Paradiso and our favourite Baklava

As if we weren't spoilt enough, ordering our cakes from JHP, FBB and now...

We get our Baklava, specially made for us by the Preljevic's. Ms Minela Preljevic specifically.
The Preljevics are from Montenegro but they have lived in Malaysia for the longest time, running the show at that little Italian restaurant called Paradiso, in Taman Desa.

Minela is now a good friend of ours and sometimes we just swing by for a quick, easy dinner, hangout and chat with her. Her mum and dad use to be the main cooks at this place, but now, the business has passed on to their 3 daughters, Minela, Meena and Miza.

Anyway, the Baklava is not really for public consumption - more for family and friends and if you are lucky, sometimes you might walk in on them making a batch.. they actually invite you to try some;) .. anyway, now we know Minela, we custom order it from her and she makes us a handsome batch when the time or need arises, and believe me, we need!

Her baklava is thick, dense, sweet and packed with nuts.

Its pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey packs a punch I find hard to resist. I make Cumi open our stash on the spot and feed me some right there in the deli.
He feeds himself some too, of course;)

The pizza here is good as well. Fuss free, affordable and you can ask for loads of extra cheese and tomato base, if you like.

If you are looking for 5 star fine italian dining, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a nice, warm, cozy interior with heartwarming company, service and food, then THIS is the place for you:)

Just down that same block is a really cute 100Yen Shop.

What's different about this shop is the dessert kiosk they have at the front.

You see that cute lil penguin? Well it churns our iced desserts not unlike the ice-kacang. Too bad we already pigged out on tiramisu, ice cream and baklava. Next time little penguin.. next time.

Add:
Paradiso,
5-0-2, Jalan 3/109F,
Danau Business Centre,
Taman Danau Desa,
58100 KL
Tel:03-7981 9996

Paradiso & the Crazy Wild Eyes

This is Mr Zagi Preljevic...

This is Mrs Mila Preljevic...


This is Ms Minela Preljevic.. (extreme right),
.. and mum.. and moi..haha


The Preljevics hail from Montenegro.

Ah... Montenegro .. even the name is exciting! Maybe it is this name that will trick you into thinking that it is a country of South America... But if you look around the European map, one will discover that Europe with its entire national, cultural, and historically – geographical diversity hides a small, but special state ! And it's one of the oldest Europe states as well.

Yup.. Montenegro... I wanna go visit!


Apparently, Montenegro covers around 14,000 km2 and it only has about 670,000 citizens.. but its contribution to the world cultural heritage is impressive compared its size. During centuries of its rich history Montenegro maintained its independence, and is a place of which people always spoke with respect. Christian, Muslim, Illyrian, Byzantine, Turkish, and Slav civilizations merged here making Montenegro forever a crossroad of culture and history.
(facts courtesy of visitmontenegro.com)


This is the sort of place I imagined this family came from.. apparently .. i wasn't far off!

Anyway, the Preljevics are fantastic cooks.
We read about their quaint little place in the newspapers and decided to swing by and pay their Italian restaurant a visit..


Ooooo.. quaint is not the word.. we felt at home straight way. Something in my bones told me that I had come to the right place for my pasta fix;)


Bruschette Con Pomodoro E Basilico RM12.00
Massive chunks of toasted bread with fresh herbs, tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano and olive oil. Understated but effective. If less is more, this bruschette fit the bill perfectly.


The Zuppa Di Mare RM17.50
When they say spicy italian seafood soup, they truly mean spicy.

I could feel the metallic taste of the crustaceans.. and the salt of the sea.. plus the heat in the peppery soup!
LOVE :)


The say that to see how good an Italian Chef is at his pasta .. you should order Aglio Olio.
This is true.. but then.. i cannot resist the Vongole as this is my all time favourite pasta. No tomato nor cream base to mask the pasta so you can taste each bite in its purest form!

Again... LOVE!

Spaghetti Vongole - RM17.00


They say to test how good the Chef is at making pizza, one should order...

_______________?

(Can anyone tell me? - please post a comment .. haha)

But we broke that rule as well, because we were mad, famished carnivores and wanted the works... so, we ordered the Pizza Quatre Stagioni ! 4 in 1 .. so kiasu eh? But it paid off. Damn good man.


See how thick the cheese is? And the pepperoni, salami, beef and chicken bits were super thick hunks of pure protein overload.

Pizza Quatre Stagioni - RM25.00


And they say, if you want to test an Italian Chef's prowess at dessert you should order.... ?
OK la.. we got this one RIGHT.. haha

Tiramisu - RM9.80
(by the way, the tiramisu was massive. Where to get at this price?!)



The Preljevics bake too!

Some special desserts are not for sale! The Baklava is baked as a hobby and for friends only!
We were lucky to get an open invitation to sample their dessert. Being a fan of the Phyllo.. we couldn't say no ;)


Here are some other mysterious goodies they let us try. Also not for sale!

On your right is a prune/date cookie. Sweet and crumbly. A little too sweet for me.

On your left, the big yellow cookie, is the Hurmasice. (new to me!)
Hurmasice is a Bosnian cookie that is soaked in simple syrup. It is tres tres yum :)

SIGH** That was a delicious lunch.. but now we must go... for I fear I cannot move... my belly is distended and I cannot feel my legs .. better do some walking before we go home ;)

CIAO CIAO!

Add:
Paradiso,
5-0-2, Jalan 3/109F,
Danau Business Centre,
Taman Danau Desa,
58100 KL
Tel:03-7981 9996

Food:8/10
Service:8/10
Price: affordable (mid range)
Salt levels: low

PART 2
So, now we've over-eaten.

We feel stuffed.

Good thing, our favourite bakery is just round the corner( I cannot believe we are going to look at more food)!
RT Pastry is a Taiwanese Bakery.



Fantastic home baked bread! We love the butter bread here.. a loaf lasts us only 2 days in our home. Gone in a flash! lol

Also a slice of their black sesame roll is just irresistible! One bite into this roll sends spasms through your entire body. Wait for that slightly salty-sweet rich cream centre to squirt into your mouth.. yummm!
.
.
.

Walking along we come across GABAN. A wholesale shop where you can get all kinds of Italian herbs, Japanese "non msg-ed" flavouring and other imported rarities... in all shapes and forms.




And cheap too! We are talking a big bag of Bay leaves at just RM15.00. Industrial sized packs of Tarragon, Black Spaghetti, Cayenne Peppers, Capers .. you name it.. they've got it...

.
.
.


The Barber Guys! How chic, how cool... When they have nothing to do, they can be spotted hanging out, smoking cigars at the Hacienda upstairs...

Oh... but where are the Barber gals;P?




Another crazy barber shop offering HOT , and happening styles. I'll have a medium long pampadour to go, please.. better yet.. make that a ductail! mwahaha!



Oh, and why wouldn't I want bigger sexy eyes??!!



Sure.. fix me up with them crazy wild eyes, while you're at it.. why don't ya??!!
(yea right..)


THE END:)