Mediteca

Brought to you by Delicious Mediterranean Morsels

For those of us who can’t make it to the coast of Capri, Mediteca is the next best thing. Housed within the light-filled complex of Fraser Place, Mediteca stays true to its tagline of “a modern rustic restaurant inspired by Southern Europe’s food and vibe.” Stylishly designed, Mediteca’s layout does modern architecture justice with huge glass windows allowing pools of sunlight to flood the warm interiors.

An all-time favourite appetizer, the bruschetta, packed with “Nduja” salami, artichoke and rocket is a hit. Chef Riccardo Ferrarotti’s version of this popular dish packs a spicy punch, due to the salami “cooking” in chilli to give it that amazing flavour. The much-lauded tapas menu includes a scrumptious pot of chorizo (Spanish sausage) stewed in vine-ripened tomatoes, herbs and garlic. Cooked to perfection, the tender chorizo and tantalizing sauce left us wanting more.

Similarly, the warm veal tongue, or Lingua, served with cress pickle and red onion stood out for its distinct flavour. The generous helping of rocket salad in this particular dish complemented the smoky flavours of the veal nicely, along with Mediteca’s version of salsa verde and delicious aioli mustard.

Not surprisingly, the mains did not disappoint. The Burro Y Salvia was a rich, creamy delight. Thick pieces of homemade ravioli, stuffed with pork and potato, topped with Fontina cheese and cooked in a butter sage sauce – heavenly! An absolute standout dish was the Presa. Slices of succulent pork pieces tenderly cooked to perfection, served with herbs, and a mushroom sauce (in a cute pickle jar!) that was out of this world.

After all that indulging it’s always difficult to leave room for dessert but the Chocolate & Passion Fruit Gateau is too irresistible to miss. A hunk of rich, creamy chocolate served with some strawberries and blueberries, it was tough to find any fault with this flawless dessert. A definite must for any chocaholic!

Boasting a comprehensive wine list, the crisp, cool and delightfully chilled Santa Carolina Gran Vino Bianco was the tipple of choice on a hot day, along with its red counterpart, the Vino Tinto, both on offer during Mediteca’s Happy Hour promotion (at RM20++ a glass).

If a full-on meal at Mediteca leaves you pressed for time, the lunch set menu is the perfect alternate. With a spread that changes weekly, you’ll be spoilt for choice! International food lovers need not fret as the Saturday buffet brunch (priced at RM58++ per person) features cuisine from a different country, starting off with Italy and followed by Greece, Spain, France, Turkey, Tunisia, Croatia and Lebanon. Who needs to visit the French Riviera? Head down to Mediteca instead!

First published October, 2013