The Rolls-Royce of roll cakes, with a dreamy centre of layered cream enfolded in the fluffiest sponge: Kakigori recently introduced this super-scrumptious indulgence to bolster its signature selection of shaved ice treats, cementing its spot as a terrific destination for top-drawer Japanese desserts.

You'll currently find two tea-based flavours (Uji Matcha & Hojicha) for these cakes, with a third (Genmaicha) to be launched very soon.  What makes them stand out is the attention to detail - it took many months for Kakigori's founders to perfect their recipe, coupling Japanese-sourced ingredients like ceremonial-grade green tea powder from Kyoto with the best of local eggs. The result: Cakes with distinctive flavours & delicate textures, destined to impress.

It's worth sampling all three variations: Uji Matcha is mildly bittersweet, Hojicha bears the hallmark of roasty-toasty nuances, while Genmaicha boasts a fragrant mellowness. Every cake is packed with a pleasurably proportioned duet of the cream of its respective flavour & fresh milk cream, making for a symphony of soft & smooth, light & moist.

Roll cakes are available daily at RM10 per slice, RM18 for two slices, or RM50 if you'd like an entire cake (we sure would!).

 

We had the opportunity to also try one of the kakigori flavours of the month for June - Japanese sweet potato. For fans of Kakigori's ever-evolving special flavours (which have ranged over the months from Roasted Pineapple to Sakura), this one looks poised to be another success. Thanks to Kakigori for brightening up our week.

Kakigori

25, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tues-Fri, 2pm-11pm; Sat-Sun, 1pm-11pm. Tel: 03-7865-8999

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Is Ek the best bet for brunch in Slovenia's capital of Ljubljana? Very possibly - ravishingly runny sunny-side-ups with avocado & toast; creamy poached eggs layered with thick slices of foie gras, laced with truffles & tarragon in hollandaise sauce; & roast pumpkin with burrata cheese & sage. Pair with a flat white or a Bullet cocktail (Earl Grey, Hendrick's gin, basil & lime).

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Asian temptations like mysore lamb curry with steamed rice, jelatah pickled salad & keropok (RM11.90) & mee kuah ketam (RM9.90) populate a something-for-everyone menu of crowd-pleasers at comfortable prices; you'll find everything from yong tau foo & satay to assam laksa & ayam penyet here, plus Western staples like fish & chips, beef bacon carbonara pasta & club sandwiches, complemented by cocktails like the Dry Lemongrass Lemonade (RM18; gin-based), Red Header (RM15; Jagermeister) & Kiwi Mule (RM18; vodka-based) - the open-all-day bar reflects one interpretation of the restaurant's name (bila-bila boleh mari ke 'ba'r). Trivia: BilaBa is the sister outlet of Bangsar's LoKhaba; service is equally enthusiastic & welcoming, making BilaBa a potential favourite for workers in Damansara Heights seeking a casual new hangout destination.

Bila.Ba

G-17/01 DC Mall, Jalan Damanlela, Kuala Lumpur. Mon-Sat, 8am-12am. Tel: 03-2011-4788

Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings, F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits. Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/5106C196432BB23D

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my

Here's a bright, buoyant reason to celebrate the weekend: One of KL's top Italian restaurants recently revamped its monthly Sunday brunches, featuring course after course of beautiful sharing platters prepared by chef Paolo Petris & his team, featuring the touchstones of cuisine from bel paese in one bountiful feast (the next brunch is scheduled for Father's Day).

Bread, that steadfast starter for an Italian meal, sets a confident tone for Zenzero's brunch, with no fewer than five varieties - ciabatta, onion focaccia, fried focaccia, grissini & semolina sheets - for May's edition of this event. The exact offerings for each monthly brunch will evolve, but customers can expect to be served with soup (warm Irish oyster broth with leeks, potatoes & watercress in our case), followed by a colourful smorgasbord of small bites - air-dried beef bresaola & buffalo mozzarella with a salad of arugula, parmesan & lemon dressing; salmon gravlax marinated in citrus jus, with an orange & red onion salad; & NZ green shell mussels & scallops gratinated with bechamel sauce & herbed breadcrumbs proved ideal to ignite the appetite.

Pasta pleasure is next - our triumvirate of Zenzero's kitchen-made squid ink ravioli stuffed with crab meat & mascarpone, topped with asparagus & mushroom sauce; tagliatelle with white truffle paste & mushroom ragu; & potato gnocchi with dried ricotta & veal & lamb ragu reminded us how Italian cooking can really hit the spot, thanks to fresh, flavoursome components.

 Seafood & meat make up our main courses: Classic fritto misto with battered calamari rings, mini prawns & baby crabs over a creamy bed of tartar sauce; pan-seared sole with lemon caper sauce; & roasted Black Angus rib-eye steak, with sides of cauliflower au gratin, portobello mushrooms & rosemary potatoes. We like how each elaborate platter here is expertly executed, taking patrons through a complete culinary experience with a communal spirit; it feels like food for a festive occasion, when everyone comes together to eat & be merry (without the task of slaving over the stove & washing the plates).

A chef's selection of desserts that once again spotlights the breadth of Italian gastronomy brings a close to the afternoon; this monthly Sunday brunch is available for a minimum of two persons per table, costing RM130++ per person (not inclusive of recommended sparkling cocktails like the Aperol Spritz or Perfect Gin & Tonic). Our gratitude to Zenzero for having us here.

Zenzero

Ground Floor, St Mary Place, Jalan Tengah, Off Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2022-3883

Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings, F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits. Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/5106C196432BB23D

Check out EAT DRINK, a new F&B website jointly run by The Expat Group (TEG) & Eat Drink KL. This website features all of our up-to-date reviews, plus exclusive weekly articles & a searchable database on restaurants in KL & Selangor: EatDrink.my