Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Heaven Scent


Champagne Risotto with Truffle Shavings from il Lido

Truffles Create Stinky Situation On West Side « CBS New York- News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of NY

The above CBS news snippet reminded me of the sumptuous Champagne Risotto topped with Black Truffle shavings that we enjoyed recently at il Lido, one of Kuala Lumpur's newest Italian restaurants. I for one certainly wouldn't mind the pricey ingredient's seductively earthy-musky scent! Rich and creamy, the risotto was exquisitely al dente - the perfect canvas to capture the truffle's inherent and intoxicating aroma.





Earlier our meal had gone off to a flying start with two interesting appetisers: Crab Salad with Avocado & Bisque Jelly and Parma Ham with Rock Melon. Don't let the former's pared down presentation fool you as the resultant combination of flavours and textures worked out surprisingly well. The latter is another classic pairing that even the most finicky diner would gladly devour.



Honestly, I've never been that big a fan of ravioli as more often than not, they tend to be overcooked and in my opinion, don't hold a candle to Chinese wontons. Until I tried il Lido's mind-blowing Seafood Ravioli with Shellfish Emulsion.

Mind you, the dainty albeit slightly wrinkly parcels of pasta appeared so plain and simplistic in a puddle of brown sauce when it was served that I paid the dish scant attention. So imagine my surprise and delight at the unexpected bursts of full-bodied, hearty nuances and multi-layer textures that would forever change my perception of this particular pasta. The superbly flavourful shellfish emulsion left me wanting more as did the slippery smooth ravioli filled with minced seafood.



Just when we thought that things couldn't get any better, the Linguine with Jumbo Sea Prawns and Sausage proved to be worth tangling over till the last strand.



Out of the several main courses we tried, I rekon the simplest Seabass Fillet with Braised Fennel, Vanilla and ‘Taggiasche’ Olives stole the show...well at least for me.



Unsurprisingly, the Sardinian Roasted Suckling Pig with Plum Sauce has been a runaway success with diners. The best part is of course the sinfully rich yet crisp pork skin that literally crackles as you bite into it. Underneath was a barely discernible layer of fat and moist, tender meat.



In the old days, beef cheeks were lumped with cheaper cuts and offal that only the poor and desperate housewives would consider buying. Not anymore. Today many a celeb chef goes to great lengths to showcase this classic ingredient. Wisely il Lido's executive chef Samuele Alvisi opts to stay true to his Italian roots which saw his Wagyu Beef Cheek with Celeriac Pure' & Fava Beans turned out to be unapologetically hearty and rustic as any home-cooked version.



After sampling the stupendously indulgent but superlicious Baked Eggplant Mozzarella Cheese Cake wth Tomato & Basil, I wonder if this could just be the dish to trick my cheese-crazy kid into eating her veg! Gooey and creamy, this is one speciality that is bound to go down well regardless of whether you're a vegetarian or not.



Dessert options are aplenty here but it was the Molten Lava Chocolate Cake (more molten chocolate than cake but hey, what's there to complain?) that has this chocoholic go weak in the knees.



The quartet of Creme Brule Simphony featuring vanilla, pistachio, coffee and strawberry-flavoured variants makes an interesting departure from the tried-and-tested formula. I love the intense coffee accent followed by the pistachio and strawberry. As for the timeless vanilla, what's not to like?



For those who seek a lighter but no less exquisite treat before calling it a night, the marble smooth Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fresh Berry Basket is the perfect choice.

Naturally dining at il Lido won't come cheap but if you're a Citibank cardholder, you'll enjoy 50% off main course (with a minimum purchase of appetizer or pasta per person) at il Lido from now until 30 December 2010. Offer is valid for up to 6 persons per table and applicable for lunch and dinner daily except on the eve of and actual public holidays. Just quote the Citibak promotion upon booking/before ordering.

The outlet also offers a special set lunch priced at RM50 per person. It's a good deal worth taking if you wanna check if all the gushing reviews on il Lido are for real ;-D

il Lido Italian Dining & Lounge Bar
Lot 183 Jalan Mayang
Off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (03) 2161 2291
Fax: (03) 2161 2295
www.il-lido.com.my

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