Every day brings its own culinary adventures, and the name of this restaurant truly captures the essence of the NOM culture, “Seize the Day”! (Note: Just how good was Dead Poets Society? Right??)
One of Empire Damansara’s latest additions. Located at the Lower Ground, Carpe Diem is a restaurant that sells a range of Korean Italian fusion food. Carpe Diem is a business run by a cute Korean family and their friends.
Opened just barely a month, Carpe Diem still has a rather limited menu, though a few types of fusion pizzas and pastas are up for grabs.
Mango Juice [RM 8.90]
Overall a refreshing juice which is made of mostly real mangoes. A nice juice to go with your meal.
Claypot Chicken Pizza [RM 14.90 for 1 pax, RM 24.90 for 2 pax, RM 34.90 for 3]
This isn’t any of your usual Italian pizza. The first impression we had? “Eh isn’t that Dakgalbi?” Dakgalbi it is, minus the overwhelming-and-sometimes-annoying cabbages. Cubes and cubes of boneless chicken together with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, Korean rice cakes (Tteok) topped with very generous amount of Mozarella baked in a pan to a beautiful golden hue.
The whole combination was delectable, the highlight being the generous serving of fresh chicken cubes and Mozarella. The mushrooms and onions greatly contributed to the fragrance of the whole combination.
Also, Carpe Diem provides rice balls infused with sesame seed oil to end the experience on the high note. The rice balls are put into the general mix, and the result is something oh-so-heavenly! This left the gNOMes raving and craving for more.
Beef Pepperoni Cream Pasta [RM 18.90]
Both gNOMes wanted to try out their Spicy Bulgogi Pasta [RM 21.90], but unfortunately, they ran out of it by dinner time. The Carbonara came with smoked bacon with brocolli. Both gNOMes felt that the Carbonara wasn’t that palatable, but at the same time, wasn’t that bad overall. Perhaps this place is just better at pizzas 🙂
Sweet Potato Pizza [RM 10.90 for Medium, RM 18.90 for Large]
Thin crusted, hand tossed pizza with sweet potato toppings. True to its name, this pizza had a generous topping of sweet potatoes, which made for an interesting pizza. The thin crust was nicely crispy and rather fragrant. The cheesiness blends with it well to form a sweet and savoury combination.
Bing Soo [RM 13.90 for Small, RM 26.90 for Medium, RM 36.90 for Large]
A huge bowl of shaved ice topped with a variety of fruits, 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream, azuki beans and drizzled with chocolate syrup. The combination of vanilla ice cream, azuki beans and chocolate syrup provided the sweetness to the shaved ice. Fruits were fresh, making the whole combination perfect for a sweet ending.
Verdict : The gNOMes were initially a little skeptical about a Korean Pizza restaurant. But seeing the interesting Korean twist on traditional favorites is refreshing. Also, did we mention that the Claypot Chicken Pizza is to die for? 😀 We are also hearing they serve cold-brewed Dutch coffee, perhaps we shall pop by for another meal soon.
How to get there :
Address : Lot LG 01, Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya
Contact Number : +603-7661 0776
Opening Hours : Mondays to Saturdays. 1000 hours till 2200 hours.
Closed on Sundays.
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