Antipasti - Starters
An Amuse Bouche to gently awaken our taste buds. Gazpacho in a tiny shot glass, a strip of creamy cheese with a fruity dressing, and a slice of eggplant and a black olive.
Next was an Insalata di Fruitti di Mare, which is a Seafood Salad with a large poached Tiger Prawn, a piece of scallop, tiny strip of squid, on a bed of salad leaves with a pesto-ish dressing. This was served very cold which was great.
The Garlic Cream Soup (Zuppa di Aglio) was next and this is simply a must have item. I must admit I was slightly apprehensive at first, fearing an overly pungent soup which may make you emit garlic fumes from your pores the following day BUT I was wrong.
It was light and creamy at the same time with a gentle hint of garlic infused in the soup. The crisp garlic toast served with the soup was excellent - buttery, garlicky with just the right amout of salt to bring it all together.
Primi - Main Courses
Next came an array of dishes which we all had tiny starter portions of, with the option of more if we wanted to.
From 12 o'clock position:
a. Al-dente spaghetti with prawns (Spaghetti con Gamberi)
b. Risotto with Saffron, Gold Leaves and Crunchy Parmesan (Risotto Milanese con Foglia d'oro e Cialda Parmigiano) - this was very flavourful and rich.
c. Polenta
d. Parmesan Aubergines
e. Rack of Lamb with Black Olive paste (c, d & e comprises one main course - Lombatina di Agnello con Pate di Olive Nere con Parmigiana de Melanzane)
f. Pacheri Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil (Paccheri con Pomodorini e Basilico)
My favourites? The tender lamb and the parmesan aubergines and the saffron risotto.
Finally, we had another tiny portion of risotto, this time with squid ink and cuttlefish (Risotto con Nero di Seppia). I've never had squid ink before and have always imagined that it would have a bitterish taste to it. It wasn't!! :D I've decided that I like risotto as the rice is soft with a delightful bite (the word squidgy comes to mind) to it and bathed in a rich tasty stock.
And when they say, always save the best for the last, this cliche was perfectly true last night. The desserts were wonderful. Each and everyone of them was beautifully prepared and presented.
Again, we had an array consisting of:
a. Trio of Panna Cotta - Mint, Raspberry & Mocca (We loved the mocca and mint flavours)
b. Tiramisu with Strawberry and Chocolate (They were served in 3 small shot glasses and we each had a small bite of each and they were very very very VERY creamy, chocolatey and dreamy.....)
c. Warm Raisin and Muscovado Panettone
d. Hot Chocolate Fondant with White Chocolate Ice Cream (A HOT souffle, perfect with white chocolate ice cream - this was sooooooooooo good we ordered another portion).
e. Sorbet and Ice Cream (They had lemon, raspberry, vanilla, pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate flavours - I loved the pistachio ice-cream, there were a lot of crispy crunchy almonds on it and we had another portion too)...
Overall, a fantastic experience and I am so glad that we had a chance to try so many items on the menu. My personal favourites were:
1. Garlic Cream Soup (ask for more garlic toast!!!)
2. The 2 types of risotto - Saffron and Squid Ink
3. The rack of lamb (but less doneness please)
4. Mocca & Mint Panna Cotta
5. Hot Chocolate fondant
6. Pistachio Ice-Cream
Thank you, Jennifer and Hafiza of the Empire Hotel for hosting us again, and Alan and his staff who looked after us so well that evening.
The private room we were dining it was so cosy, with thick red table cloths, the mural on the wall depicted this scene.
I chose a lighthouse as my domain, M and R chose houses on the hilltops..... and T chose her own personal island.... We must visit each other soon..... Ah, lovely fantasies.... A lovely night with great company!
p.s. My apologies to everyone for being late - no excuses, end of a long week, thought I would power nap before my shower and woke up at 6.10 pm!!!!!!
Please visit Anak Brunei, What I ate today and Diamonds for lovely pictures and their reviews.
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