We met R for dinner last night and feeling bored with the same old half-baked "western" food in KL, he was game to try something new. It was our first time at Changkat Bukit Bintang on a Wednesday night. Is it always this lively on Hump Night or were people thinking the same as we did? It is the Holy Week and surely, one must have the conscience to abstain from all things hedonistic on Good Friday? And being the not-quite-disciplined ones, what we'd normally do on a Friday night would then be brought forward to Wednesday night?
Confession: I was ready for some Torture Ribs at Racks despite having been there barely a week ago. But I think our pseudo-Japanese-Korean Ano-san wasn't in the mood for pork ribs for the n-th time. Just for the record, though - Racks is a great place to hangout with people whose company you enjoy. The only pre-requisite is that you must love pork. But what to do when you don't feel like pigging out?
That's when the next door neighbour comes into the picture. These two immediate shophouses are easily our favourites along Changkat Bukit Bintang. Time for tapas at Pinchos. Ano-san was happy to share some with us. Three hours of tapas, bread, cider and beer later, I told R that if we end up living in KL, it would be a pleasure for me to put together an evening of tapas and pinchos at home for him. "Oh... I will come!" he replied, nodding his head profusely. Meanwhile he should just keep his fingers crossed for us, this week especially.
So lest I forget - for future reference, with the freshest ingredients, no cutting of corners, here's what I propose:
* Aceitunas: marinated olives, in particular Kalamata olives (a tiny bowl for JL coz he l-o-v-e-s them)
* Gambas al ajillo: sauteed prawns with garlic, parsley and olive oil
* Pan tumaca con jamon Serrano: Serrano ham and tomato spread on toast
* Chorizo con setas: Chorizo sausage stew with mushrooms and potatoes
* Albondigas: pork and beef meatballs with thyme and garlic
* Berenjenas con tomate: pan-fried eggplant with tomato sauce and parmesan
* Pinchos de ternera: grilled veal skewers with mushrooms
* Pinchos de jamon con queso fundido: ham and melted cheese on toast with pine nuts
* Tomates con ajo: fresh tomatoes with garlic, herbs and olive oil
* Ensalada sencilla: romaine lettuce with hard-boiled eggs, tuna, olives, onion and tomatoes
Let's just start with these ten with some bread to soak up the sauces.
Ano-san bring very mucho sidra El Gaitero, hokay? And you pray for us also, hokay?
Confession: I was ready for some Torture Ribs at Racks despite having been there barely a week ago. But I think our pseudo-Japanese-Korean Ano-san wasn't in the mood for pork ribs for the n-th time. Just for the record, though - Racks is a great place to hangout with people whose company you enjoy. The only pre-requisite is that you must love pork. But what to do when you don't feel like pigging out?
That's when the next door neighbour comes into the picture. These two immediate shophouses are easily our favourites along Changkat Bukit Bintang. Time for tapas at Pinchos. Ano-san was happy to share some with us. Three hours of tapas, bread, cider and beer later, I told R that if we end up living in KL, it would be a pleasure for me to put together an evening of tapas and pinchos at home for him. "Oh... I will come!" he replied, nodding his head profusely. Meanwhile he should just keep his fingers crossed for us, this week especially.
So lest I forget - for future reference, with the freshest ingredients, no cutting of corners, here's what I propose:
* Aceitunas: marinated olives, in particular Kalamata olives (a tiny bowl for JL coz he l-o-v-e-s them)
* Gambas al ajillo: sauteed prawns with garlic, parsley and olive oil
* Pan tumaca con jamon Serrano: Serrano ham and tomato spread on toast
* Chorizo con setas: Chorizo sausage stew with mushrooms and potatoes
* Albondigas: pork and beef meatballs with thyme and garlic
* Berenjenas con tomate: pan-fried eggplant with tomato sauce and parmesan
* Pinchos de ternera: grilled veal skewers with mushrooms
* Pinchos de jamon con queso fundido: ham and melted cheese on toast with pine nuts
* Tomates con ajo: fresh tomatoes with garlic, herbs and olive oil
* Ensalada sencilla: romaine lettuce with hard-boiled eggs, tuna, olives, onion and tomatoes
Let's just start with these ten with some bread to soak up the sauces.
Ano-san bring very mucho sidra El Gaitero, hokay? And you pray for us also, hokay?
