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Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
From a Thai-inspired chilled capellini with seafood to a ‘naughty' eggplant ‘parmigiana', San Lou Pasta Bar is a star in PJ for Italian-Asian fusion cuisine
PETALING JAYA, May 17 – Who says pasta has to be served hot? When the weather is already sweltering, cold noodles will often hit the spot better. Which is why the Chilled Capellini at San Lou Pasta Bar in PJ feels like the right dish at the right time. And the right place too, if you love pasta. San Lou Pasta Bar is run by 32-year-old Stephen Swee, who had formerly worked at Basilico, an Italian restaurant in Singapore. But why the 'San Lou Pasta Bar' though? The small restaurant is located on the third floor of Infinity Tower in PJ, hence its name. The small restaurant is located on the third floor of Infinity Tower in PJ, hence its name. — Picture by CK Lim Swee's expertise lies in pastas; the aforementioned Chilled Capellini is served with pan-seared seafood (prawns, scallops and squid) and dressed in a zesty Thai sauce rather than something more cream or tomato based. Despite his Italian cuisine training, Swee fully intends to embrace his Asian roots, hence the pasta bar styles its menu as offering a more Italian-Asian fusion cuisine than something strictly Italian. This offers the Mentakab-born chef plenty of room to play with, as evidenced by our pair of antipasti. The Naughty Eggplant Parmigiana seems 100 per cent Italian – the eggplant is rolled with sweet basil and Grana Padano, and served with homemade marinara sauce and Pecorino. Naughty Eggplant Parmigiana (left) and 8 Spices School Prawns (right). — Pictures by CK Lim But instead of normal breadcrumbs, Swee uses the far finer Japanese panko which gives these luscious eggplant-and-cheese balls a lighter coating, more crisp than crunch, shall we say. Our second antipasto, the 8 Spices School Prawns, is more straightforward. Here sakura ebi (or Japanese pink shrimp) are deep fried before being dusted with some of Swee's 'magic seasoning'. Whatever spices he's using, the results are addictive. Gratinée Amatriciana. — Picture by CK Lim In addition to the Chilled Capellini, we also ordered the Gratinée Amatriciana (orecchiette with smoked pancetta braised in red with wine and homemade tomato sauce, finished with a cheese gratin), Truffle Mushroom Risotto and Tuscan Pork Jowl (bucatini tossed with pork jowl and grated 24-month Grana Padano cheese). Everything was superb. I have mentioned it before but it's worth repeating: Swee's expertise lies in pastas so these are a 'can't miss'. Truffle Mushroom Risotto (left) and Tuscan Pork Jowl (right). — Pictures by CK Lim Which makes the dessert selection seem almost perfunctory by comparison. Our orders of Lemon Yuzu Tart and Tiramisu (with a pipette of vodka so we can determine how boozy we'd like our dessert to be) were fine but it's the pastas that we were thinking of long after we paid and left. Lemon Yuzu Tart (left) and Tiramisu (right). — Pictures by CK Lim Truth be told, we were already discussing what to try the next time we dropped by – the Kambing Stew Rigatoni or the Homemade Egg Tagliatelle with Chilli Crab. Maybe both? San Lou Pasta BarNo. 3-3, Infinity Tower, Jalan SS 6/3A, PJOpen Wed-Fri 5-10pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm & 5-10pm; Mon-Tue closedPhone: 011-1092 0938IG: * This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.* Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
What's On
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 fantastic Ras Al Khaimah brunches
The weekend brunch has long been a staple at resorts across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But now Ras Al Khaimah is getting in on the action with Saturday and Sunday brunches designed for weekend fun. From all-you-can-eat feasts to set menus by the sea, these are the best brunches in Ras Al Khaimah. Saturday The Cove Rotana Resort Delight in Mediterranean-inspired Italian cuisine against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf at Basilico Mediterranean restaurant at The Cove Rotana Resort. This is casual dining with a warm ambience. Think brown-brick arches, rich wooden furnishings, a vibrant open kitchen, and live cooking stations. Brunch packages also include pool and beach access, so diners can make a day of it. The Cove Rotana Resort, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs210 soft, Dhs290 house. Tel: (0)7 206 6000. @thecoverotanaresort DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island 'What happens at brunch, stays at brunch.' That's the motto at cheeky Saturday fiesta, The Islander's Brunch at the DoubleTree. From burrata stations to Indian cuisine, travel around the world one bite and a time, with a huge buffet and unlimited drinks for three hours. DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs219 soft, Dhs319 house. Tel: (0)7 203 0104. @islandersbrunch InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Resort & Spa At Levant & Nar, Brunch & Nar is a culinary voyage across the Levant, featuring aromatic mezze, fresh tabbouleh and classic brunch dishes. It's all set against performances from a live duo, serene seaside views and wonderful surroundings. Stick around for the post-brunch party, with unlimited drinks until 6pm priced at Dhs150. InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Resort & Spa, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs175 soft, Dhs275 house, Dhs375 Champagne, Dhs85 children three to 12. Tel: (0)7 202 6666. @intercontinentalrasalkhaimah Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island Get your free-flowing weekend cheer in a family-friendly ambience every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm at Boons restaurant. International buffet selection, kids buffet and outdoor play area, live band, plus beach and pool access. Head to the after-party at NEO Sky Bar with five drinks from 4pm to 7pm for Dhs125 per person. Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, Dhs225 soft, Dhs325 house, 50 per cent off children six to12. Tel: (0)7 246 0000. @movenpickalmarjan Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah The Seafood Shack is the place to head for a laidback Saturday brunch with friends and family. Enjoy signature dishes from the raw bar, small plates, mains and desserts all served to the table, three hours of free-flowing drinks and a live DJ playing commercial tunes. Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs175 soft, Dhs235 house, Dhs295 sparkling, Dhs95 children six to 12. Tel: ( 0)7 204 9000 . @radissonresortrasalkhaimah ULA Head to the beach of Ula Ras Al Khaimah for the glamourous Boho Brunch. Soulful and bringing with it the much-loved sounds of those laid-back Ibiza days, indulge in a superb sharing menu, accompanied by unlimited wines and crafted cocktails for Dhs300 per person. Al Marjan Island, Sat, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs300. Tel: (0)7 246 0199. Sunday Anantara Mina Al Arab Taking you on a flavour-filled journey down the Mekong River path from the Tibetan Plateau to Southeast Asia, is the Sunday brunch at Mekong. Overlooking the serene mangroves, enjoy a sharing-style brunch served to table, designed to round out the weekend in style. Anantara Mina Al Arab, Sun, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs250 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs125 children six to 12. Tel: (0)7 204 2222
