Monday, June 08, 2009

Il Padrino @ Wisma UOA, Damansara Heights

New non-halal Italian restaurant just off Jalan Semantan....

[ BEGIN EDIT ]
(April 2010)

Just so you know:
Il Padrino has joined the no pork team since October 2009 - now, they no longer serve pork/ lard and have changed all the equipment in the kitchen.
(Lisa: Thanks for informing! Appreciate it....)

So, everything in my original review is now obsolete (except the free bread and the desserts).
=_=

Haha...
Such is life - ever changing!
(I'll try to drop by Il Padrino food to check out the new menu...)


Signing off,
J

[ END EDIT ]

Spotted the emergence of this new restaurant a while back when I was inching past the discreet black signage on Jalan Semantan during the usual rush hour jam (the words Non-Halal Italian caught my eye):
Photobucket
The exterior of Il Padrino...

I liked the modern clean lines of the interior - simple yet classy. The Godfather movie theme (Il Padrino means The Godfather) could be seen, with movie quotes in the menu as well as Marlon Brando's photo glaring down at you from the restaurant walls:
Photobucket
The interior of Il Padrino...

First up, the free bread:
Photobucket
Our serving of free bread...

Ok. Not such a good start - the breadsticks were a bit "masuk angin" (soggy/ not crispy) and the bread was only so-so.

Luckily it picked up from there. :)

First up, the Frittura Di Calamari (Fried Calamari)(RM 24++):
Photobucket
Crispy deep fried calamari...

The calamari were fresh and with a "bouncey" texture encased in a crispy batter with medium lightness. Yum.

Next the Bruschetta with ham and goats' cheese (RM 22++):
Photobucket
Ham on bread, version 1...

Rule/ Warning: You have to like the taste of strong cheeses if you want to order this.
(Don't say I didn't warn you :P)

I liked the combination of the creamy, pungeant cheese with the fragrant, salty ham on the crusty bread.... but I realise that some people might find it a bit strong(The cheese is not overpowering, but you can DEFINITELY taste it there)

The guys love their ham, so they ordered another variant of Bruschetta, with a different kind of ham (prosciutto?) and rocket leaves (RM 22++):
Photobucket
Ham on bread, version 2...

The guys complained that they found the taste of the rockets overpowered the ham, but I thought it was ok.
(I like rockets... and I thought it complemented the saltiness of the ham well)

For the mains, I chose the porkiest thing I could find on the menu - the Braciola Pizzaiola (RM 40++):
Photobucket
Pork wrapped around pork...

Tender pork loin, wrapped around ham and filled with cheese. Then, topped with tender asparagus, deep fried leek and pizzaiola sauce (tomato based sauce).

Mmmmm... Yums. :)

Ok. Maybe it was a tad too salty on its own, and the ham inside was a little chewy... but overall when you pair each mouthful of meat with the asparagus, leek and sauce, it balances out well.

We also ordered one of the highly recommended pastas, the Ravioli Ai Spinachi (RM 32++):
Photobucket
The spinach ravioli...

This ravioli is stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, and served with butter, sage sauce and parmesan cheese. Overall, simple and delicious (without any overpowering spinach taste) but as with most ravioli dishes, the serving seems a bit small.
(It's ok if you plan to have a light meal, or want to pace yourself through a full 3 course meal but Pat the Bottomless Pit had ordered this so he was a bit dismayed with how little there was)

Lastly, we also had the Rigatoni Al Amatriciana (RM 24++):
Photobucket
The Rigatoni with prosciuto ham...

The Rigatoni (something like a bigger version of Penne pasta) was perfectly al dente, coated with a generous serving of robust Matriciana style tomato sauce and bits of ham. Overall, a good plate full of carb-y comfort food.
(It wasn't as spicy as I would have liked though....)

Dinner is never complete without dessert (to us gluttons, anyway) so we ordered the classic choice - the Tiramisu (RM 18++):
Photobucket
The classic tiramisu...

Overall, it was good. :)
Nice balance between the texture of the sponge fingers and cream with a sufficient chocolatey and coffee taste.
(My fave is still the Tiramisu at Bermuda & Onion, but I realise that it's not exactly a classic Tiramisu like this one)

The other desserts were also pretty good.

The Sfogliatine di Millefoglie (RM 18++):
Photobucket
The Millefoglie...

Crispy layers of pastry, layered with smooth cream and tart, fresh berry compote - a refreshing dessert that's not too heavy.

How can I resist ordering something chocolatey? :)

Chocolato di Fondante (RM 20++):
Photobucket
The Chocolate Fondant...

This chocolate fondante had an unusual texture - more of a crumbley, crunchy texture as opposed to the usual moist, creamy fondante. Interesting... but probably not a favourite for me.
(I supposed it's like a lighter take on the usual fondante, which could be good... at least the chances of you feeling "jelak" is relatively low)

So it's: Wide range of yummy non-Halal Italian food (although a biiiit salty sometimes), nice modern ambience, friendly staff BUT prices are definitely more on the expensive side....

Restaurant Review
Summary Sheet:


Il Padrino @ Wisma UOA Damansara, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights, KL
(The blue building where you can see Subway from the main road - Jalan Semantan)

Taste: 6
Ambience : 7
Service : 7
Price** : RM 85/++ per person
Parking: Bad during working hours, Ok during non-working hours/ weekends

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks

Telephone No.: 03-2093 8596
Opening Hours:
11am to 2.30pm (lunch),
2.30pm to 6pm (pizza only),
6pm to 11.30pm (dinner)



NOT HALALNO PORK SERVED




OTHER REVIEWS:
- Masak-Masak
- Eat Drink KL
- Caress Little Hamster


TAGS: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 comments:

  1. Hi there! I noticed from your blog that you used to be a fan of Sebastian See-Schierenberg, violinist of the MPO.

    Sebastian and I are now based in Spain and organise recitals around the world, including Malaysia (we are actually in KL now!). You can check our website www.galvanseeschierenberg.com and also, you can become our fan on Facebook! Go to:

    http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1097553279258&f=1&e=0#/pages/Galvan-See-Schierenberg/62746442341?ref=ts

    Thanks and tell your friends!

    Susana

    ReplyDelete
  2. to susanna:
    Oh wow. What a small world for you to come across my blog. :)

    I can't log in to FB at work anymore but I promise I'll check it out the moment I get home. Thanks. :)

    to esteban:
    ermm.... Do I know you?
    (I don't think I know any Esteban)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,

    I was in KL last week and read about the Godfather in the papers but had no time to visit the restaurant.
    What is the best way to get there?
    I've read somewhere that I should hop on the LRT and get off at KL Sentral and take a cab there.
    I usually stay in the city, how much would the cab fare cost if I took it directly?

    ReplyDelete
  4. to Ugin:
    Hmmm... I haven't taken a cab around KL for ages (I usually just drive my own car) but here's the thing: The cab fare can be quite erratic.

    There are several factors:
    1) whether you get an honest cabbie (always ask "Follow meter?" before jumping in or they may try to charge you some stupid flat rate),
    2) how bad the traffic is (some roads in the main KL area can get CRAZY jammed), and
    3) whether you look/ sound foreign.
    :(

    Sorry... but that's how it is... but at least taking a cab from Sentral will minimise the "traffic" variable, so I would suggest that.

    And if you can't get an honest cabbie from the Sentral cab stand, just get the concierge from either the KL Hilton / Meridien to call one for you.

    I hope this helps. :)

    ReplyDelete

Appreciate your thoughts, opinions and feedback. :)