Freshly baked breads to start
La Cucina at Pullman Bangsar serves one of the best Italian meals I’ve tried in Klang Valley. I say that because the chef managed to incorporate the “flavours of Italy” into his dishes, without even using pork. Now that’s something.
Spaghetti Puttanesca
The menu has a good selection per category and I got to try a few items from each, starting with the Spaghetti Puttanesca (RM32). Literally called spaghetti a la whore in Italian, made using whatever ingredients the chef had. At that time, it was nothing more than four tomatoes, two olives and some capers. History aside, it was good pasta – robust in flavour and the pasta was al dente, as should be.
Smoked Lamb Sausage Fettuccine
Also tasty was the Smoked Lamb Sausage Fettuccine (RM34), prepared using homemade lamb sausages, capsicums, tomatoes and lamb jus. Rich, flavourful and hearty. Apart from spaghetti, all the pastas at La Cucina are made in the kitchen, and that alone earns the chef a lot of respect from me.
Smoked Duck Taglioni
Good stuff
I tried the Smoked Duck Taglioni (RM34) at the Pullman Bangsar launch prior to this review and ordered it again because it was that good. The tiny pasta pockets were filled with savoury duck and served with a light butter gravy. Delizioso!
Beef salami & pepperoni pizza
Instead of a wood-fire oven, the pizzas at La Cucina are baked using a clay oven. Beef salami & pepperoni (RM30) was a hearty affair, topped with garlic confit, pickled Spanish chilli, roasted pine nuts, rocket and pecorino flakes. Good stuff, I kid you not.
Braised Australian Grain-Fed Beef Cheek
The Braised Australian Grain-Fed Beef Cheek (RM59) was fork tender — braised for 7 hours in lamb jus, and served with parmesan polenta and olive tapenade. Also noteworthy was the Chicken Cacciatore (RM48), a hunter’s style braised chicken with tomatoes, parsley, pomodori sauce and shaved pecorino. Like an Italian version of Coq au Vin and heartier too. ;)
Chicken Cacciatore
Mediterranean Lamb Loin
Mediterranean Lamb Loin (RM64) was herb crusted with spinach, macadamia nuts, mint and marjoram to flavour and seal in the juices. This was adequately tender but I preferred the beef cheek to this. I reckon the lamb could have done with a bit more fat.
Red Mullet Fillet
If meat isn’t your thing, try the Red Mullet Fillet (RM51). This was served in a light saffron infused seafood bisque, which allowed the natural flavour of the fish to come through.
Lightly flavoured to allow the natural flavour of the fish to stand out
I had a chat with the chef and learnt that he imports his Parmesan (9 years aged) from Italy, along with other ingredients like tomato purée and flour. Costly but worthwhile, according to him.
Dessert display
Baklava
Blueberry clafoutis
Apple tartin
For dessert, I had an apple tartin, baklava, blueberry clafoutis and cheesecake. Of the lot, I enjoyed the clafoutis and apple tartin best. Desserts are going at RM18 for one and RM28 for any two selections.
Cheesecake
Overall, I was impressed with the food, Portions were good and I like the chef’s attention and insistence for quality. All pictures were taken using my Samsung S4, because I didn’t realise my camera ran out of battery. Am glad the phone did a decent job. :)
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Ambiance: 7/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 7.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: One of the few places that does pork-free Italian food so well. Enough said.
La Cucina
Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar
No 1, Jalan Pantai Jaya, Tower 3
59200, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 03-2298 1888
Opening hours: 11am to 3pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Website