hmmmm maybe that is a little too cliched way of describing the experience there. Was there on Saturday, 22nd November '08 to celebrate a friend's birthday. There were 6 of us...
The last time I was there was over 5 years' ago. I believe that was when Cafe Cafe was first opened. If I remembered correctly, it had very heavy drapes across the ceiling and the walls...which wasn't there this time round. Kinda prefer it this way. It lightens the atmosphere.
Getting there was the biggest headache. Thank God, my friend is as skillful as the typical KL cabbie... all the little roads and back alleys... in less than half an hour we were there. Tucked beside the Dewan Pustaka...corner lot... amidst the mamaks and the infamous Hokkien Mee Stall.
I have to admit that the surroundings is not exactly glamorous but the minute I walked into the restaurant, I felt that I had teleported to a little cafe in Paris. The restaurant is fashioned almost Parisian-like. Heavy chandeliers. Strong reds. Candles and dimly lit floorlights. Small tables packed in a little hallway. And an antique upright piano. The only thing lacking is perhaps some baskers...
The soundtrack of Cinema Paradiso played on incessantly. A little too many times, i must admit. Anyways, let me get straight to the more important bits. The ORDER - set 149.
4 course set dinner... appetiser, mains and dessert. Simple order. But honestly nothing simple about the food.
Being typically chinese we decided on different choices of appetisers, mains and desserts so that we can do the truly asian thing of sharing across the table... we didnt have to wait too long for that to happen actually cause the food came pretty quickly.
We started off with Prawns in Truffle sauce...(ok i forget exactly what it was called) but it was good to its last bit of the shell. It was deeply fried in truffle oil laced with minced garlic. The shell was crunchy and definitely edible. Garnished with beetroot and artistically rolled-up cucumbers. The beetroot was fresh and crisp. Perfect with the prawns.
Some of us had the Foie Gras - now that was heavenly. The sauce was heavenly divine. It had a light tinge of red wine, perfect to bring out the taste of the foie gras. Slightly crispy on the sides but with tender insides, it was the one dish that definitely reminded me of Paris.
Then came the escargot. Probably the most disappointing of the lot. The little fellas were served drowned in olive oil and garlic accompanied by a few slices of "pain" which I used to soak up the oil. The escargot was succulent but its taste needs more work on. Couldn't quite decide if it still tasted of its location or the oil it was drowned in.
Then came the mains. The highlight of the evening was the Wagyu Beef. True to the nature of Wagyu, its meat melts in your mouth. The chef should be complimented for retaining this fact. The accompanying sauce was thick and had a tinge red wine in it. The mash potato was light and fluffy and definitely tasted of truffle butter. It was excellent. It truly complimented each other.
Some had the Cod Fish. The serving was generous. It was served on a bed of grilled vegetables. The Cod flesh was tender and juicy. Every mouthful fresh. The grilled vegetables were perfect to enhance the richness of the taste. Although I did feel that the fish was a little more oriental in taste. But then again, that was probably the best way to serve Cod.
One of us had the grilled Rack of Lamb. Which probably sounded the most non glam of all the dishes. But truth be told, it was one of the better choices. The lamb was served with a little bit of the fats still attached to the bones... and doused with a very special blend of the mint sauce. It was medium rare... but tasted just divine. It was lean yet tender. The skin was slightly crispy holding in all its meaty juices. Thinking about it makes me want to run there for another plateful now. It was accompanied with scalloped potatoes and cauliflowers. It is kinda hard to describe but the round patch of potato wasnt just potato alone. the taste was extremely interesting especially for someone like me who hate cauliflowers.
By the time we were through with this... and dessert was served... we were so full that I forgot how to snap pictures. We had the Creme Brulee, which i swear was teh best I ever tasted since Ann Lee got married. And I had the Affogato which was an experience in itself as the waiter had to teach me how to eat it. It was like the Creme Brulee with liquer on the side and a small cuppa expresso (not to drink but to mix into the Creme Brulee)... and like I said it was truly an experience.
Excellent dining experience although some of us felt a little "Jelak" - is that how one spells the word... but I would certainly return to... for another cuppa.
But the next time I will do it the french way... a glass of wine to wash it down as well as a little sorbet before each dish, to get rid of the "jelakness".
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