Hidden away amongst the chaos of downtown Kuala Lumpur, Zenzero is a charming Italian restaurant tucked in the corner on the ground floor of St Mary’s Residences KLCC.

Sleekly decorated in cool black and wooden articles, the establishment gives off a warm and intimate vibe that is fit for many occasions. Vibrant yet unobstrusive music fills the air, while a friendly and knowledgeable staff is always on deck to lend a helping hand, further adding to the delightful ambiance this mid-sized restaurant exudes. 

Zenzero focuses on providing good and fresh Italian fare that is definitely worthwhile. Stocked with good Italian wine, a diverse menu of tantalising dishes, friendly staff and a talented chef in the kitchen, it isn’t hard to see why the restaurant has been receiving praises since it opened its doors two years ago.

---

Black angus beef carpaccio

We started off with a tantalising entry — black angus beef carpaccio that comes served with arugula salad, black truffle shavings and parmesan cheese. Thanks to high quality olive oil, the thinly cut slices of black angus were silky smooth, made all the better when taken with the black truffle, parmesan and salad in a single mouthful. Slight bitterness from the salad helped to tone down the savoury ingredients present whilst giving the dish an additional crunch element, which resulted in a very finely balanced hors d’oeuvre.

---

Hokkaido scallops

If raw beef doesn’t sit well with your stomach, Zenzero does Hokkaido scallops rather well. Herb crusted and served atop roasted portobello mushrooms, the scallops were chunky, juicy and tasted greater when eaten with the accompanying green peas puree. Although pleasantly umami, the green pea puree adds a touch of green earthiness that only peas can bring, resulting in a fantastic mix of the land and sea. 

---

Linguine al Granchio

When it comes to mains, the establishment is well known for their linguine al granchio, a seafood pasta that induces a healthy appetite just by merely looking at it. The dish comes with crab claw meat, a nicely grilled jumbo prawn, crunchy slivers of green asparagus and a base of crab jus reduction that has tomato influences. Cooked al dente, the linguine itself produced gratifying bites while the prawn and crab elements did a superb job at making the dish truly ambrosial. Pop half a cherry tomato into your mouth for a nice acidic sweet contrast to balance out the oiliness of the pasta.

---

Black angus tenderloin

Should you decide not to have pasta, Zenzero does a lovely black angus tenderloin. Juicy, well bloodied and delectable, the alluring piece of beef gave satisfying chews and a taste that is hard to dislike. The meat is well seared and served on a bed of buttered spinach that made for a welcoming addition. Drizzled with light mushroom sauce, the beef was made all the better when paired with a glass of red wine of your choice. If you have a craving for a good piece of beef done in an Italian fashion, include this on your shortlist.

---

Baked Barramundi fillet

Baked Barramundi fillet also makes a great option for a main course. Served with crusted potatoes, king mushrooms and romanesco cauliflower puree, the fish proved to be succulent and cooked perfectly. The inclusion of crusted potatoes help to add a salty crunch to the Barramundi and cauliflower puree helps give the dish variety. Be sure to give this flaky fish a try should you be in the mood for a light main.

---

Tiramisu

If you have room for dessert, don’t think twice and get the Italian classic, Tiramisu. Incredibly light and airy but not skimping on flavour, each bite warranted seconds. The coffee and cocoa taste was definitely present but not overwhelming so, while the mascarpone cheese was amazingly fluffy and delicate. Trust an Italian chef to whip up a good Tiramisu.

---

For a taste of all the above and more, make your reservations now by calling 03 - 2022 3883. For more information on the restaurant or its menu, log on to the official website here.