Quite a lot has changed since the last time I stepped into Prego, the Italian restaurant at The Westin Kuala Lumpur. There’s a great sense of warm Italian welcome in the cavernous layout of Prego, reverberating from the delicious activities happening in the open kitchen right in the centre of the restaurant.
Chefs can be seen bustling around simmering pots and sizzling pans – a merry sight indeed for anyone hankering for a good Italian meal. Every now and then, insane aromas waft out from the woodfire oven when freshly-made pizzas are ready to be served.
Simple polished wooden furniture, rustic floor tiles and colourful hanging lamps amidst the earthern-theme deco immediately are the perfect backdrop for a pleasant meal crafted by Chef Marco De Cecco and his culinary team. This Chef de Cuisine of Prego hails from Italy and his love affair with food started in the kitchen of his grandparents’ restaurant, Trattoria De Cecco. Graduated a civil engineer, it’s incredible that his passion in the culinary field remains strong in the 12 years he spent in Italian kitchens. He then continued his culinary journey to Libya and his last posting before The Westin Kuala Lumpur was as Head Chef in Capri Singapore.
Chef Marco De Cecco
With Chef Marco now helming the kitchen of Prego, diners can look forward to an enhanced menu featuring many of the chef’s signature dishes. We had a chance to sample some of Chef Marco’s creations recently and could see his culinary skills at work, starting from the very fresh and simple Insalata Rucola.
Insalata Rucola (RM38) Rocket Salad with cherry tomatoes, balsamic reduction and shredded parmigiano reggiano
Saute Asparagus with Garlic
Whenever I see black mussels on a menu, chances are high that I’d order it. Chef Marco’s version comes in a mildly spicy light tomato sauce. Slices of italian bread are served together to mop up the sauce!
Impepata di Cozze – Black Mussels with Spicy Tomato Sauce (RM52)
Pasta and pizzas are mainstays in any Italian restaurant and in Prego, they are all made in-house. Freshly made pizzas are quickly cooked in woodfire ovens and served with gorgeous cheese toppings. We love the handmade tagliatelle in Prego. The smooth flat pasta is such a great comfort food and our tummies heaved with delicious satisfaction slurping down every single strand!
Pasta Divina – house-made tagliatelle with clams, mussels, scallop, prawn, squid in light tomato sauce with lemon zest (RM72)
Prego Pizza with barbeque glazed lobster, mozzarella, red onion jam and olives (RM88)
Chef Marco’s spicy lamb sausages are really good, as we found out. Served with polenta and caramelised onions, it’s pretty substantial serving.
Grilled Spicy Lamb Sausage with polenta, caramelised onions and cherry tomatoes (RM78)
The above dishes are all available in Prego’s a la carte menu and some of them are served in their Viva Italia Sunday Brunch from 11.30am till 2.30pm. This promises to be a very satisfying Italian eat-all-you-can dining experience. The sumptuous selections will have you indulging in a good selection of antipastos, salads, seafood including freshly-shucked oysters, cheeses, premium meats, handmade pastas, pizzas and memorable desserts.
Tiramisu
For dining reservations, please contact Westin Dining at +603-2773-8495, WhatsApp +6017-281-9231 or log on www.thewestinkualalumpur.com
PREGO
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2731-8333