EST @ The Intermark

Returning to The BIG Group's EST steakhouse at The Intermark.

Earlier entry on EST: April 30, 2012.

After slicing through EST's steaks earlier, we're sampling the starters and non-bovine mains now. Here's how to segue: AACO Full Blood Wagyu carpaccio _ supple in texture, subtle in beefiness, with bean salad and tarragon vinaigrette. Pristine in presentation, but pricey at RM100++.

Eggplant and egg, plated in perfect harmony: barbecued eggplant, its succulence playing off the creaminess of a poached egg on crispy short-crust pastry with fried cauliflower florets and tahini mayonnaise (RM38++). Tastes idiosyncratically Indian in influence.

Lamb loin roast with pumpkin risotto (RM89++). The tea-smoked meat: a Maillard-crust marvel. The rice: a watery flop of wishy-washy flavor. But the lamb makes this worthwhile.

Salmon trout fillet, smoked over beech wood, then grilled and served pink with roasted asparagus (RM79++). Flawless fish, a far cry from moisture-challenged food court versions.

Sticking to a chocolate theme for dessert: this "Hot and Cold Chocolate Ice Cream" (RM20++) comprises choc ice cream coated in choc shortbread with fresh orange segments, poured over with Earl Grey-infused hot chocolate.

Uncompromisingly chocolate, with a fatty, melting-butter feel.

More chocolate, this time in a rich souffle with hazelnut sauce and sorbet. Also delicious, but following this, we've been trying to stay away from chocolate until further notice.