The Italian Promotion at Spaghettini.

Wow! The Italian Promotion at Spaghettini is back again at The Empire Hotel and Country Club. Having missed it last year, I made a point to try it this time. Two traditional Italian Chefs : Chef Grassi and Chef Ettore are here.. all the way from the Acanto Ristorante at the Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan, Italy, to brew up an Italian gastronomic treat to all Spaghettini patrons.

The promotion is on from 17-27 July 2008. If you remember the Italian promotion last year, this year the chefs have come prepared with an excellent menu that will definitely whet your appetite for more. One of the passion of Italian cooking can be seen from the usage of fresh herbs and produce in their cooking and the lovely taste of olive oil.

So, what have the chefs prepared for this year promotion? Please make sure you do not view the following photos with an empty stomach as I will not be responsible for any growling noises that it makes. But seriously, the selection that we have tried are superb and first class. Chefs Grassi and Ettore who are working at the Hotel Principe di Savoia which is a luxury five star hotel that has been the natural home for international travelers and cosmopolitan society since the 1920’s. No doubt the chefs' cooking captured our hearts and appetite with the delectable cuisine that makes us desire for more....

Let’s start the drum roll with the following dishes...

The a la carte menu has been specially designed for this Italian food promotion to showcase some of Italy’s best loved traditional family inspired recipes and ingredients. You can opt for the Antipasi Trolley - an array of goodies ranging from grilled asparagus, smoked salmon, anchovies, Italian cheese, grilled aubergines, olives and many more.

For starters, we opted for Pizza Napoletana - with ingredients consisting of anchovies, capers, olives, tomatoes and basil leaves. The freshly oven-baked pizza tastes good and the light salty taste of the achovies bring out the flavour of the pizza.

Next, I opted for an antipasto ( starter) of Panzanella - a tomato salad with large croutons with grilled red snapper added to the salad. The large croutons gave a wholesome meal to the soft tomato and olive oil drizzled salad. The grilled red snapper gave the salad a full overall taste.

We were offered a chance to see the Chefs in action preparing our Mains. Here is someone's beef steak being prepared.... and here is the final result...

Fantastic.. I described this.... The Tiara...when actually in Italian it is called Rossini di manzo or beef Rossini with shallot confit and truffle oil.

Before having my main, I tried a Primi (Warm Starter) - Rissoto alla Milanese or Milanese Risotto with saffron and gold leaf. yes! Real gold leaf! Oh! What a delight to see how the chef add the delicate gold leaf as a the final touch of the dish. Delicate but astounding procedure!! The taste of the Risotto is superb with a tinge of saffron and Mediterranean flavours.

Since I had fish for my starter, I opted for a chicken dish for my main- Galletto Biscottato or Cripsy baby chicken with "sorrento" lemon sauce and thyme flavoured potato flan. One of the signature of Italian dishes that I really like is the infused flavourings from the stock and herbs that provide a simple delectable but distinctive taste to the cooking. The potato flan is light but taste beautiful!

Do I have room for desserts after all the food? I'm afraid.. I do. Since Tiramisu or 'pick me up' in Italian, is on the menu... I will never miss it for the world! Instead of having a bowl of dessert, it came in three little cups of wonderfully taste desserts of classic tiramisu, strawberry and bitter chocolate.

The above is just part of an array of ala carte dishes created for Spaghettini by the two chefs. Salute to both of them for their great creations. It has been a great experience to see them in action, whipping out the dishes for the patrons. Gratzee!!

So, what are you waiting for? Definitely a worth while treat for loved ones and family. Why go to Italy when Italy is here for you to savour!!! To everyone especially Italian food lovers...it is best that you don't miss this opportunity!!

You can read AnakBrunei's post here.