Porto Bello Cafe @ Damansara Utama: Panna Cotta with Berries Mint Sauce

Our first impression to Porto Bello Cafe at Damansara Utama, PJ- a restaurant specializes in portobello mushrooms dishes from starters to main course to dessert. Not all wrong, but just partially correct as Porto Bello focuses more on Western food with modern Asian twist. It is located opposite to UOB building, diagonally across the street of Ecole P Cafe.

Porto Bello Cafe drives a homey, cozy ambience ideal for family dining but surprisingly, what welcomes us at the entrance is pleasant coffee aroma that shows Porto Bello also serves decent third-wave coffee much loved by younger generations. By the end of the meal, make sure you have an order of their amazing homemade dessert that goes really well with coffee. To sum up, Porto Bello Cafe is a place with complete menu to satisfy your breakfast, brunch, lunch, teatime, dinner and supper.

Bombas (3pcs) RM6.50

We visited Porto Bello Cafe for a proper dinner last weekend, started with Bombas, 3 ping pong ball size snack with minced chicken and mashed potato filling, coated with breadcrumbs, deep fried to golden brown for crunchy exterior. Topped with a dollop of barbecue sauce and aioli.

Legendary Crab Cake RM10.90

An appetizer that lives up to its name, delivering juicy sweetness of crab meat, pairing with herb aioli for creamy touch, further balanced in flavour with tangy sourness from tomato relish. One of the dishes Porto Bello Cafe prides on, highly recommended too.

For diners who wish to begin their meal in Porto Bello a healthier way, go for Garden Salad served with Blue Cheese Dressing (RM5.90) or Caesar Salad served with Caesar dressing and chicken strip. Just RM5.90 for a generous bowl of green, definitely reasonable. Homemade Wild Mushroom Soup (RM8.90) and French Onion Soup are available for those who wish to warm up their tummy before the mains.

French Escargot RM13.90

French Escargot, a dish that one can commonly find in French restaurant. Glad to have this on Porto Bello Cafe menu, only RM13.90 for half a dozen, more pocket friendly, yet you get to enjoy the rubbery, chewy texture of escargot, generously laid with creamy, buttery, garlicky goodness from sauce.

Porto Bello Chicken Pie RM22.00

Finally something relates to the name of this cafe- Porto Bello Chicken Pie that has filo pastry layered with Chinese style marinated chicken, crowned over with huge, juicy porto bello mushroom. Multiple textures and flavours that meant to be savour slowly. Not for the big eaters as you will need to double the order for this.

Smoked Barbecue Chicken RM29.90/half; RM54.90/whole

The must-order in Porto Bello Cafe, specially crafted by the chef. The chicken is carefully smoked to result in even dark colour skin, rubbed with BBQ sauce for savoury sweet, smoky sensation. Tender, locked with juiciness, Porto Bello smoked chicken has a good flavour that doesn’t match with its appearance. So do not underestimate this signature dish that may wow your palate.

Lamb Rack

Lamb rack, perfectly pan-seared to medium to ensure the best texture. Succulent throughout, prefer if it could be more charred at the edges for delicious “burnt” sensation. Dressed with mint sauce, adding cool, refreshing perk.

Lamb Shank

Generous portion of lamb shank, braised till fork tender, meat easily fall of the bone. Minimal in gaminess, so easily accepted by most. Served in a bed of thick, creamy gravy.

Porto Bello Panna Cotta RM13.90

Be sure to order Porto Bello Panna Cotta for your dessert. One taste and we are sold. It is much better than we expected -velvety smooth, creamy yet not cloying, melt in the mouth with sweetness from berries & mint sauce. Double thumbs up!

Porto Bello Legendary Lava Cake RM13.90

While Summergirl loves their Panna Cotta, Summerkid on the other hand, chooses Porto Bello Legendary Lava Cake as his favourite. Served warm, the rich, chocolaty cake is encased with melted chocolate sauce, roozing out once cutting through. Have it with vanilla ice cream for a wonderful warm and cold combination.

Comments: Many will mistakenly treat Porto Bello as a place for only main meals. Can’t deny so but apparently, we like their dessert a lot. Will definitely come back to have their Panna Cotta with a cup of great coffee for teatime.

Photography: Summerkid
Write Up: Summergirl

Address:
Porto Bello Cafe (opposite UOB tower)
No. 8 Jalan SS 21/58,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: 11AM – 10PM
Contact:+603 – 7496 6588
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortoBelloPJ