White European Asparagus Affair at Scusa

April is one of the beautiful yet rainy season where some of flowers and vegetables grows seasonally. Asparagus is one of the most-waiting vegetables in this month and that’s why when it comes to April several restaurants are racing to serve delicious dishes with the beautiful asparagus. Scusa, an Italian dining located in InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza is one of the racers who take part in this racing, with the event called White European Asparagus Affair, they offer white asparagus rather than the green one since it grows seasonally from late April to June. White asparagus is different than the green asparagus because of the planting process where the white colour from the white asparagus comes because the plant did not get any enough sun light, therefore the photosynthetic process is not occurred.

The white asparagus referred to as the royal vegetable which is less bitter and much more tender. It must be peeled before cooking or raw consumption. Besides, this premium vegetable is very healthy with 95% consists of water and has no cholesterols, high levels of antioxidants, a good source of vitamin C and dietary fibre which is good for disease prevention and balance our diet. In this event, Scusa not only bring this European delicacy to their kitchen, but also convince their customers that white asparagus can turn into a beautiful yet scrumptious food which can give customers a good once-in-a-year dining experience.

It was me and several food bloggers who was invited to feel this once-in-a-year dining experience. In a super cosy, warm, and high class interior, we were sit and enjoyed 5 courses of menu while chit chatting about how wicked Jakarta’s traffic that day.

The night was opened by Fantasia Mocktail (55K). It was a super refreshing mocktail which became the most favourite drink here. It was a fusion of Orange, Lychee, Mango and Grenadine syrup which offered me a colourful taste from the sour bitterness of orange to the sweetness of mango infused grenadine. Perfect opening!


Walnut Bread with Feta Cheese became a complimentary food tonight. It will and always served for everyone who dining here. This bread filled with a Feta cheese comes from Greece and served with olive oil as a dipping. The taste was a lilttle bit sour but it gave me a super good cheese sensation. The bread was chewy as well. Great for waiting the main course.


Then, Chef Wawan Barito as the Chef De Cuisine of Scusa, served us the White Asparagus in a fried egg with Parmesan, black truffle, and rosemary butter sauce. This is the first time I meet white asparagus, I thought they are twins but actually they’re not. White asparagus much crunchier and sweeter than the green one, moreover, the white asparagus here is imported freshly from Peru. The half fried egg was just okay and the rest ingredients completing this dish.


Next, White Asparagus Soup came on my table. It served in a plate not in a bowl but the portion still enough to one person. This pale yellow soup is simply like a cream soup but the texture was rougher since it made from puree asparagus. The taste is a little bit sour and savoury, the pesto sauce on the top of soup enhanced the flavour. The surprising part was the cheese ball also in the top of the soup. It made from parmigiano reggiano cheese which has strong flavour but savoury as well. I simply love this soup.


Grilled White Asparagus and Beef Tenderloin with gorgonzola, creamed potatoes and béarnaise sauce. I chose medium rare for the beef and it gave me a super juicy and tender meat. The melted cheese and béarnaise sauce were also added the flavour of this beef. Otherwise, I prefer the grilled asparagus, it was crunchy and less water. The creamed potato was also good, it simply looks like a mashed potato but the texture was more solid.


We also got side dishes, the White Asparagus Risotto with parmesan and truffle served with fried asparagus. The asparagus here was well-fried like a crunchy snack; however, the texture inside was still moist and succulent.  Meanwhile, the risotto’s texture which infused with parmesan and truffle was soft like porridge. The cheese flavour was so strong but melted on my mouth.


The best closing for tonight dining, of course, the Warm Melted Cake. This beautiful cake was served with rum raisin ice cream. It was a Chef Wawan masterpiece for me. The cake was moist outside but when you cut it you will find a treasure inside, a melted, flavorous and yummy dark chocolate. Sluuurrpp! The chocolate, however, not so dark, it gave me a sweet after taste as well and it just melted in my mouth. Oh God, who doesn’t love chocolate! The other garnishes, the stick biscuit and the rum raisin ice cream was also completing this dessert. A super winning dessert!


Well, this once-in-a-year dining experience can be enjoying from 15 April to June 2013 at Scusa and Bacchus (in Bacchus you can also made your own asparagus dishes). With only Rp105.000++ to Rp445.000++ per portion, trust me you can get a great once-in-a-year dining experience which, yeah might be, enrich your personal knowledge and taste about white asparagus. Thanks a bunch for Miss Catrina Sansan and Ayleen from InterConJakarta for inviting me. Wish we meet again in the other great events.


Icha Khairisa, Still craving for white asparagus


Scusa at InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11
Jakarta 10220
Tel. 021-2510888
Fax.021-2511777
@InterConJakarta

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