Base Pasta Bar & Bistro Puts Personality & Charm on Every Plate

Amazing food

3 min read

Our lifestyle editor’s take on Bukit Jalil’s Base Pasta Bar & Bistro, where the focus lies on making fuss-free, quality plates.

Step into Base Pasta Bar & Bistro and it almost feels like you’ve walked into a friend’s welcoming abode. A place for friends to gather, couples to reunite after long days, or families to celebrate milestones, this restaurant is here for everybody. The walls are lined with personal mementos and fun posters, adding to the space’s charm. Its foundation is rooted in nailing the basics—in flavours and techniques—to present a no-frills meal that will fit right into your days, especially on the ones where you need a warm hug.

Chef-owner Jay Chang runs the show here, crafting the menu that has gained a steady and dedicated following of diners from around the area. According to Jay, big flavours are appreciated here and together with his and his team’s expertise around the flames, they do it all justice. It’s usually very easy to fall into the trap of indulging in overly rich flavours that leave you bloated and uncomfortable after consuming half the plate, but that’s not the case at Base Pasta Bar & Bistro. While, yes, taking it slow would do you and your gut health some good, you don’t have to worry too much about feeling too sickly. Keep reading to find out how our meal went!

SMALL PLATES

During my meal, I managed to sample a few of its greatest hits with the help of two tablemates. I started with the delightful salmon ‘ssam’, the restaurant’s take on the Korean method of eating that involves wrapping ingredients in a leaf. In this case, a medley of salmon, lumpfish caviar, pearl barley, and egg salad, tossed in a bright yuzu aioli is served. On the side are slices of well-seasoned toasted nori chips, meant to be used as the vessels that carry the fish-barley melange to your mouths.

We then moved on to a charred cauliflower with pesto diavola and pecorino romano. This dish certainly arrived with a kick but it made eating my vegetables fun. While it was enjoyable, I would probably opt for the grilled tomato salad or house salad for something a little lighter during my next meal.

Finishing out the small-medium plates portion of the meal was an indulgent monthly special of deep-fried hog ‘torchon’ with foie gras, served alongside a sauce gribiche and a house salad. It was my first time eating anything of the sort and Base Pasta Bar & Bistro’s version of it made me hope it would not be my last! While the flour breading on the ‘torchon’ itself was a little sturdy, the crunch was much-appreciated as a contrast to the meat filling.

PASTA & MEAT

The first of the two pasta plates we had was the cavatelli semolino in a ragu bianco, pearl shallots, and pecorino romano sauce, topped with an onsen egg. This plate was the definition of “simplicity is the ultimate mark of sophistication”. Although there were no heavy-hitting flavours here, it was an easy dish to appreciate for its comfort and was immediately a favourite of the meal.

Next, we tucked into the agnolotti with ricotta, Calabria sausage, and spicy nduja. The little pillows of al dente goodness were served atop a silky spinach purée alongside a generous serving of smoked bacon. In a world where guanciale, bacon, and other greasy goods can be skimped on, you can rest assured chef Jay would never deprive you of the flavour bombs you deserve.

To add some protein to our meal, we had a serving of the stuffed lamb saddle with spinach, mushroom ragu, cauliflower purée, red wine jus, and pearl onions. The one plate was enough for all three of us with more to spare! Juicy, tender, and not-too-gamey, the lamb was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of fat on each slice. The purée, made with the scraps of the cauliflower, was velvety and a pleasure to pair with the deeper flavours of the dish. Don’t underestimate the pearl onions too, for they are tiny but add a nice touch of sweetness to every morsel. If you’re not one for lamb, skip this dish and opt for the pork ribs that seemed to be flying out of the kitchen during our time there.

DESSERT

For dessert, we were treated to two sweet treats. First, the Base Pasta Bar & Bistro tiramisu. It arrived as a soft and dreamy slice, topped with the usual cocoa powder dusting. But what’s unusual here is the omittance of alcohol, a decision chef Jay made to accommodate his younger diners. However, it still did the trick and I couldn’t help but continue to pick at it even when dinner was well over.

Our second dessert was the house special of the night: the team’s version of flan patissier. Made fresh on the day of, it was a silky smooth dream, made with the perfect ratio of vanilla custard filling and a flaky crust. Akin to the viral jelly cat pudding desserts that took our Instagram feeds by storm, the custard filling was just as jiggly but still held its own. Texturally sound and “not-too-sweet”, this was definitely a highlight of my meal—and desserts usually are not on my radar!

Base Pasta Bar & Bistro is worth a visit for food that doesn’t muck around with a humble and honest team behind the stoves. With straightforward yet inviting plates on the menu, you can rely on this spot for an excellent meal whenever you come around. In my opinion, it has the potential to be a hit even with picky eaters. “I don’t think I ever anticipated the reception and the following we have gained since opening,” gushes chef Jay in a post-meal chat. “It’s been truly humbling and I’m grateful to my team, family, and friends as well as the diners that we have the privilege of cooking for.”

BASE PASTA BAR & BISTRO

Dishes we’d order again: The Base ‘ssam’, cavatelli semolino, stuffed lamb saddle, agnolotti with ricotta and spicy nduja, tiramisu, and flam patissier (if it’s back on the menu again!). I’d also dabble in the risotto prawn bisque, stuffed chicken wings, and pork ribs.

Vegetarian/vegan-friendly? Yes, but with limited options. However, the team will be open to accommodate dietary needs.

Pork-free? No

Address: B-1-13A, Aurora Place Bukit Jalil, No. 1, Persiaran Jalil 1, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 5.30pm to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Contact: +6010-350 7022

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