Porto Romano, Mon’t Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

If you are looking to feast on fusion-Mediterranean fare, this is it. With a name that suggests a certain authenticity, and a menu to show for it, you will not be disappointed with your experience at Porto Romano.

Tucked away at the most unassuming of locations, the ambience that greeted us was that of old-fashioned charm, with a bar doubling as their centre piece and various works of eclectic art adorning the walls.

Our reservations brought us upstairs to a more spacious area with al fresco dining options available for those who like the outdoors.

There are several large oblong tables, reminiscent of Da Vinci's Last Supper, so you can go ahead and book the place for big family get-togethers or even corporate gatherings.

The extensive menu available here is unpretentious and packed with humble street staples such as tapas, pizza and pasta as well as the more bourgeois selections such as lamb shank, and slipper lobster.

Now, on to the savoury dishes…

Dish #1: Pizza Pesto & Chicken (RM45)

Tomato sauce makes way for pesto sauce in this to-die-for pizza. A Porto Romano original.

Mien: The pizza was rather bland as there wasn’t much pesto. The chicken pieces were too chunky and tasteless, and overpowered the taste of the pesto. The pesto itself was good, hence, with more pesto, the pizza MIGHT have tasted better.

Shiv: They could have been more generous with the pesto layer, as the chicken pieces were too chunky and dry, and the pizza ended up being slightly bland and chewy. Needed a lot of help from the chili flakes and their special hot sauce, which was very flavourful I might add.

Gaj: Unimpressed and not a great way to start the meal. The chicken was sparse and chunky. Smaller cubes would have been better.

Kav: Hardly to-die-for… was a little bland and way too dry. They could have been a little more generous with the pesto.

Dish #2: Mediterranean Style Baked Fish – Barramundi Whole (RM45)

Barramundi is baked with sprinkling of olive oil & salt.

Mien: ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE!!! Loved it!!! A very very simple dish, however, the FRESH fish carried the whole dish! AMAZING!

Shiv: Best dish of the night. It was fantastic in its simplicity. The fish was super duper fresh, and flavoured minimalistically so as to let the natural flavours of the fish carry the entire dish. Absolute magic!

Gaj: OMG! Love this dish, it was baked to perfection! This is how fish should be cooked, so simple, yet so amazing.

Kav: Love the fact that they barely seasoned the fish and yet it was delectable. Absolutely fresh and cooked just right with all its natural flavours and juices intact. They made an ordinary tasting fish extra-extraordinary. Bravo!!!

Dish #3: Pasta Nera con Calamari – Squid Ink Pasta (RM35)

Try our freshly made fettucine flavoured with squid ink and cooked with calamari rings. A Porto Romano specialty.

Mien: Surprisingly, I like this dish. Loved the flavour of the sauce. Went really well with the squid ink fettucine.

Shiv: Nice, but I expected a much stronger seafood flavour to come through, as I felt that the sweetness from the tomatoes overpowered the piquancy of the seafood flavour a little. Enjoyed it nevertheless.

Gaj: I actually enjoyed this dish despite the fact the I don’t eat squid. The accompanying sauce was simply delicious and I could have wiped the plate clean if they had served bread. Nice one!

Kav: My first experience eating squid ink pasta. Loved it!!! Usually dislike the rubbery texture of squid, however, this one was hardly rubbery and quite nice. The tangy flavour of the tomatoes combined with the seafood flavour was truly scrumptious.

Dish #4: Spaghetti con Canestrelli – Spaghetti with Fresh Scallops (RM34)

There are over 300 species of scallops worldwide. At Porto Romano, we use local Sun and Moon scallops (Amusium pleuronectes).

Mien: MEGA DISAPPOINTMENT, after all the delicious dishes. The scallops were stale and the pasta not flavoured well. Rather tasteless, I must say!

Shiv: Disappointing, as the scallops used were not as fresh, and the pasta was under-flavoured. Also, I don’t quite like this species of scallops, as they’re not as meaty and juicy.

Gaj: Soo upsetting as I LOVE scallops, but these scallops were old and had a funky smell to it. It totally ruined the pasta for me. Highly disappointing as scallops are easy to get right and they failed to do so. Epic fail!

Kav: POOR!!! The last thing you would expect from a classy restaurant is stale scallops. However, we were in for a rude awakening as the scallops were rubbery and did not have its usual bouncy texture. The stale scallops permeated the entire pasta, making it smell and taste bad.

No meal is complete without dessert, so here we go…

Dessert #1: Tiramisu (RM15)

Our version of Tiramisu using the best coffee and almond liqueur is sure to make you return to Porto Romano for more! Our signature dessert.

Mien: YUMMY IN MY TUMMY! Really good, although the alcohol was not ‘taste-able’. Just the right mix of coffee, mascaporne and sponge.

Shiv: A good rendition of this classic. Ultra smooth, with the perfect marriage of coffee and mascaporne. However, I initially thought it was a teetotaler version as the almond liqueur used was scarce and I tasted only hints of it when my spoon hit the bottom of the glass.

Gaj: The tiramisu was good and the liqueur was not overwhelming, which is a typical problem in most places.  Will definitely order it again!

Kav: Excellently done with a good balance of the sponge fingers and mascaporne.  My only bone to pick with this dessert is that it was a tad bit too sweet and they could have been a bit more generous with the almond liqueur (being the alcohol lover that I am).

Dessert #2: Panna Cotta – Cream Pudding (RM10)

Served with crushed walnuts and caramel.

Mien: One word……………. MEDICINE!

Shiv: Fail! Something was amiss here, as the texture was not as smooth as I would have liked, and there was an artificial flavour coming from the sauce coating the panna cotta. Not recommended.

Gaj: OMG, this was soo bad. Tasted like medicine and was just plain nasty!

Kav: Isn’t panna cotta an Italian dessert???!!! Then why is it that Italian restaurants in Malaysia hardly ever get it right!!! Had a chemical-like taste and the texture was not the usual ‘melt in your mouth’ goodness. BAD BAD BAD!

Dessert #3: Zabaglione Cassata Terrine (RM12)

There are many versions of this classic Italian layered dessert. This version uses marsala wine and almond flakes. Served with espresso sauce.

Mien: This was divine!! The best Porto has to offer… The coffee-mousse-y thingy and the gelato-like thingy… a godly combination!!!

Shiv: The best dessert of the night! Unrelenting to the dessert spoon, but otherwise on the palate. The superb combo of espresso cream, marsala wine and ice cream was just surreal. Porto Romano, you have made a casatta fan of me.

Gaj: This is very deserving of a  ‘AMAZEBALLS’. It is a perfect version of a cassata and I could have one of this every day, that’s how good it is!

Kav: It was like I had died and gone to heaven!!!! Just yummy…The coffee flavour with the ice cream like texture of the Zabaglione was like nothing I have ever tasted before. The crunchy almond flakes just set the whole dish off.

And finally, some cocktails for the road…

Cocktail #1: Red Sangrías (RM32.90)

Mien: One of the better sangrías in KL.

Shiv: Very good. Definitely one of the better sangrías I've tasted. The acidity of the citrus flavours paired well with the medium-bodied wine. Loved that they used fresh fruit juice instead of the bottled crap. Highly recommended.

Verdict: WOK ON

PRICE: Reasonable. Desserts are some of the cheapest we’ve come across. However, cocktails are a tad overpriced. (Total = RM303.70 for 4 dishes, 3 desserts and 2 alcoholic beverages)

AMBIENCE: Cozy, romantic and artsy. Outdoor dining available and the upstairs section seats large crowds.

SERVICE: Bad. They could not cope with the growing crowd as the night passed by. We had to request for cleanup services, water and more orders way too many times.

FOOD: Tasty selection mostly, with fusion cuisine being the name of the game here. We will be back for more!

PORTO ROMANO

K-1, MON’T KIARA BANYAN,

28 JALAN KIARA, MONT KIARA,

50480 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603-6207 8171

Email: enquiry@portoromano.my

Website: http://www.portoromano.my

Opening Hours:

11.00am – 12.00 midnight daily (later hours possible upon request)

Espressamente Illy, Bangsar Village 1, Kuala Lumpur

“What shall we have for dinner?”

“Hmmmm….. Shall we try out Espressamente Illy since soooo many people have talked about how good the food is?”

And of course… that is exactly where we ended up!

Like most Italian restaurants, we were welcomed with a bread basket which came with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. The bread served was normal white baguette.

Kav: The garlic-infused olive oil and vinegar was pungent, and flavoured the bread well. However, they could have used fancier bread.

Shiv: Although the bread was ordinary, I loved the idea of the garlic pip placed in the EVOO. Added a nice garlic-y flavour to the dip, and made for a pretty good starter.

Mien: Mediocre… nothing to shout about!

We had a starter, Crostini con Salmone e Alici, which is crostini with Tasmanian smoked salmon, horseradish, fresh dill, capers and anchovies (RM21).

Kav: The salmon and capers were salty and oily and the anchovies packed a punch. The dill also added freshness to the entrée. Beyond amazing!!!

Shiv: I absolutely adored this appetizer. It was tangy, yet not overwhelmingly sharp. The capers and anchovies, along with the sweetness of the dill, complemented the fresh salmon (that was smoked just right) perfectly. Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one!

Mien: Salmon was fresh and the anchovies were not too fishy - just right. However, I could not taste the horseradish! Bread was too stretchy!

The pastas we ordered arrived promptly thereafter. The first was the Spaghetti Aglio e Olie, spaghetti with garlic and chilli tossed with extra virgin olive oil (RM18).

Kav: The olio was earthy and flavourful. Love the garlic bits found in this dish. However, would have preferred if there was more garlic and at least one other ingredient.

Shiv: Was not wowed. The pasta was under-flavoured, and there was a pool of oil left in the bowl after polishing off the pasta.

Mien: Could have been flavoured more.

The second pasta was the Spaghetti al Pesto, spaghetti with chicken and Portobello mushrooms in basil pesto sauce (RM23).

Kav: As a pesto fanatic, this is probably one of the best pestos I have tried. The earthiness of the portobello and the flavour of the pesto was a good marriage, and the parmesan set the whole dish off to a new level.

Shiv: The pesto can easily be one of the best I’ve tried. Really strong basil flavour (in a good way) and the portobello was seasoned very well before being tossed along with the pasta. Hands down the best dish of the night! Small bone to pick (no pun intended!): The chicken chunks were too big.

Mien: REALLY GOOD! We were informed by the waitress that this dish was one of their bestsellers… and AMEN to that! One of the best pestos I have tasted! Just the right amount of pasta and sauce!

Mien and Shiv decided to “stop” with the mains as they wanted to have coffee and a dessert. Kav on the other hand wanted another main dish.

As such, Kav ordered the Vegetariana alla Griglia con Pollo, mixed grilled vegetables with marinated chicken breast served with basil pesto, pine nuts and toasted ciabatta (RM22).

We were so impressed with the food, we requested to have a quick chat with Chef James to pay him a compliment. To our surprise, he came out from the kitchen carrying our last dish of the night (more on Chef James at the bottom of the page).

Kav: I expected this dish to be perfection, as the bar was set pretty high for pesto dishes. However, it was a little bland, and the chicken was dried out. Also, the aubergines were not cooked till soft. Disliked the bread that came with this – it was as if the moisture had been sucked out of it. (Microwaved, perhaps?)

Shiv: Liked the earthiness of the bread, and again, they can do no wrong with the pesto. The vegetables were also grilled to charred-perfection (except the aubergines, which were slightly undercooked). I loved this dish so much, that I actually ended up finishing most of it!

Mien: Had a bite to taste. Hmmmm… found it very mediocre, will not order it again. The pesto saved this dish for me!

An Italian café definitely calls for a Tiramisu sampling, and Mien and Shiv chose to order the Tiramisu to share (RM15). Kav could not resist a mouth, and dug in as well.

Kav: Was overly sweet and the chocolate shavings had a cheap oily aftertaste. Not a big fan.

Shiv: Very poor. Where do I start? It was far from authentic; too sweet; and the sponge fingers was so dried out (you can actually notice that in the pic). Even the amazing coffee flavour, laced with liqueur, couldn’t help this one out.

Mien: DISAPPOINTING!! The Illy coffee is the only thing saving the tiramisu! There was something sickeningly sweet and ‘cough-mixture-like’ to the tiramisu, in my opinion!

Mien ordered the Caffè Fondente, a single espresso shot served with chocolate and topped with emulsified milk (RM12) while Shiv, the Caffè Latte Grande, large version of the Caffè Latte (RM13). Kav decided to go with the Hot Chocolate.

Kav: The chocolate used was really good, but I found the drink to be overly milky and sweet. Will not order it again.

Shiv: With coffee, my motto is: Go big or go home! And let me just say, this was a large cup of coffee-perfection! The flavour was STRONG and aromatic. It has since become the numero uno coffee in town – for me at least. Also, note the pretty tulip latte art. Errmmm… Starbucks who?!

Mien: The Caffè Fondente was mind blowing! Strong coffee flavour, yet it didn’t overpower the chocolate. AMAZING!

We were so impressed by the food, that Shiv and Kav brought a friend of theirs to the restaurant a week later!

The second time around, Shiv and Kav ordered two mains:

❶ Insalata Mediterraneo, mixed salad greens with artichokes, semi-dried tomatoes and feta (RM23).

Kav: Love love love! The sourness of the artichokes set off the entire salad. The chef could have been a little LESS generous with the oil though.

Shiv: Very fresh and well dressed. The artichokes were cooked well, and the feta added a burst of flavour. Overall, an A+ for this dish.

❷ Belezza Panino, grilled chicken breast with roasted pepper, aubergine, kalamata and melted mozzarella and pesto on wholemeal (RM19).

Kav: Love the bread used, but this was only mediocre. Tasted like something I could put together at home.

Shiv: The pesto was heavenly, again, and the olives added a nice twang. Tasty, but not superb.

And of course, no meal is complete without dessert and/ (or) coffee.

This time around, Kav ordered the Caffè Fondente, a single espresso shot served with chocolate and topped with emulsified milk (RM12).

*In a shocking twist to the saga, Shiv did NOT feel like having coffee! =)

Kav: Officially the best mocha I’ve tried. It was creamy-chococafe goodness.

Two desserts were ordered – first being the Affogato, vanilla ice cream in a shot of espresso (RM19).

Kav: The ice-cream was really bad – tasted cheap!!! Coffee was excellent, as expected.

Shiv: Did not live up to expectations, as you would imagine a café such as Illy, with its superior coffee selection, to make a mean affogato. The vanilla ice cream used tasted sub-standard, and although the espresso at the bottom of the glass was really good, I would still grade this as a fail.

Next up was the Panna Cotta, Italian creamy dessert served with wild berry coulis (thick sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits) (RM14).

Kav: TOO __ __ __ __ __ ! (Fill in the blanks guys. Clue: It’s a bad word in my dictionary.) Would have been really good otherwise as it was light and creamy all at the same time.

Shiv: Really enjoyed this one. There was a nice vanilla flavour, and although it was slightly sweeter than I would have liked, the texture of the cream and the tanginess of the coulis made this an absolute treat to the senses.

VERDICT: WOK ON!

PRICE: Slightly on the pricey side, but well worth every penny.

AMBIENCE: Modern, eclectic and sophisticated. (Love the portraits that adorn the walls.)

SERVICE: Staff are friendly, and attentive. Also, Chef James was kind enough to pay us a visit at our table to talk about his experiences (Thanks, Chef!).

FOOD: Excellent. Please head to Espressamente Illy right this moment if you’re in need of a coffee fix and something to whet your appetite!

ESPRESSAMENTE ILLY

LOT NO. F-12 & F-13,

FIRST FLOOR, BANGSAR VILLAGE 1,

BANGSAR BARU,

59100 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: +603 2287 7078

Website: http://www.espressamenteilly.com.my/

Opening Hours:

10.00 am – 10.00 pm daily

*Note: Chef James is of Sarawakian origin and started off as a dishwasher 15 years ago in a restaurant. He has since worked his way up the ladder, and is now a chef at Espressamente Illy. He has previously worked in numerous other restaurants and dabbled in various cuisines i.e Italian, Spanish, etc.