If Pigs Could Fly

Update : Ampersand is now closed

They would land in Damansara Uptown at Ampersand by Culinary Rebels. When I got wind that the new menu was being launched last Saturday, I quickly made reservations for table for two.

So I played "boss" and dragged my partner to Ampersand. He knows that dining at my favorite restaurant would keep me happy, so he just kwai kwai followed.

I had already done my homework. I checked their new menu on Facebook. The new menu is a welcome improvement of the old one.

Now there is more variety, though the choices in ribs and wings have been pruned down (two ribs and two wings were axed but with a new variant joining each category). There are 2 new additions to the pasta selection. Best of all, two new salads join the line up. Yay!

As usual, my partner left the ordering to me and I was more than happy to take charge. I ordered the Thai Basil Pasta  for him (Spaghetti/Thai Basil Pork/Sunny Side Up, RM16.90).

I love fried egg. The yolk was runny when my partner cut into it. But no photo because he was hollering for me to "ciak ciak mai take photo liao" (eat, eat, no more photos already) hee..hee...

I took some to sample. That's when I realized that there was not a single leaf of Thai basil in the pasta. Maybe they couldn't get Thai basil that day. Sometimes, these fresh herbs can be hard to come by unless if you plant them yourself. But still, my partner polished off his pasta with gusto. It was good, just not Thai.

My Citrus Salad (Greens/Cherry Tomatoes/Onion/Cucumber/Pork Rinds/Fried Pulled Pork/Citrus Honey Dressing, RM12.90) came looking very cheerful and healthy.

I love the dressing. So light and so refreshing. But...but...where is the pork rind and fried pulled pork? When I read the menu description, I was hopeful that this salad could be my main meal salad on evenings when I want to go low carb. 

Then the new wings to join the line up, Amoy Wings (Thai-Viet Marinade, RM16.00 for 4 wings) came to the table with a large stalk of serai (lemongrass).

The fragrance of lemongrass was very distinct but not overpowering. As I bit into the fragrant wings, I noted that all I could perceive was lemongrass. Then I thought how lovely if Thai Chili sauce was served with the wings. 

But no, the wings should stand on their own. This one needs a little extra something. I'm thinking garlic. And honey? Ah, what do I know about these things.

Then that thing I've been dreaming of was delivered to the table. I thought it was visually stunning. 

Here's a closer look. I chose the most flamboyant of the lot. The aptly named Rebellion (German Pork Belly/Chimichurri/Spiced Pine-Mango Chutney/Capsicum Berry Sauce/Salad/Flash Fried Cherry Tomatoes/Crunchy Caper, RM36.00)

One look at it and my partner remarked "That is not enough for you". Muahahaha!! Ignore him, OK? He is always concerned that I don't have enough to eat.

In fact he declined when I cut a piece for him but I insisted. I added on some Chimicurri and Capsicum Berry Sauce for him. As he chewed, he nodded his head in approval.

The Chimichurri. It was something foreign to me, heard of it but never tasted until now. Pungent. I loved it.

Chimichurri. The green stuff.

The Capsicum Berry Sauce looked like sambal belacan. Smoky with a slight hint of heat. I loved it too.

The Spiced Pine Mango Chutney paled in comparison. The taste left no impression on me, perhaps overshadowed by its stronger tasting companions.

The yellow bit on the right is the Spiced Pine Mango Chutney.

And now. The star of the show. The pork belly (weight give or take 350g). A slab of belly with a layer of fat. Mun would disapprove. 

Look at that layer of fat. Yes, I ate it.

If I am not wrong, this is cooked in a sous vide. 

It was way too soft for me. I would prefer the meat with more bite. Eaten on its own, the porky smell was quite distinct. That's where the Chimicurri and Capisicum Berry Sauce come in. Eaten together it made perfect sense. I'm sorry I was not thrilled with the pork belly. I would have preferred one that is roasted. 

But the plus point is that they were generous with the Chimichurri and Capsicum Berry Sauce and the accompanying salad too.

Then it was time for dessert, on the house. There were 3 to choose from and I picked the Gordy's Entrapment (Earl Grey Custard/Gula Melaka/Popcorn Dust/Bacon/Vanilla Ice Cream/Chocolate Ball/Crumb/Strawberry/Mint Leaves, RM16.00).

Is that pretty or what?

It wasn't too sweet. The taste of the custard was quite mild. I found the texture of the custard to be too thin, sort of a watery feel. Not the usual mouth feel of a custard.

The popcorn bits reminded me of styrofoam and I felt that it did not contribute significantly to the dessert. As for the Gula Melaka, it was not distinct at all.

The mint was a nice touch but I left it aside. My partner, being one not to waste, asked me why. Then he took some to chew and then rolled his eyes. hee..hee..hee...

The ice cream. My partner commented that he could detect icicles in the ice cream. I'll have to agree that the texture was not smooth and creamy as what we would expect with ice cream.

Well, it was an ambitious (and rebellious) take on the dessert and pork belly. I came away not totally awed but neither was I totally disappointed. What made my evening was the Citrus Salad. The rest could have been better.

I believe the new menu is still evolving and I will be back for the rest of the belly and other new offerings.

Thank you Ampersand for the complimentary dessert, the gesture was very much appreciated. I only wished I had chosen the B.E.N.J.I. You can never go wrong with chocolate.