Eat Drink KL: La Boca Latino Bar @ Pavilion

Monday, September 10, 2012

La Boca Latino Bar @ Pavilion

Enlivened by a riot of colors and a rich menu that spans Mexico, Peru, Cuba, Brazil & Argentina, La Boca could become one of Pavilion's hottest hangouts. 

The setting is explosively eye-catching, like nothing else in this mall _ a fever-dream mishmash evocative of elements from an Andy Warhol painting, the animated film "Chico and Rita" & maybe even the bright-hued facade of homes on the Venetian Lagoon's Burano island.

But there's a catch: though La Boca's menu promises the likes of Brazilian seafood moqueca, Mexican tamale corncakes, Peruvian ceviche & Argentinean sorrentinos & pastel de choclo, none of those are available for now. Maybe later this month.

What's offered so far is nonetheless well-prepared; 'bolinho' cheese balls (RM22 before taxes), fried with chile ancho & coriander, will keep snack-lovers very happy.

Tallarines (RM28), the Argentinean equivalent of pasta. Fundamentally fettuccine in cream sauce with chicken, semi-dried tomatoes, mushrooms & basil coulis. Addictive.

Cuban Sandwich (RM24): turkey ham, breast & chorizo with emmenthal cheese & mustard relish in Cuban bread. Warm, fresh bread, flooded with flavorsome fillings. Irresistible.

Chicken breast, mangoes, avocados, red peppers & black beans (RM18). We finished every bite of this hearty, healthy salad.

Exclusively Latin American wines are available here: try the Argentinean Maipu Valley Luigi Bosca Sauvignon Blanc & Merlot (RM24 each).

Pisco Sour (pisco, egg white, lemon juice, angostura bitters) & Pompelmo soda.

La Boca has the potential to stand out in the Mexican gastronomic wave that's sweeping KL. We'll know for certain once its complete menu is available.

The restaurant seats fewer than fifty, so head here early in the evening for a comfortable table.

La Boca,
Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.