A cross between an Italian enoteca-style wine shop and a Spanish tapas bar, Mediteca showcases the talents of Manuel Lopez, a chef in his thirties who blends the culinary canon of his southern Spanish homeland with contemporary creativity to satisfy KL's fussy eaters. Liver lovers will know what to order: seared foie gras with caramelized figs and pureed sultanas. Folks in the mood for beef shouldn't resist Nerovivo's ravioli, stuffed with remarkably soft braised meat and soaked in a rich Barolo red wine sauce. Nerovivo's kitchen-made tagliatelle with beef ragout, the most satisfying bolognese pasta we've had in a very long while. And underneath Lid No. 2: a casserole of stewed beef cheeks and potatoes. Poetry in a pot. Prosecco and red wine, to make the merriment merrier. We'll be back for more soon at Mediteca and Nerovivo; service at both outlets is a shining example for others.

There's always space for Italian eateries that strive to satisfy; after over two years of keeping customers happy in Kepong, Silver Spoon has opened a second outlet in Publika. Crisply addictive pizzas are among Silver Spoon's highlights. Topped with smoked duck, hoisin sauce, poached pear, red onions, cilantro, monterey jack and mozzarella (about RM28), this works very well for sharing as a teatime treat. Another one, loaded with roast lamb, olive tapenade, capsicum, onions, feta, mozzarella, mint, pine nuts and yogurt sauce. Other temptations include pastas and plenty of meat; Silver Spoon opens 11am-11pm daily. There's no lack of cocktails: Strawberry-Basil Caipiroska and Sangria. Strawberry Caipirinha and Citrus-Ginger Mojito.

Sweetening up our weekend with a pair of sugar stops in Kota Damansara, starting with the super-cheerful Dreamz bakery cafe. Love the look of this veritable wonderland tucked away on the first floor of a commercial block.
Fresh, creamy mille-crepe cakes are a highlight here; try the sole alcoholic one, laced with rum and raisins for a lovely kick. Macarons, RM3.80 each, in delicate flavors of orange, mint, mocha and blueberry. Chocolate and coffee beverages are available, pleasant though unmemorable. Wish we could keep our hands steady enough to craft such coffee art. Cookies are also sold here for takeaway. Maybe we'll return for some sometime.

Need some more sweets? Cookie Box, also at Kota Damansara, is another option. A Cookie Monster cupcake, alongside a Red Velvet one. Both moist and flavorsome enough, though probably only worth trying if you're already in this neighborhood. Bright colors combine with saccharine fragrances in the air to make Cookie Box a hideout that many children might revel in. Do these doll-cakes come alive at night when everyone has left? Spooky...

Werner Kuhn is best known for the porky potency of El Cerdo, but he has a soft spot for beef too. Three years ago, the master chef opened bovine specialist La Vaca, but it closed too soon. Now, the cows have come home, with Werner's launch of The Steakhouse. The Steakhouse's preliminary menu is a bare-bones one, but simplicity can be satisfying, as proven by this Spanish air-dried beef with rock melon (RM38++). Last but surely not least, The Steakhouse's raison d'etre, chilled and aged Black Angus rib-eye, 10 ounces for RM88++. Fleshy and flavorful, but the kitchen might not consistently fulfill requests _ we asked for this to be prepared rare, but it swerved perilously closer to medium.
Brave Bull (tequila and kahlua) and Manhattan cocktails.