Thursday, April 30, 2009

Leonardo's @ Jalan Bangkung

A long overdue review on an interesting new non-Halal Italian restaurant in the Bangkung area....

[ BEGIN EDIT ]
(Oct 2009 July 2010)

I've been back to Leonardo's a couple of times already and I'm happy to say that the food is (mostly) still good, and the cocktails are good too. :)

Please heed this warning though: Do not risk walking in without a booking (at least 3 days in advance for Fri/ Sat). Leonardo's is getting increasingly popular, especially with small corporate/ personal events so they are fully booked quite often nowadays....

You have been warned! :)

Hugs,
J

[ END EDIT ]

Note: I was at Leonardo's for a Nibbleish.com food tasting so this is not one of my normal reviews (as in, I didn't pay for any of the food)... but hope you trust that my opinions are objective. :)

Also, there are no prices attached to the dishes because it is an interesting new concept where you can pay a one discounted price to have a 3 course meal at 3 restaurants. Sounds interesting, right? - More details at Nibbleish.com or here.

Anyway, onwards to the review:

Leonardo’s is fairly new (about 6 months' old) and has taken over the Attic’s location in Jalan Bangkung:
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Step up to Leonardo's....

They have a much warmer (romantic even) feel across the 2 levels:
- The upstairs area (2nd floor) is more of a cool bar/ lounge area, where you can drink, munch and chat with your friends, while,
- The lower area (1st floor) is the main dining area, with a choice of indoor or outdoor dining:
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Leonardo's interior: Level 1 indoor and outdoor dining areas....

First up, for the night, was the complimentary bread... which I fell in love with. :) Crunchy and light, with a deliciously creamy mushroom topping – Perfection!:
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Yummy, yummy bread... *drool*....

I had to tear myself away from the bread and move on to the "official" food. For the starters, there were 3 options for the night - the Cured Salmon Carpaccio, Waldorf Salad and Italian Sausages & Onions:
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Clockwise from top left: The Salmon Carpacio & Waldorf Salad, close up of the Salmon Carpaccio and the Sausages....

I am largely a carnivore, so I really enjoyed the Italian sausages with its simple but robust tomato based sauce. Still, the other starters were nice too:
- the Salmon Carpacio served with fennel parsley orange salad and campari dressing was piquant and refreshing, whilst
- the Waldorf Salad was ok (chunky bits of crunchy apples, sengkuang, walnuts balanced with juicy grapes, creamy cheese and dressing).... Definitely an interesting textural mix (but like I said, I'm really more of a carnivore).

Before the mains, we were served a Virgin Margarita:
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A virgin at our table....

I was surprised - despite the lack of alcohol, the margarita turned out to be a welcome addition to the meal, refreshing and not too sweet.

Moving on to the mains, we had the Miso Glazed Salmon, Spaghetti Vongole and Grilled Pork Chops with Strawberries:
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Clockwise from top left: The Spaghetti, the Salmon and the Pork Chops...

My favourite for the night is a toss up between the Miso Glazed Salmon and the Spaghetti Vongole:
- the Salmon was PERFECTLY cooked - juicy and flavourful, matched well with the miso glaze, sweet potato mash and topped with 2 strips of crispy bacon. :)
- the Spaghetti was fusion at it's best - the classic vongole jazzed up with a generous amount of fragrant bunga kantan and some cili padi for kicks. YUM.
(UPDATE: I've gone back to Leonardo's recently and tried tha Vongole again and good news! It's still good.... )

As for the Pork Chops, I'm a bit conflicted. I liked the interesting pairing with the strawberries and balsamic reduction,... but the meat was a wee bit dry (the chef explained that he was trying to keep it healthier with a leaner cut of meat - which he says he will probably change now).

Lastly, for dessert, we were served Affogato, Tiramisu and Waffles a la mode:
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Clockwise from top left: The tiramisu, affogato and waffles....

Honestly, by this time I was already so so stuffed... but thank God I have a separate stomach for desserts... Haha....

Anyway, all 3 desserts were ok - simple and light (although I would have preferred if the waffles had been crispier).

Overall, a fun night! Food was nice (although a few things could have been better), and it was made even better by excellent company - You know who you are, dahlings... ;)

Overall: Interesting porky fusion/ Italian restaurant in the Bangkung area with a nice ambience and friendly service BUT nothing bad to comment - I have to go back and try it in a normal (non food tasting setting) to get a better feel of the place though.


*TA DAH!*
Here's Master Baker FBB's review of Leonardo's: CLICK HERE



Summary Sheet:

Leonardo’s @ Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar

Taste: 6
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM ?? per person
Parking: OK (It's Bangsar after all)

Telephone No.: 03-2096 2226
Opening Hours: 5pm till late
Parking : OK



** Re. the Price: Sorry - like I said, I didn't pay that night. If I had to guess though it would starting from RM80 per person for a 3 course meal, without the Nibbleish.com package.
(Nibbleish.com package is RM70 flat for the Bangkung area)


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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

No Photos, Just Lotsa Appreciation :)

I was a bad (food)blogger and did not take any photos that day, but just wanted to say:
THANKS MR FAT BOY (hee hee)! You're the best! :)

To FBB:
Seriously, one could not ask for a better, more generous host. :) :)

It was really nice for you to have extended the invitation, so that I can finally come out of hiding and meet everyone. I really had a lot of fun and am definitely looking forward to the next round.
(Sorry I left so early - my bad! I will know better than to set any appointments anytime within 10 hours of the next party....)


To all the other beautiful people at the party:
Was great finally meeting all of you. You are all such darlings! - so warm, and wonderfully accepting of this newcomer....
... although I must say, it was pretty intimidating to be surrounded by so many great chefs, bakers and food connoisseurs...
(Especially Mr Cordon Bleu)
(Shy lerrr. I only know how to eat. Am hopeless at actually cooking anything)

I think I probably consumed about 20,000 calories of food (yummy crispy siu yoke, pie, lamb, duck, cake(s)).. washed down with another 20,000 calories worth of white wine and single malt whiskey but it was well worth it. :)



BIG HUGS ALL AROUND,
J

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