Footsteps - Jotaro's Travels: January 2023

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YummY!

Jotaro's Food Review

Grilled Galician Octopus @ Cafe-Bistrot David

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - December 2022

Our 2019 cycling tour in Portugal & Spain was an eye opener for us - it exposed us to the colourful, variety of the countries' cities and country side, the diversity of it's people and culture, AND also to it's mouth-watering and appetizing food, among which were some that were not so easily available in our home country of Malaysia such as the grilled octopus we had in Lisbon where it's called Polvo Grelhado.

So it was with much excitement & anticipation when we found out that Cafe-Bistrot David have opened up a Bar X Grille at the first floor of their restaurant! And with this addition they have also revamped their menu!

And guess what? Included there is something my eyes zoomed into immediately - Grilled Spanish Galician Octopus! Though not from Portugal it's from Galicia, that part of Spain just north of Portugal where cooking style would have some similartiy and the octopus will be of the Atlantic Octopus variety!

But before we start on the eight-legged delight, some starter first -

It was just the two of us, but we went for the generous Sourdough Bread Basket that came with French Butter with Pecorino Cheese & their self-made Citrus Preserve. I love their French Butter and always asks for second. With that and the two spread we slowly savoured this simple but good starter.

To complement the bread, we ordered another of my favourite - their Shrimp & Crab Bisque. The price of this have almost doubled compared to that of the previous menu. But, surprise, SURPRISE! The helping is unsparing and enough to serve two persons, and in fact they provide two smaller bowls just for that. Soon we were slowly sipping this delectable soup and every once a while dipped a sourdough bread into it - that goes well too.

Other than the quantity, their serving style have changed. The prawns, clams, crab meat with a topping of Ikura was presented in a dry bowl; I guess this is to ensure their flavour are retained and not sipped into the soup prematurely.

The soup broth is then "ceremoniously" poured onto them. It is a good combo, the broth with it's own zing added to the fresh seafood AND with each bite into the Ikura a jet of sea essence flows onto our palate.

And here comes the pièces de résistance, the Grilled Galican Octopus (Pulpo a la parrilla). with one large octopus tentacle curled up like a finger calling out a welcome!

It is beautifully grilled; nicely browned on the the outside and served on a Yuzu Vinaigrette dressing. It exuded a good burnt aroma .....

..... with white tempting inner cuts.

Octopus & squids are not easy to cook, often most of us get it wrong and the meat turns out rubbery and difficult to bite into.

But surprisingly, it cooking them longer in a slow, i.e. confit cooking in oil or water. The most basic way of cooking octopus is to simmer it in liquid. Fill a saucepan with salted water and bring to the boil. Add the octopus, reduce the heat immediately and simmer gently for 45–60 minutes. It's important that the water is turned down to a gentle simmer once the octopus is in the pan. Cooking it too quickly will result in a rubbery texture.

Here's a recipe on get the perfectly grilled octopus.

David's have done it very nicely, it was easy to bite into and the grilled exterior complemented the fleshy inside very well. And marinating with a Ras el hanout, spice mix have made it all the better - we slowly savoured it bite by bite. Hah! even looking at this photo again has made me drool!

The dish came with Celery & Leek Salad, & Yuzu.

To go with the food, some Australian James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale, good for whipping up our appetite!

Below are David's Menu:

(Click on photo for enlarged view)
(items & pricing in are at time of this blog and are subject to service charge & government taxes)

David's Bistrot Food Menu - Pies Burger Sandwiches Brittany Cuisine.

David's Bistrot Food Menu - Entrees, Salad & Soup

(Click here for online David's Food Menu)

David's Bistrot Food Menu - Pasta Mains Desserts

(Click here for online David's Food Menu)

Do look out for their Blackboard menu that are "Inspirations from in-season market availabilities".

David's Bar X Grille Food Menu (Located at first floor)

(Click here for online David's Bar X Grille Menu)

David's Beverages Menu

(Click here for online David's Wine & Cocktail Menu)

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CAFE-BISTROT DAVID
135, Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-7732 0332
Hours: 11:00am-4:00pm & 6:00pm-10:00pm (Closed on Mondays)

Click here to make a reservation.

GPS & Directional Map: 3.15311, 101.62189

(Click here for Google Street View)

David's Food Menu.

David's Bar X Grille Menu.

(The Grill is at the first floor)
David's Wine & Cocktail Menu.
David's Take-away Menu.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafeBistrotDavid

Website: http://www.cafe-david.com/

Instagram: cafebistrotdavid_bargrilldavid

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