18 May, 2012

Romanza Le Restaurant @ Hock Choon, Jalan Ampang, KL


#1 Welcome to Romanza! 

Courtesy to BigBoysOven and Romanza, I'm lucky to win two set menu vouchers to dine with my parents at a fine dining place, Romanza Le Restaurant, during last weekend for an unforgettable Mother's Day celebration.

Along the drive to the heart of KL, I realise this restaurant is situated within the embassies enclave. Tucked in the Terrace of Hock Choon with other restaurants and bars housed under one roof along the busy street of food hub, Romanza serves a fusion of French Mediterranean cuisine with a hint of South African flair. 

#2 Let Romanza tug your heart strings and shower you with the romance you deserve.

The minute I step into the restaurant, feeling of classic and elegance greets me almost instantly, giving out a romantic feeling to it. It’s like going into a fairytale for a candlelight dinner for two.

#3 Sultry ambiance of deep grooves and sexy sounds

Romanza has been operating for a mere 2 months, under the renowned Head Chef Steven Kruger from Southern Africa, a holder of many culinary awards for his commitment, passion, attention to detail and producing a taste bud wonderland for all your senses with his unique style and signature dishes. It’s pure artistry at its fines. Truly, Romanza has captivated the best of all worlds to produce a true dining splendor.

#4 Feta Cheese Bread with Piri Piri Sauce

Our gastronomical journey starts off with the light bread which is delicated roasted with feta cheese, and the winning part is the house Mediterranean Piri Piri Sauce!


A true Mediterranean affair with the extraordinary sauce! Unlike the local sambal, Piri Piri Sauce is rather spicy and strong in taste. I'd go for another basket of breads just for this savoury sauce!


Starter:
Choose between the Gorgonzola Croquettes or Duo of Chicken.

#5 Gorgonzola Croquettes with pear puree, roasted pears, 
crisp salad leaves and roasted walnuts


The amuse bouche starts off with a spoonful of potato croquette with hints of light, creamy Gorgonzola cheese. The pastry exterior is unoily and crispy, and it tastes especially good when the sweet pear puree and salad bring a light texture to the dish.

The robust Gorgonzola cheese and potatoes are shaped by hand into croquettes which are served piping hot from the kitchen while the tangy roasted pears and walnuts enhance the healthy dish. 

#6 Duo of Chicken, master stock chicken roulade served on 
a bed of kimchee and topped with crisp leeks accompanied by 
a liver pate and served with a strawberry salsa

The chicken roulade is tender with smooth texture, and is truly amazing with the rich liver pate. I thought the strawberry salsa would do little in this dish, but I am wrong! 

The strawberry salsa brings a remarkable fruity flavour which adds the starter with an extraordinary twist! It makes the bed of kimchee tastes tangier than ever.

#7 Passion Fruit Sorbet with lime yoghurt and apple chip

Next, the chef spoils us with the Palate Cleanser--- an amazing passion fruit sorbet with sour fruity yoghurt and tiny apple chip, that is tart with a very distinctive and spectacular flavour. It is just a little light on a spoon size; Mummy and I are craving for more!


Mains:
Choose among fish, duck or lamb.
My family doens't take lamb, so we're left with no other choices but the seafood and poultry.

#8 Jade Perch pan seared, pomme puree, Thai red curry sauce, 
mango salsa, seasonal vegetables and crisp leeks

Thankfully, I am more impressed when the main course comes out.   Being a fish lover, the star of the dinner is definitely the magnificent Jade Perch. A tender, flaky and juicy fillet of Jade Perch is served on a bed of light, salty chunks of vegetables. The mango salsa works wonder as a unifying element here.

While the pomme puree is the French version of mashed potato, I find it rather gummy in texture, but delicious when it has the Thai red curry sauce as an accompaniment.

#9 Blackcurrant Marinated Duck Breast with a pomme fondant, accompanied by 
a confit duck leg croquette flavoured with a Chinese master stock, marinated red cabbage, 
steamed vegetables and sautéed mushrooms finished with a red currant jus.

Our gastronomic journey is then entranced with the second main course of the evening, Blackcurrant Marinated Duck Breast. Suitably seduced, I go for this and am rewarded with a wonderfully rich, savoury, complex myriad of flavours. The duck is perfectly cooked with just the right amount of tenderness and juiciness, and it complements the deeper flavours of fruity currant juice.

A crisp and flavoursome Confit Duck Leg Croquette has a bold taste as it is complimented well by the sweetness of the red currant. The exciting flavours burst out instantly leaving an unforgettable taste in the mouth. 

The creamy Pomme Fondant, a cube of buttery mashed potato which is freezed for 3 hours before being fried, sits firmly below the slices of Duck Breast which are rather too soft with fatty layers for my taste.


#10 Milk Chocolate Marquee with a ruby red raspberry sorbet
and chocolate tuilles with pistachio crumbs

After such a sumptuous main course, the dessert to me is almost an anti-climax. Here lies the slices of spongy chocolate mousse cake with a scoop of chilling raspberry sorbet and classic chocolate tuilles which melts beautifully in the mouth. However, the pistachio crumbs do little for the perfection of the dessert. 

Neither too sweet nor sour. The loveliest endnote for the romantic dinner!

#11 Mocktail of Gran L’Orange  

The drink contributed a sensual sweet finish to the rich meaty flavours of the dish. Juice from the freshly squeezed orange with grenadine is tangy in taste. It may not be as indelible as the main courses, but this glass of fruity mocktail is impressively good to wash away the heavy meal. 

#12 Romanza – Love , Passion , Excellence

Mother's Day Special Set Menu:
1 Starter, 1 Palate Cleanser, 1 Main Course & 1 Mocktail 
@ RM130++ per pax

Verdict:
1. The kitchen at Romanza has an unimaginable power of delectably tasty range of food and more impressively, they're able to come up with more interesting and lovely items from time to time!
2. Every dish shines in its own way and I'm truly impressed with the unique flavours in each component which the chefs compose.
3. Truthfully, I enjoy the hints of tangy and fruity component in each and every dish; These tiny elements just lift the flavours of all!

Romanza Le Restaurant
241B, Lorong Nibang,
Off Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-4252 6059

Website: www.romanza.com.my
Email: jo@romanza.com.my 
Facebook: fb.com/Romanza
GPS Coordinates: 3.159981,101.728742

68 comments:

  1. i like the name of the restaurant... no need to enter already know it's a food place that filled with romantic ambience. Nice place for couples to dine in :)

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    1. Hi Henry, yes it may be a good idea for you and her to dine in during your anniversary too :)

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  2. Place looks great, food looks good...portions kinds small for big eaters like me though. Oooo...smoked duck breast, I like!!! No prices indicated?

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    1. Hi Arthur, at the end of this blog entry, I mention that the price is at RM130++ for a full 4-course meal :)

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  3. Everything looks so pretty. It would be hard for me to slice in to take the first bite.

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    1. Hi Monica, I absolutely agree with you because they're all so delicate and lovely to be eaten!

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  4. ohmygosh, you have no idea how loud my stomach is growling right now, haha! everything looks delicious! and your photos are sooo gorgeous! :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway -- Open internationally!

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    1. Hi Mimi, thanks for your lovely comment, and I hope you enjoy reading here besides addmiring the photographs :)

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  5. "Another nice post from our friend FiSh
    Now at Romanza Le Restaurant @ Hock Choon
    It's appetizing, each and every dish
    Waiting for your next posting soon"

    All the best to you for now

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, thank you for your lovely comment, hope you enjoy the romantic food at Romanza with your friends and family. Also, I'd appreciate it so much if you can leave your name here during your next visit. Please come back soon.

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    2. "Just call me as "Uncle Rain"
      That if I visit your blog again
      I will sign off with that name
      So you will know who I am

      Respect my wish to remain anonymous
      Not handsome like Korean Rain the famous
      Very old enough to be your father
      Will be fifty-nine come September

      All my comments will be soothing
      Never to hurt anyone's feeling
      I aim to be a God-fearing guy
      Hopefully be like that till I die

      I am married to a wonderful wife
      So far we have had a blessed life
      Still have conflicts I can recall
      But love always finally conquered all"

      That's all for now. Warmest regards to you.

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    3. Hi Uncle Rain, your poems are awesome as always! I love reading from you, and I hope you live a happy life with your beloved wife and family. Enjoy reading and do come again!

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  6. superb! clap clap. the mothers' day 4 course meal was superb. I went there too!! ;DDD love the chandelier ! so romantic!

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    1. Hi Eunice, I saw you there too, but you were leaving when I just started my meal. Didn't get to say Hi to you though. Will see you around!

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  7. So romantic feel. Everything seems to be so GOOD!!

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    1. Hi Yee Ling, they're indeed very good! :)

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  8. TT your photography skill too good ad. so so food also will let you make it become like very nice! hahaha

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    1. Hi Henry, this is of no joke because the food there is seriously too good and I am a bit disappointed with my own photography skills. The food definitely looks better in real than here.

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  9. looks like a great evening for the family! and very interesting use of kimchi for the starter :D

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    1. Hi Sean, yes my family and I had a great time there, and I enjoyed the creativeness of kimchi in the dish too.

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  10. very unique dish..
    blackcurant duck.. seems nice .. :)
    sweet taste?

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    1. Hi Oon Gui, the blackcurrant is kinda sweet and sour in taste :) it's creative, check it out.

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  11. Romanza creation is truly unique.

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    1. Hi Smit'n, I totally agree with that because it is all so good!

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  12. OMG, love the couch! So romantic, celebrating with your parents! They must be so happy :)

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    1. Hi Shirley, yes it was a wonderful evening for my family :)

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  13. Hello Fish, I love reading your blog with good food all the time. The best part I enjoy is the way you describe each of the food in a so detailed manner. Needless to mention your photographs make the food looks so real from the flat screen! Jalan Ampang is full of fine dining eateries, but Romanza is indeed one of the most creative ones. I bet the three of you had a great time there, Happy Mother's Day to your Mom once again!

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    1. Hi Anonymous, thanks for your kind comment and loyal support here!

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  14. Replies
    1. Hi Choi Yen, my parents are luckier in this case that we had a memorable day :)

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  15. very cosy environment and i love how the present the food, so lucky of you to have won that dinner!!

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    1. Hi SK, thanks and I hope to have more chances like this in future!

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    2. I hope to have the same chance too :D

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    3. Daniel, maybe you can check on the restaurateurs' facebook page and stand more chance to win :)

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  16. Replies
    1. Hi Josarine, it's fantastic, check it out!

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  17. replied to http://www.sherrylicious7.co.cc/2012/05/samsung-galaxy-s2-pink.html

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    1. Hi Sherry, thank you and I'll keep myself updated with your blog

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  18. Sometimes I really need to avoid your blog once in awhile coz the foods are really tempting and I cant find time to go and try it for myself. T_T

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    1. Hi Daniel, you shouldnt skip visiting my blog, in fact you should spare some time to enjoy life, to really taste the beauty of food :)

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    2. haha I agree with 'spare some time to enjoy life, to really taste the beauty of food' but I'm fat xD

      Working hard to lose weight so can eat more good food!

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    3. LoL the previous reply is by me... accidentally used my friend's account to comment xD

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    4. Hi Daniel, thanks for coming back to comment :) and I'm on diet too! Hopefully I can reduce more than I gain recently. hahas. good luck to the both of you. exercise more, drink more water and reduce carbs are the best methods i've tried so far.

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  19. Everything looks so tasty! and love your photos! I'm sure you made your mother very happy!

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    1. Hi Sweetie, thanks for your lovely comment and thank goodness my Mum indeed had a great time there!

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  20. Food looks awesome. It looks like a great place to dine in with my beloved.

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    1. Hello there, of course, it's a good place for anniversary and birthdae celebration too :)

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  21. Yum. Great plating there.

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  22. no doubt you had a wonderful time..
    love your stunning cliks
    Tasty Appetite

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    1. Hi Jay, you should try it out yourself, enjoy reading!

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  23. the place is so nice, plus the desserts look so yummy there! =P

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    1. Hi Xue Ren, it's just full of awesomeness :) check it out!

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  24. Pretty amazing spread and the tickets did come on time to treat the wonderful and most important in your life, your mummy. I find that the food is unique too esp the bread with spicy sauce, what more so much of emphasis on the plating. My pick will be the duck all the way.

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    1. Hi Nava, you're right because it was a coincidence that Romanza was having their special mother's day promotion and giveaway and I was lucky to win two from them. Everything is simply awesome, and I'd go for other duck selections there too!

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  25. Very elegant, but looks like a delicious fun time. I love that round table. The food looks fantastic.

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    1. Hi Carol, glad that you enjoy viewing here; Keep supporting! :)

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  26. okay! I think you shud go ahead with photography, like seriously. photos on your blog are so nice!! YUmmyyyy!

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    1. Hi Nicc, thanks for your words here, I'm glad that you love the pictures here and I'll improve myself from time to time!

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  27. the duck meat looks so unique! :O

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    1. Hi Kianfai, it is really one of its kind!

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  28. ROmantic food at a romantic place :)

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    1. Hi Vina, yes it is a beautiful place for a romantic dinner with your loved ones :)

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