Themed hotel buffets can be, frankly speaking, a bit of a yawn. “Come and experience the Mediterranean!”, they scream. “Fresh seafood, all month long”. Well, I suppose that’s better than the alternative; not so fresh seafood. In a world of been there, done that, almost every possible themed buffet has been tried. That is, until now.
Google “Mango & Chili Themed Buffet” and the only relevant result is the Facebook page for a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur named “Mango Chili”; such a brilliant name it is surprising there is only one. Now, however, with the writing of this very story, Google is about to get an update.
The innovative new buffet is to be found at Renaissance Nanjing, the Huatai Securities owned, Marriot branded five star hotel that opened late last year beside the Olympic Centre. Running each evening for the entire month of July, guests can pick from a tempting selection whereby each offering utilises mango and/or chilis in an creative manner. The entire menu is presented at the end of this article.
Star of the show undoubtedly is the raspberry chili cake, made really rather exquisite by the subtle chili kick. More often than not, chilis in desserts are to be found in raspberry chocolate chili cakes; in opting to remove the chocolate, Renaissance Nanjing have, perhaps unwittingly, come up with an invention that has created something of a stir. Media interest in the cake on the promotion’s opening night last Friday, 1st July, was intense, with Anderson Li, Western Executive Sous Chef, finding himself being interviewed on the subject by a local TV station.
The experience goes to show that a little imagination can go a long way; with their Mango & Chili Themed Buffet, Renaissance Nanjing have taken a tried, tested but tired concept and turned it on its head to create a genuine one of a kind dinner option that also serves as a wake up call for the city’s other five star hotels to take a long and hard look at their own themed offerings. More world firsts for Nanjing, we say!
The complete menu for the Renaissance Nanjing’s Mango and Chili Themed Buffet, running each night from 5.30 to 9.30pm until 31st July, is below. The buffet costs ¥198++ per person, while on weekdays (Mon-Thu) guests can enjoy a buy three, get one free offer, and buy four, get one free, at weekends (Fri-Sun). Renaissance Nanjing is located at 139 Aoti Da Jie. For reservations: 83388910.
凯撒色拉 Caesar Salad Station
Romaine Lettuce, Mixed Lettuce 罗马生菜,混合生菜
Crostini, Parmesan Cheese, Sundried Tomato, Bacon Bits, Anchovy 面包片，帕玛森芝士，干番茄，培根粒，银鱼柳
Thousand Island, Olive Oil, Vinegar Dressing Caesar Dressing 千岛汁，橄榄油，醋汁，凯撒汁
Mango and potato salad 芒果土豆沙拉
Spicy mango and shrimp salad 辣味芒果大虾沙拉
Thai green mango salad泰式青芒果沙拉
Mango and duck breast salad芒果鸭胸沙拉
Bamboo strip with chilli oil红油拌笋丝
Glutinous rice lotus root金陵糯米藕
海鲜冰池 Sea food on ice
Shrimp, mussel, clam, crab leg 大虾,青口,文蛤,长蟹脚,皮皮虾
Red wine shallot mignonette, cocktail sauce, light soy sauce, ginger black vinegar, wasabi mayo, lemon and lime, tabasco配料:红酒醋,鸡尾酒汁,日式酱油,柠檬角,青芥末
Japanese station寿司档
Sushi and Maki roll 综合寿司
Mango maki rall 芒果细卷
Soup 汤
Tom yung kung 泰式冬阴功汤
Assorted Bread Rolls & Butter 精选面包及黄油
Noodle bar 面档吧
4 kinds of vegetable 四种蔬菜
2 kinds of noodles 两种面条
2 kinds of sauce两种面汤料
Live cooking station 现做清酒煮花蛤
Poached clam with sake 现做清酒煮文蛤
Hot 热菜
Work-fried pork with chilli 湖南小炒肉
Deep-fried pork belly with sweet and sour sauce 芒果咕噜肉
Fried pork with dough 干锅千叶豆腐炒腊肉
Boiled radish with chicken soup 火茸鸡汁洋花萝卜
Deep-fried pork with mango jam 哥顿炸猪排配芒果酱
Chilli carb 新加坡辣椒炒蟹
Steamed fish with mango sauce 芒果三味鱼
Seafood curry with mango 咖喱海鲜配芒果
Mango fried rice with shrimp 芒果虾仁炒饭
Work-fried vegetables清炒时令蔬
烧切 Carving
Cheese sausage 德国芝士香肠
Nanjing roasted duck with Mango salsa 金陵烧鸭配芒果酱
Mix seafood pot 综合海鲜锅(点心档口)
小龙虾,花螺,梭子蟹,扇贝,青口贝 (辣炒,蒜蓉) Crayfish, flower snails, crabs, scallops, spicy mussels (stir-fried in garlic)
Dessert 甜点
Yellow pepper cheese cake 黄椒芝士蛋糕
Raspberry chili cake 桑梅辣椒蛋糕
Passion fruit chili cake 热情果辣椒蛋糕
Green pepper velvet cake 绿椒红丝绒蛋糕
Chili layer cake 辣椒千层蛋糕
Chili’s temptation (raspberry mousse cake) 辣椒的诱惑
Mango chili cake 芒果辣椒蛋糕
Mango pudding 芒果布丁
Green pepper pudding 绿椒布丁
Red chili pudding 辣椒布丁
Mango sticky rice 芒果糯米饭
Hot dessert 热的甜品
Mango sago 芒果西米露
Soft drinks & Black tea, coffee, beer 可乐，雪碧和热红茶，咖啡，啤酒
