Mezza9

Special thanks to Iconic Hotel for extending this food review invitation.

Iconic Hotel is a 4-star hotel at Icon City. It is the closest hotel to Bukit Minyak Industrial Park. Located at the Mezzanine Level, Mezza9 is one of the two eateries that are directly managed by the hotel. This evening, the restaurant debuts its Seafood Buffet.

Whenever it comes to seafood buffet, the main highlight typically revolves around seafood on ice. Presented on a wooden canoe are exquisite marine delicacies like flower crabs, scallops and prawns. Condiments such as Tabasco sauce, chili sauce, spicy soy sauce and lemon wedges are provided.

Each customer is entitled to half of a Baked Slipper Lobster. Gratinéed with cheese and garlic, the slipper lobster comes with fries and salad on the side.

Meanwhile, Cheesy Oysters are presented over a dulang (rattan tray) of rice. The oysters are gratinéed with cheese on their shells. Also served today is Crab Claw Custard Steamed Egg. Although the egg custard is meant to resemble chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し), I feel that it is too firm.

Curry Salmon Head is one of the more appetizing hot dishes. The delectable curry blends well with the salmon's tasty flesh. For restaurants that serve sashimi, this dish is an elegant solution to minimize wastage in the kitchen.

Diners can also enjoy unlimited helpings of flower crabs, razor clams and shishamo (柳葉魚) from the grilling station. Several condiments are prepared to go with seafood but I think the variety can be improved.

As for sashimi (刺身), the choices are salmon (サーモン), tuna (マグロ), butterfish (イボダイ) and octopus (タコ). Several types of sushi (寿司) are available too.

There are also several non-seafood dishes like Stir-Fried Beef With XO Sauce. I enjoy the delightful savoriness of beef in my mouth. The beef is also remarkably tender.

At the cold cuts section, notable choices are beef salami and smoked salmon. The buffet also serves cocktail salads like Chicken Salad, German Potato Salad (kartoffelsalat) and Japanese Baby Octopus Salad (中華イイダコ).

On the other hand, diners who prefer to mix their own salads can take advantage of fresh vegetables and dressings at the salad bar. Popular salad dressings include Thousand Island, French and pesto dressings.

Moving on to the pastry section, macarons are meringue-based cookies from Italy and France. These confections come in multiple colors; some are even filled with buttercream. In general, I feel that macarons are too sweet for my palate.

Other sweet treats at the desserts counter are cheesecake, mousse cakes, opera cake, tiramisu, panna cotta, fruit jellies and tartlets.

The chocolate fountain is particularly appealing to cocoa lovers. Mezza9 has prepared skewered items to be dipped into molten chocolate. Examples are savoiardi (ladyfingers), brownies, marshmallows, strawberries and grapes.

In addition, I am fascinated to see churros too. This Spanish fried snack is often dipped in a sweet sauce before being eaten. This is where the chocolate fountain comes in handy.

Last but not least, Ais Kacang and Leng Chee Kang (莲子汤) are included in today's buffet. A large variety of ingredients are made available to go with these two sweet treats.

Iconic Hotel's Seafood Buffet is served from 7:00pm to 10:00pm every Friday and Saturday. Live music is performed during the meal. The buffet is priced at RM128.00 net per adult. Unlike typical buffets, there is no charge for children aged 12 years and below - as long as each non-paying child is accompanied by a paying adult.

Name: Mezza9
Address: Iconic Hotel, 71, Jalan Icon City, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-505-9988
Business hours: 6:00am-11:00pm
Website: https://www.iconichotel.com.my/dining
Coordinates: 5.34206 N, 100.43287 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head east. Turn left just before Petron gas station, then turn right to the front entrance of the 15-floor Iconic Hotel. Mezza9 is located on the Mezzanine Level of the hotel. The hotel provides multistorey parking.