FOR THE LOVE OF PORK AT EPICURO

Half a year has disappeared in a blink of an eye...but good times like good food often stay cherished in our memory despite the passage of time. It tickles me when this year, a bunch of us even celebrated Valentine's Day together, feasting over a slap-up V-Day dinner thanks to PureGlutton and Epicuro.

A casual, cheery outpost known for porky-licious offerings rustled up by engineer-turned-chef Yugin, our dining party was treated to Epicuro's special celebratory creations as well as its popular mainstays. 

Chef Yugin proves he can reel in compliments for fish and other meat dishes as he does with pork. The speciality of Spinach encrusted Seabass with Spiced Mango Salad (RM36.90) was a fine example - the boneless seabass smothered in blended spinach was delicate but cleverly perked up by the side of zingy cucumber-mango salad.

Red-blooded guys and thoroughly modern gals won't hesitate to declare their love for his delectable dish of Australian Grain-fed Ribeye (RM59.90). Meltingly tender with just enough toothsome resistance, the meat is substantial enough to leave one replete.

Heartier appetites will find ample comfort in Epicuro's famed Pork Chop (RM28.90) with Mushroom Cream Sauce - two slabs of juicy, brined pork cutlets doused in earthy, rich and fungi-flecked gravy.

I'm not big on Spaghetti Carbonara (RM18.90) but Epicuro's version is possibly one of the best I've had. Put it down to the al dente pasta, slicked with just enough mascarpone sauce to amplify the smoky brininess of real bacon bits. Break the yolk of the wobbly poached egg on top and voila! a sublime masterpiece is born.

We also had Vanilla Creme Brulee with Mixed Berries (RM13.90) to sweeten the evening's lovely mood. Custard-soft with the perfume of scorched caramel on the nose, its ethereal sweetness was fleeting but discernible on the palate.

Admittedly, it was no contest against the signature Tiramisu - a luscious dessert every Epicuro regular raves about, especially its heady 'pick me up' boozy accent.

There's also soft spongy Waffles with scoops of rich chocolate ice cream - a perennial delight that will easily win you over with its straightforward simplicity.

When it comes to decently priced Western food minus the frills, Epicuro fits the bill.

For reservations at EPICURO, call 03-77333110. The restaurant is located at 20 Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.