Delicious, 70 to 45 to 25

As a customer, I find myself very predictable when it comes to ordering food. I am not the seafaring adventurous type, surprisingly, when it comes to ORDERING. But, that's not to say I am not open to new experiences. In fact, I enjoy them, usually, and in a contradictory way, find myself oft very restless and longing for new things to do and try. But, when it comes to food, at the same restaurant, in all probability, I'd order the same thing. In Delicious, I almost always order either the Spicy Crab Meat linguine, or the Roast Duck pasta. In Macdonald's, I always order the Sausage McMuffin With Egg. Gasp, I am a boring eater. Or worse, a boring PERSON! Kill me now.

That is why, there is always a tingle of excitement down my spine (yes, I do have one) when an invite comes for NEW DISHES. Especially when it's been so painstakingly designed, and shortlisted by their (E&O's) Group Executive Chef, Chef Kasdi Dahari and Chef Steve Allen, the E&O Group Creative chef, from a staggering 70 choices, down to 45, and finally down to 25. Those dishes must have felt like contestants in American idol, and if those dishes could speak, I wonder what they'd say when they were kicked out.

Lunch was a casual affair, at Delicious at Bangsar Village, hosted by that Loke Poh Lin lady. I honestly hoped that they will not try to kill us by force feeding us with 25 dishes. What's good for the goose (the foie gras variety) might not be good for our gender. Anyway, Poh Lin assured me that the portions will be sensible. To start, we had the Crab & Avocado Salad with gazpacho and cos lettuce.


You might not be able to see it here, but beneath that pile of healthy greens, is another layer of healthy gazpacho, that is exceedingly refreshing. The crab meat is decadent, and tosses out any notion of healthiness, as you toss the salad.


Do NOT be deceived by these Chick Pea and Parmesan Bites. They are EXTREMELY filling, and very addictive. That is one lovely Chick...Pea...Actually it's something you'd have with a nice ice cold beer. Which I didn't have, because it was lunchtime.


Lemon and Blackpepper Parapdelle, with deep fried mozarella bites. Deep fried cheeses are really the epitome of sinfulness. Crispy on the outside, melt in the mouth on the inside. They really ought to be banned.


Red Pesto Gnocchi with Tomato and Aragula Salad. A must if you are a gnocchi fan. Gobs of knocky made healthy with rocket, is a light tangy dressing. It's a very Tai Tai dish.


Pan fried red snapper. Actually to be honest, when I looked at it, and cut it, I thought the snapper looked like it had been out of the sea too long, ie, dry. But to the chef's credit, it was actually done quite well, and wasn't dry at all.


My favourite dish of the day, Harissa Parmigiano Baked Eggplant with tomato, Mozarella & Basil. A fusioned Moussaka so to speak. Be warned, a normal average person cannot possibly finish one portion of this as it's very rich.


For dessert, we had the chilled pineapple cheesecake. A surprise lies within the cake....and no, no hot chick jumped out of it.


Tah Dah, and nope, it is NOT luncheon meat. It is actually a raspberry coulis. Gave the cake that added zing.


Raspberry & Mango Tart. If you do not like sour stuff, then this is not the dessert for you. I personally felt the tart was a bit too milky..in a condensed milk kind of way. It does look gorgeous though.


The professional version of the Pan Fried Red Snapper With Harrisa, Spiced Stewed Chickpeas, and Zuchinni Red Peppers.


The brains behind the food...Steve Allen and Kasdi


Cripy Tiger Prawns in Coriander Batter With Lime chilli Dip

Well, this lunch only covered 9 of twenty five new dishes. I simply must go check out the other 16 soon. I have to say the 16 hour braised boneless beef short ribs looks GOOD! (RM32.90 only).

A complete list is appended below for reader's convenience:

Cream of pumpkin soup with Parmesan & truffle oil 13.90
Roasted tomato soup with crumbed Mozzarella & basil 13.90
Crab & avocado salad with gazpacho & cos lettuce 26.50
Pumpkin, mushroom & spinach crumble tart 19.90
Tomato, leek & zucchini quiche with black olive tapenade 19.90
Roast beef sandwich 30.90
Baked rigatone with sundried tomato, beef bacon & eggplant 25.90
Harissa Parmigiano baked eggplant with tomato, Mozzarella & basil 22.90
Lemon & black pepper parpadelle 22.90
Mama’s beef Bolognese spaghettini with meatballs & Parmesan 22.90
Pumpkin risotto 25.90
Red pesto gnocchi with tomato & arugula salad 22.90
16-hour braised boneless beef short ribs 32.90
Pan fried red snapper 32.90
Roast loin of lamb & braised rump of lamb 40.90
Chick pea & Parmesan bites 10.90
Crispy tiger prawns in coriander batter with lime chilli dip 22.90
Eggplant & sesame chips with fennel yogurt dip 8.90
Tamarind BBQ chicken wings with cucumber & spring onion 15.90
Thai fried calamari with green peppercorn ginger jam & tartare sauce 22.90
Apple, hazelnut & cranberry crumble slice 14.90
Chilled pineapple cheesecake 14.90
Cold chocolate fondant 14.90
Raspberry & mango tart 14.90
Warm melted “Chocolicious” pudding 14.90

They have also opened their 9th Cafe, at Setia City Mall in section U13, Setia Alam, Shah Alam.