Leornado's @ Jalan Bangkung Bangsar

Leonardo's Dining Room & Wine Loft

On last Wed night, I was invited for a food review at Leornado's on Jalan Bangkung in Bangsar by the pretty babe Ciki (from Cumi & Ciki) and Fadlin Johan, the marketing person of Leornado's (and also a few restaurants under the group - Opus, Moxie and Cava) whom I got to know earlier when I attended a Port dinner at Moxie's a while back. It wasn't my first time there as I have previously dine there with my usual wine kakis.

The Fehmes Floggers Club

It was very enjoyable because this is the first time I get to meet all these famed foodies whom I used to read their blogs but have never met them. This includes foodies like A lil' Fat Monkey who claims that he is not fat but just a lil' fat! The B&W picture consists of Edward, one of the partners of the restaurant, Ciki, Fat Boy Bakes, and a lil' fat monkey. Then, there's the infamous KY licking the pork knuckle clean, and Nigel & Allan from Just Heavenly and the last pic is none other than Cumi & Ciki!!!

When everyone has arrived and been served with enough chilled white wine to go around, the food is served!!!

The Bucket of Belgian Styled Mussels is cooked in white wine and light cream which did not overwhelmed the taste of the mussels. The Crispy Bacon Lollipops is a very cute dish because the balls come with a stick perched on top of a glass of salt. It's breaded and fried to a crispy finish. I even snacked on the greens (rocket salad) that were hanging in the glass!

The Kentucky Fried Frog is a winner! It's so refreshing to see frogs being served here and no prize for guessing that I really do love eating crispy fried frog legs! The Spanish Black Pig Shoulder Loin Steak is tender and juicy. Isn't it nice to find pork here as well?

Mamma Mia Pizza
Jamon Serrano with Mozarella and Rocket Salad (RM35)

The theme of the bare brick walls that was stripped of any covering represents the truth that is revealed when false dogmas and unquestioned beliefs are discarded. The pizzas are done with the "golden ratio" of approximately 1.618, first discovered by the Greeks. I have no complains as it's palate and aesthetically pleasing!

The Leo's Pork Knuckle Platter was well done with the skin being crispy enough and the meat tender enough. The RM75 plate comes with red sauerkraut and garlic herb roasted potatoes. The Grilled Pork Chorizo Sausage (RM38) is firm and huge too! Just the way I like it *wink*. Oh, they do surprise you as well with a plate of Fried Hokkien Mee. What is this dish doing here you asked me? Well, some people might wanna eat Hokkien Mee with wine. What's wrong? As long as it comes piping hot and with enough pork lard and "wok hei", I'm so buying it!

When you think you're stuffed to death, they bring out the desserts!

I like the Baked Apple with Fillo Pastry & Cinnamon Creme served with vanilla ice-cream the best! These desserts here are all priced at RM18 a plate and it's wise that you share because I certainly can never finish one by myself after the appetisers and mains. I did have a missing chocolate soufle picture and if you have to ask me for my opinion, most chocolate desserts didn't quite make it to my expectations. Since you guys might have guessed which industry I work in and with 5 years of chocolate tastings, you can pretty much get the picture.

At first things were crystal clear but as we moved on,
our vision soon reflected on this picture.

I might have to recycle my favourite line where I always say that a dinner is not complete when one is devoid of booze. We were so lucky to have Magnum Wines & Spirits to contribute a few bottles of whites and reds for our drinking pleasure.

The Italian vintage is produced from 90% Gargenega and 10% Trebbiano grapes. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, the wine has a delicate floral aroma with a subtle white peach and almond-like palate and a crisp, fresh finish. It's definitely a dry white. I do like it as it's always refreshing to start with a glass of white.

As for the Chilean white, it also has hints of peach and gooseberries. It's gentle, round and crisp with a little acidity though.

However, I don't fancy so much of the reds though, because I still prefer French wines anytime! But of course this Mondavi is a good value everyday wine and so I can't really compare with the ones that I usually drink.

At the same time I was dining upstairs@wine loft, one of my wine kakis are dining downstairs with some usual dinner suspects that I have been dining with. So, I occasionally walked down and check what they are eating and I managed to steal some food too like the "Nam Yue" pork ribs and some whisky! They are all enjoying a good old bottle of Glenfiddich 30 years old. So after the dinner, I went downstairs and drink somemore!

And I was just in time for this - Parma Ham with Rock Melon!!!

We called it a night when one of them got so drunk and on the verge of sleeping. That was the green light to go home! It was really a enjoyable evening of good food and company. Fadlin has been so kind to host the dinner and keeping us all sober and stuffed!

This is the infamous KY and his Bond Girls
(picture & caption taken from FBB)

Leonardo's Dining Room and Wine Loft (non-Halal)

61-1 and 61-2, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya,
Bangsar, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
03 2096 2226

Jalan Bangkung is located on the left at the junction right before the Petronas station if you're coming from BSC using the Jalan Maarof. Just a few doors away from Opus & Cava.