TEN FESTIVE DISHES AT FEAST VILLAGE

Buka puasa, the breaking of fast period marks an opportune time for Malaysians to join their Muslim friends for cordial makan sessions. During the holy fasting month, typical Malay fare especially home-style dishes and rare kampung specialities from other states rule supreme and this scenario is rife at food bazaars and buffet spreads.

Anyone with a penchant for rich, spice-laden eats will find irresistible choice eats aplenty at Feast Village, prepared by the JW Marriott KL team. From the sneak preview, these 10 dishes rank highly in my list:

1. KARI KAMBING

As with most curries, this goat meat curry don’t look appealing at first sight. Dig into the fiery-red, creamy gravy and let the warm accents of cloves and cardamoms among other spices spread onto your tastebuds. Presto! The bursts of bright, robust flavours shall win you over.

2. AYAM GORENG BEREMPAH

What’s not to like when there’s crispy fried chicken thoroughly suffused with its marinade of turmeric and assorted spices? I challenge you to restrain yourself and eat just one piece...

3. IKAN PATIN MASAK TEMPOYAK

A whiff of tempoyak (fermented durian) from this classic Pahang dish either makes you gag in despair or gasp with delight. I belong to the latter and would go sniffing for this speciality every fasting month. Call me weird but I thoroughly relish the fishy odour mingled with odious tempoyak aroma along with the tart bite of the tangy gravy and the fish’s lustrous firmness with gusto. Perhaps you would too?

4. MEEHOON SUP UTARA

This soupy noodle dish from the northern states is kinda like soto, only the spices perfuming the broth are several notches subtler but no less aromatic. Beware of the stealthy chilli heat that lingers behind, leaving you a little hot under the collar.

5. AYAM MASAK BERLADA

Somewhat familiar yet different, this speciality is comparable to ayam masak merah albeit with more prominent chilli overtones. The well-rounded chilli paste has enough zing to light up the palate and stimulate the appetite. A surefire winner.

6. IKAN MASIN TALANG MASAK LEMAK NENAS

Robust, strong flavours notable enough to leave ikan masin fans raving with enthusiasm. Excellent for dousing onto plain rice as the rich coconut milk and spice gravy tempers the briny edge of the chunks of salted fish.

7. KAMBING KURMA

Warm, inviting spice accents amplified by santan-rich gravy make this thick meaty curry with onion and potato a most compelling crowd-pleaser. A viable option for those who cannot stand the heat of chilli-hot offerings but if you're trying to avoid card-loading, sample this at your own peril.

8. SATAY

A perennial buka puasa fave that cuts across age and race barriers. Both the skewers of marinated chicken and beef are grilled on the spot so they're delectable. Personally, I'd recommend the beef satay for the meat's pleasing gaminess and tender texture.


9. SAMBAL UDANG MASAK PETAI

Prices of petai or stink beans have skyrocketed as more people learn the inherent goodness of this humble vegetable. Prepared in a sweetish onion sambal with prawns, this piquant speciality should leave many a city dweller yearning fervently for their kampung halaman.


10. CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Bewitchingly dark, moist and rich, a small serving is enough to leave you up in chocolatey heaven. Voluptuous nuances of buttery cocoa coat the tongue, leaving a big impression on the palate. Worth ditching the diet for. Yours truly was so smitten, no pix was taken before the decadent serving got wiped out. ;p

As with any buffet, there are hits and misses. For instance, the Pajeri Nenas was a tad too soft but still okay for whetting the appetite. A selection of fresh ulam and kerabu makes for healthier eating when faced with an impossible array of heavy dishes. There's also fruit rojak which passes muster even though the sauce lacks the strong, savoury otak udang (treacly prawn paste) taste.

If you don't fancy Roast Lamb - the primary centrepiece of every buka puasa buffet - head over to the Ikan Bakar section for your fill of grilled fish rubbed with spice and chilli paste. Assorted dips are available to complement the piping hot offerings.

 

Dessert choices are extensive with the sweet selection running the gamut from Jellies and Puddings to Fresh Fruits and Local Kuih: Sago Gula Melaka, Onde-onde and Kuih Ketayap among others.

Priced at RM98 nett per person, the JW Marriott KL Kampong Festive Dining Experience buffet is available from 27 May to 24 June from 7pm to 10.30pm. For reservations, please call Feast Village, tel: 03-2782 9099.

LA FAMIGLIA RULES AT MODI & ROSA

Delicious pizza. Hearty pasta. Seasonal items. Set lunches and a kids’ menu. Everything la famiglia wants and more at Modi & Rosa, a new Italian restaurant and wine bar at Glo Damansara.

Entrepreneur Cavaliere Modesto Marini, who’s responsible for spreading the appeal of Italian cuisine in Malaysia some two decades ago, has set out to promote his Italian culinary heritage – first at Marini’s on 57 at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and as of February this year, at Modi & Rosa.

Touches of moda - the family man – are reinforced in the culinary offerings and the eatery’s overall look and feel with subtle inflections of his wife or rosa. “The heart and soul of Modi & Rosa is a place where my guests could relax, eat well and spend time with family and friends minus any protocol or dress code. Our recipes follow how Italians have been doing it for centuries without alternations or changes to the preparation. It’s fresh and hearty food us Italians are brought up on.”

The contemporary yet rustic setting includes thick wooden tables flanked by cushy leather armchairs and leather upholstered seats. Al fresco dining is available at the external seating area. Ladies get to enjoy complimentary Lucy Cocktail – an invigorating mixture of vodka, watermelon and lemon juice with soda every Thursday from 6pm onwards.

Some Asian-Euro creations such as Deep-fried Soft Shell Crab with Wasabi Mayo (RM23) and Deep-fried Vietnamese Spring Rolls (RM18)are the only concessions made as delectable light bites to complement the house range of wines and other tipples.

Our curtain raiser of Buffalo Mozzarella (RM26) with Fresh Tomato, Basil, Oregano and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a typical Italian appetiser should you be hosted to a family-style dinner. Delicately creamy with a lush milky overtone, the semi-soft cheese and fruity tomato wedges are a match made in heaven.

Those who don’t enjoy vegetables may find a hearty veggie-based soup like Minestrone (RM16). Celery, carrots, beans, onion, tomatoes with herbs go into this classic broth, unfailingly warming hearts and tummies with every sip.

You can’t go wrong with the pizzas here. The true Italian rule of thumb is to keep things simple (forget about freaky toppings like cornflakes, mayo or crabstick). We find the base of our Pizza Capriciossa (RM36) has that right amount of crisp sturdiness to borne the weight of assorted toppings: mushroom, turkey ham and artichoke. The base has a generous slathering of chunky tomato sauce on it and a restrained amount of melted, stretchy mozzarella.

Somewhat indulgent but homely, you can imagine Italian mamas feeding their families with a big, flavourful dish like Ravioli with Creamed Spinach Sauce (RM36). Almost similar to Chinese wantan, the pasta stuffing tends to vary according to recipes. Here, the stuffed pasta has mushroom in it; smothered under thick truffle spinach sauce.

Interestingly, Modi & Rosa uses carnaroli – the king of Italian rice –for its signature Carnaroli Risotto with Seafood (RM38). These grains are even starchier than Arborio, bestowing the dish with a velvety unctuousness that melds the inherent seafood sweetness and earthy tomato nuance together.

Not into carbs? Then plump for the Crispy Duck with Honey Gravy (RM38) and Mash. This is something to write home about – the sizeable, meaty duck leg is a well-balanced, wholesome distillation of what Italian food is all about. Simple and uncomplicated like how mama would cook it.

No surprises lurk in the dessert section but everyone prefers it that way I think. The ultra-wobbly Panna Cotta with Walnuts & Honey (RM17) deserves special mention as this is a tricky treat to get right. I love the light, smooth yet silky rich texture that doesn’t leave you wracked with guilt.

Instead of ‘tipu-misu’, you can expect the real deal when it comes to Tiramisu (RM20). Nothing perks up the tastebuds quite like sublime layers of liqueur-infused and espresso-soaked savoiardi (lady finger sponge biscuits) with mascarpone.

Less strenuous on the budget would be the Lunch Specials priced at RM38++ in addition to Happy Hours from 3pm to 9pm. Kids’ menu options available at only RM18++.

For reservations, please Modi & Rosa, tel: 03-7733 1719. Address: Lot 06&07, LG Floor, Glo Damansara, Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. Open daily 11am-230pm; 6pm-1030pm.