Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu recently opened its new Italian restaurant, Oceano, in a ceremony officiated by Sabah’s minister of tourism, culture and environment, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.
The new restaurant is featuring the Ossobuco di Vitello or Veal Shank as its signature dish, while the barrel-aged Negroni will be served as its signature beverage. Pricings are ranged from RM35 to RM135 per dish.
As part of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Rooted in Nature, the finest locally and ethically sourced ingredients are incorporated in the dishes.
“At Oceano, we offer the best of regional Italian cuisine with traditional flavours presented in a fresh and modern way. Our lunch menu offers light and delicious Italian favourites while the dinner menu features classic favourites. The ingredients used are a combination of fresh local produce and imported organic and naturally grown products,” said the resort’s general manager, Jean-Marc Michel. ‘Being a responsible operator, Rasa Ria deepens its relationship with local communities by creating a market for sustainable farming, fishing and livestock practices, and providing higher-quality cuisine to guests as part of Shangri-La’s food and beverage sustainable initiative,
Rooted In Nature.” Oceano’s chef de cuisine, Mauro Altea, 34, who hails from Sardinia island, Italy, created the restaurant’s extensive menu, which was inspired by his mother’s cooking using fresh produce brought in by his father.
With over 14 years’ culinary experience, Chef Mauro is a highly creative, detailoriented chef with a passion for the culinary arts and loves to challenge himself on a daily basis, refining his skills in the kitchen. He began his career working in the kitchens of respected restaurants in his native Italy and progressed to five-star hotels.
His passion for Italian cuisine has brought him to Spain, Ireland and Oceania to spread the authentic Italian flavours before starting his first stint in Southeast Asia at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu to helm Oceano. Aside from its newly added Italian restaurant to its list of ethnic restaurants, the resort is also home to the award-winning Indian restaurant, Naan, and the popular Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, Kozan.
The exclusive breakfast venue for the resort’s Ocean Wing residents, Oceano is approximately 665 square metres and seats approximately 102 persons indoor and 64 persons for al-fresco dining. Oceano’s rustic interior concept is complemented by the use of earth tones and wooden decors, providing a relaxed ambiance for an Italian dining experience.