Villa Danieli at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur is said to serve one of the best Italian food in KL. When word got out that a new head chef was in town, it was a good excuse for rif and I to pop by for dinner. The restaurant is fashioned after an Italian villa, with ceramic table tops, high ceiling and a mural of a dining scene.

Complimentary bread basket

Assorted Villa Danieli Antipasto

The Assorted Villa Danieli Antipasto (RM90) comprised a platter of air dried beef, buffalo mozzarella, marinated kalamata olives and smoked duck breast. Tasty enough, but I wasn’t particularly excited.

Buffalo mozzarella

Smoked duck breast

Pizza Frutti di Mare

We shared a Pizza Frutti di Mare (RM55), cooked the traditional way in a wood-fire oven. The pizza came topped with prawns, mussels, clams, squid slices, bell peppers, chopped basil and mozzarella cheese. Good stuff.

Black Angus Tenderloin

rif opted for the Black Angus Tenderloin, and it was cooked to a lovely medium doneness. It came with a side of wedges and his choice of Béarnaise sauce. The wedges were lovely – seasoned and crunchy on the outside, and fluffy within.

I didn’t care much for the tenderloin, for obvious reasons. I don’t fancy my steaks lean. But this 300gm portion (RM148) was good value for money, especially with the Starwood Card.

Fresh Egg Tagliolini with Lobster Ragout

I had the chef’s special — Fresh Egg Tagliolini with Lobster Ragout (RM110). This was very good. The freshly made pasta was al dente and tossed in a thick and flavourful ragout. I got half a lobster, cooked just right, so it was sweet and succulent throughout. That said, I did feel a bit thirsty after the meal. Not sure if it’s the ragout or something else I ate.

Three-way Tiramisu

Dessert was the highly recommended Three-way Tiramisu (RM48). Between the classic with coffee and cocoa powder, caramel walnut and raspberry, I liked the classic best. Alcohol level was not good enough. I like my tiramisu to be as drunken as possible.

Caramel walnut tiramisu

On a whole, my experience at Villa Danieli was just alright. Service was ok, but lacking warmth. If I didn’t go there with such high expectations, I would have enjoyed my meal more.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6/10 (with Starwood Card)
Food: 6/10 (pork free)
Verdict: Some misses, but the pasta and pizza were good.

Villa Danieli
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
129 Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur
*Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel: 03-2717 9922