aly's wonderland

Last lunch of 2009 at Favola, Le Meridien

It’s the last day of 2009…. Where did the year go? As with most things in my life, I’ve put off all the many, many Christmas posts until 2010… at least, as I said in my previous post, until the smell of turkey, garlic and sage has faded from my fingertips. As for resolutions, well… ahem… not doing so well there either…

Lil’ Chef informed me last night that he would be off for lunch today. I was ecstatic! What did we decide to do? EAT, of course.

A hop, skip and a jump away from us, and his workplace, is the ‘Fabulous Favola’ (as described by Fatboybakes). Replacing the Middle Eastern restaurant Al Nafourah, Favola is a restaurant unlike no other in KL, slipped in neatly on the 7^th floor of Le Meridien.

With high ceilings painted to look worn, and walls adorned with ornate images telling tales of old, Favola really is a mystical Fable in its own right.

It’s comfortable, it’s casual, with daylight streaming through from the poolside to give it a warm glow. Splashes of red from the chairs and a giant fresco by the appetizer spread make the restaurant come alive, and so do the chirpy staff that greet you with shouts of ‘Bon Journo!’ as you walk in.

Ahh… Favola… my new favourite Italian restaurant. I haven’t had a meal like this since the last time I was in Rome. Unraveling the menu I immediately could see at least 10 different things that I wanted to order.

I was sold by the combination of ingredients I could see in each dish, even before I had a whiff of the freshly baked bread that arrived shortly after we were seated.

With a choice of two dips that change daily, the bread was so good I could have just had that for lunch!

I’d met Antoine Rodriguez, Executive Chef to Le Meridien, not long ago at an event for Robert Rainford, The King of Grill. Of course, working next door to Lil’ Chef and being in the same trade, they were like brothers separated at birth. He was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to join us for most of our lunch.

“Have you ordered yet?” he asked immediately as he sat down.

“Yes, we have,” replied Lil’ Chef, reciting the dishes we’d chosen to try.

“Ahh… good, good… but you must also try the pizza, no?” he says, and gestures to the waitress.

“Bring us pizza for them to try… the lamb one that I like. And Prosecco. Prosecco is nice with lunch, no?”

Yes, yes, very nice! I like the way Antoine thinks, and when he speaks, he talks about food with such passion, and with such humour, that every story he told had me in giggles.

Lil’ Chef opted to have the Antipasti Buffet at RM 30 from the Crudo Bar. What a spread I tell you.

Get a little closer and your mouth starts salivating…

There is just so much to choose from…

Complete with luscious condiments…

A fantastic selection of traditional Italian starters, complete with chefs to attend to your every whim. Can you tell the chefs from the painting?

Needless to say, Lil’ Chef was happy with his choice of appetizer. I decided to have the Zuppa di Pesce alla Marinara (RM30), which is a tomato based seafood soup served with crisp garlic bread on top.

Thick and hearty, with no shortage of clams, fish, scallop and prawn, this is a fantastic soup bursting with flavour.

Our Spicy Lamb Sausage Pizza (RM 40) arrived at the same time, loaded with mushrooms, onions, mozzarella cheese and rocket, on a very thin and crispy crust.

I took one bite and could see why Antoine liked it.

Three slices later, I could really see why he liked it!

Baked in a traditional wood fired oven, you can taste the earthy, smoky flavour in the crust.

I spied a Grilled Artichoke Pizza (RM 35) with sundried black olives, spring onion and herbs that sounded rather delicious. The Venetian (RM 45) with lobster, scallops, prawns, calamari and clams also caught my eye, and is on the list for the next lunch there.

See? It’s gotta be good if I’m already planning what I’m going to have next time!

We both decided to have pasta for mains, although after the pizza I almost wished I’d ordered something less filling. Boy, oh boy, I had nothing to worry about. If I didn’t have space in my tummy, well, let’s just say, I made space!

With 10 different pasta’s to choose from, the Lasagna Al Forno (RM 45) with braised wagyu cheek and truffle oil was tempting, but we went for two seafood ones instead. I ordered the Capellini con Gamberetti ala Pinoli (RM 45) and it was wonderful.

Prawns, mushrooms and toasted pine nuts tossed in a chili, garlic and parsley olive oil dressing. Simple, yet so effective!

Lil’ Chef opted for the Conchiglioni Marinara al Cartoccio, which was equally as good.

An array of seafood including clams, prawns, scallops and fish, baked in a paper parcel with a tangy tomato sauce, with fresh basil pesto.

What can I say? Just look at the way the pasta shell cuddles the sauce and seafood, calling out…

“Eat me! Eat me!”

Slurp…

I was at my limit, and barely touched the side order of Mixed Greens with Italian Dressing. Lil’ Chef, of course, could always find room for desert.

I expected him to order the Illy Coffee inspired Tiramisu, and was surprised when he ordered the Cassatta (RM 30).

On the menu in the Dolci section, under Cassatta it says “This recipe was given to me by a friend, an Italian Chef. He made me swear on a stack of ice cream that I would never reveal his recipe.”

I tried it, and I understood why the recipe is so sacred. The Cassata was sheer poetry, the perfect balance of flavours with layered nougat, pistachio, raspberry and vanilla  ice cream, served with a berry coulis.

Oh, it was simply magnificent!

Of course, if dessert is your thing, you could always go for the selection at the Crudo Bar for RM 35.

I could feel the seams of my dress straining to hold together, and we dragged ourselves out, waving goodbye to the wonderful team that made our lunch… well, simply divine. Of course, we left a little ‘love note’ in the guestbook while waiting for the lift.

We also had a sneak peak at the private dining room. Wow. I know where I wanna have my birthday party next year!

It’s strange that a great meal doesn’t have to cost a bomb, nor does it have to have fancy ingredients. What Favola offers is simple, fresh Italian food, cooked the right way, laden with flavour and served in whimsical surroundings.

Yes, I have my list of what I want to try next time. That can be my New Year’s resolution.

Next year, Antoine, next year. Cheers for making me feel like a Venetian Goddess! What a great way to say goodbye to 2009!

Happy New Year! Here’s to many more meals in 2010!

Favola

Le Meridien

2 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470   Malaysia

Phone: (60)(3) 2263 7888

http://www.lemeridiendining.com.my/