Cavalli Club: Fashionably Italian

WITH ITS UNMISTAKABLE zebra print décor and enough Swarovski crystals to fill an Olympic size swimming pool, guests at Cavalli Club are set to be further dazzled by a new menu of Italian dishes that feature incredible twists on many of the classics.

There’s no denying the effort that Chef Ernesto Tonetto and his staff have put into all their fashionable creations. No matter what you order, the kitchen seems to revel in playing with the textures, shapes and colours of every dish, leaving you to redefine and appreciate otherwise traditional fare in a new light.From antipastis and truffles to seafood and steaks, every Cavalli favourite has been reimagined. During a recent tasting session, Chef Tonetto - a true food man who has earned his culinary stripes in a number of Michelin starred Italian kitchens in Europe and around the world - launched an assembly line of dishes that overwhelmed the senses with their playful use of flavours.

There was the risotto, an Italian staple that was cooked slightly al dente and creamy enough to be mistaken for melted cheese. Served steaming hot, it was the perfect precursor to the next course of prawns crusted with pine nuts and grapes. A lot of restaurants can be faulted for not experimenting enough with prawns, but Cavalli’s version features a zesty sauce that’s hard not to appreciate.

But what’s an Italian table without pasta? Chef Tonetto makes it a point to hand-make all pastas and breads from scratch, creating dishes like agnolotti (Monferrina style) that are essentially square-shaped dough pieces stuffed with beef and veggies. The dish comes lightly coated in cream and sets the stage for the heavier beef plates like the lamb fillet with Sichuan pepper and plum sauce as well as the grilled master Kobe steak. Both dishes are infused with flavour and feature a light round of spices, making them moist and unforgettable.

Desert is no side-show here, especially when it comes to the cookie crumble served with melted fudge, grated nuts with gold leaf and homemade lemon ice cream.

The sleek new menu at Cavalli doesn’t shy away from experimentation, and for food connoisseurs everywhere, it’s sometimes best to put your trust in the chef and welcome the food coma with open arms.

For reservations, and oore information call 800 2282554.

• Food and Dining