Recently, I had buffet breakfast at Latest Recipe, the all-day dining restaurant at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu, together with relatives visiting from Singapore who were staying at the hotel. The buffet is priced at RM88 for adults and RM44 for children (aged 5–12).
Just before entering the café, we were welcomed with mini glasses of refreshing juice to open our appetite at the counter before being seated. There were two flavours: orange + passionfruit and watermelon + lime. Each glass was tiny —just enough for two sips—and absolutely delicious and refreshing. I cheekily requested extra servings, and the waitress graciously obliged. However, she gently reminded me not to overindulge, as the concentrated juices might cause a flushing effect, likely due to the higher sugar content. I believe there’s some science behind it!
Overall, the breakfast selection was just average—nothing particularly stood out to leave a lasting impression. At RM88, it doesn’t quite feel worth it unless included in the room charge.
While making another round at the buffet, I spotted a corner with huge containers of prawn crackers and papadom. I casually asked if I could snack on some while chatting with my relatives, and voilà—the waiter happily brought me a big bowl! Haha!
A noteworthy point is the availability of some gluten-free bakes, which may be appreciated by guests with specific dietary needs.
When I later asked about validating my parking ticket, the waitress informed me that we could actually enjoy complimentary parking if the ticket was validated under the guest's name—much better than paying the usual RM9 flat rate as a restaurant diner.
P/S: I didn’t experience any flushing effect after the juices. Looks like my stomach has a built-in tolerance for all that juicy goodness!
