Oregano is an interesting eating experience in Travillion Mall, Kuching. It’s located near one end of the open concept mall and the relatively small restaurant interior is boosted by a large al fresco seating area with lots of green shrubbery surrounding the seating arrangements.
The interior of Oregano has a unique contrasting ambience with the warm incandescent lights near the counter with its elevated faux floor décor contrasting with the cold florescent lights from the open kitchen concept near the back. I went there for dinner last night with Val and Monica.
Oregano is one of the few places to offer the open kitchen concept in a restaurant in Kuching. The cooking area is open for patrons to look into and there are chefs carefully tending to sauces, garnishing food and preparing dishes readily visible. This is a very nice arrangement as opposed to the closed kitchen that most eating establishments subscribe to.
The limited floor space afforded to Travillion Mall tenants is utilized well by Oregano by extending the seating area outside, which exponentially increases the seating capacity while still retaining a coherent theme with the main building with the well placed see-through glass walls bordering the restaurant.
Download: Oregano video tour [sixthseal.com]
Banana Dates Crush (RM 7.60)
This is a very thick blended drink that combines bananas with dates. It
tastes great! The density of the drink is so great that it takes much
effort to suck the thick blend through the straw. This is the only
drink we ordered…the other refreshments came in the form of a bucket
of beer (Heineken).
Oregano Onion Ring (RM 7.80)
Deep-fried crispy onion ring with spiced flour. It’s a little too oily but the spiced flour batter is a nice touch.
Confit of Salmon (RM 29.80)
Pan-fried salmon with green asparagus, candied cherry tomato, and yellow capsicum caulis.
I had the confit of salmon and it tastes great (though Val finds it too salty) but my only beef (no pun intended) with it is that it’s not a confit of salmon. The use of asparagus and other unusual ingredients gets two thumbs up from me though.
Lamb Shank Navarin Style (RM 28.80)
Braised lamb shank served with young vegetables and potato.
The lamb shank from Oregano is HUGE! Val and Monica both ordered this and it tastes great! Val kept on slicing bits of lamb shank pieces off for me (thanks!) and we still couldn’t finish the dish. Highly recommended! The sauce it came with is perfect…Oregano does sauces well.
This is a photo of us at Oregano – me and Val is going at it in the foreground while that’s Monica in the background. I know, the Tim Tams are making me put on a lot of excess weight…and I still had dessert! 😉
White Chocolate Dome (RM 13.80)
Portion of crispy rice mixed with white chocolate mousse and passion fruit jelly.
Cheese Roulade (RM 12.80)
Roulade with cheese filling and chocolate ganache, served with wild berry sauce.
Oregano does food presentation very well and their desserts are delectable!
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