Moussandra – Exceptionally Mediterranean @ Solaris Dutamas

Fancy a dinner of truly authentic Mediterranean flavours? Then, be sure to head on to Moussandra Mediterranean & Tapas Restaurant. 

Strategically located in Solaris Dutamas,  Moussandra opened its doors to customers in 1996 serving elaborate menu of Greek, Spanish, and Italian dishes. They are also proud be the oldest Mediterranean and Tapas Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur for the past 18 years.

Greek restaurants are hard to come by. I loved the environment of the restaurant, with interiors styled in the rustic setting of the Mediterranean destinations. The rustic and romantic ambiance at night makes you feel like you're somewhere else. It was pretty fascinating just to walk around and look at the cute ornaments that are now being used for decorative purposes.

Oil paintings adorns the wall together with  many fascinating decorative items the owner brought along on his travels overseas. Lovely, soothing and cosy place for you and your friends to dine in.  

Moussandra Menu for Meat, Seafood, Bread, Dips, Vegetarian & Cheese/Eggs

With a wide selections of up to 90 choices of pasta, pizza, tapas, and Spanish rice dishes to choose from, Moussandra promises you a fantastic culinary journey of Mediterranean delights. Feast on thin crust beef bacon, chicken liver pate with baguette, garlic prawns in olive oil to moussaka, pizza primavera, paella valenciana, creme brulee and more.

Mediterranean cuisine is a fusion of Greek,Spanish and Italian cooking. Olive oil and fresh herbs are lavishly used, and feta cheese, which is milder in taste and aroma, is commonly used. It is a potpourri of cultures, so one should savour the dishes slowly to appreciate the myriad tastes. 

Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine. Contemporary Greek cookery makes wide use of olive oil, vegetables and herbs, grains and bread, wine, fish, and various meats, including lamb, poultry, and beef. Also important are olives, cheese, eggplant (aubergine),zucchini (courgette), and yogurt. While the Spanish culinary scene brims with food to delight traveller’s palate; from fresh seafood to fruity olive oils, cheeses and the ful-filling meat-based dishes. 

  

 

Starters (Mezedes)

First on the dinner list was tapas. What is Spanish food without tapas? Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. The word “tapa” means as “cover” and according to Spanish food aficionados, it traditionally may have been a complimentary piece of sliced ham served on top of a glass of wine. Today, however, we know them as small portions of food commonly served as snacks before lunch or dinner.   

 

 Chickpea Dip with Pita Bread (RM10)

Hummus Bi Tahini (Chickpea Dip with Pita Bread) are food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. This nutty grainy beige paste dip flavoured with garlic is the perfect complement to grilled meats and vegetables. It's served on the side with warm pita bread triangles for dipping. As an appetizer and dip, hummus is scooped with flatbread, such as pita.

I loved the nutritious chick peas in any form as they are high in iron, vitamin C and folate. The chickpeas are a good source of protein and dietary fibre too. Hummus is useful in vegetarian and vegan diets, it serves as a complete protein when eaten with bread.

Chicken Liver Pate with Baguette (RM17)

Terrina De Pollo (Chicken Liver Pate with Baguette) was a silky-smooth pate of chicken liver. Served with baguette, this special spread is one particular food that requires one’s acquire taste to really enjoy eating it.   

   

Most people either love or hate chicken liver. As for me, I have never like chicken innards, so I can never appreciate this pate like the rest of diners that night that went for a second helping. Anyhow, I did pick up my courage to try it with one bite and that’s it, it was very strong with the chicken liverish and left a strong after taste in my mouth after that.  

  

Pan-fried eggplant with chili & tomato (RM 12)

Berenjenas Picantes (Pan-fried eggplant with chili & tomato) Well, this is a ratatouille of vegetables based on sliced potatoes and eggplant in olive oil. Usually includes eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and ample aromatic herbs and seasonings. Drenched with savoury tomatoes gravy, the egg plant on the other hand, provided a lovely contrast, fried until soft and almost soggy, but oh-so-tasty especially when eaten with the pitas as accompaniments. Great vegetarian dish!   

Beef Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Almond (RM 15)

Datiles Con Bacon (Beef Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Almond) is a popular favourite tapas for many and that is a must on our Spanish table. It's sweet pitted dates stuffed with almond that are wrapped with beef bacon and baked until crisp. Great combination of sweet and salty. The sweetness of the dates balanced out the saltiness of the bacon wrapped morsels. Perfect for any and all occasions, these appetising bites are highly addictive so you have been warned!

Garlic Prawns in Olive Oil (RM 20)

Gambas Al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns in Olive Oil), this is one of the most common tapas of Spain,  It's truly a classic tapa. Fresh prawn, sautéed in olive oil and lots of garlic, all combine to create one of the most popular tapas. These tasty pan-seared garlic prawn are often served in Spain's tapas bars as an appetizer. However, this dish is so popular that it's occasionally offered as an entrée.  Gambas al ajillo was pretty tasty, light and full of garlic flavour with fresh and succulent crunchy prawns.  

 Chicken Moussaka (RM43) or Lamb Moussaka (RM46)

Next came the Entree. Totally Greek menus include specialty dishes like Moussaka (Layered Eggplant, Minced Lamb, Potatoes and Bechamel Gratinated with Cheese) with choice of: Chicken Moussaka or Lamb Moussaka. This dish is basically consists of layers of minced lamb/chicken with aubergine & white sauce. Moussaka is an eggplant and/or potato-based dish popular in Balkan and Mediterranean cuisines, sautéed eggplant and tomato, usually with minced meat.

The Greek version includes layers of meat and eggplant topped with a Bechamel white sauce, and baked. Perhaps the most widely recognized of all Greek dishes, this oven-baked casserole of layered eggplant and spiced meat filling topped with a creamy bechamel will be the highlight of any Greek meal. An oven-baked layer dish, it makes a complete meal for anyone that like the creamy and rich casserole topped with savoury custard  and cheese that been browned in the oven. Real hearty and a good comfort food to soothe the soul!   

  

 Pizza Primavera (RM28)

Pizza Primavera  is a thin crust pizza with homemade dough and topped with anchovies, grilled eggplant, roasted red peppers, spinach, mozzarella and on fresh basil on pesto base. Healthy and delicious, packed with nutrients and flavour, these vegetarian pizza will compliment any meal. Light and crisp, great as a light meal especially for those on a diet.

 

Paella Valenciana (RM 45)

Paella Valenciana, this truly Spanish dish is popular in restaurant. Cooked with saffron flavoured rice together with squid, clams, fish, prawns, mussels, chicken, chickens sausage and vegetable. Starchy Arborio rice comes across as more gooney in texture in the tomato base rice. Good and filling dish for rice lovers!   

 

Vanilla Creme Brulee (Big - RM12 & Small - RM7) 

To end our evening, we were presented with Vanilla Creme Brulee, a dessert synonymous with French cuisine. I was told that this heavenly French dessert with a caramelized crispy layer top is an all-time favourite for many in this restaurant too.

I have always loved Creme Brulee. Cracking your spoon through the hard caramel crispness and then reaching the silky smooth cold custard underneath indulgent rich vanilla custard topped with hard caramel. It was very smooth in texture with no lumps or graininess with the right degree of sweetness. Feeling satiated, ending with such an unforgettable sweet note of the French dessert. 

Well, what a great way to end our delicious hearty dining experience at Moussandra Mediterranean & Tapas Restaurant and remember it's your "Mediterranean Kitchen in Malaysia" !  

Moussandra Mediterranean & Tapas Restaurant

A1-1-8 Solaris Dutamas

1 Jalan Dutamas

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 6206 4999

(No pork or alcohol served on its menu)

Operations Hour : Wednesdays to Mondays (Closed on Tuesday)

Lunch  : 12pm to  2:30pm

Dinner :   6pm to 10:30pm

Facebook : moussandra

Website   : moussandra.com

“This food tasting session was organised by HungryGoWhere Malaysia – Discover, Eat, Share today!” (URL link HungryGoWhere Malaysia to http://bit.ly/HungryGoWhereMY)

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