Poco Zakka

After more than a year of cultivating a faithful following in Bangsar, Poco has opened its second branch, catering to a potentially larger crowd at Sunway Giza.

The menu here is more expansive (but NOT more expensive), featuring everything from sashimi to soba. The Poco Maki house specialty is not a bad sushi roll, with lots of teriyaki eel, tempura prawn & mango, though not extraordinary either.

Desserts are intriguing, but not entirely successful. The Italian-influenced white chocolate semifreddo with balsamic-laced strawberry is an acquired taste, with the sugary milkiness of the ice cream cake clashing with the tart, acidic fruit.

Mascarpone cheese with rum-soaked raisins, pistachios & dark chocolate. Sweetly flavorsome, with some nice texture from the fruit & nuts, but the cheese could be less frosty and powdery.

The safest bets: green tea & black sesame ice cream.

Kumquat & grape wheat black teas, both with aloe vera & flower seeds.

Earlier entry on Poco Homemade @ Bangsar: August 12, 2010.

Poco Zakka & Kitchen,

Sunway Giza, Kota Damansara.

Saint's

Saint's has come marching in, bringing haggis at last to the Klang Valley.

It's an acquired taste, this Scottish minced blend of sheep's heart, liver & lungs with onion, oatmeal, suet, salt & spices. Gamy and savory, with a texture that's both mushy and nutty. Served with traditional "neep & tatties" _ turnips & potatoes.

The rest of the menu comprises pub grub that should fit in at many U.K. establishments. The Ploughman's sandwich would be a hearty meal on its own, packed with plenty of cheese, caramelized onions & tomatoes. Simple but satisfying.

Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. The strips of Angus beef were less tender than expected, though everything else was fine. Note: all this food might make it look like we were having a respectable brunch here, but it was actually a boozy supper.

Saint's Fizz (prosecco, martini rosso, cointreau, white sugar cube) & Sinner's Rum Punch (havana especial rum, creme de cassis, pineapple, orange juice, lime juice).

A Taste of Speyside (Macallan 10yr old, whiskey honey, apple juice, dot angostura bitters) & Victorian Mojito (hendricks gin, lime juice, elderflower nettle cordial, syrup de gomme, apple juice, mint leaves).

Saint's Bar & Kitchen,

Red Carpet Avenue, Encorp Strand,

Jalan PJU5/22, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.