Going Vegan @ Raw Cafe Ampang

Raw Cafe launched a new menu this month, introducing a nice range of mostly vegan recipes that make this a standout stop for nutritious lunches.

When the cafe opened last year, its sandwiches were simple, stuffed with mushrooms and tomatoes. Now, customers can savor slices of organic granary bread thickly slathered with coriander hummus, garlic-roasted veggies and toasted seeds (RM15).

Earlier entry on RAW Cafe: February 9, 2011.

Gluten-free penne, with spinach, basil pesto sauce, extra virgin olive oil and sweet peas (RM18). Tastes kinda like a Hakka 'lei cha' interpretation of pasta.

Potato rosti pancake, warm and comfortingly soft, topped with a dreamy-creamy sauce of cashews, thyme-infused mushrooms, soy and lemon sauce (RM13). Raw's offerings supply minimal-guilt carbs that'll help folks power through their workday.

Multi-grain toastie with bananas and a house-made spread of raw hazelnuts and soy (RM7). Potentially an acquired taste; its relatively coarse texture and not exactly crowd-pleasing taste make this less accessibly flavorful compared to, say, a peanut butter toastie.

Savory and sweet muffins (RM7) are available; the former is a blend of organic wholemeal and white flour, spinach and non-dairy cheese, while the latter comes with cranberries, toasted oats and pumpkin seeds.

All this might be a prelude to more: Raw's plans to start a full restaurant have been percolating for nearly two years, but it might be achingly close to becoming a reality.

And of course, Raw has become famous in KL for its coffee. Aeropress and syphon versions should be offered here within the very near future.

Wrap up the meal with something sweet: cookies-and-cream ice cream affogato or crepes topped with apples, pecans and chai-spiced syrup (we'll be back for that!).

Real and Wholesome (RAW) Cafe,

Wisma Equity, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Mon-Fri, 730am-730pm; Sat 9am-6pm.

Tatto @ Hampshire Place

Tatto moved this month, leaving the bungalow on Damai Road where it was born in 2009 and relocating to the Hampshire Place office-residence complex.

Fortunately, this Hampshire venue is no less lovely than Tatto's old home; the restaurant still soars on wings of intimate elegance, piloted by the same stellar service team of the past three turbulent years.

Italian flights of foodie fancy take off with a menu that spans everything from brodetto to burrata, pizza bianca to penne carbonara and panna cotta della casa.

Stopping for a simple supper snack, we had our appetites roused anew by the tangy savoriness of these bouncy baby octopuses (RM28) coated thickly with tomato sauce.

Beef cecina rolls (RM34), curled up with buffalo mozzarella and eggplant on a bed of rocket. Potently pungent, not for the faint of tongue.

Pumpkin mousse ravioli, scented with sage and soaked in the most buttery sauce imaginable. What makes this wonderful: the Garden-of-Eden pumpkin sweetness that defies description.

Capellini aglio olio with tiger prawns and asparagus (RM36). Heavy on the salt and slickness, but rich-tasting enough to remind us why pasta's so pleasurable.

Entry on Tatto @ Jalan Damai: March 23, 2009.

Tatto Italian Restaurant,
Hampshire Place, Jalan Mayang Sari, Off Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2166-5212

Magenta & My Elements @ Publika

Another week, another two or three more eateries emerge within Publika's culinary cocoon. Magenta and My Elements are both respectable entries to this mall; neither is extraordinary but both seem keen to cultivate cheerful eating experiences.

First up, Magenta. Sure, nitpickers might moan that the menu here plays it safe, but familiarity shouldn't breed culinary contempt; we'll always be thankful for well-prepared snails (RM12+), juicily grilled with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

A thick, house-made beef patty lays the foundation for contented chewing, building a burger (RM25+) that's nakedly basic but unashamedly so.

Taking the something-for-everyone route, Magenta offers Asian favorites to complement its pastas and pies. We revere everything about this chicken rice, blessed with fantastically smooth, free-range meat and freshly blended chilies, except its hefty RM29+ price.

Magenta is run by the Santerri bakery business, so the sweet treats are worth sampling here, including the likes of carrot-walnut cakes and blueberry cheese ones. 

Terrific for a teatime tete-a-tete; we'd like to nibble this while sipping a cocktail, but Magenta stocks no liquor, not even beer.

Still, there's coffee of course; try a full-flavored Cagliari espresso (RM10+) ...

... or a latte, fulfilling for folks like us who prefer it firmly on the milky way.

Chai-spiced cold cocoa latte, a cross between a chocolate beverage and a tea-based one.

Dilmah Ceylon tea, with cute hourglasses to tell us how long to wait before slurping.

B-&-W family photos create a nice touch; can't say we love this place, but we like it enough.

A two-minute walk from Magenta: My Elements, where Italian fare constitutes the menu's core.

Broccoli soup with herbs and extra virgin olive oil. Tastes a tad too tomatoey for our preference, though for only RM10++, it's worth a try.

Beef carpaccio (RM24++), noteworthy for both moisture and flavor, but the mustard dressing might be more of a distracting liability than a delicious asset.

Stuff it! What we could recommend: My Elements' baked eggplant (RM16++), bristling with mushrooms, veggies and cheese ...

... and the capsicum (RM20++) brimming with rice, minced beef and garlic.

My Elements has a wider-than-expected wine list, so that's a plus point. Spot the decanter!

Magenta by San Terri,

G2-42, Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
My Elements Fusion Bistro,
D4-G3-5, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.

Minori & Camelot @ Royale Bintang Damansara

There's no lack of Japanese eateries in the Klang Valley, but it's always a pleasure to welcome another one that takes everything from its food to service very seriously.

Minori's menu is extensive, though this isn't the place to seek surprises; the restaurant focuses on familiar fare executed with flair, like a seafood-rich bowl of miso soup.

Soba with duck and mushrooms, well worth slurping up (we finished every spoonful).

Fried sakura shrimp, kakiage-style. All about crispness, with little of the greasiness.

Here comes the crab, pressed on sushi rice. Could be more flavorsome, but maybe we've become too accustomed to sushi rolls packed with a multitude of components.

More crab meat, creamier this time, cooked up in cheesy croquettes. Hot cuisine, not haute.

Big bottles of sake often result in massive hangovers (though thankfully, not tonight).

Minori is located in the Royale Bintang Damansara Hotel, which is also home to Camelot, a tastefully furnished pub that's worth stopping by.

Nibble on finger food near a faux fireplace or recline in a section called Lady Guinevere's Lounge.

At RM35+ a glass, Camelot's wine should be served in a Holy Grail. Tastes nice at any rate.

Minori Japanese Restaurant and The Camelot Pub,
Royale Bintang Damansara Hotel, PJU 7/2, Petaling Jaya.