What do you get when two fitness gurus and a chef extraordinaire put their heads together to plot the perfect menu? Well, you get the scintillating story of Chapter II, a mouthwatering page-turner you just cannot seem to put down.
Nestled amid the busy business park of Danau Desa in Kuala Lumpur, Chapter II is the brainchild of sweethearts Nara and Bedri, with Ari Hafizi, an Irish executive chef with years of experience in hotels, Italian café chains and other eating establishments.
The restaurant is located on the first floor of Impressive Fitness – and although rather easy to miss, once inside, you’ll be enamoured by its minimalist and homey decor that oozes a sense of charm and hospitality.
Once settled in my little corner of heaven, Chef Ari presented me with the appetiser – blue poppy seed crepe with Irish cheddar, chicken ham, mushroom and parmesan veloute. Carefully crafted, layered and rolled, this one-of-a-kind crepe did a disappearing act the moment it reached my table. Goodness gracious, what a way to start my culinary experience!
For the main course, I had pan-fried scallops with Asian crispy duck served with berry compote and wontons. What a delightful play of flavours it made on my palate with the berry’s tartness artfully complimenting the richness of the tender scallop and duck.
Noticing how I was shamelessly relishing my meal, Chef Ari surprised me with a second main course – crispy skin mackerel, gremolata, pomme puree, pea quenelle, sun-dried tomato and saffron veloute. While I had little inkling as to what most of the offerings on my plate were, I can say with conviction that they were utterly magnificent together. The mackerel was to-die-for and the dish so well put together, that is was a feast for not just my tummy but my eyes as well.
According to Chef Ari, the menu changes occasionally with the aim of adding an element of surprise to the regular restaurant offerings. So apart from a fixed menu offering a variety of pastas and set lunches, Chapter II emphasises on modern European dishes with an Asian twist.
Having fitness gurus as co-owners of Chapter II, I must say I was eager to see what they had to offer in the way of desserts. I imagined something along the lines of a low-calorie pudding or steamed cake. What did greet me however left me positively speechless!
My first dessert was meringue served with fresh fruit. Not much of a meringue fan, I was ready to dislike it. However the beautiful presentation beckoned and with one bite, I was smitten. The meringue was not cloyingly sweet as I feared and its snowflake-like lightness melted almost instantly in my mouth, giving way to the boisterous bursts of flavour that the fresh fruits willingly delivered.
Soon, the chef’s very own creation – an Irish trifle in a medium-sized glass container, made its grand appearance. Too full by now to think of even taking one more bite, I was persuaded nevertheless by Nara and Bedri to give it a try. My first scoop of the trifle was followed by a second and a third and before I knew it, I was licking the spoon clean. Omigod! I just found myself the best Irish trifle in the world.
With fresh apples, grapes, strawberries, dragon fruit, mango and raspberries mixed with lavish layers of custard and thick lashings of whipped cream, this was hands down my personal favourite at Chapter II. A wonderful balance of soul food and health food, this is one divine dessert everyone MUST try.
Having had such an amazing culinary experience here, I waited patiently to be dealt the death blow of an explosive bill. However that was not to be as the prices at Chapter II are surprisingly affordable for the typical working professional. Appetisers are priced at RM15-18; pastas at RM18-22; set lunches (inclusive of a drink and soup) at RM16; a special main course at RM20-RM30; and desserts at RM10-12.
Though I would love to be selfish and keep the secret of Chapter II all to myself, the work of Chef Ari as well as Nara and Bedri is too good to stay hidden for long. There’s no doubt that a table at Chapter II will quickly become the hottest reservation in town.
Address: 9-1-4 Danau Business Centre, Jalan 3/109F, Taman Danau Desa, Off Old Klang Road, KL.
Contact No: 03-2858 4981
Business Hours: 11am to 10pm