Cameo @ 10 Semantan, Damansara

When you get recognised by people as a flogger, for firstly taking photographs of food before you put it in your mouth, secondly with a big chunky camera and thirdly taking a name card and making sure the address and contact details has been saved somewhere, you really dont know whether it is a good thing or not.

The fame for being a flogger is the epicentre of blogging until you are then seeked for "advice" on where to eat. That was exactly the task i was given last weekend.

People tend to forget that we are not exactly walking directories of eateries. Thank goodness, i was given a day or was it two, to final an itinerary.

The Cilantro orgasm stories had not wondered off my mind and i was smiling gleefully as i dialed their number.

"Sorry sir, we don't open for lunch on Saturdays"

"Saturday night? For 4 pax?" "Fully booked, and Saturday will be our last night of service"

"Er, could i be on the waiting list? (What was i thinking about? It was as if i was booking for a flight!)

Apparently my ultimate food orgasm would have to wait till the Sage opens in early April or Cilantro to finish their renovations in 16 months.

So if not Cilantro, then the next best option at that moment was Cameo serving Italian/French cuisine.

I read about Cameo, where else but in another food enthusiast's blog that had just bagged the celebrity flogger of the year in the recent Floggers Award 2007. So if anything was to come by, i honestly trusted her palate.


Situated at the new office complex, 10 Semantan, it was the only restaurant i could see on the block. Walking inside, on the left was a small bar that gave you the Sports Bar feel, when you should be chugging a beer down and watching Man Utd or Liverpool lose the match (oops, i am so bias!). As you walk deeper, the familiar chair and the warm wallpaper settles you down. The dim light is no longer a problem with the DSLR as i gladly sat down on the plush chair.


Then the first disappointment came, when the over-friendly waiter recommends their pasta, telling us it is very different from "others".

"It is cooked aglio-olio style, garlic and olive oil. Very good"

Do i look like i ate bolognaise my whole life?

Nevermind, i shall not let such distractions ruin my reputation, as i scrummage their menu for something that looked sophisticated and delicious.

A scallop salad (RM33++) was served. Rather it was a scallop dish and the 'salad' was an afterthought with some leaves and a bread ring to secure it from sprouting all over. The scallops were rather on the small side but the tobiko on the top was a rather appetizing decor. Seating on a pile of beans, it was refreshing and something new.

The beef carpaccio (RM26++) was served with a whole grain mustard dressing, exactly what you need for raw beef. I was reminded that it was thinly sliced beef, and it was served as mentioned. A good dish, only wish was i didnt had to share this.

The grilled butterfish was the first to be served, lying down on a bed of asparagus and eggplants served with a sundried tomato based sauce with plentiful of olives. Depending on how you look at it, it was pretty much oily when i finished the whole plate, remnants of the sun dried tomatoes. The fish was nevertheless solid and meaty, a different face that i am used to as this is pretty much still a 'sashimi' fish for me. At RM38++, the fillet was thick and generous.

The Salmon (RM30-40++) was again off a decent size. Grilled but i would prefer it to be of a bright pink shade, my friend found some rather charred zucchinis at the bottom. The flesh was again firm and i didnt hear her mumble anything till it was finished.

The duck (RM38++) came with a blueberry sauce, although i had a piece, i didnt get any sauce. The idea of a tarty sauce was appealing and blueberry was definitely a first. Again, i would have prefered the duck to be cooked abit redder then brown, but then again, its me and not her as she wiped the plate clean.

The funny story came, when the plate was served and subsequently whisked away before we could say "Why". Apparently, the vegetables werent lined up yet waiting in the kitchen. I would have dreaded if i had started eating and telling me my plate is not "finished".

The lamb rack was the most expensive of the lot at (RM78++) which came with a rather mild sauce. The meat was well done like my girlfriend wanted, although i always eat it medium rare, especially for lamb. My girlfriend said it was ok, and pretty much forgetable although the standard is visible.

Desserts were to be eaten at Just Heavenly, so it was a miss.

Address and contact details:

Cameo
B-0-3, No.10, Jalan Semantan,
Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2096 1999

Opening hours: 12.00 noon to 3.00pm, 6.00pm till late. Mondays to Sundays.

Ratings: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. True enough, the food was prety good but the less then funny waiter and a lack of the 'wow' factor really makes it hard for me to visit again. Regardless, the ambience and the setting was soothing and out of the lot, the butterfish would always be at the back of my mind.