where and what to eat lah?

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This new resto-lounge outlet at The Intermark is the recent addition to the Porto Romano family. The other outlets are in Mont Kiara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.


This Porto Romano's latest establishment is an elegant space well-hidden in a secluded basement food court at The Intermark along Jalan Tun Razak, KL.


Porto Romano offers a wonderful fusion cuisine that is a blend of Albanian-Italian-Mediterranean styled cooking with a rich menu and a vast selection of wines making this restaurant a place to spend an unforgettable evening.


The perfect Italian starter before we got down to the heavyweights of the night, balsamic vinegar and olive oil as bread dipping. Buon appetito!



Verdure alla Griglia - Grilled Vegetables (RM 28), a colorful combination of grilled capsicums, aubergines, zucchini and topped with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. A Porto Romano's specialty.


Insalata Porto Romano - Porto Romano Salad (RM 24), a seafood mix of squids, clams, mussels and prawns marinated in herbs, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.


Bisque di Gamberi - Prawn Bisque (RM 16), a luxurious, velvety and creamy soup; with the stocks made from crustacean shells while the broth made from pureed prawns and tomatoes.


Zuppa di coda di bue - Ox-tail Soup (RM 29), a thick soup that is hearty and rustic; another Porto Romano's specialty. It was easy to get hooked to this succulent soup with each spoonful.


Zuppa alla Porto Romano - Porto Romano Seafood Soup (RM 24), using only fresh seafood, this eclectic combination brings out the essence of Porto Romano.


Spaghetti Puttanesca (RM 27), originated in the Naples area with a salty savory mix of Mediterranean anchovy fillets, capers, olives and aubergines. This dish has a powerful taste because the ingredients used are strong in flavors - my taste buds were tingling in anticipation!


Pasta Nera con Calamari - Squid Ink Pasta (RM 35), freshly made fettuccine flavored with squid ink and cooked with calamari rings. Freshly made squid ink pasta is not easy to come by, it was cooked to a perfect al dente. At Porto Romano, customers are spoilt for choice with an extensive list of 18 types of pasta to choose from.


Pizza al Pesto - Pizza Pesto and Chicken (RM 45), tomato sauce makes way for Pesto sauce in this to-die-for pizza. A definite must try here, where the standard tomato sauce base is traded in for a new inventive makeover which is not easily forgotten.

Pizza al Toro (RM 35), with toppings of beef pepperoni, beef bacon and beef pastrami. It certainly sounds bullish and we were indeed merry when we bit into this thin crust pizza!


While for pizza, there are 13 varieties ranging from the classic Pizza Magherita to the cheesy Pizza con Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheeses Pizza).


Charbroiled Chicken Leg Spanish Style (RM 32), succulent and juicy charbroiled boneless chicken leg topped with a well-balanced lemon-based sauce. It was one of our personal favorite!


Moussaka (RM 38), a Greek classic made from layers of grilled aubergine and minced lamb. We love moussaka and we tried making it once at home. The process of making moussaka can be relatively tedious.


Stinco d'Agnello - Braised Lamb Shank (RM 38), braised in over fire for hours till tender and served in its own tomato-based gravy with side salad or spaghetti. A Porto Romano signature dish.


Risotto Frutti di Mare - Seafood Risotto (RM 32), with Italian Arborio rice, assorted seafood and white wine cooked over a slow fire for at least 20 minutes. This perfectly cooked creamy risotto was well-flavored with the sweetness from the seafood and white wine. Porto Romano's mouth-watering risotto is definitely one of the dish that keep us coming back for more!




The friendly owner, Mr. Eddie Wong recommended us to pair the seafood risotto with a glass of white wine.


This attractive light yellow color Vina Canepa Classico Chardonnay, Chile (2009), it was fresh and fruity. Indeed, it was like a good marriage with the seafood risotto!


Of course, our meals weren't complete until desserts showed itself, it ended with two desserts and coffees - Caffe Latte (RM 8).

Torta di Mele - Apple Pie (RM 12), a twist to the classic apple pie served with custard sauce and vanilla ice cream. Thin layer of crispy pastry wrapped around the warm apple fillings that were strongly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and other spices.

Tiramisu (RM 15), Porto Romano's version of Tiramisu using the best coffee and almond liqueur was rich and heavy.


Affogato (RM 19), a traditional and popular Italian espresso-based treat made from a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of Kahlua liqueur and an espresso over it. Even though I'm a coffee lover, one sip of coffee at this time will turn me into a night owl!

Freshly brewed coffee from Caffe Vergnano (RM 6.50). Caffe Vergnano is a coffee company with a long and prestigious history; it was founded in Italy way back in 1882! Sadly, I taste it but the smell of "a perfect espresso" was wafting through the air. I'll definitely head back to Porto Romano during the day time to discover the aroma and atmosphere of this Italian coffee.

Verdict: Porto Romano is a bit on the pricey side but some of the dishes are pretty good. Their risottos, pizzas and pastas are our favorites.


Address:
Lot G, Lower Concourse,
The Intermark,
182, Jalan Tun Razak,
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2162 6799
Business Hours: Opens daily from 11am - 10pm.
Pork Free: Yes
Taste:
Value:
GPS: 3.161084, 101.720266
Map:

View Eat Lah Food Map in a larger map

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When my cousin brother told me about The Humble Chef at Pusat Bandar Damansara, my initial reaction was,...No way!? There's nothing there at night isn't it?! It's an unlikely place for a food stop but the surprising location is undeniably part of The Humble Chef's charm.


Tucked away in the corner of Pusat Bandar Damansara, along the street next to the McDonald's and only opens from Monday to Saturday from 9:30pm till 12:30am. We arrived sharp at 9:30pm and all we saw was an empty street.


Not till about 9:45pm, the humble van pulled over by the road side and out of no-where, swarm of young customers appeared helping them to set up the tables and chairs. It was quite a scene and all six to seven tables were briskly occupied.


Not a kept secret, the Humble Chef is mostly known to the HELP students and expatriates living nearby. Rosman Hussin, one of the two friendly owners operating from the van, is a Western and pastry chef who worked for a few restaurants in Germany before starting up The Humble Chef.

With a simple Italian specialty menu, this is the only place you can get a spaghetti for RM 5 and pita sandwiches for RM 4.


Spaghetti seafood olio (RM 5), with a medley of fresh shrimps, squids and capsicums sauteed together with olive oil, garlic, herbs and black pepper. It tasted very light with prominent flavors of seafood in it. For RM 5, you can't really complain and compare with the ones from a proper Italian restaurant.


Spaghetti lamb olio (RM 5), the minced lamb bits gave a slight meaty texture and a more intense flavor to the pasta. Again, for roadside spaghetti standard at an affordable price, it was decently okay.

Spaghetti carbonara (RM 5), with slices of sausage and bits of capsicum in a creamy carbonara sauce. Personally, I prefer a richer, stronger, creamier and all-soaked-up with sauce type of carbonara.


Lamb pita (RM 4), this was definitely the show stealer here! Warm fluffy pita bread stuffed with cheesy minced lamb and lettuce.


If you like the strong taste of lamb like I do, this is perfect. Generously filled with overflowing tasty minced lamb, one is never enough!


For those that dislike anything related to lamb, there is the chicken pita (RM 4). Stuffed with plenty of shredded chicken and cheese, it was very good too. But between the two pitas, I preferred the lamb.


Lamb omelette (RM 2.50), an interesting variation to the lamb pita. Instead of using pita breads, the same tasty minced lamb all wrapped up within the omelette.


With an incredible roadside and open-air dining experience, you'll get to feast over views of the highway below, towering luxury condominiums around and best of all, it didn't cost a bomb!

Verdict: For spaghetti, it was neither the best nor the worst, it was just decent for the price paid for. Needless to say, the lamb pita is a must!


Address:
Pusat Bandar Damansara,
(next to McDonald's by the flyover bridge road),
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 014-229 6854 (Rosman)
Business Hours: Opens Mon - Sat from 9.30pm - 12.30am (best to call to confirm)
Pork Free: Yes
Taste:
Value:
GPS: 3.145026, 101.663371
Map:

View Eat Lah Food Map in a larger map