Thyme — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

I recently visited Thyme for their Fabulous Seafood Buffet, and it was a mixed experience. This restaurant offers an extensive seafood buffet with some appealing features but also a few areas for improvement.

Ambiance: The ambiance at Thyme is elegant and relaxed, creating a welcoming environment perfect for enjoying a hearty meal.

Service: The service was efficient, friendly, and attentive. A delightful touch was the free birthday cake provided upon request. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, be sure to let them know in advance. The cake was a rich chocolate mousse with simple decoration.

Food: The buffet offers an impressive array of seafood with unlimited supplies of lobster, oysters, crab, prawn, fish meat, etc. However, there are some caveats: Lobster: 2 type lobsters were available, Green and Slipper . The lobster is cooked in advance (steamed or boiled?), so while it is plentiful, the freshness is somewhat compromised. The lobster is still decent but lacks the freshness of live-cooked seafood. Oysters: The oysters are of the smaller variety, which might not be as satisfying for those who prefer larger, more succulent oysters. In addition to seafood, you can choose to have dishes prepared in Western, Malay, Indian, or Chinese styles. This variety is a nice touch, allowing you to enjoy different flavors and preparations.

Variety of other dining options included noodle section, Japanese food (sushi rolls, sashimi, and tempura), Arab food, pizzas, grill section (freshly grilled beef, lamb and vegetables), and appetizer section (salads, cold cuts, ice cream, ais kacang and small bites)

Beverages: The beverage selection is somewhat limited. They offer coffee, tea, and plain water, but there are no juices available. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased separately, which might be a drawback for some diners.

Price: The buffet is priced at RM238. I went for a promo for use a UOB bank credit card, can get a 50% discount, which makes the dining experience even more enjoyable and cost-effective.

Overall Impression: Thyme offers a decent seafood buffet with an extensive selection and customizable cooking styles. Overall, it’s a good choice for seafood enthusiasts, especially if you can take advantage of...

Decided to give this a try due to the lobsters, oysters, sashimi and Haagen-Dazs on buffet. Here's an honest review:

Lobsters were tiny and precooked, except the crayfish (slipper lobster without claws) which were small-medium sized but also precooked, so it's not the same as those at Ho Chi Minh (lobster buffet) where it's a bit larger in size, and uncooked. At first bite it felt rubbery, bland, cold and overcooked. Also, what's the point of lobsters without their large juicy claws?

The crabs next to these lobsters were also small sized and precooked, with the crab legs lacking in meat, and a fraction of the typical humongous Alaskan snow crab legs you might see elsewhere. It was also a bit disappointing to see the freshly cooked crabs served on the other side, disappear within a minute of being served, as a throng of people crowd around and grab as much as they can for themselves.

The oysters were the prime centerpiece on display, with buckets of unshucked oysters on ice for you to choose, put on a plate, attach a clip with your table number, and then wait for them to crack them open and serve to your table. Nobody explained the system and I had to ask multiple times before understanding what to do. The oysters were mostly fresh and medium sized, and are the reason why this review didn't go down to 3 stars.

The sashimi was standard fare, much like what you'd find in a budget sushi chain restaurant.

Haagen-Dazs came in 4 flavors, one of which is durian. The fact that this is available in a buffet setting is definitely a plus point.

There's a seafood section where you choose from a selection of raw fish or seafood and have them cooked to order (based on a list).

All other cooked dishes, fruits, and desserts were standard fare. Juices were basically a bit of fruit juice poured into a large jug that's filled with ice - to the brim.

The fact that almost everything served here is paced to only go as fast as the server can serve you, i.e. one by one, is a typical delay tactic that cheap buffets use to limit the outflow of food and drinks, and manage costs. Expect to spend time standing and waiting in peak hours.

Price per adult is RM228 nett and half of that for children aged 5-11....

As a self-proclaimed buffet connoisseur, I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Seaside Cove Buffet, and I can say with certainty that it is a true gem. From the moment I walked through the doors, I was struck by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air.

The sheer variety of offerings at this buffet is truly impressive. The highlight for me, by far, was the seafood selection. On weekends, they feature a "Seafood Night" that is an absolute must-try. The selection of fresh, impeccably prepared oysters was enough to make me swoon, and the sashimi, expertly sliced from the day's catch, was simply divine. But the real showstopper was the live cooking station, where guests could have their choice of seafood cooked to order - whether grilled, steamed, or sautéed to perfection.

Beyond the seafood, the buffet boasts an impressive array of other culinary delights. The salad bar was brimming with crisp greens and an assortment of toppings and dressings, providing a refreshing start to the meal. The hot food stations offered a tantalizing variety of international cuisines, from succulent roasted meats to fragrant curries and flavorful pasta dishes.

While the main courses were truly exceptional, I would recommend that the management consider expanding the selection of starters and drinks. A few more options in the appetizer department, such as a charcuterie board or a more diverse array of cold and hot hors d'oeuvres, would be a welcome addition. And to complement the culinary delights, a thoughtfully curated selection of craft cocktails, premium wines, and unique non-alcoholic beverages would elevate the overall dining experience.

Despite these minor suggestions, the Seaside Cove Buffet is an absolute must-visit for any lover of great food and an impressive dining experience. The attention to detail, the quality of the ingredients, and the passion of the culinary team are evident in every bite. Whether you're in the mood for a seafood extravaganza or a diverse culinary adventure, this buffet is sure to leave you thoroughly satisfied and...