Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano

News

Feeling bubbly in Bangsar

• 4 October 2009
• New Sunday Times

Whoever says you shouldn’t drink before lunch should try a glass or two of champagne to kickstart the day. TAN BEE HONG lets the fizz lighten her head

BUBBLY and breakfast. Two of my favourite words. I’ve just added a third “B” — Bangsar or more precisely, One Bangsar.

Yes, the trio of Bs come together every Sunday at Vincenzo’s champagne buffet brunch. What a lovely way to relax and recharge for the coming week!

Despite being in parking-challenged Bangsar, you can drive to Vincenzo’s without the stress as there are parking bays in front of the restaurant as well as right next to it — for free.

We walk in at 11.30am to see a couple of tables filled. The staff are almost finished with setting up the small but selective buffet spread. A huge basket of crusty loaves, foccacia and cheese sticks look inviting. So do the salads and cold appetisers sitting right next to it.

But we’re in no hurry. The morning is cool, the music soothing. And we have glasses of champagne. The buffet brunch is priced at RM98 per person with two glasses of champagne, free flow of sparkling brut, wine and mocktails. For breakfast without bubbly and wine, it’s RM68 per person with free flow of mocktails. There’s a lovely fruit punch with pineapple, orange and a dash of grenadine syrup.

The relaxed mood is infectious and there’s barely a queue at the buffet. We all saunter over leisurely to take our pick. I pick a crusty roll with tapenade, a spread made with chopped olives, capers and olive oil that lets all the flavours of the Mediterranean shine through. The slightly saltiness demands more sips of the crisp bubbly. By now, I’ve moved on to a sparkling 7 Cascine Prosecco. I am told different bubblies may be served on different weeks.

Chinese soup spoons are filled with prawn cocktail, smoked salmon with lemon and chopped grilled aubergines with tomato salsa. The prawns are chopped and topped with globules of black caviar. The smoked salmon is cut into small cubes and served with a squeeze of lemon. And there are salad leaves with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing as well as asparagus salad with black olives, slivers of beef carpaccio with cherry tomatoes and turkey ham rolls stuffed with celery.

Later on, chefs Azizan and Afandi add more choices with a penne salad tossed with rocket leaves, pepperoni sausages and black olives as well as sausages sauteed with capsicum and onions.

I can sit here and nibble on the cold appetisers forever but duty calls, so I have a sip of hot soup and move on to the mains dishes, starting with spaghetti alio olio followed by a succulent roast leg of lamb, sliced and served with an aromatic thyme gravy. Next to this, the smell of seafood thermidor is irresistible. I’m soon picking on seabass fillet, squid, prawns and mussels in a rich, creamy gravy.

But that’s not all. We spot a selection of pizza — mushroom, pepperoni and Hawaiian. Thin crusted, naturally.

If you can still find the space, freshly cut fruit and dessert await. There’s strawberry pudding and a delicious passionfruit jelly. For a hint of alcohol, try the Amarula creme pudding and the lychee mousse laced with Kwai Feh lychee liquor.

Or have a slice or two of cheesecake and brownies. The cheesecake isn’t too impressive but the brownies taste great.

Take your time. Brunch is from 11.30am to 2pm. For children between the ages of 3 and 10, there is a special children’s menu at RM10, with nuggets, french fries, mini burgers, pizza and sausages — all washed down with cordial or mocktail.

From now till Dec 31, CIMB Bank and Direct Access credit card holders dine free when accompanied by one or more family and friends.

From Mondays to Saturdays, Vincenzo offers an a la carte menu that starts from RM12.

As we reluctantly get up to go, the skies burst open. Our fault really, as we’d been ignoring the thunderous warnings for the last half an hour. But no worries. Umbrella service to the car is provided with a huge smile. No charge!