July 28, 2005

Although ‘Restorante Sicilian’ isn’t Zamazama’s most recent offering of eateries, it is, nonetheless, one that can easily be mistaken for others also claiming to be from parts of Italy because of its inconspicuous location.

Tucked away cozily in a corner, the restaurant is possibly one of the first few of the small restaurants with rather steep prices, yet delicious offerings from around the world.

It may not seem very Italian at first glance in terms of ambience, but the hospitality of those attending to you will soon convince you otherwise. Menus follow close behind as you settle into the chair and have a variety of courses to feast your way through. A number of soups, salads and main courses are offered with separate sections for pasta and pizzas.

As expected, the names are a series of tongue twisters, all promising to sound more and more complicated but taste better with each syllable.

Starters offer a variety of simple and complex appetizers. A refreshing treat is the Bruschetta con Pomodori or tomatoes, Parmesan and basil served on toasted Italian bread, although this may seem a redundant choice as the table already offers olive and garlic bread that is best enjoyed with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip.

An option for seafood lovers is the Fittura Mista or butter-fried prawns and batter-fried squid, served with chilli-garlic dip. The dipping sauce accompanying this appetizer is the key to enjoying it. Although the prawns were fresh, the squid was more chewy, which could possibly be attributed to it being over- cooked.

For the Italian food lover, the opportunity to try authentic pasta and pizzas is irresistible. The Crespelle alla Marinara, or crepes served with fish and prawns with mint and basil sauce, are the perfect offering of a flavouring Italian herbs blended into a smooth, creamy sauce.

The Filetti di pesce dorati in salsa di limone is Bekti fillet in lemon and herb butter sauce. This juicy fillet is set to tantalize with a touch of garlic sautéed in butter, which makes it a definite no for those who don’t enjoy garlic, and a pleasant addition for those who do.

The Pesce alla Griglia in salsa di capperi e zafferano or grilled snapper served with capers and saffron sauce is an incredible blend of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavour. This, too, may be accompanied with lemon and herb butter sauce. You can mix and match flavours to your liking, depending on the taste you prefer, using a range of spicy to mild sauces.

The menu does not include the restaurant’s list of drinks and desserts, as they change from day to day, which is especially true for the desserts. The mocktails are a refreshing blend of concentrates in the right proportions; the blueberry margarita in particular is a must-have.

The portions are reasonable and having room for dessert should not be too much of a challenge.

The Sicilian is quite expensive, but unlike the others, it does not aim to introduce any dishes that are unfathomable; so no more worrying about undercooked pasta and sauces that are so runny you can barely contain them in a soup spoon.

The dishes and ingredients are uncomplicated but the flavour is definitely unique and very authentic. However, the crammed spaces and fluctuating lights disturb the palatable experience.

After hearing rather negative reviews about the Sicilian previously, this writer was quite surprised. And for all those who have been disappointed earlier, the restaurant deserves a second try. Although the eating place may be one of those indulgences which some may be able to afford just once a month, the food is pretty good.

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