Ms. Jazz Reviews: Prego, Westin Hotel KL

“Prego” is Italian for You’re Welcome! A friendly name that matches this award winning restaurant in Westin Hotel that has constantly churn up some delicious authentic Italian wonders, their specialty being pastas and pizzas.

Homey & Cosy would be words to describe the settings of the restaurant. A vibrant restaurant overlooking the busy movement of Jalan Bukit Bintang, Prego is suitable either for both private and family dinners. It is also a place with strong influx of foreigners, probably due to the help of trip advisor. And one thing I admire on the management side is their effort to listen to diner’s opinion and making response for all comments being made.

I’ve always felt satisfied on my visits to PREGO, their menu seem endless, until now I’ve barely went through half the menu. Sure there were definitely some hits and misses on the menu, misses were often explained and sometimes rectified and the hits have been truly a wonder. Most importantly, service was always attentive, and food has always been affordable for its locality and portioning, and it helps that they have a good range of affordable wine.

Complimentary bread

Prego caesar salad (RM30) is a clear winner, highly recommended by us and you won’t regret ordering it! The combination of romaine lettuce, poached eggs, bacon, anchovies, crouton, chicken and parmesan is absolutely delightful! The anchovies flavours were perfectly infused to the crunchy greens and eggs were perfectly poached. The dressings were light and flavourful, we could not get enough of this dish.

Gamberetti alla griglia (RM40) spaghetti with grilled tiger prawns, toasted almonds, pickled peppers, lemon. Came out smelling tantalizing. The spaghetti was al dente, and grilled prawns filled with smoky flavors but our only complain was that the overall dish was slightly bland.

Tibia brasata dell’agnello, risotto Milanese (RM68), sparing you with the long complicated name, this dish merely mean in layman terms, braised lamb shank with saffron risotto. A popular order in Prego. While the meat was a fall off the bone texture, we can’t help but hope that it was a bit more tender. We could not find fault in the risotto though. Perfect texture and flavor.

Dessert we recommend you the zuccotto al cioccolato (RM20) Prego’s famous chocolate “mud pie”. While we thought huck’s version was better, this was also every bit as sinful.

Chianti Classico 2007 (RM170+)

My sassy date

Our bill came up to approx RM200 per pax with wine. 

Refer to Prego full menu here



Ratings:

Food: 7.5/10

Service: 8.5/10

Ambience: 8/10

Presentation of food: 7/10

Overall ratings: 8/10

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Prego,

The Westin Kuala Lumpur

199, Jalan Bukit Bintang,

55100 KL

Tel: 03-27738338

Ms. Jazz Reviews (since crazieapple never does :P) on Lafite @ Shangri-la Hotel

You'll be glad to know that Lafite recently renovated their menu, and doubled their choices since their last one. You are now looking at about 50+ choices. We were shown to the only private room overlooking the garden that seats about 10 of us. Might as well, since we were one pretty noisy bunch. :)

For such a reputable & established restaurant, Lafite food does not quite meet the mark. "Overrated" quoted Crazieapple.  I myself also have some reservations, while everything seem to be executed fairly, we were perhaps expecting something a great deal more. Food presentation that shows creativity fails in showing the same in taste. Nevertheless it was a good place for a celebration for it was PK's birthday.  (and if you like upscale price, friendly service, and impeccable interior- Lafite would be a good choice) 

The staff thoughtfully decorated the table with fresh rose petals and lighted the candles upon our arrival.

Lobster Soup (RM38) with black truffle and green peas. Creamy content where everything was being pureed (no lobster pieces here), satisfying but definitely not the best.

Braised mushroom Soup (RM28) sauteed mushroom and garlic chips. The girls commented that Silverspoon served better ones. *grins* but then i think they are just bias here.

Roasted duck consomme (RM30) duck broth, duck confit, duck liver ravioli, roasted duck breast, fine vegetables. Basically all things duck can be found here, that really resembles our chinese ABC soup =P

Cappucino of curry and lemongrass (RM35) with king tiger prawn, pumpkin, coriander.

While it is unusual find this in a posh restaurant like this, we're glad that this is in the menu.

The soup has an exquisite taste, creamy curry content that is not spicy but rather slightly sweet with strong lemongrass aftertaste. Either u like it or hate it.

Lift up the glass and the soup will flow from the bottom, what a creative presentation!

Pan seared Perigold foie gras (RM60) celery root puree, spiced bread, almond sauce, apricot almond chutney. Tastewise is just OK, quite forgettable

Delightful presentations with all the colours. Seared yellow fin tuna and marinated salmon (RM75) Guacamole, cannelloni of watercress, and salmon mousse, sour cream and caviar.

Sweet Sour Onion Tart (RM36) with sweet onion, onion marmalade, truffle emulsion, shaved black truffle, spring onions. Sometimes simple is often the best. A gourmet tart that was a satisfying eat.

Australian Wagyu beef tenderloin (RM160) with herb pomme puree, seared foie gras, bone marrow, shaved black truffle, bearnaise sauce. Pretty in presentation, meat could be slightly more tender and flavourful though. The ones served taste slightly bland, and foie gras was beyond petite. Overall, this is good if it's a RM100 steak. But it's not. One word: over-priced.

But then again, most main dishes there range average of RM140, like the butter poached lobster with corn fed organic spring chicken.  Atlantic lobster with roasted chicken, fine carrots, shitake, asparagus, enoki mushroom, corn, peanut curry sauce.

A chef recommendation, Australian Wagyu beef short ribs (RM75) is slow cooked, served with basil gnocchi, green beans, whipped horseradish and beef sauce.

Grilled black angus rib eye steak (RM150) with slow cooked cherry tomatoes, french beans, semolina dumpling, and rosemary sauce.

Pan seared Dover sole (RM140) with sauteed young spinach, crispy brioche, yuzu miso sauce, candied black olives, lemon confit, tomato marmalade. The grannie finds it too salty (self-preference perhaps? but she's not a fussy eater) and if she sent it back to the kitchen to re-cook, that's really got to be something wrong with it.

Victoria saltbush farm lamb (RM120) Grilled lamb rack and braised lamb, couscous, young artichoke, fine ratatouille, balsamic glazed cherry tomatoes. Again, i ask myself, with such small piece of lamb rack, does it really worth the price?

Foie gras fat poached salmon fillet (RM65) cheapest dish in the menu, but possibly one of the better ones. Served with squid ink risotto, chive sauce, creamy king oyster mushroom ragout, bitter orange compote. It was a very nice combination.

Crazieapple with her bling-ed up camera

She likes her new pressie- hot pink YSL bag

HAPPY birthday PK! :)

We ordered an Australian wine Cabernet Franc (2002) (RM190) which was a fruity and light drink.

Our bill came up to RM2xxx with wine (discounted with Shangri-la Prestige Platinum Card)

Ratings:

Food: 6/10

(nothing that was done terribly, but nothing that was worth a special mention either)

Service: 7/10

Presentation of food: 8/10

(very innovative and a delight to look at)

Ambience: 8.5/10

Overall: 7/10

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Lafite

Shangri-la Hotel

KL

Tel: 03-20322388

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Favola @ Le Meridien Hotel

Deep praise for Favola on its impeccable decor which is visually tantalizing, do expect to feel like you have walked into the renaissance era, where red and black are the main color theme with a showcase of paintings and venetian mask hanging by its walls.
Naturally, with a beautiful environment comes high expectations on its food offerings. I'm rather dissapointed to comment that Favola did not wow me with their food as they did with their interior.

The servers were not particularly friendly, there was a note of impatience in their voice when i wanted to take a longer time to linger at the menu, and also when i need them to explain some items to me in the wine menu.

STILL, it is a good place to dine and wine as the atmosphere is friendly, and food prices are generally quite affordable.
I notice a good mix of vegetarians in the menu, which is thoughtful as vegetarian diners still get to sample a full course dining experience in Favola.

I much enjoy open concept kitchen and i'm not just saying it just because our restaurant is also using open concept kitchen, but because i like to see the works in the kitchen and also because they have to keep the kitchen absolutely clean at all times.

A generous complimentary bread servings including foccaccia, ciabatta and some breadsticks. Came out warm and nicely crusted.  I do suggest a resistent to wiped this clean as you might not have tummy space for your main meals. Carbs are sinful- but not able to reach dessert because you are filled halfway throughout your three course meal is absolutely unacceptable.

Fresh Mussels stuffed with minced chicken in tangy tomato sauce (RM35) is a forgettable dish. Would have preferred mussels with tomato sauce stand alone as the minced meat does not quite pair well together.

My friend's ALWAYS order aglio olio tangliolini (RM35) whenever he goes to a new restaurant. He believes that AGLIO OLIO is a good judging tool on how an italian restaurant food flairs. Much like how hongkies judge their dimsums by their siew mai and har gao- same theory.

The pastas in Favola is freshly made but the Aglio Olio's not the best we've had. Slightly plain in terms of flavours and aroma, but definitely salty (we're suspecting they cooked it with chicken stock)

Tangliolini Gamberetti (RM45) which consisted of button mushrooms and fresh prawn pieces. OK, this might sound horrible saying it, but im still going to say it just because im a horrible person. *smiles horribly*

For awhile there, i can't quite finger why this dish taste particular familiar.

It was then, after a few bites into the pasta, that the thought popped into my mind.

YES, unfortunately there's a "maggie mee seasoning" taste to this dish. Probably my least favourite of the night.

I had great expectations on the seafood platter (RM120), it's not a dish that can be well-executed easily. This palate consist of some squids, scallops, breaded prawns, breaded clams, breaded mussels, breaded cod fish, and BREADED baby lobster. On the side we have some mashed potatoes, and sauce to complement the seafood.

My ideal seafood platter comes in a multi-tier presentations. Much like what we normally have in Australia, and France. Different restaurant has their own way of presenting and cooking their seafood. i.e. combinations of cold, beer-battered, grilled, and steamed. It made the whole eating commotion much more fun.

As for Favola's seafood platter, the scallop was large, fresh and tasty. Squid however is somewhat bland.

Too many deep-fried seafood, when i much preferred grilled ones. In my opinion, some that would go well with grill is the baby lobster, cod fish and mussels. Overall the seafood seemed pretty fresh although it's hard to tell under all layers of breadcrumbs.

DESSERT is the highlight of all dining session. And thank god for the unfinished bread earlier, im able to stomach more varieties.

Tiramisu (RM25) is clearly the winner of the night. Drenched with Illy Coffee and oh taste-so-delish- and-screaming-alcoholic... topped with creamy mascarpone. It was a very filling portion nevertheless i can't stop scooping this sinfully tasty dessert.

Casatta (RM30) apparently is shared by a italian chef whom is also friend with the owner, and practically made the owner swear to secrecy on the secret ingredients. Turns out to be a layered ice cream cake with 3 different flavours side with berry sauce. Not too keen on this, but it's something new and try-worthy.

Budino Di Choc (RM25), chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce. The cake is moist with warm chocolate sauce oozing out, and thank goodness for ice cream because what will i do without it. It completes this dish with a perfect little fullstop.

Casa Bosco (half bottle)- RM90 sufficient for 3pax.

Our bill came up to RM300+ with wine (discounted with Starwood privileges card)

Ratings:

Food: 6.5/10

(there's still quite a few items in the menu worth trying- so i'll be back)

Service: 6/10

(although they are ignorant in attitude, the service is still quite efficient)

Ambience: 9/10

(i can't get enough of the interior)

Presentation of food: 6.5/10

Overall: 7/10

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Favola @ Le Meridien

2 Jalan Stesen Sentral

50470, KL

Tel: 03-2263 7888

Ms. Jazz Reviews: Chalet, Equatorial Hotel KL

Chalet has been around town since the beginning of the western food era, i'd say although it has been relatively quiet nowadays, it is still at the top of my list to frequent.

Taking the quote from my personal blog, this place "eludes old english elegance with no hints of arrogance so commonly known for the english (or switz)" The interior was cosy, and comfortable. We  love the dim surroundings and carpeted floors which muffled surrounding voice. The last thing i need in an atmosphere like this is to listen to conversation of your neighbouring table.

OH WAIT, i think we were the noisiest one that night =P

i had to rush out of the house hence the simple tied back hairstyle.

Buffet d' entrees- RM80/pax, comprises a wide range of unlimited portion of appetizer and salads. In fact, you may not even need to order the main course after this. It's only worth it if you like cold appetizers like salmon, and oysters. The selection of cheese presented is also rather appealing.

We were serve complimentary bread steak with two dips, foie gras pate and blue cheese, it was addictively yums! Definitely a real treat. A selection of bread is also brought forward for us to choose. REALLY, by the time our soup arrived, we were already half filled.

Bisque de Homard a'l' Armericane, Rich bisque of lobster with garlic croutons and dill cream. The velvety soup is robust in flavours and does not fail to please.

One of the selection of cheese from the appetizer buffet, RAKELETT cheese is a truly melt in your mouth sensation, we were glad that the cheese does not taste too overwhelming like blue cheese. Instead its easy to eat and goes really well with pickled onions and baby potatoes.

I could not stop slathering from my tenderloin with foie gras and truffles side with some blanched vegetables. Having requested for medium, it was the perfect doneness. The meat was so tender, so flavourful that tasted so earthy and succulent. Ahhhhh~ it has definitely satisfied my canivourous cravings. 

Just to prove my point, look at the sweet pink flesh calling out my name.

The milk-fed veal was also medium done, filled with luscious creaminess and tops with sinfully good mushrooms, the texture of the veal was slightly softer than the tenderloin i've had. An immaculate emulsion that does not go unnoticed.

This steak comes with the set menu of RM160++, unfortunatley i cannot recall the name, but a simple steak dish that was also robust in flavours. I do prefer my tenderloin over this though.

I'm dissapointed that they do not serve dancing dessert on Mondays, come to think of it, i've missed out this particular specialty all the time because for some unknown reason, i always end up at CHALET on monday. Sobs. There is a selection of about 10 variety desserts from the tray which i dont quite fancy. I've tried most of them by now, none of them is noteworthy. *cross fingers for dancing dessert the next time!*

TIRAMISU with greentea macarons was an o-k dessert but forgettable.

Dark and white chocolate mousse that has "dont order me- i'm a waste to your wallet and tummy space" written all over it. Not that it taste horrible, just that it's not worth ordering.

Note: dessert from the tray with unlimited quantity cost you RM25

Complementary ice cream popsicle.

Refreshing carbernet sauvignon wine, easy to drink.

The service in Chalet was exceptional. Perhaps it's because the restaurant was relatively that night, so we had full attention from the staff attending to our needs. Im impressed that most waiters know their products. They've demonstrated to us how to drink white wine in a proper manner, qne why are they using that particular glasses to serve us, while another staff also patiently brief us on their different type of cheese offerings.

We came out feeling well educated. *grins*

Our bill came up to RM800+ for the night

Ratings:

Food: 8/10

Ambience: 8.5/10

Service: 8/10

Presentation of Food: 7/10

Overall: 8/10

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Chalet

Hotel Equatorial, KL

Jalan Sultan Ismail

Tel: 03-2161 7777

For reservation get the operator to pass you through to the restaurant