Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Porto Romano @ Mon't Kiara

About twelve hours earlier, a very much Chinese family was sailing on an armada, a culinary one, to be exact. The word armada itself was inspired by the restaurant’s logo. I still can’t decipher the existence of the dolphin in that logo though.

We had a good time going through the Mediterranean-based menu and joked about the names of some of the dishes. It was really fun.

The Eagles was playing in the background and there were only two occupied tables that afternoon. Well, it was afterall, almost 2.15 pm. While waiting for the food, we talked about everything; holidays, family affairs and mostly, nonsensical (yet humorous) tales of others.

Having burnt much calories by laughing at the silly times and certain unnecessary table etiquettes, we were happy to see the garlic bread (RM8) in all it’s regal yellow. Covered with a substantial amount of melted butter and flavoured with chopped garlic and herbs, it was good. The spongy focaccia bread, however, reminded us of a certain worshipping delicacy the Cantonese called fatt gou.

I never believe that pasta can be fiery hot, eventhough it’s ala arrabbiata. But this time, it was hot! Simple yet tasty, the Spaghetti Arrabbiata (RM19.00) was a good choice despite the slightly less al dente spaghetti strands. A closer look revealed a red sauce full of softened tomatoes and paprika powder. It made us sweat, curse and laugh at the same time. I was glad the waiters were not of Chinese origin because some of our curses were quite lethal.

A conversation piece, the Quattro Stagioni Pizza (RM29.00) or four seasons pizza in English, was also a very good choice. The main ingredient for every season was fresh and very much flavoursome. The ham was soft and nicely salted while the sausages had a nice hint of smokiness. Even semi-bland ingredients like olives and mushrooms complemented the tomato-based, crispy/soft crust well. When an elderly gives thumbs-up and exclaims ho jiak, you know this piece of “gwai lou ham jin peang” (westerner’s fried pastry) is worth the money.

Digging deep into the Tiramisu (RM15.00), we discovered the infusion of coffee and almond liqueur. It was momentarily nauseating (in a good way). The generous amount of mascarpone and cocoa powder made the head even lighter. Perhaps this is what they call climaxing. I would have peaked if not for the faces of the folks sitting right across myself, as I hold the object of orgasm in my right hand.

We loved Porto Romano and had already planned for another family’s birthday here. Well, that's just an excuse to try the lambshank!

Ristorante Porto Romano
No. 28, Jalan Kiara
Banyan, Mon't Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (+603) 62078171

Twelve hours later, another landslide took place. This time, at Bukit Antarabangsa. Lives were sacrificed as hills erode due to the constant rainfall. Metaphysically, it’s called fate but technically, the piece of land was already considered unsafe, as was reported in the dailies. It’s sad to know that despite the advancement in science and technology, we still depend on the lost of lives as a siren for the becoming of catastrophes. And of course, there’s the human negligence factor to balance the tragic equation. The blame game started rolling but I feel the pointlessness of this charade as hills will keep eroding and lives will still be taken. To say that it’ll never happen again is too idealistic, but if precautions are taken more seriously, perhaps more lives will be spared.

Our dinner that following night was on a rather minor note as compared to the boisterous lunch at Porto Romano. We were saddened by the tragedy. But most of all, we were quietly counting our blessing that we were still able to have a dinner, together.

21 comments:

ling239 said...

no rack of lamb... >.<"
must go again soon!!

Anonymous said...

"But most of all, we were quietly counting our blessing that we were still able to have a dinner, together."

And that's what I always wanna keep with me. A sense of blessedness. Always.

Jun said...

being alive is certainly a blessing; being able to enjoy ur food more so.

Rebecca Saw said...

Your high marks of Porto Romano noted. Will be in Mont Kiara tmw so this post is indeed timely!
Ur solemn piece on the tragedy is also a reminder to all of us, life is precious and what we have can vanished in an instant so treasure life and don't take things for granted.

Ciki said...

i agree.. we live in the end times my friend.. war, disease, natural disasters.. mostly brought about by men's folly. Better live it out as well as we can.. and be thankful for everything GOOD in our lives. Maybe tomorrow, boh-liao.

J2Kfm said...

it's saddening to read the news. tragedies happened in heaps lately.

yday there was a fire opposite my housing area.

sc said...

only went to the one at TTDI. drove pass few weeks back, looks quite nice, this branch in Mt K. oh, the porto romano pasta is also very good ya know? love the garlicky bits

and yes, may them RIP

Selba said...

Woohoooo.... italian food!!!

Yay..... pizza!!! Definitely looks soooooo yummy!!! *drooling*

A tragedy? What happened?

fatboybakes said...

wah, ciki so cheem one. but such a senseless tragedy, really tugs at the heartstrings of even the greatest cynics...
porto romano sounds GOOD!!!! i'm suddenly longing for pedas pasta.

backStreetGluttons said...

some say great italiano cuisine originated from that hermit Traveller but after his first few returns slanted it sideways to face the med sea. and so is claimed to be fresher , bluer and more seaworthy.To become even such a terrific force ala capriano Milani santisnis to shiver those fine cocky Frenchwomnmen.

while you are at the tragic landslide blockbuster , we couldn't help but shake our pained heads again at the multiple knee jerks and elantra-shakes in front of the BIG lcd TV screens everytime this happens .
and so before the next teardrops fall...

HairyBerry said...

ling239, yeah, i was looking through their house specialties and found the lamb shank! i hope to try soon! ;)

kenny, and that's the key to happiness, dude! always! ;) am really happy for ya! ;)

jun, oh yeah, agree! to be surrounded by good friends is even better, hor? and of course, good food! ;)

thenomadgourmand, cool! do check out the fine selection of pizzas! oh there's wendy's as well...
agree, we should treasure what we have and of course, never take things for granted! absolutely!

cumi & ciki, ya lor, it's so sad that men's folly is leading to the destrucion of mankind itself. yes, we should be thankful for everything GOOD in our lives. so, let's go find that green fairy! ;)

HairyBerry said...

j2kfm, OMG!!! it musta been really chaotic at your housing area! i hope not much is lost in the fire. 2008 is certainly a year of tragedies..sigh...

sc, i've never been to the on at TTDI but i guess i'll be heading to the mont kiara one lar..hehe..cos traffic is better. but parking is sooooo limited...sigh...

yupe, may the victims rest in peace.

selba, yupe, yupe, lurve the presentation and taste of the 4 seasons pizza!

a few landslides took place in Kuala Lumpur and has taken a few lives, not forgetting the lost of homes. it's a big issue here in KL. sigh...

fatboybakes, yeah, and it was near to the 15th anniversary of the highland towers tragedy. the pictures in the newspapers were really really saddening.
oh, do check out porto romano. so near somemore. the range of pasta is kinda impressive!

backstreetgluttons, the smell and taste and touch of the sexy red, sweet tomatoes always thriumph over the buttery taste of the gratins...healthy too! let's not forget the sultry oily olive oil for a fine, smooth ride.

before the next teardrops fall, and before the next raindrops fall, something has to be done to ensure that nothing else will fall expect those who couldnt care less about those who have fallen or may fall. this heart just fell.

Christine said...

enjoying food accompany by the loved ones just make it better huh..
the tragedy certainly remind us to treasure our love one more

choi yen said...

The four season pizza so good hor can eat 4 flavors sekaligus~~~

Faye fly said...

no matter wat meal as long as havin with love one .. apa pun ho ciak lah !! ^^

~Christine~Leng said...

the pizza looks great, can try different flavours ;P

Natural disasters... let it not come ever again! saddening really :(

Precious Pea said...

That is why I always tell myself...life is precious and unpredictable. You never know if you will still be here tomorrow. Live life to the maximum..psstt..and no time to diet. Hehe.

Food looks good..never been here though I have been working in this area for 7 years. Time to make a visit..hahaha..maybe my office farewell here.

HairyBerry said...

christine, oh yes, food and good company runs along. ;) and yes, we should always treasure what we have today! ;)

mimi, ya lor! i thought of that when i ordered the pizza,,,at the price of one somemore...hehehe

faye fly, agree! and if the food is ho ciak as well, then i guess it'll be double ho ciak! and that's a real good time! ;)

~christine~, yupe, i guess the kiasu me wanted to try 4 diff flavours at once..hehe...
yeah, let's not repeat the same mistake. but then again, this is manmade disaster and that's really sad. ;(

precious pea, ya lor, the chinese has a saying; even if we die, we should not die as a hungry ghost...yupe, let's live life to the max and spread the words of joy around! ;)

i think it's a good choice to have a farewell here. both the atmosphere and food are good! ;)

ling239 said...

tat is called rack of lamb lar!! not the lamb shank...>.<"
diff wor... :p

HairyBerry said...

ling239, opppsss, rack of lamb? okie, okie. got it! i'll check it out when i visit them..hopefully very soon! ;) thanks for the correction, ya! ;)

Big Boys Oven said...

WoW I just love those stain glasses so colourful yet so stylish!