SOLD ON SPASSO

Never in my wildest dream would I think the delicious spoils of of Italian and Spanish cuisine from SPASSO Restaurant & Bar would pop up in MyTOWN Shopping Centre. To think about two decades ago, a prominent FMCG marketer told me rather disparagingly Cheras was not her market. Well, how times have changed...Cheras, especially the vicinity around Taman Maluri and Jalan Peel, is obviosuly the market for modern lifestyle malls.

Opened in April this year, SPASSO is headed by Spanish Sous Chef Iker Fernández Caballero (Chef Iker), a San Sebastián native who is out to entice local diners to sample the resto's delectable variety of pork-laden Italian-Spanish temptations. 

The casual yet classy ambience of SPASSO spurs the popular culture of sharing and dining together. We were stoked to find lots of Tapas, those bite-sized Spanish delicacies in addition to crowd-pleasers that run the gamut from Spanish omelette and paella to traditional Italian pizza and pasta.

Chef Iker brings with him close to 20 years of culinary experience, having worked in renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels in and around the Mediterranean. Eager to introduce the ‘pintxos’ (tapas) culture distinct to his hometown, Chef Iker is confident local diners will find SPASSO specialities up to their liking.

Unfamiliar with Spanish food? Start with the likeable Spanish Omelette (RM10) for brekkie. It’s a fluffy light yet hearty omelette with potato and onion confit that should appeal to both young and old.

Another agreeable dish to try is Iberico Ham (RM23), thinly sliced Spanish ham with subtle smoky brininess. The best way to enjoy them is placed the ham slices on toasty sourdough enhanced with dollops of housemade tomato sauce.

Health-conscious diners may find refreshing succour from Spanish Salad (RM15), a nest of mixed lettuce greens enlivened with eggplant ratatouille in chunky tomato sauce and a whole poached egg. We welcome the liberal pile of matchstick potato crisps which adds contrasting texture to the ensemble.

Open your hearts and palate to discover a litany of yummy Spanish tapas here. Best for sharing, we suggest starting with the notable Garlic Prawns (RM38) – decent sized prawns bathed in olive oil infused with garlic and chilli flakes. Now this may look like a simple dish but it’s a tricky one to get right. We are happy to vouch for SPASSO’s on-point rendition – the springy prawns sweet to the bite, slicked with garlicky oil and a touch of the chillies’ fiery, smoky hotness.  

Returning to more familiar ground is Mussel Marinara (RM16), lushly flavoured with spicy tomato sauce and white wine. Again this speciality hit the spot well; the deep-sea nuances of the fresh, succulent mussels melding with the bright tanginess of its irresistible sauce were akin to a zesty party in the mouth.

Personally, I'd return for the convivial options such as Iberico Pizza (RM39) and Seafood Paella (RM56) that encourage communal or familial sharing. The Iberico Pizza was a definitive winner in our book although the crisp, thin crust base only had sliced Spanish ham, fresh rocket leaves and a scattering of parmesan cheese as toppings.

Heartier with beloved homey flavours is one of Spain's most recognised dish - Seafood Paella (RM56), a house speciality of saffron-scented rice with assorted seafood. Served in a flat cast iron pan, we are sure locals will take to this like ducks to water.

Prefer breaking bread with family and friends? Then savour Pork Secreto Sandwich (RM28), a choice of toasted foccacia or ciabatta filled with cooked pork, blue cheese and roasted capsicum. The tasty combination of savoury-sweet should piqued the interest of die-hard sandwich fans.

Vegetarians will find the Vegetable Pesto Risotto (RM28), a meat-free serving of creamy-nutty risotto with tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower tossed in pesto up to expectations. The flavours are lush, vibrant and stimulating to whet the appetite.

Bring the curtains down on your meal with a serving or two of Crema Catalana (RM8), the Spanish version of crème brulee with a crackling scorched caramelised top. Dense and smooth, finish it accompanied by a cup of coffee.

SPASSO also serves a wide range of beverages such as draft and bottled beer, wines, Italian favourite Pascucci Coffee, infused teas and a healthy selection of cold-pressed juices.

Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, SPASSO Restaurant & Bar is located at G-038, Ground Floor, MyTOWN Shopping Centre, Jalan Cochrane, Seksyen 90, KL. For reservations, call tel: 03 9202 9299, email spmt@out2dine.com.my, Facebook @spasso.mytown OR Instagram @spasso_mytown

PERUVIAN CHICKEN A HOT HIT AT BRASARIA

The best testament of how original a particular type of food is when the country’s native citizens show up to eat it. So imagine how chuffed Carmen Loo – owner of Brasaria restaurant was when Peruvian customers showed up to enjoy Pollo a La Brasa, Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken at Brasaria recently.

Opened in February this year, Brasaria has steadily won plaudits for its delicious charcoal-grilled chicken. According to Carmen, the restaurant uses chickens from a halal-certified supplier. The chooks are marinated for 24 hours with the house Peruvian-style marinade.

“We use fresh, locally sourced chillies, coriander, mint and jalapeños among others in our preparation,” said Carmen. “In Peru, Pollo a La Brasa is a popular street-food dish found at almost every corner. The rotisserie grilled chicken is usually served with rice or fries and grilled vegetables.”

 

In sync with this casual, simple food approach, the owners have kept Brasaria’s interior uncluttered and functional. At the entrance, a whimsical Ilama replica ‘greets’ diners while solid blocks of colour accents evoke vibrant vibes inside.

The straightforward menu proffers grilled chicken in quarter, half or whole servings. Our dining party opted for El Jefe ‘The Boss’ (RM45.90 whole chicken a la carte, RM60.90 whole chicken with large green salad & 2 sides).

We wolfed down the delectable Peruvian chicken within minutes and thoroughly enjoyed every bite of the tender, juicy chicken. For variation in flavour, dip chunks of the meat into the house Aji Mild and Aji Hot sauces. Made using different amounts of aji amarillo peppers with coriander, garlic, vinegar and mayonnaise, some preferred the milder creamy green dip while others went wild over the feisty hot version. There is also fruity BBQ Peruano sauce.

“Most Peruvians will supplement their chicken feast with rice or potato fries and grilled veggies,” explained Carmen. “Our customers prefer the Latin Trio (RM5).” We soon discovered why − the slightly charred sweet potato, plantain and pineapple had such homespun appeal, it was easy to succumb to their basic, comforting taste.

I was also partial to Elote (RM5), grilled corn cob slathered with aji sauce, chilli powder and cheese. The buttery and fragrant Brasaria Rice – Peruvian yellow rice with raisins (RM5) was heartily satisfying. Ditto for the addictive Salchipapas (RM5), deep-fried French Fries (RM5) with strips of fried chicken frankfurters and a choice of house sauces.

Grilled Vegetable (RM5) comprising eggplant, zucchini, carrot and capsicum dices tossed in a piquant sauce made a complementary side to the overall equation.

Pasta lovers may like to sample El Tallarines (RM14.90). A typical spaghetti dish tossed in Peruvian pesto with shredded roast chicken and a sprinkling of cheese, it won the day thanks to the dish’s fresh herbaceous and nutty-savoury accents.

After that stellar line-up, we reckon El Sanguche ‘The Sandwich’ (RM14.90) paled by comparison. Okay, the soft roll filled with hand-pulled chicken with mixed greens, aji sauce and salsa criollo was decent enough but was nothing to write home about.

Since no dessert was available that day, we made do with Agua Fresca (RM5), a refreshing drink made with fresh fruit of the day as the palate refresher.

For reservations, call Brasaria, tel: 03-7627 4626. Address: D-59-G, Block D, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.