Pop! Goes the Pasta, Italiannies' Lunch Deal

I'd been reluctant to return to Italiannies for a number of years. Over and above appearing too Disneyfied Italian, I was traumatized by an undercooked fish dish once at the outlet at the Curve, of which I'd taken a huge bite (and swallow) before realizing it. Recently though, I chanced upon a not entirely horrible dining experience at the Gardens outlet bidding a departing colleague farewell. Granted, all I had was the Shrimp & Mango salad and a sangria, but it was enough to prompt me towards the hugely popular lunch deal the very next day.

Freshly baked bread, perfect to stave off those dizzy hunger pangs while waiting for your food or rudely gaping at your neighbours' very inviting pizza

Choice of Soup: Marsala Mushroom or Minestrone. Both of us go for Mushroom because we wanted heavy! We wanted cream! The soup was fine, with chunks of fresh mushrooms and I'd order this again in a heartbeat.

The choice of mains range from RM13.90 (advertised, but applies only to the Margherita Pizza) up to above RM30. I went for the Chicken & Mushroom Spaghetti (RM19.90). This was bland from the start but upon the third forkful, started to offer a really bizarre, manufactured aftertaste. I don't know if my tastebuds were acting up (for they do at a great frequency) but it felt like I was eating stale tea leaves??! Do shiitake mushrooms have that effect on people? Why didn't I just order the damn pizza?
Mel's Penne Bolognese (RM19.90) - she was hardly impressed. Definitely not the stuff to be soundtracked with gravely passionate operatic tenor. It's the type of meal that should be stomached with music that's a bit more non-commital, like one of the American Idol alums.

One thing must be said though - the portions are huge and if you finish it, you WILL be full and sluggish at your desk for the rest of the afternoon. I won't be coming back anytime soon for the pasta, but the pizza at the neighbouring table... now that's a different story!