The Extraordinary Italian Taste 2017 Gala Dinner at Villa Danieli, Sheraton Imperial KL

In conjunction with The World Week of Italian Cuisine – an annual event primed to celebrate and promote Italy’s gastronomic culture abroad, The Embassy of Italy, Italy Trade Agency and Italy Malaysia Business Association have come together to organize The Extraordinary Italian Taste, which took place from 20 to 26 November 2017.

This year, the week-long event proudly presents the award-winning and professionally-trained Italian Star Chef Roberto Dal Seno, as he brings a modern interpretation of Italian culinary tradition, the “Italian Street Food” in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city, Malaysia.

A series of dinner pairings with the theme of “Italian Street Food is Glam”, “Italian Street Food is Trendy” and Italian Street Food is Gourmet” were held in Ciccheti di Zenzero, The Wine Bar @ ONE KL and Villa Danieli, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, respectively, aiming to promote top quality Italian cuisine.

Thanks to the special invitation, we were honored to be in Villa Daniella, Sheraton Imperial KL for “Italian Street Food is Gourmet” dinner, enjoying unique culinary experience accompanied by free flow of wines sponsored by Paolo Lazzaroni and Vinicola Consoli (alcoholic) and Bosca Toselli (non-alcoholic).

The event kick-started with welcome address by Miss Tourism International, Queen of the Year 2016, Miss Sofia Dal Rocio, followed by interactive welcome speech by H.E. Cristiano Maggipinto (Ambassador, The Embassy of Italy in Kuala Lumpur), Dr Samuele Porsia (Italian Trade Commissioner), and Mr. Bruno Bertella (President of Italy Malaysia Business Association).

Smoked ‘pesto’ eggplant, burrata cheese, fried black bread
Cod fish Venetian style, quail egg, black truffle
Raw langoustine, red onion confiture, oyster leave
Gorgonzola cheese cake, red wine jelly
Fake fry egg & bacon

Aperitif and Canapes served along with a DJ spinning a selection of music that kept the crowd entertained before the main event began.

Starter
Roast Scallop, potato foam, smoked winter garden

Paired Consoli Grand Cuvee Spumante Brut & Bosca Toselli (alcohol-free)

Let’s get the meal started! We were first served with roasted scallop. Fresh and plump, seared with moisture and lovely brown colour charred at the outsides. The garden of roasted vegetables were great too!

Pasta
Black ink risotto, pumpkin dripping, oyster dressing, lemon air

Paired with Consoli “saucha Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc

Risotto, our favourite that night. A dish that taste whole lot better that its look. Creamy consistency, with rice that retain bites, slightly hard at the center. Topped with pumpkin dripping, oyster dressing and lemon air- an element that elevates the overall flavours with pleasing lemon-y sourness, just right, not overwhelmed.

Portate Principali / Main course
Seabass fillet lemon scent, veggies caponata in its stock reduction
Lamb Loin, coffee and hazelnut crust, jerusalem artichoke, leek in its ash

Paired with consoli “Alma Mater” Cesanese Olevano Romano DOC

For main course, we were served with Seabass fillet and lamb loin. While Summergirl enjoyed the seabass fillet beautifully adorned with subtle lemon scent, Summerkid on the other hand, gave nods of approvals to the lamb loin – juicy and tender pinkish meat finish, minimal gaminess; extra texture from hazelnut crust coated at the outer layer, further laced in with very mild coffee flavour.

Dessert
Chocolate tribute in different texture

 Dessert! Chocolaty goodness in different texture! Love the sweet treat in cylinder shape, which has a cross between half-melted ice cream and mousse. Not too sweet. Guess Summergirl could have 3 servings of this on her own.

Great job to culinary arts students from Taylor’s University for their involvement in “Italian Street Food is Gourmet”. Their efforts and talents shine in preparing this dinner, at the same time getting opportunity to learn from Chef Roberto. The Chef had also hand-picked the “Best Performing Students”, who will be receiving dining gift voucher for the Mediterranean Seafood Galore Dinner Buffet at Villa Danieli for 2 pax and a bottle of Bosca Toselli.

More gifts for lucky ones! Happy winners walked home with MOKA Express (Espresso maker for 3 cups), gift hampers from Bottega Mediterranea worth RM300 and Italian Fine Food worth RM350.; 2D1N stay at deluxe room with breakfast at essence for 2 pax, plus Mediterranean Seafood Galore Dinner Buffet at Villa Danieli for 2 pax.