A purple reign has dawned in Oasis Ara Damansara, where this pasta perfectionist recently replaced Epiphany Coffee - though the outlet's ownership basically remains the same as before.
It's a complete revamp - pretty much everything has been changed, from the name to the menu to the furnishing. Worth noting: Purple Pasta retains a warm service team that works hard to keep customers happy.
Plenty of pastas here (more than a dozen recipes), but since the restaurant is still fine-tuning its selection, there's only one purple-ish preparation offered for now: Spaghetti aglio olio, dyed with a (reputedly) natural colouring, tossed with smoked duck, leek, garlic, chilli flakes, a poached egg & basil-infused olive oil. RM18; currently available during dinnertime. Tasty enough - the colour provides more of a visual enhancement than a flavour boost.
Purple Pasta is particularly popular among office workers for lunch, thanks to its no-frills RM5 pastas - think carbonara, marinara sauce or brown gravy. But it's probably worth upgrading to the RM15 varieties, accompanied by the likes of baby octopus in Japanese mayo sauce. Other RM15 possibilities: Clams in red rice wine, lamb in bolognese sauce & more.
Prices are kept relatively low at Purple Pasta, so patrons can graze on a sauteed prawn salad with arugula, lettuce, cherry tomatoes & balsamic vinegar for RM8) ...
... or gobble up 50 grams of flavoured popcorn (caramel, cheese, seaweed or kimchi) for RM5.
Italian-inspired coffee granita (RM7) works sufficiently well for dessert, though affogatos are available too for the same price.
The novelty of a new colour returns for the latte, served with a spoonful of Azuleta violet sugar.
Kitsch aside, Purple Pasta remains serious about its caffeine; there's cold brew coffee alongside an espresso/flat white range that relies on a Colombia-Guatemala-Indonesia-Brazil blend.
Purple Pasta
Block D, Oasis Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Daily, 1030am-10pm. Tel: 03-7859-9998
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