VIVA ITALIA SUNDAY BRUNCH AT PREGO

 

The simplest things in life are often the best. Marco De Cecco, Chef De Cuisine at Prego will testify to that. At his urging, our Sunday brunch experience got off to a rousing good start with the antipasto (starter) of Buffalo Mozzarella and

Burrata with Tomatoes.

A splash of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar helped to amplify the custardy-soft cheeses' voluptuous creaminess and the subtle sweetness of tomatoes, making it an opener to remember. Of course, drizzling it with aged balsamic vinegar would be divine...if you can lay your hands on some.

 

Served every Sunday from 11.30am to 2.30pm, the Viva Italia Sunday Brunch proffers a vast array of antipasti (appetisers) and chilled seafood, buffet-style. Main courses, pasta and pizza are brought to the table throughout the brunch for optimum freshness and with different chef's specialities featured weekly. In addition, there are barbecue and carvery items in the line-up too.

A tall chalkboard reveals the day’s tempting offerings: from appetisers and oven-fresh wood-fire baked pizzas to hot-off-the-grill meat and seafood. In

between forays to cherry-pick from the inviting salads, soup and mains, the affable Prego team makes it their mission to ply diners with an endless stream of freshly prepared pasta, the chef’s specials and creative cocktail concoctions.

Once our glasses runneth over with the day’s first welcome drink, a platter of nibbles comprising Crunchy Bites with Housemade Citrus Mayo, Crabmeat Arancini (deep-fried breaded rice balls stuffed with crabmeat) and Asparagus wrapped with Bresaola (air-dried salted beef) whetted our appetite for the upcoming Italian feast.

We could hardly resist the lure of shelled Crab Claws, Mussels, Prawns and Shucked Oysters; all nicely laid on crushed ice. Best enjoyed with a dash of freshly squeezed lemon, tabasco or creamy dressing, the oceanic treasures proved on-point.

 

 

 

Chef Marco and his team’s versatile prowess came to the fore with antipasti such as Roasted Broccoli & Fregola Salad, Sicilian Caponata with Bread Crouton, Spanish Frittata, Prawns & Squid in Mayo Dressing, Insalata Russa (Russian salad), Macaroni Pasta Salad with Pesto, Pine Nuts, Feta, Basil & Cherry Tomatoes, Cannelloni Di Bresaola with Ricotta & Rocket Salad.

 

After sampling the Baked Salmon marinated with Italian Herbs and Beef Salami, we made a beeline for the BBQ station out by the patio. The chefs will grill a choice of Beef Steak, Freshwater King Prawns, Mediterranean Chicken Skewers and Lamb Sausages on request. Although it's a hit and miss affair hinging on the eventual outcome, the barbecued servings are worth savouring.

 

Before our BBQ fare hit the table, delicious Housemade Pappardelle with Lamb Ragout and Porcini, seductively rich Venetian Risotto with Crab, rustic Housemade Pumpkin Ravioli with Parmiggiano Reggiano and a hearty portion of Polenta with Caramelised Onion kept us suitably riveted.

 

More protein overload came in the form of tender Roast Chicken, splendid Roast Tiger Garoupa and scrumptious slices of Lamb Shoulder from the carving station. Accompanied by grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes and various sauces, the delectable morsels left no cause for complaints.

 

 

Hot on the heels of those meaty options were zingy Pizza Diavola, laden with a devilishly piquant sauce, salami slices and cheese followed by the timeless Pizza Margherita.

The extensive dessert parade would befit a Mad Hatter’s tea party. True to form, we somehow found tummy room for a sweet finish by being selective and sharing our sweet spoils.

 

 

 

 

My go-to faves include Black Forest Cake, Macarons, Gelato (assorted flavours), Nutella-filled Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) and Mixed Berry Tart. These barely scratched the surface of the cornucopia available.

 

 

 

The Viva Italia Sunday Brunch at Prego is priced at RM188 nett per person. For a luxurious bubbly experience, pop up RM260 nett per person and succumb to a free flow of Moet & Chandon champagne, prosecco, red and white wine, draught beer, special Sunday cocktails, soft drinks and chilled juices.

 

For reservations, call Prego, tel: 03-2731 8333. Address: Lobby Level, The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL.

IMMERSIVE STAYCATION AT ALOR RIMBA ORCHARD VILLAS

Wake up to the sound of roosters crowing and listen to the morning call resonating throughout the village. Honestly, I had forgotten when was the last time I was roused from my slumber by such a lively greeting to start the day.

Gateway to a private paradise that's Alor Rimba

Keep your eye out for the Alor Rimba Orchard Villas signpost once you turn off from the highway

It is one of the many sensorial and immersive experiences we had throughout our brief but memorable staycation at Rimba Alor Orchard Villas. Just 45 minutes from the historic city of Melaka, this private homestead is located in Melaka Pindah, a quiet village sited off a small lane from the main Alor Gajah highway.

A nicely paved driveway leading to a large tract of well-trimmed lawn greeted us as we drove up to Rimba Alor. Glimpses of rustic dwellings surrounded by leafy trees and foliage hinted at what was in store for our weekend staycation.  

Tuan Haji Kaspur Mat, manager of Rimba Alor, welcomed us with a quick tour of the two holiday homesteads: Villa Rimba (RM900 per night) and Villa Alor (RM800 per night). Ensconced within a 1.7-acre orchard which has been in the owners’ family for generations, Tuan Haji Kaspur said “originally there was only a simple kampung house with a well fed by an underground spring here”.

Now, the owners have built two beautiful traditional Melaka-style wooden village houses onsite. They wanted to offer guests a taste of the slow-paced, relaxing village life without them feeling too isolated from everything else. Designed to accommodate 16-20 persons, each villa boasts 4 bedrooms, with 4 single rollaway beds (RM70 per bed per night) available on prior request.

 

To reflect their Melakan ancestry and cultural heritage, the owners have mindfully modelled both villas after the traditional raised wooden Melakan houses of yesteryear. Up front, a curved staircase adorned with colourful Nyonya tiles takes pride of place.

Ornate wooden carved window banisters, panels of decorative vintage tiles and old wooden doors repurposed into benches make the villas Instagram-worthy. Rimba Alor comes with a spacious wooden patio furnished with rattan chairs too; a vantage point to observe the many bird and animal life frolicking in the orchard.

 

Local watercolour artworks depicting bucolic scenes of fishing villages, reproduction prints of old Melaka and colourful stained glass panels bestow old-world charm to the rustic, cosily furnished living and dining areas. Modern conveniences: air-condition, fans, modern shower and water heater, television, oven toaster, refrigerator and washing machine ensure Rimba Alor guests enjoy their rural getaway without too much hardship.

 

In each bedroom, bed headboards of sarong and songket prints lend vibrant colour. The comfortable beds, fluffy pillows and pristine white linen are similar to those of international hotels. We certainly have no complaints when it comes to catching forty winks here.

 

 

 

Us city dwellers were thrilled to get our first-hand look at the various fruit trees in the orchard. We marvelled at the towering, over 90-year old durian tree, plucked mangosteens and rambutans to devour and sipped fresh coconut water from the harvest gleaned from the many coconut trees around.

 

 

The two kelulut (stingless bees) bee hives should pique the interest of nature-loving folks.Other f ruit trees such as jering (small native fruit encased in dark, hard clam-shape shells that can be eaten raw or cooked), cempedak, guava, soursop, jambu air (rose apple), lime and avocado also flourished in the orchard.

 

 

Nearby is a 8-ft deep fish pond stocked with tilapia, haruan and keli so if you fancy reeling in a catch of the day, fishing rods and bait are available on loan.

A gazebo nearby offers shade from the afternoon sun, an outpost to revel in the natural and soothing surroundings or merely to while time away. Fitted with roll-up/down wooden blinds, it can be turned into a private massage or foot reflexology haven.

Photo courtesy of pureglutton.com

We thoroughly enjoyed succumbing to the magic fingers of two local masseuses who kneaded away the stress of city living from our bodies. Again, guests can pre-booked the massage services for both men and women ahead of time before their actual visit.

 

 

 

When it comes to meals, Rimba Alor has two purpose-built barbecue pits and a dedicated al fresco dining area as well as two sets of sturdy umbrella-shaded wooden tables and chairs in the garden. The brick and mortar, vintage tile tabletops and wooden bench seats make for convenient dining. Should you prefer a more casual approach, picnic mats are available too.

 

 

You may opt to cook your own meals when staying at Rimba Alor but we found it more convenient to have food catered. Be it breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner, Rimba Alor has thoughtfully compiled a list of enterprising Melaka Pindah villagers who can cook up a plethora of typical kampung dishes on request.

 

Our delicious nasi lemak breakfast with the works was a great example. Dinner and lunch menus run the gamut from ikan bakar, asam pedas and rendang to fried chicken, kerabu and sambal with rice.

 

Alternatively, guests can also order food to be delivered or drive to nearby restaurants. Live musical entertainment — be it a solo flautist or a dondang sayang troupe — can be arranged with prior notice given to the manager.

As I sat mesmerised by the sight of a blood orange sunset against a dusky backdrop streaked with vermillion, yellow, purple and orchre, I wish I have the means to make Rimba Alor my writing retreat.

Once Rimba Alor casts its beguiling spell on you, you too will find it hard to return to the drudgery of everyday life. No matter how brief a sojourn at this holiday homestead, it is the closest to experiencing heaven on earth.

For more information on Rimba Alor Orchard Villas, please call Tuan Haji Kaspur Mat, hp no: 019-325 6582 or visit www.rimbaalororchardvillas.com