Emilio Cibo e Vino – Glo Damansara
Words: Karen Santosuosso
Photos: Peter Tan
Palermo-born chef Emilio Brosso brings the sun-soaked spirit of Sicily to Kuala Lumpur at his new venture, Emilio Cibo e Vino. After spending many years cooking and eating his way through Italy, Australia, and South Korea, Chef Emilio finally feels settled and at home here in Malaysia. His charming eatery in Damansara offers soulful Sicilian fare that speaks of generations of tradition. It’s different from your typical Italian restaurant, as Chef Emilio highlights the confluence of cultures that is unique to Sicily’s heritage.
Emilio Cibo e Vino Menu
Spritz & Starters
A sip of a Campari Spritz (RM 38) out on the veranda makes me feel as if I’ve been transported to the southern Italian coast. It’s refreshingly bitter, sweet, and citrusy – just the way I like it. It’s not even noon yet, but hey, any hour can be spritz hour if the sun’s out. We also sample the Lemoncello Spritz (RM 45), which feels like sunshine in a glass, bright with a lemon slice and an aromatic pop of fresh rosemary, the perfect way to ease into our meal.
Emilio Cibo e Vino has a range of antipasti to whet your palate. We try their signature Caponata (RM 28), a comforting blend of roasted eggplant, zucchini, capsicum pepper, celery, and olives melded together with a rich tomato sauce. It goes beautifully atop a slice of fresh focaccia bread, the thinner and crispier variety from Sicily, which is made-to-order, so it always arrives warm at the table.
The Fichi e Pomodori (RM 42) was a standout for its simplicity – ripe, caramelised figs and cherry tomatoes offset by crushed pistachios and fresh stracciatella cheese. Equally delightful was the Beef Carpaccio (RM 69), a Sicilian reinterpretation of the classic, enhanced with briny black olives, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and capers. A golden crumble of toasted bread and fresh, crisp rocket adds texture and crunch to the buttery-soft slices of beef tenderloin. We all agree that this is an exceptional version of carpaccio to have.
Emilio Cibo e Vino Wine List
There’s a healthy list of wines on the menu hailing from various regions of Italy. We sample the Caleo Inzolia (RM 28 per glass/160 per bottle), which is a delicate and floral white with a crisp finish from Sicily. It pairs well with the caponata and figs. We also taste the Caleo Nero D’Avola (RM 28 per glass/160 per bottle), a bold red also from the Terre Siciliane region, with notes of blackberry and mulberry. It adds a warm and velvety touch to our pizza and pasta courses – but also would pair well with any grilled or cured meat.
Pasta, Pizza & Main Courses
To me, no visit to an Italian restaurant is complete without pasta, and the Tartufo Paccheri (RM 49) does not disappoint. The waft of freshly shaved truffle arrived before the plate did. Each bite of the thick, chewy paccheri pasta was coated in a rich and creamy sauce that made us pause and savour. I’m already eager to come back and try some of Emilio’s other pasta dishes.
Just as satisfying as the pasta is their oven-roasted pizza. We sample the Siciliana Signature Pizza (RM 46) which features a Margherita base topped with tender slices of eggplant and cherry tomatoes along with smoked sheep’s milk ricotta, a nod to Sicilian countryside traditions. Smokey, rustic, and chewy, with a deliciously fermented dough, our photographer Peter can’t say no to another slice.
For those less excited about cheese and carbs, which I unfortunately cannot relate to, there’s a delicious seafood option on the menu, too. The Grigliata di Pesce (RM 145) is a generous platter of expertly grilled calamari, prawns, fish, clams and mussels that carries us straight to the coastal waters. It’s served with a simple yet delicious garlic and butter sauce with fresh parsley and green beans. It’s a perfect platter to share with the table and is a lighter main course option.
Emilio Cibo e Vino Dessert Menu
If you’re convinced of the restaurant now, please make sure to save room for dessert! The Pistacchio Tiramisu (RM 28) is an elegant twist on a classic—layers of creamy mascarpone are infused with the nutty richness of pistachio, and crushed pistachio dust is sprinkled on top.
The Cannoli (RM 21) really seals the deal, though. Perfectly crisp pastry tubes filled with luscious cream are lightly sweet and extremely fresh. It’s exactly the kind of finish a true Sicilian meal deserves, all perfectly washed down with a cafe latte.
Reasons to visit Emilio Cibo e Vino: get a taste of Chef Emilio’s uniquely Sicilian cuisine; their melt-in-your-mouth beef carpaccio is a must, as well as their signature caponata with focaccia bread; enjoy a spritz or wine out on the veranda
Emilio Cibo e Vino – Sicilian Restaurant
LG-10 Lower Ground, Glo Damansara
699 Jalan Damansara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Emilio Cibo e Vino on Google Maps
+603 7731 6337
@emiliociboevinokl
Emilio Cibo e Vino Operating Hours
11:30 am – 3:00 pm Lunch
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm Dinner
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