We settle down to dinner at the spanking new Spasso Milano at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and as we chat and enjoy the wine, the waiter places in front of my plate, an almost lethally large portion of Risotto Alla Milanese served as the classic Risotto and dressed generously with a fragrant aroma of Saffron. I keep digging into the communal platter until, at last, there is nothing left to shovel. I knew, I was done for.

But if I was going to die, this was absolutely the way to go. I had already sampled Spasso Milano Pavilion KL’s Scamorza Affumicata & Speck Pizza – I’m talking artisanal pizza with Smoked Scamorza Cheese and air-dried Ham whose craggy appearance belied juicy depths of flavours. Then there was the deliciously sharp tasting Citrus Orange Garoupa Pasta, whose fusilli pasta was thick and toothsome, and thoroughly soaked up the orange sauces and heightened its flavours. The resulting combination when eaten with the fresh and succulent Garoupa was terrific. After that would come more.. the Al Pesto with Prima Fileja, a Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Nut, Parmesan & Pecorino pasta, toss into the warm, vegetal equivalent of a grandmother’s hug. Also a larger than life, Pork Valdostana - Pork Escalope topped with baked Ham and Fontina Cheese which had the comfort of a warm kitchen stool on a cool summer night. If there was any doubt in our minds at all, it was as if Spasso Milano Pavilion KL was telling us that, it was back, and back with a vengeance.

In the end, after the wines, (a fresh and fruity white, the San Angelo Pinot Grigio Toscana Igt - Tuscany, Banfi 2010 and a full structured red – the Barberra D’alba Doc, Pio Cesare, Piedmont, 2008/09) and the desserts that included a Platter of Cheese, Strawberry Martini Fresh Strawberry drizzle with 20 years old Balsamic Vinaigrette, a heavily Alcoholic Tiramisu, and 3 different types of Gelato, I survived. How could I have done otherwise?

I am, however, willing to risk death for a chance not only to eat real, true authentic Italian food but to eat it often. One can never have too much good Italian. Like I’ve said before,  I was going to die, this would absolutely be the way to go. I have long been a fan of Chef Felice’s cooking and will continue to be, for a good while yet. With big guns like Italian Manager Angelo and Italian Chef Felice helming the kitchen, I know I am in good hands.. Spasso Milano Pavilion KL will probably end up being one of my favourite hangout joints. And with the availability of Wifi, why not. Yes, I could end up spending my evenings here, too easily.

Spasso Milano at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Flavoured Italian Soda (By San Pellegrino) RM9.80- Pompelmo (Grapefruit), Chinotto (Bitter Citrus Fruit), and a glass of freezing cold Kronenbourg beer

Smoked Salmon Torta served with Mesclun Salad (RM28.00)

The smoked salmon torta was just OK. Not a memorable dish.

Pantesca - Garden leaves, Potato, Cherry Tomato, Caper, Olives, Onion & Basil, all tossed in Oregano Balsamic Vinaigrette (RM21.80)

One has the option of adding either smoked salmon (RM8), pesto flavoured chicken(RM6) or bacon strips(RM6). This salad was a little frail. We were not overly excited about the salad.

 Roasted Wagyu Beef Panini -Wagyu Strip loin, Lettuce, Onion, Tomato & Parmesan, Light Mustard Mayo(RM 32.00)

The meaty wagyu was to die for.. but the portion of meat per panini was small, and overpowered by the sauce in the panini. I would have loved mine bursting with Wagyu, but who wouldn’t?

San Angelo Pinot Grigio Toscana Igt - Tuscany, Banfi 2010 and the Barberra D’alba Doc, Pio Cesare, Piedmont, 2008/09

Two great wines that were versatile and complemented the various different dishes we had that night. Of particular note, was the Tuscany Banfi 2010 – an amazing white wine that really brought out the flavours of the dishes especially the speck in our pizza. A fabulous, intense, fruity aroma, followed by a rich, refreshing flavour, and then a clean finish. Well matched indeed.

Scamorza Affumicata & Speck Pizza - Smoked Scamorza Cheese, Smoked & air-dried Ham (RM42.00)

Indiscriminate gluttons and discerning gourmands alike have long been crazy for pizza. But over the last few years, they have elevated their passion to a vocation, sending pizza into a whole new stratosphere of respect. This pizza at Spasso Milano KL, could be one of the best pizzas I’ve eaten in a long time probably due to the tastiness of the speck and the chewy texture of the dough. Speck is a distinctively juniper-flavored ham originally from Tyrol, a region that partially lies in Austria and partially in Italy. Speck’s origins at the intersection of two culinary worlds is reflected in its synthesis of salt-curing and smoking. (That’s probably why Cumi found it too salty.. but no worries, just wash it down with more wine!)

Scamorza is an Italian cow’s milk cheese, similar to mozzarella. I found this stretched curd cheese, rather interesting – extremely tasty and complemented the speck magnificently.

Garoupa Orange - Pan-seared Sweet citrus orange flavor (RM52.00)

This pasta fusilli was cooked al dente.. just right.  The sharp tasting Citrus Orange Garoupa Pasta, whose fusilli pasta was thick and toothsome, and thoroughly soaked up the orange sauces and heightened its flavours was one of my new favourites for the night. The resulting combination when eaten with the fresh and succulent Garoupa was terrific.

Al Pesto with Prima Fileja Pasta - Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Nut, Parmesan & Pecorino (RM32.80)

Pine nuts are one of my favourites when served up with a pesto variation of pasta, and the Al Pesto with Prima Fileja, a Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pine Nut, Parmesan & Pecorino pasta was comforting indeed – toss into the warm, vegetal equivalent of a grandmother’s hug!

Fileja pasta for sale at Spasso Milano

Fileja is a traditional Calabrese pasta ‘fatta in casa’ (usually made in the home). It is similar to pici (Toscano) and various other regional styles of egg-less pasta that are rolled by hand. This pasta has a starchier and softer texture to it, than the fusilli pasta. After a while, it gets a little heavy, especially eating it with the rich pesto dressing. It’s still a close second to the fusilli pasta dish though.

Risotto Alla Milanese - classic Risotto flavored with Saffron (RM32.00)

Risotto is the ultimate in Italian comfort food – warming, satisfying and incredibly tasty. The risotto at Spasso Milano is to die for! Loads of saffron, and it has the perfect texture. At Spasso the risotto has a rich, creamy texture, with each individual grain of rice standing out clearly and having a hint of a bite, rather than being soft or mushy.

This is my ideal risotto. Some might beg to differ.. Tough!

Pork Valdostana - Pork Escalope topped with baked Ham and Fontina Cheese (RM38.00)

Pork lovers, rejoice! This succulent strip of pork escalope is a real show stopper, especially since it is wrapped and baked in Ham and Fontina cheese. Crazy delicious – pork wrapped in pork.. just wrap your mind around that;)

Strawberry Martini Fresh Strawberry drizzle with 20 years old Balsamic Vinaigrette

The 20 year old balsamic vinaigrette really stole the show. How do you describe an aged balsamic? Sweeter, thicker and more full-bodied. Very impressed with this dessert.

Top Clockwise - Tiramisu, Espresso soaked Savoiardi Biscuit & Mascarpone Cream; Cheeses – smoked scarmoza and pecorino romano ; 3 flavours of Gelato - mango, orange cointreau, casatta and crocantino al rum

smoked scamorza – characteristic pear shape

As with the pastas, artisanal cheeses are also on sale, at Spasso Milano. The smoked Scamorza cheese, is a terrific cheese to have on its own with wine. We learnt that the fresh curd matures in its own whey for several hours to allow acidity to develop by the process of lactose being converted to lactic acid. Artisanal cheesemakers would generally form the cheese into a round shape, and then tie a string around the mass one third of the distance from the top, and hang to dry. The resulting shape is pear-like. This is sometimes referred to as “strangling” the cheese.

As you would have already noticed by now, Spasso Milano has made some changes to its menu. For a start, it is now a strictly non-halal menu, with a myriad of pork dishes to choose from. I for one, love this change. The food is still excellent. For the time being, they have done way with the afternoon buffet lunches that made them famous (antipasti buffet for just RM18++ ), that they used to have at the old Spasso, but who knows.. they might introduce a variation of that, one day soon.

All in all, a great dining experience. Highly recommended!

We found a fabulous new place for Cendol!

James Cendol on Old Klang Road does some great Cendol indeed!

This spanking new cendol joint (only 6 months old) is situated next to Lee Chong Wei Sri Sentosa Sports Complex (map attached at the end of post), on Old Klang Road. Cumi stumbled upon it, as usual, on one of his drives around town. The good thing about the location of James Cendol, is that there is ample free carpark and you can sit for as long as you like, in comfortable, breezy surroundings, unlike some cendol stalls where you have to squeeze into parking and stand around in the heat, eating and sweating into your cendol.

Lee Chong Wei Sri Sentosa Sports Complex

striking venue.. you can’t miss it

This cendol originates in Sitiawan, and if you ask the Sitiawan folk they will probably tell you that Sitiawan cendol is the best.. ever. And if you keep prodding, they will tell you that James Cendol is the best in Sitiawan;) The original James Cendol stall from Sitiawan is situated right at the entrance to a Hindu temple on Jalan Lumut – within a walking distance from The Store supermarket or Uncle John Cafe in Sitiawan, if you ever go there and want to visit the original shop.

soft, fluffy green stands of cendol

James himself is an amicable fellow. He was patient and all smiles as I asked him to pause this way, and that way, and ‘show me all his apparatus’ so I could take a good photo. A very cool guy, all decked out for the part too, I must say. I’ve never seen a more smartly dressed cendol man. Ever.

James, the man!

Green, fluffy and soft strands of pandan infused cendol that is served up nice and icy cold in fresh coconut santan(milk). The coconut is so fresh, you can see them grating it, old school style, at James Cendol.

the grater

the coconut

the coconut gets the grater

The cendol strands themselves are made fresh everyday and do not contain any preservatives, and that’s why the texture is so great. I love my cendol with pulut and red bean.. tastes heavenly! At RM3.00 per bowl, it’s obviously not the cheapest of Cendol in the Klang Valley, but the quality and flavour is totally worth the money. They add just enough salt to their cendol which really enhances the flavour of the coconut milk. They also do goreng pisang and rojak here. And oh, some rather tasty ice cream potong too. Perfect in this sweltering heat!

my favourite way of eating cendol – cendol, pulut and red bean

goreng pisang (banana fritters)

ice-cream potong .. cendol flavour

Verdict? A terrific place for Cendol. We will be back with friends and family in tow, the next time. For the lucky folk of Bangsar, James Cendol will be opening a new branch soon in that area.  The owners will be starting up a restaurant called SIMPLY SPICE opposite the new UOA building at Dataran Maybank in Bangsar starting on the 16th of February. James Cendol will be served here.

 MAP TO JAMES CENDOL, OLD KLANG ROAD:

Tie back your hair, slip into a pair of comfortable Marc Jacobs ballet flats and grab your favorite Chanel bag, because you’re coming with me, to visit my favourite French Pâtisserie, Les Deux Garcons, on Jalan Telawi, Bangsar.

Oh.., I do like this place.. very much.

What I die for every time is the silky smooth ganache in their macaron and their exquisite flavours. None can come close.

The prices are not cheap, but they are pretty standard for what’s on offer in Kuala Lumpur at the moment. The quality of the cakes at Les deux Garcons, Jalan Telawi are fabulous – do yourself a favour and have tea there one day. You won’t be disappointed.

Oh, and don’t forget to invite me along. I can never get enough;)

Passion – Joconde base, silky passion fruit mousse, mango coulis – RM13

Eclaire – pate a choux, traditional French premium vanilla/rum creme patissier – RM10

Le Palladio – crispy almond tart, layered joconde, vanilla ganache, white truffle mascarpone – RM22

Plan B  at Publika was not our first choice. Ten was closed for the Long Chinese New Year weekend and so that’s how we ended up at Plan B, the newest outlet at Publika, under the BIG group of restaurants. Plan B at Publika looks like a modern Aussie-meets-New York-deli, and its menu boasts of hearty breakfasts, contemporary salads, wholesome sandwiches made with freshly baked breads, a myriad of pastas, and a variety of rustic cakes and desserts. Well, we liked the look and set up, but we silently hoped that the service would not be as slow as the Plan B in Bangsar Village.

Journal by Plan B at Publika, Solaris Dutamas

Since Plan B at Publika is supposedly famous for its coffee, ( I read somewhere that this modern coffee shop prides itself in its specialist coffee blend and its seasonal selection of single origin beans, all roasted and ground fresh in-house daily.. etc etc) I just had to try it. Apart from the usual styles, the cafe also offers alternative brewing methods such as siphon, French Press and Pour Over. Very impressive, but for the moment, I’ll just have my Italian Iced Coffee. The coffee was good – a fabulous aroma and a terrific caffeine kick to it. I was all smiles.

slurps Italian Ice coffee in glee!

Actually, this place goes by the name Journal by Plan B. Does it give discounts to journalists? I am not sure, but since I am not one, I didn’t ask anyway. The deco in this joint is rather haphazard with no one particular theme reigning supreme. There are LCD screens showing old P Ramlee black and white films. There are antique cameras on display along with laboratory beakers and scientific paraphernalia. What has all these to do with a Journal, I have no clue. But who cares.. on to the food..

Slow-Cooked Ox Tongue with hot English Mustard

I’m a sucker for tongue. So it was with great relish that I read, Slow-Cooked Ox Tongue with hot English Mustard on wholemeal bread, served with gherkin & chips on the menu. Yes, that would be my lunch. There’s a similar sandwich and Bens General Food Store and I supposed that this would not be too far off the mark from what the other BIG outlet offered.

beef burger with cheese and onion rings, and a side of fries and salad

The husband decided to have the beef burger. One can hardly go wrong with that. When the burger arrived, as in, when it did finally arrive , it tasted OK, but the patty was on the mushy side. My ox tongue sandwich was tasty enough, but nothing to shout about. The bread it arrived between was slightly hard and cold. Service was slow as well as it took 40 minutes to get our food. However, I must say that they sure were generous with their gherkins. I got entire one and could hardly finish it.

Plan B deco – cute but confused..

Plan B at Publika is OK for a quick lunch, but it will remain at best, our second choice, when all else is closed. Sad but true.

After lunch, a quick walk around Ben’s Independent Grocer

We were surprised to find the items reasonably priced – same range as Village Grocers really

Malaysians like to sniff their fruits before buying them..

Fresh as Fresh Gets.. Hydroponic veges anybody?

interesting deco

a chocolate bar that sells local chocolates – samples tasted great .. could not tell that they were not imported chocolates

S.wine deli.. selling piggy of course

We will definitely be back to check out Ten again next week! Another great reason to walk around Publika, Solaris Dutamas and window shop some more.

I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. I find all that wishy-washy propaganda just a way for Hallmark and restaurants to make money.  I mean, all these over sized fuzzy greeting cards certainly don’t make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Restaurants with their exorbitant prices don’t either.

Then I realised that the problem is not the celebration in itself. It is the fact that for many of us, outside of our weddings and anniversaries, don’t seek out to honor our relationships. Heck, some spouses don’t even remember anniversaries! That being the case, I am actually for the fact, that there is a system in place, that commercializes love and reminds us to spend money for a good cause. Well of course Valentine’s Day’s merchandising and advertising is self-serving, but at least it reminds us not to zip past our husbands and wives throughout the days, months even. It’s good to know that there are forces out there working to remind us to slow down and take our spouses out, to paint the town red.

As long as it does not burn a hole in your pocket! And yes, if this world were ideal, everyday would be Valentine’s Day with our respective spouses. But it ain’t. It ain’t ideal. And for those of us who cannot remember or do not have the luxury of time, let February the 14th help us slow down and remember, and be thankful for our special someone.

Speaking of burn-a-hole-in-your-wallet, I just had a ‘sampling’ of a Valentine’s Dinner at Samplings on the Fourteenth last week and I am happy to declare that it does not have to. For just RM158++ per person, you can enjoy a fabulous romantically tailored meal for two, amidst posh surroundings. The five course Valentine’s menu at Samplings on the Fourteenth, is inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine each, and a red, red rose, for the lovely lady. It really is a fantastic deal and I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

Smoked Duck and Scallop with Wild Mushroom Salad and Lamb Lettuce

The Valentine’s Dinner at Samplings on the Fourteenth will start off with a rather appetising Smoked duck and Scallop starter, served on a bed of wild mushroom and pretty colourful, edible flowers as garnishing. The scallop was bouncy and succulent and went well with the smoky duck.

Saffron Seafood Soup flavoured with Fennel and Tomato 

This soup had a deep crab flavour, imparted by the Alaskan King crab, and was bursting with a heady seafood aroma, not unlike that of a bouillabaisse.

sorbet – pink grapefruit sorbet with Campari

A great and rather unusual palate cleanser employing bitter flavours rather than sour, to get the salivary glands going. Did the trick rather well I must say. Was starting to get a little bored with all the sour sorbets I’ve been having, of late. The Campari liqueur imparted a pink hue that gave this sorbet a whimsical romantic feel to it.

Main Course: Choice of either a Pan-Fried Cod Fish Fillet with Sea Urchin and Caviar Sauce; or a Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Seared Foie Gras, Port Wine reduction and Spring vegetables.

The Cod Fish itself was expertly cooked. The Urchin it was served with, took some getting used to  - I did not really care for it’s rather strong aroma that was a distraction to the finer flavour of the cod.

The Beef Tenderloin was hearty and really hit the spot like a good old fashioned steak. Would have liked it a little more rare though, but otherwise, a satisfying piece of meat. And then, there was the matter of a perfectly seared foie gras that did the dish justice.. may I have some more please?

Strawberry Delight – served with homemade double chocolate ice-cream and almond Macaron

And that, folks, is the rather well thought out, Valentines Day dinner at Samplings on the Fourteenth. If you decide to go, you will probably be pleased with the outcome of the dinner, as I was.

To conclude my Valentine’s day story, and as a final thought, ask yourselves, when was the last time you and your spouse went on a date? When was the last time just the two of you, snuck away for a intense night of romance? When was the last time you you bought something for your spouse as a token of your appreciation, love and honour? If your answer is more than 30 days for any of these, you’re overdue.

Time to get busy and get loving.