Crispy chicken nasi lemak in Malaysia, dinner with Sting, wine estate feasts in Italy: a wine professional’s global food and drinks bucket list

In Tuscany, wine professional Ronald Khoo likes to get a steak that is ‘medium-rare perfection’ on the Antinori winery estate

He has three go-to places in Malaysia for his all-time favourite dish, nasi lemak, and knows where to go for fine dining in Siem Reap in Cambodia

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Ronald Khoo (left) with his family and Sting (right). Hereveals where he likes to go for food and drink in Italy, Malaysia and Cambodia. Photo: Ronald Khoo

Published: 2:45pm, 17 Feb 2021Updated: 5:24pm, 8 Mar 2021

Kuala Lumpur native Ronald Khoo is a wine professional working in the aviation industry.

In travel, I love major cities where you can feel the pulsing character and soul, but I also love small quaint towns like in Italy.

One favourite is Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany. There are some nice vineyard resorts there, like Capannelle (Località Capannelle, 13, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti SI, Italy, tel: +39 0577 74511) perched at the top of the town. I love sitting on a deck chair overlooking the infinity pool and vineyards below. A great lunch spot is Osteria Al Ponte (Via Antonio Casabianca, 25, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti SI, Italy, tel: +39 0577 744085).

Another magical property is Il Palagio, in Figline Valdarno. It produces its own wines and is owned by rock musician Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler. I’ve been fortunate to have gone there twice for their annual “friends of Il Palagio” dinner event.

Pasta from Osteria Al Ponte. Photo: Ronald Khoo

Rinuccio 1180 (Via Cassia per Siena, 133, 50026 Localita’ Bargino, San Casciano Val di Pesa FI, Italy, tel: +39 055 235 9720) is on the Antinori winery estate. The food here is absolutely spot on. The steak is medium-rare perfection. The pasta is fresh made. But the best part is the wine list. A bonus is the amazing architecture of the Antinori winery, showroom and cellar.

As a Malaysian, my all-time favourite dish is nasi lemak. I have three go-to places. Village Park Restaurant (5, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, tel: +60 3 7710 7860) comes with a large fried chicken leg coated with crispy, spicy batter. The sambal has a good balance between savoury, sweet and spicy. Note that this place generally has long queues.