La Cucina @ Pullman Bangsar

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar is the latest hotel to spring up in this happening neighborhood, and with it comes the eclectic Italian and Mediterranean restaurant called La Cucina.

Walking into the restaurant, it feels more like you’ve stepped into somebody’s kitchen, rather than a hotel’s F&B outlet.

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The inspiration behind La Cucina comes from the warm hospitality of small countryside homes situated along the Mediterranean coast, where guests are invited into the kitchen, the “heart” of the house, to become part of the family meal.

On this occasion, we were fortunate to have Sous Chef Aidiyusman, preparing most of our culinary experience at the live cooking station before our table. AidiYusman’s passion for the culinary had led him to travel Europe on his own in his youth, to discover new cultures. Working in different kitchens under the tutelage of a variety of restaurant chefs and co-workers he earned his pocket-money and learnt the finer skills of preparing western cuisines. It was his time spent in family restaurant kitchens in Vincenza, Italy that had exposed him to classical Italian cuisine. This influence would be the foundation of his Mediterranean menu we would be experiencing that evening.

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Later, Chef AidiYusman came to our table for a chat – he told us that he travelled to Europe, working for 2 years in Germany with Hilton Hotels in Stuttgart and another 2 years in Vincenza, Italy. It was at Vincenza that Aidi was introduced to classic Italian cuisine – the bold flavors of the cuisine matched Aidi’s extroverted personality and he decided to make it his own! He returned to Malaysia and was chosen to be the chef for the Malaysian Air Force stationing in Mumbai, India, at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel. After spending two years in India by helping the Taj Mahal Hotel to start their new Mediterranean restaurant, Aidi moved to the USA and work with Renaissance Hotels, the first in Alabama. He was then recruited as pre-opening team member, in Malibu.

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Returning to Malaysia, Aidi joined the Culinary Team at Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar as Sous Chef in charge of La Cucina. Aidi’s passion for his craft and personality is reflected in every dish he prepares – honest, hearty and bursting with flavors.

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bread sticks, assortment of baked bread, olive oil & tapenade

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Love watching my pizza cook! 

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smoked duck pizza

The pizza is the best thing to order at La Cucina. Delicious, chewy batter, with classic basil pesto and the incredibly meaty texture of artichokes, is what I am talking about. The pizza is also drenched in olive oil which is insanely tasty – if you like your pizzas oily that is.

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smoked lamb sausage fettuccini

Homemade lamb sausages prepared with zesty lemon, tri-color capsicum, lamb jus and tomatoes – extremely rich and heavy on the tomatoes. Great for folks who like their pasta strong-tasting and full-on.

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Spaghetti Puttanesca

Smoked streaky beef shavings in a tomato compote, with caper berries, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and calamata olives – again rich, and similar in flavour to the previous pasta. The caper berries were insanely delicious – more intense in aroma than the smaller capers. Loved the way the juices exploded in your mouth.

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chicken cacciatore

Chicken roulade with italian parsley, pomodori sauce and shaved pecorino – loved this dish!

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braised Australian Grain-Fed Beef Cheek

Tasty, tender and juicy due to the fact that the cow is grain fed. For the uninitiated, this is a prized cut of beef that comes from either side of the cow’s cheekbones. When braised in the right sauces and for a sufficient amount of time, it has a fatty, cartilaginous texture, and the meat becomes soft and tender. It was served with a delicious parmesan polenta and olive tapenade.

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Mediterranean lamb loin

A rather gamy piece of lamb, herb-crusted with spinach, macadamia nut, mint and majoram filling, served on a bed of cous-cous, finished off with balsamic glace and jus. Definitely not for the weak-hearted.

Overall Pullman Bangsar has a lot going for it. The location is awesome and the staff are friendly and helpful. Will definitely want to came back to check out their other F&B outlets soon… perhaps a spot of staycation too, while we are at it!

 

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Add:
No 1 Jalan Pantai Jaya Tower 3
59200 KUALA LUMPUR
MALAYSIA
GPS: N 3° 6′ 58.51” E 101° 39′ 49.45”
Telephone: (+60)3/22981888
Fax: (+60)3/22981999

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