Chinese New Year is less than 3 weeks away and the feasting continues. In fact, it never stopped, since way before Christmas, I’m sure. This time round, it seems the festivities are just rolling into each other … Christmas, New Year and now we are busy preparing to usher in the Year of the Dragon. Well, if you want to have a change from the usual traditional Chinese feast, do consider a more western approach, at Neroteca.
Located at Bukit Ceylon, Neroteca exudes a truly Italian dining experience with a deli that makes you feel like you are dining somewhere in Italy … its ambiance and captivating charm evokes an authentic feel of Italy. When you step into Neroteca, you see a quaint rustic restaurant with a long, tall, narrow glass box, bright lights, wall-to-wall wine racks, pastas and sauces, and hanging over the counter are salamis, hams, pots and pans! That, immediately gives it a unique friendly and home-like atmosphere. Oh, you can also buy their cured meats like ham, bacon and sausages from the display chiller.
For the Chinese New Year, Neroteca is offering a savoury 7-course meal which will definitely please meat lovers, where each dish is creatively designed and paired with selective prosecco and wines. Priced at RM198++ per person, I think it’s a pretty good deal, considering the quality cuts and the prosecco and wines included. The menu is a result of the innovative creations of Chef Lorenso who has mastered the art of rustic Italian cooking from the best chefs from Italy.
2 starters are offered in this special menu. Let’s start with the 1st one… a selection of cold cuts consisting of Prosciutto di Parma, San Danielle, calabra piccente and mortadella. What can I say… these were all really good stuff, more so since Prosecco di Conte Neri is served with this! I love proseccos, I do!
The next starter is Beef Tartare and Chef Lorenzo actually demonstrated how this is done. Angus steak is used for this and it should be chopped up manually by hand for the best result. The chopped beef is then marinated with a myriad of spices, herbs, sauces and lemon juice before being served on toasted bread.
Eat this while sipping on Prosecco Millesimato Valdobbiadene – it’s quite an experience… a most appetizing one.
Two entrees are included in the menu, both of which are hand-made fresh pastas…
Pappardelle Neroteca – Pappardelle pasta with wild boar ragout. The wild boar ragout gives this dish a real meaty lift … something which all meat lovers would love.
Stozzapretti Nduja – Handmade curl pasta cooked with rare salami
I like both the pastas as they were really fresh – the al dente texture had a slight delish chewiness – I like my pasta with some bite. The pastas were accompanied by Majolica Muntepulciano and Cabernet Sauvignon Louis Felipe.
For the Mains, you get the best of 3 worlds… errr, meats, I mean. A platter of Porchetta – deboned suckling pig stuffed with sausage and capsicum, Sirloin Tagliata – Grilled sliced beef sirloin topped with sautéed spinach and potatoes and Grilled Lamb Rack – New Zealand Lamb Rack served with garden salad and Balsamic reduction sauce. Of course all these are served in manageable portions and accompanied by Valpolicella DOC Corte Giara, Chianti Querceto and Costa Di Nugola Syrah Toscana. My favourites among this trio are the beef sirloin and lamb rack – both were grilled to perfection, resulting in tender flavourful meats, juicy in every bite.
For a change from the usual dining on Chinese fares as you celebrate the dawning of the Year of the Dragon, Neroteca’s “Meatilicious” promotion would be a good bet. I think it would be a better bet if they throw in a token dessert too – that’s about the only thing missing here!
Neroteca
Ground Floor, The Somerset
8Lorong Ceylon
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-20700530
Fax: 03-20702530
email: [email protected]
Opening hours:
11.30am to 11.30pm (Daily)
Outside Catering & Private Parties
Nerotecais able to provide outside catering for parties and functions of up to 200 people. You can experience Nero class in the comfort of your own home, with the chef’s brilliant skills producing a sumptuous experience to thrill your guests.
Please contact [email protected] if you would like to hire all or part of Neroteca for a private occasion.
missyblurkit says
love the steak tartare and the grilled lamb rack:D