BoozeiT and Meathical KL team up for an Italian wine dinner in Kuala Lumpur, celebrating bold flavours from around the country.
Monica Tindall
Some nights are made for culinary travel without the bother of airports, security queues or luggage weight limits. One moment I’m in Kuala Lumpur, the next I’m swirling a glass of Brunello di Montalcino, plotting my next trip over a plate of handmade pasta. With Meathical and BoozeiT’s Italian wine dinner, it’s an effortless leap from Jalan Ampang to the sun-soaked hills of Tuscany.
Italian Wine Dinner – BoozeiT x Meathical KL
Being literally next door to my condo, I leapt at the chance to attend – though I did, with some reluctance, swap my pyjamas and slippers for something more befitting an evening of fine wine and modern Italian cuisine. Meathical’s dining room promised an intimate yet lively atmosphere, and BoozeiT had lined up a selection of bottles that sang of Italy’s regional charms. It was shaping up to be an indulgent evening of flavour, story, and spirited company.
Meathical KL
Meathical’s name is a clever play on words – fusing “meat” with a nod to the “mythical,” hinting at the extraordinary dining experiences it strives to deliver. The contemporary concept blends refined modern plating with an unabashed love for bold flavours. While the roots are in premium cuts and fresh produce, the menu stretches beyond steakhouse territory, reimagining familiar favourites with a seasonal, chef-driven twist.
BoozeiT Wine & Spirits Merchant Malaysia
Meathical’s partner for the evening, BoozeiT wine and spirits merchant, treats its portfolio like a personal address book — filled with interesting characters, not just the usual crowd-pleasers. They work directly with boutique wineries and artisanal distilleries, favouring bottles with a story and a sense of place. For this dinner, they dipped into Italy’s vinous treasure chest, curating a line-up that roamed from crisp, citrus-laced whites to brooding reds. Leading us on this adventure was KL sommelier KC Tay, an Italian Wine Scholar by Wine Scholar Guild.
BoozeiT’s Italian Wine & Food Pairing Menu
Ca’ di Rajo ‘Cuvée del Fondatore’ Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV, Glera
The evening’s vinous journey began with a Bellini, the classic Italian aperitivo of prosecco and peach purée. While the mix is a little sweet for my taste, the base — Ca’ di Rajo ‘Cuvée del Fondatore’ Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG — was delightful on its own. Fine, persistent bubbles lifted notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of acacia blossom. It took me back to afternoons in Valdobbiadene, where I’ve spent unhurried hours in leafy gardens with a glass in hand. Crisp and clean, it set a bright, celebratory tone for the meal ahead.
Alois Lageder Alto Adige Pinot Bianco 2023
The 2023 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco from Alto Adige shone in the glass — fresh, precise, and layered with citrus and ripe orchard fruit. A fine mineral line threaded through each sip, reminiscent of the cool mountain air tumbling down from the Dolomites, where the grapes thrive in steep, sunlit vineyards. Its bright acidity and clean finish made an ideal foil for the tomato burrata caprese salad, the wine’s vibrancy cutting through the richness of the cheese while echoing the sweet–savoury bursts of roasted cherry tomatoes and the herbaceous lift of basil oil.
Alta Mora Etna Rosso, Nerello Mascalese, Etna DOC, 2020
Alta Mora Etna Rosso 2020 shone the spotlight on Nerello Mascalese — a grape less famous than Sicily’s Nero d’Avola yet equally attention-worthy. Grown high on the slopes of Mount Etna, the vines soak up volcanic minerals and benefit from cool mountain nights, giving the wine bright red cherry and wild strawberry notes with a faint, smoky edge. It’s refined but with a flicker of untamed energy, much like the mountain itself. On the plate, trofie swirled through inky squid sauce with tender grilled octopus, crunchy pangrattato, and fresh parsley. The wine’s lively acidity kept the flavours dancing, while its savoury core felt right at home with the dish’s briny, toasty layers.
Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva, Cannonau, Sardinia, 2021
Sella & Mosca’s Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2016 brought a little piece of Sardinia to the table. I’ve walked the sunlit rows at Casa Villamarina Tenute and spent slow days in Alghero, where the sea breeze carries the scent of wild herbs. Cannonau, the island’s signature take on Grenache, brims with ripe red berries, a dusting of spice, and that savoury, herbal note that seems to seep in from the landscape itself. In the glass, it felt generous and welcoming, like a late afternoon on the island. The chicken involtini — rolled with sun-dried tomato, spinach, and mozzarella, with a mushroom and white wine sauce — drew out the wine’s earthy side, but for me, the real joy was being instantly transported back to those vineyards.
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese, Montalcino DOCG, 2016
Historia Taurasi, Aglianico, Taurasi DOCG, 2021
No matter which main landed in front of us, fortune favoured diners with a pour of two different but equally engaging reds — the celebrated Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino 2016 and the under-the-radar 2021 Historia Taurasi from Campania. The Brunello, with its dark cherry depth, dried herb lift, and long, graceful finish, had the poise of a wine made for reflection and the stamina to reward years in the cellar. The Taurasi, from the Aglianico grape often dubbed the “Barolo of the South”, brought brooding black fruit, firm tannins and a whisper of smoky spice — the kind of structure and intensity that promises decades of graceful ageing for those with the patience (and self-control) to wait.
For mains, hubby and I did what any sensible couple would — ordered one of each and swapped halfway. The agnello brasato offered pressed shoulder of lamb on creamy polenta, with lemon-and-garlic kale, a confit shallot, and a glossy jus. The guance di manzo brasate came as spoon-soft beef cheeks with the same accompaniments. While the dishes themselves played it safe, the wines more than held our attention, each revealing new layers with every sip.
Marolo Grappa di Barolo, Nebbiolo, Piedmont, 9 Years
I happily bypassed dessert in favour of a generous pour of Marolo Grappa di Barolo, aged nine years. Distilled from the Nebbiolo pomace of Barolo, it was like the wine’s wise, slightly mischievous older cousin — all floral perfume, gentle spice, and a honeyed warmth that unfurled slowly and satisfyingly. For me, it was dessert in a glass. Meanwhile, hubby did his part for the tiramisu, ensuring that not a single cloud of mascarpone, espresso-soaked sponge, or dusting of cocoa went unappreciated.
BoozeiT x Meathical KL
The Italian wine dinner at Meathical KL, in collaboration with BoozeiT, was like taking a quick trip through Italy without leaving Jalan Ampang. Glass by glass, the wines moved us from the crisp sparkle of Valdobbiadene to the deep, brooding Taurasi, each paired with dishes that let both shine. For me, the real luxury was the convenience — a polished yet friendly setting just an elevator ride away, no KL traffic to battle. It was one of those evenings that reminded me dining out isn’t just about what’s on the plate, but about slowing down and letting good food and wine carry you somewhere else.
Meathical KL
Lot No A-C1, Kompleks Pavilion Ampang, Pavilion Embassy
200, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Link to Meathical KL on Google Maps
+6016-853 8262
Meathical Opening Hours
12 – 10 pm (Daily)
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