Read also The Travelling Gourmet’s special feature on Georgetown, Pulau Pinang in West Malaysia and his cooking class with Chef Rohani in the February 2006 issue of the international magazine – WheelsAsia…………
Mama mia, Peppino!!!
SHANGRI-LA’S Golden Sands Resort is a great place to stay right on Batu Ferringhi beach. You’ll find Peppino here, arguably the best Italian restaurant on the island of Penang or Pulau Pinang as it is called by the natives. In a cosy, relaxed ambience I enjoyed their Specialitata della Casa with my friend Suleiman, who is the son of Malaysia’s first PM. A glass of crisp Soave DOC Cantine Francesco Minini Verolanuova 2003 with good acids was perfect with Ravioli de Arragosta alla Napoletana. The plump homemade ravioli with a flavoursome filling of lobster & mixed vegetables caressed with Napoli sauce seduced my taste buds completely. Another winner was Lombata d’Agnello Arrosto. Fork tender lamb served a juicy medium, coated with Italian herbs and breadcrumbs was accompanied by the Godfather’s favourite Sicilian goat cheese made into a smooth, sexy sauce with piquant capers. Never miss the sweetest part of every meal…and as I savoured every morsel of the pear poached in white wine with rum & raisin Gelato (ice cream) plus red wine sauce, I thought of my personal motto, ‘Das Leben es ist unbestimmt, iss erst den Nachtisch’. It means in German, ‘Life is uncertain, eat dessert first’. Buon appetitio! J