Review: Ecole P, New Menu at Damansara Uptown

No Longer in Operation.

It’s time for fans of imaginative fare to return to Ecole P, thanks to a new menu crafted by cafe founders Steven & Ilrene (to launch Fri, Jul 11). These one-of-a-kind recipes are still being tweaked; expect them to evolve once customer feedback flows in.

Introduction to Ecole P: Dec. 12, 2013.

Baked Eggs

You may have tried dozens of baked eggs by now, but there have never been baked eggs like Ecole P’s ‘Three Emperors’ (RM14.90 nett), laced with bits of salted egg yolk & century eggs for a flavourful Oriental flourish, plus sausage meat (for now) & pumpkin cream, served with lovely fresh bread. Baked-egg lovers, order this East-West invention; more memorable than most.

Yam Gnocchi

Yam gnocchi, topped with sunny-side-up & tossed with Ecole P’s interpretation of ratatouille (RM15.90). A savoury kitchen-made speciality that tastes principally Asian, perfect for a meat-free meal. The gnocchi is well-executed (fluffy, not stodgy), while cucumbers & various veggies supply a low-carb crunch.

Roti Canai Burrito

This one’s a little bit Malaysian, a little bit Middle Eastern, somewhat Mexican & maybe kinda Mediterranean too (!!!): Flatbread of ‘roti canai,’ constructed like a burrito (RM11.90) with a stuffing of smoked chicken breast, peanut hummus (Ecole P’s own too) & vegetables, plus a side of dal-inspired, no-gravy chickpea salad.

Asam Laksa Spaghetti

Italian pasta & Penang assam laksa collide for Ecole P’s spaghetti with a sauce of slow-braised assam laksa broth, crowned with fried black tilapia (RM16.90). Fish enthusiasts, this one’s for you.

Thai-styled Linguine

Alternatively, have it Thai-style: Chilli-&-garlic linguine with Thai basil & lime-seasoned black tilapia, complemented with a tangy mango sauce. RM18.90. Not quite aglio olio, but a fun & adventurous take on it.

Tandoori Chicken Schnitzel

We’re avid admirers of Ecole P’s tandoori chicken schnitzel (this is the only cafe where ‘tandoori’ & ‘schnitzel’ rest comfortably on the same page), beautifully honey-brined breast with a light tandoori marinade, perfectly pan-fried with a breadcrumb crust, served hot & juicy with a cornflake salad & lemon to zest things up. RM17.90.

Claypot Rice

Also a potential favourite for many: Claypot rice, fried with seaweed, mixed mushrooms & carrots, topped with tender, mesquite-smoked chicken (RM16.90). Lift the lid & a potently captivating fragrance wafts out, a harbinger of the earthy pleasures to come.

Nasi Kambing

Feeling hungry? Here’s the ideal choice: Nasi Kambing (RM18.90), turmeric fried rice, tinged with raisins, with a hearty claypot stew of two-hour-braised lamb, more raisins for a pleasantly sweet punch & carrots.

Desserts

Don’t skip dessert: Ecole P’s ‘nasi lemak’ creme brulee took a long time to fine-tune, but it’s a texturally flawless triumph now, with nuances of pandan, coconut & a hint of ginger that carefully replicate the taste of Malaysia’s national dish. Served with berry sambal/sauce & an anchovy-peanut brittle (though the accompaniments could change in the weeks ahead). More than worthwhile for RM10.90.

Sago gula melaka with mango & jackfruit purees (RM8.90), also a nice option for no-meat lunches & dinners (if you haven’t heard about Kindmeal.my, check out this discount-deal website run by the founder of Petfinder.my that aims to help save more animal lives; Ecole P is one of the site’s supporters).

Beverages

Ecole P takes well-earned pride in its TEAcher concoctions, a real treat for tea fans. There are numerous combinations to try, including Earl Grey with orange & marmalade, peppermint with lemongrass & assam boi, or even camomile with goji, dates, orange & dried longan. RM8.90 for singles, RM14 for doubles.

Final Thoughts

Ecole P has plenty more plans ahead: If customers want it, there may even be Pet Nights once a month, when folks can bring their four-legged buddies here to nibble on tasty treats (perhaps peanut butter or flaxseed biscuits, baked in this cafe). Cats & canines may love Ecole P as much as people do.

Thanks to Steven & Ilrene for hosting this preview. Ecole P can be followed here for further updates (plus, for puppy fans, there are cute pics on the cafe’s Facebook page of Ilrene’s newly adopted vision-impaired dog).