SMC - Spicy and Marketey

WASN'T THE WEATHER terrible last night! Still, a group of our friends got together to celebrate a rather special occasion, so where does one head for such an occasion but the Rasa Sayang's Spice Market Cafe of course - otherwise known as SMC. I like the place for many reasons: one doesn't have to traipse all the way into town; it IS somewhere you can take people if you want to go somewhere special ie a bit more upmarket but still be comfortable, and, equally importantly, serves good quality food. It's not cheap, but then you couldn't get the spread without paying for it.

As it was Saturday evening it was their Seafood Buffet - the place was packed. I will say this for the SMC - it really does have some excellent stuff: the Japanese counter is full of fresh sashimic, octopus and other raw delights; the seafood is amazing: slipper lobsters, huge prawns, oysters, crabs, fish etc. The list goes on. I think the only thing you couldn't find there was caviar!

Unfortunately one can only eat so much, so I chose to go for the things I wouldn't normally partake of - all the above of course, plus a rather delectable roast beef. However just HAD to try the Hokkien Mee - not bad, considering it's pork free! I also liked the Sharksfin Soup - it was chokka with crab meat.

Their desserts of course are just out of this world, although I would have liked a little bit more cakey stuff instead of all mousses and creams. It was funny to see the chocolate fountains (yes, they have two - one white and one brown!) spewing the melted chocolate everywhere every time the door opened to the outside, because the wind was so strong it kept blowing the chocolate all over the place!

The SMC has come a long way since it started all those years ago when the Rasa reopened. Then, I'm sorry to say, it left a lot to be desired. Service was substandard and the food was not brilliant. I know, cos I have done many reviews there for both Star and The Expat magazine, and I was forever complaining bitterly to the powers that be about it. However, I was truly delighted to see that not only have they got their act together, but the overall quality of the food served is way above standard. The crowds were a testament to their success.

Having said that, I really was stuffed, so it's not a place I can go to regularly. Not sure what my cholesterol level is today either ... !