This coconut nectar infused white cold brew really hit the spot for me as the sweetness was earthy and subtle unlike most sugary, headache-inducing concoctions. The ice cream elevated the creaminess of the drink overall. If you’re not a fan of the rich and creamy or just milk in your coffee in general, don’t go for this.
Had there been more cili padi, I would’ve found this rendition a pleasant savory counterpart as compared to the sweeter ones I’m used to having. The mantaos however, were on the dry side and took a bit of effort peeling/cutting through.
If there’s a singular term I could use to describe to coffee here, it’s well-balanced. The lemon and thyme cake had very subtle nuances but enough to distinguish the fragrance of thyme from the dense, buttery cake.
The lime soda based drink has a stick of cinnamon placed into the glass to impart a earthy sweetness, safe to say that it really does. Give their craft beer selection a try as well, such as The Ang Moh Leng Teh (MYR33), a Penang craft beer that’s brewed by Bay Bridge Brewery in San Diego.
The mutton curry was rich, tender and flavorful and the squid was perfectly cooked, however I think the addition of cili padi to the squid would’ve given it a nice spice. The sambal kangkung was delicious as well, with the shallots giving it a nice crunch and fragrance. Definitely pair the dishes with the Nasi Ulam, you’ll love it. Looking forward to making a return trip with a bigger party to order the bigger dishes here.
Aside from the beautiful ambiance that faces the entrance of Pavilion KL, the pastries here left me confused. There was Gula Melaka in the Unicorn Tiramisu and tasted like a Gula Melaka cake, the Creme Brûlée macaron tasted like a lemon macaron and the pain au chocolat has visibly close to no chocolate in it. Aside from the flavor profile, the pastries were decently executed. Not sure if this place calls for a return visit.
At first, passionfruit and gin sounded like a good idea. While it still does, this drink did not live up to my expectations. The sugary sweetness greatly overpowers the flavor of the drink, however the frothy effect of the egg whites in the concoction did give it a nice texture.
As you walk in through the camouflaged front door, the walkway that’s adorned in Japanese drawings of ocean waves immediately set the tone that you’re in a Japanese-themed bar. The minimal yet contemporary interior speaks to modern Japanese architecture, setting this speakeasy apart from most. The Malacca Straits is an orange juice based cocktail with gin and vermouth, with a star anise and a curry leaf imparting a fragrance to the drink. Not usually a fan of OJ but I’d say this concoction does it justice.
This local spot is tucked in one of the folksy shophouses in the Masjid Jamek area; Lekiu Cafe’s interior is similarly simplistic, as well as a compact lunch menu that’s suited for a quick lunch break. The Iced Coffee here was rich and had a slight hint of Milo, whereas the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (MYR10.90) was perfectly executed — a whole chicken leg with a thin, crispy coating that retains a juicy and fleshy texture on the inside, the coconut rice was just right in fragrance and the sambal was tasty and spicy with a notable kick. While the roti bakar peanut butter (MYR4) did seem intriguing at first, it turned out to be just a pressed toast filled with regular peanut butter. Aside from the fact that it’s doused with an odd amount of lettuce, the Kuey Teow Goreng (MYR7.50) here had a satisfying flavor and a good touch of ‘wok hei’.
I’ve set rather high expectations for this place as I took in the ostentatious decor that adorned the restaurant. When I was handed the menu, only 5 set choices were available, and that was it. They did not have a full menu whatsoever. I decided to go with the Chicken Chop since I was feeling like playing it safe. However, as I was served the chicken feet soup for the starter and a jelly for dessert, the whole experience had me rather confused. Understandably the menu, albeit small, is predominantly Asian cuisine, but I simply cannot fathom the idea of serving chicken feet soup for the starter of a chicken chop. Overall, the food here was incredibly lacking in terms of preparation and repertoire, not even its impeccable service could plea for a return.
The very first caviar bar has set itself in Plaza Arkadia and it’s safe to say it’s worth a return. The Creamy Prawns and Potatoes (MYR36) is so decadent in its own right I wish I had a handful of pasta noodles to mix into the creamy gravy. The Poseidon’s Aglio Olio is very flavorful as well, topped with caviar and a wild-caught tiger prawn off the coasts of Sabah. Although the Pan-Seared Red Snapper (MYR40) was nicely seared and flavorful, it tasted closely to the fishes I order at a nasi kandar, so for the price and the portion, I’d recommend skipping this. End your meal with the picturesque Not So French Toast (MYR20) — caramelized broiche cubes filled with a cheesecake and strawberry compote topped with mint.
The Malaysian equivalent of comfort food — Nyonya food here really soothes the soul with its simple but authentic array of dishes that’s also very budget friendly. The Udang Masak Nanas platter (MYR14) here comes with sliced okras and the sweet Nyonya sambal most of familiar when it comes to Nyonya cooking. Surprisingly, what came through the most for me was the Otak-Otak (MYR9) — rich, flavorful and savory accompanied by a warm slice of fluffy bread. Have the cendol (MYR5.80) to end your meal here, you won’t regret it.
