Casa del Rio Melaka launched the Peranakan Tingkat Set Lunch with full fanfare recently, complete with local celebrity Baba Kenny, Miss Kebaya finalists and of course, the main star Chef Baba William himself.
I had a prelude of his Peranakan delicacies few weeks back when I was in Melaka for a weekend stay and I was thrilled to return again for more.
Chef Babe William – the maestro behind the Peranakan spread in the kitchen of Casa del Rio.
It feels good to be back in Casa del Rio, a calm & beautiful oasis in the busy & heatwave town of Melaka.
A bountiful Peranakan spread lined the counters on one side of River Cafe, while another section paraded the intricate art of Peranakan in the form of beaded slippers, accessories & traditional costumes.
When in Melaka, shop from the locals as they have the best know-how of the making of these traditional attire. 
Bevy of beauties from the Ms Kebaya pageant sashayed about handling out tokens of appreciation to delighted guest (not sure if they are delighted with the gifts or the girls) and graceful dancers performed as guests tucked into scrumptious Peranakan fare prepared by Casa del Rio very own master chef Baba William.
The tiffin lunch set was both pleasing to the eye as well as the stomach.
We had a myriad of tangy salads to start things off and a hot soup. The mains of Ayam Buah Kelauk, simple vegetables, cincalok (fermented shrimp paste) scrambled eggs and most importantly for me the kick-ass sambal had all guests sated and smiling.
I do love a good fiery sambal. Do you?
Yes, thumbs up – as shown by a fellow media friend from Singapore.
The popular local Kuih are aplenty but what caught my interest is Gula Melaka cake – a unique creation by Chef Baba William.
Gula Melaka Cake – fragrant and sweet from coconut palm sugar. This garnered positive reviews from everyone present who loved the nuts, custard layer and non-greasy pastry base.
Thank you to the kind people from Concorde Hotel KL for the laughter and friendship and the hospitality. It was a day to remember!
They hope to replicate this in Concorde KL. So tell me, would you come by for lunch if the Peranakan Tingkat Set Lunch is made available here in KL?
Here’s another post (LINK ) to give you a better idea of the spread/choices.
Casa del Rio Boutique Hotel
88, Jalan Kota Laksamana 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
+606-289 6888
GPS: N02° 11′ 20″ E101° 23′ 4″