I was invited to the media introduction for the new Gianni's Trattoria which will be opened in Permas Jaya in July 2013. The media introduction was held at the Gianni's Trattoria in Taman Pelangi - a famous and established Italian restaurant in Johor Bahru.
This was my first time at Gianni's Trattoria. When we arrived we were efficiently ushered to the "Urban Lounge" on the second floor where the media introduction was held. (Next time, I have to come back to experience a lunch or dinner at Gianni's Trattoria in Taman Pelangi - something that I had been planning for some time already :) )
A big, towering gentleman came in and started to scrape the big wheel shaped block of cheese with a large knife. Chef Hans Durst the owner of Gianni's Trattoria needs no introduction. Without any cue, we started to take photos of Chef Hans performing this strange scraping "ritual".
The friendly Chef Hans then shared with us that this is Parmiggiano Reggiano - the King of Italian Cheeses from the region of Parma of Italy. The unique taste and flavour of Parmiggiano comes only from the special combination of the right cows, grass and climate found only in Parma, and nowhere else. This block aged for 24 months, weighs 150kg. Parmiggiano is available in JB only at Gianni's Trattoria(Taman Pelangi) and the upcoming branch in Permas Jaya, opening in July.
Would you have guessed that Johor's best known Italian chef is from....... Germany! Hans has experience in the restaurants of Germany, Italy, France, Kuwait, USA, Australia, and was the Executive Chef of Grand Hyatt, Singapore before coming to Johor Bahru.
Tonight, Chef Hans let us have a taste of Gianni's Trattoria's offerings which will be served in both the Pelangi and Permas Jaya branches.
Parmiggiano on focaccia and bruschetta
First was the Parmiggiano cheese, of course. The Parmiggiano cheese "shavings" were feathery light. It was a delightful blend of slightly sweet and savoury. We ate it with focaccia bread dipping it in olive oil with balsamic vinegar. I said many times before that with bread, cheese and olive oil like this, I don't need anything else to have a great meal :)
The Antipasto Platter was a kaleidoscope of carpaccio, Kalamata olives, artichokes, mushrooms, squid rings, melon, ham, and capsicums.
I am a cheese lover and this Caprese with big globs of creamy Mozzarella cheese dressed with Arugula salad and drizzled with Balsamic vinegar was one of my favourites of the evening.
Rolled Salmon Pizza alla Nobile.
This Black Ink Pasta Aglio e Olio with Fresh Prawns was just wonderful. I was thrilled by the aroma of the umami seafood flavours as the waiter made his way serving the dish guest by guest down the line - and I was last person drooling and waiting in the line :P I love that thick el dente spaghetti coated with that savoury smooth seafood sauce. I would order this when I visit Gianni's Trattoria.
Mediterranean vegetables with Australian Angus beef done medium well. Juicy, tender, beefy, just marvellous.
Mediterranean vegetables with New Zealand lamb. Tender, moist and with that lovely lamb flavour and aroma that makes lamb my favourite meat.
Sauteed Alaskan Cod. The snowy white flaky meat - tender, moist and mildly flavoured, it soaked up that sweet savoury sauce perfectly.
Butternut Pumpkin Soup - warm, full bodied, smooth blend of sweet and savoury. One small cup is not enough for me :P
Gianni's Trattoria's house made alcohol free Tiramisu. Chef Hans asked us to guess if alcohol was used in the Tiramisu and none us could tell that it was alcohol free :P Flavoured with top grade coffee, just the right level of sweetness, it is very easy to overindulge in this classic Italian dessert.
Throughout our evening, Jessica from Gastrolution shared with us the fine points of the fine foods and spirits we were enjoying. Jessica is no ordinary Sommelier. She has worked in an Australian vineyard harvesting and hauling grapes, so you can say she knows her wines from the ground or roots up :)
One of the fine drinks we had at the event, courtesy of Gastrolution.
After enjoying this sampling of Gianni Tratttoria's delightful offerings, this classic Italian is firmly in my must visit list. I can't wait for their Permas Jaya branch to open :P
Restaurant name: Gianni's Trattoria (Pelangi Branch)
Address: 101, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, Johor bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/y7MZf
GPS: 1.484195,103.770943
Hours: Lunch (11:30am to 3:00pm), dinner (6:00pm to 11:00pm)
Restaurant name: Gianni's Trattoria (Permas Jaya Branch)
Address: 9, Jalan Permas 10/2, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, Masai, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/4qlHm
GPS: 1.495915,103.816112
Hours: Lunch (11:30am to 3:00pm), dinner (6:00pm to 11:00pm)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert, alcohol served
Date visited: 19 Jun 2013
Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteSad to say, most of the time Hans Durst does not do any of the cooking in his restaurants, it always left to his sous chefs who sometimes produce food that is below standard.
ReplyDelete