breaks on weekdays & Sats are packed with the kids’ activities..
Like I have always said, I go by your recommendations! 😉
I like it! Good spread for the price. And yea, the desserts were not as worthy as the antipasti one!
First time I see something affordable in Le Meridien to us mere middle class working midgets! Thks for the heads up!
Zeekkkk
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Thanks for your post and that wonderful blog you are running!
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