MIGF: Senja @ The Saujana Hotel

Dining at Senja is always a good experience. During the day, you'll be relaxing to a view of greenery and tranquil lake. Come night, enjoy the peace of the night with the company of a band that serenades you with relaxing numbers. Coupled with its warm lighting, pristine wooden flooring and attentive crew, Senja sets a diner straight into relaxed and ready to dine in first class the moment one walks into the restaurant.

I arrived rather early with my makan buddies. We sat and relaxed to the live band while waiting for our food to be prepared.

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Appetisers

Tartar di Tonno e Mango

Mango Tuna Tartar

OR

Crema di Cavolfiore con Brioche

al Tartufo Nero

Cauliflower Soup and Black Truffle Brioche

OR

Terrina di Verdure Grigliate

e Mozzarella di Bufala

Vegetables Terrine and Buffalo Mozzarella

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The appetizer Terrina di Verdure Grigliate e Mozzarella di Bufala (Vegetables Terrine and Buffalo Mozzarella) was a pretty dish with a brilliant display of colours using basil, tomatoes, carrots and zucchini. The mild but distinctive flavour of buffalo mozarella made the grilled vegetables a light yet satisfying appetizer.

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Starters

Raviolo al Nero, Salmone e Caviale

Squid Ink Ravioli, Smoked Salmon and Caviar

OR

CapesanteScottate, Pure’dirape

Rosse e Porcini

Pan-seared Scallops, Beetroot Puree

and Porcini Mushrooms

OR

Gamberi al Pomodoro Piccante, Bruschetta

Prawns, Tomato Chili Sauce and Olive Oil Bruschetta

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There is something mesmerizing about squid ink. Black yet elegant. And that is precisely how Raviolo al Nero, Salmone e Caviale (Squid Ink Ravioli, Smoked Salmon and Caviar) looked. It was a petite ravioli assembled with much thought and grace. Squid ink which is slightly salty, flavours and colours the plain ravioli. Take a bite of the ravioli and you'll get an explosion of flavours from the delicate smoked flavour of the salmon. The red and black caviar gives the ravioli a slightly salty and nutty taste.

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Mains

Costata di Vitello, Couscus, Salsa Chanterelle

Grilled Veal Rack, Couscous and Chanterelle

Mushroom Sauce

OR

Involtino di Sogliola, Risotto alla Milanese,

Salsa alla Mugnai

Roulade of Dover Sole, Milanese Risotto

and Butter Lemon Sauce

OR

Alaskan Filetto di Merluzzo, Vellutata di

Cannellini, Asparagi Bianchi

Seared Alaskan Cod Fish, Cannellini Bean

Velvet and White Asparagus

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The Alaskan Filetto di Merluzzo, Vellutata di Cannellini, Asparagi Bianchi (Seared Alaskan Cod Fish, Cannellini Bean Velvet and White Asparagus) is quite a plain looking dish. However beyond its looks, this is a very exquisite dish. The cod fish is seared to allow retain its naturally mild sweetness. The base is luxurious with rich lobsters bisque mixed with Cannellini beans (a type of Italian kidney bean) chosen for its distinctive nutty and smooth textured. Potato crisp give the dish some textures. Yes the delicate yellowchips or crips that you see if actually made from potatoes!

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Desserts

Tiramisu dello Chef Giovanni

Chef Giovanni’s Tiramisu

OR

Creme Brulee al Rosmarino

Rosemary Creme Brulee

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I have heard the Chef Giovanni Ricci is known to serve old fashion traditional dishes. I didn't exactly think much of it until we tasted Tiramisu dello Chef Giovanni (Chef Giovanni’s Tiramisu). Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert and Chef Giovanni serves us a luxuriously sweet and seductive tiramisu. The tiramisu is light yet rich in flavours. I said "seductive tiramisu" because every bite of the tiramisu just makes you want to have more.

Its almost year end and if you need a place to chill over some fine Italian food then Senja is just the brilliant place to be. This MIGF, check out the MIGF offerings:

Menu

Full Festival Menu RM360 per person with wine (any four courses);

RM280 per person with wine (any three courses); RM220 per person with wine (any two courses);

RM180 per person without wine (any four courses);RM140 per person without wine (any three courses);

RM110 per person without wine (any two courses)

Wines

Cascine 7 ProseccoNV

Placido Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT 2008

Vigne Rigali “Principessa” Gavia Gavi DOCG 2007

Agricola AllegriniValpolicella DOC 2008

Placido Chianti DOCG 2008

BaroneRicasoli “Castello Di Brolio Vin Santo” 2004

The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur:

Saujana Resort

Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS

40150 Shah Alam

+603-7840 5502

www.thesaujana-kualalumpur.com

The Vanilla Place ~ its all things nice:D

Vanilla ~ isn't something I like. So I was a wee cautious when Ah Bok mentioned The Vanilla Place.



Braced myself and voila, I love this place in Empire Shopping Gallery. I didn't have enough that night and went back again with a pal over the week. Food is reasonably priced and the quality is good. This post was delayed so as to ensure that what I ate at the review and when I returned as a normal paying customer was the same:P

First that I tasted was the Oreo Mint. One can't go wrong with this and The Vanilla Place certainly didn't go wrong either. I liked the Mixed Berry Milk Shake. These 2 drinks are at RM9.80 each.

Some pals tried the affogato at RM7. Its basically espresso and a dollop of ice cream. Looked heavenly but I opted not to drink it least I am kept awake. Over a weekend soon, I will return for this affogato!

I'm quite a salad person. And a good salad pretty much secures me as a return customer. This colourful yummy Honey Roasted Chicken Salad at RM13.80 is a steal. Not many places serve sun dried tomatoes in their salads...well The Vanilla Place does! Crunchy vegies with cashews and the chicken is such a healthy idea. And the mustard sauce on the side goes well with the salad too. I didn't use much of the mustard sauce and the salad on its own was just nicely flavourful.

I am Chinese. Or more accurately half Cantonese. So I love soups! And to date the date the best onion soup I have had is cooked by my sister in law Gloria. Here the onion soup is just heavenly. A tad salty but I wouldn't mind having a second helping. See what I mean? Its so oniony onion. LOL

And the mushroom soup is also equally mushroomy mushroom:P The onion and mushroom soup goes a RM9.80.

Breads are another weakness of mine. Here check out their homemade bread with the dips at RM9.80. The darker one is olives and the other hummus. Heavenly reason to carbo load on bread!

Pasta pasta come to momma! I love pastas and have been quite well pampered at Trattoria Cucina Italiana. The Vanilla Place wasn't disappointing like many other places that I've been. As they are not Italians, I half expected the el dente not to be taken seriously. I was proven wrong. Pasta came el dente when I revisited subsequently. Bravo.

A highly recommended is the Spaghetti Seafood Pesto at RM14.80. Yes I love my seafood. And pesto pretty much seals the deal. The flavours were not overwhelming and the seafood was not overcooked till chewy.

The Aglio Oglio is also a recommended dish though I personally plainer without the seafood etc thrown in. Here the Spaghetti Carbonara is also good. Nice and creamy and went well with the mushrooms and ham. The 2 pastas are priced at RM14.80 and is quite a huge portion.

Lasagna is available in beef or chicken at RM14.80 is quite good. I had the beef and it was yummy. It was juicy mince beef and richly cheesy with the slightly tangy tomato puree. Bliss!

If you love meat, the 2 must haves are the Lamb Shank at RM19.80 and the Beef Stew @RM18.80. Unfortunately this must be ordered in advance. Call 03-5022 2198 to order a day ahead. Both were a tad salty for my personal preference but it was so flavourful and yummy, I went on eating. Be forewarned, I can't eat salty stuff very well. So its perhaps just nice for many of you:P

Mentioned above that I love seafood. So the Poach Salmon Fillet with Saffron Sauce was quite a turn on for me. I must admit the fish was a bit dry that night but the sauce and the mash potato made up for it:P This is priced at RM25.80 - ok pricedlah. And yes this must also be ordered a day in advance 03-5022 2198.

Chicken Rendang - I was surprised that this was on the menu. Wasn't expecting any local dishes. So this chicken rendang was a pleasant surprise. And surprisingly, it tasted good. The fluffy rice went well with the spices and the chicken meat. Priced at RM15.80 please call 03-5022 2198 to order a day in advance:P

And if you're thinking of just having some light bites or just desserts, The Vanilla Place is the place to be. Tea for 2 is only RM18.80 with with delectable yummies and tea for 2. Choose from its wide selection of tea. Definitely a good offering for Rm18.80 compared to many other places I've been. This is perfect for a girlie afternoon tea chit chat & gossiping:D

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Looks delectable right?

And here's a closer look:P

And desserts here is divine. My fave is the Apple Crumble RM8.80. The warm tangy yet sweet apple filling went so well with the cold ice cream on the side. Oooo the crust actually crumbled real well - rich rich rich! Oh! I actually returned for this. LOL

Pavlova - not many places serve this. And here for RM8.80, you must try the Pavlova. Share it with someone though as the portion is huge:P

I was told the Carrot Cake here is rather popular. A wee sweet for me but it was flavourful and definitely went well with the marmalade that was served on the cake itself. Brilliant idea! It added more zest and ooopmh to the very flavourful carrot cake.

Tiramisu RM11.80 here is cute. Hmmmm...cute is a bad description. Its pretty and fun. Served in a tall glass, you dip your spoon all the way into the bottom of the glass. And voila you get everything that goes into a tiramisu. Its fun and a must try. Its quite fun to eat this with your darling and have fun feeding each other.

And if you just want to nibble on pretty cupcakes and macaroons, check them out here. RM4.50 for the standard size and RM2.50 for the minis.

The Vanilla Place

FK01, 1st Floor,

Empire Shopping Gallery,

SS/1 16 Subang Jaya,

Selangor, Malaysia.

Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am -10pm

Contact No.: +603-5022 2198

Email: thevanillaplace@hotmail.com

Landmark: opposite Toys R Us

Italian food

I chanced upon this place Trattoria in Kuala Lumpur. Its opposite Modestos, Aloha & Rum Jungle in Jalan Perak. Amazing...the place is just so amazing! Food is freshly made in their kitchen only when we order. So an average wait time is 15-20 minutes and during the wait, we are served yummy bruschettas and freshly made bread (baked daily - i love the bread with olives in it)!

Service is fun. Yes fun coz the team smiles all the time. And they are attentive. Attentive to whether you enjoyed your meal. Oh! Fun is also coz every visit, we spend some time chatting with the crew too.

My fave for now is the Grilled T-Bone Steak - 1kg:-) I also love the pastas done just right "al dente". The seafood pasta Spaghetti allo scoglio is definitely a seafood delight. The sauce is slightly spicy in a tomato base.

Another good to mention pasta is Gnocchi strascicati al forno which is oven baked homemade gnocchi with a yummy yummy creamy sauce with lots of mozzarella;-)

Pizza. Can't comment much coz I've only eaten the 4 formaggi mixed cheese, tomato & rocket salad. Another is the 4 stagioni a rich & delightful pizza with tomato, mozzarella, beef salami, chicken sausages, zucchini & mushroom). Pizzas are on a nice thin crispy base. Next trip....I wanna try a Leo which if my memory serves me well (LOL) should have mozzarella, gorgonzola, ham & tomato.

Desserts are lovely. The tiramisu is a must have. So is the Fondente al cioccolato con gelato alla vaniglia "warm chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream". The chocolate cake is not too sweet and boast of a truly soul satisfying chocolate kick!

Being a chocolate person...I could not resist the mascarpone al cioccolato. Abssolutely crea,y mascapone and a rich spread of chocolate paste.

And at Trattoria, this is the very first time I've ever tasted a cold chocolate with alcohol being served at the end of my meal. Yummy...its almost glass licking good. Not kidding. I have heard comments from friends and tables that they felt like licking the glass clean!

Hmmmm.. Trattoria is certainly a dream come true for me. Yummy.  As I head my way there this evening...I wonder whether leo will serve another surprise on us. On Monday night, we were given a nice cool fruit cocktail that consisted of passion fruit, orange, watermelon & rum.

Trattoria Kuala Lumpur

Rohas Perkasa 8

Jalan Perak

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2163 2368

Twitter: trattoria_asia

Website: www.trattoriaasia.com