Lot 1.01.01 & Lot 1.01.02, Level 1, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
168, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur 55100
Saturday:
Closed
Enjoy dining without burning a hole in your pocket, no membership required
Supermarket runs just got a lot more fun with Mercato's cafe and oyster bar in the picture. The restaurant opens alongside Pavilion's new entrance, encouraging pedestrians, tourists and all to make this their pitstop. For a mid-day respite, visit the oyster bar and snag one of the extremely limited seats by the bar. Not only is it easier to get oyster recommendations, it also elevates the experience getting to watch the staff shuck the shellfish. The Tatihou Fine De Claire No.3 (from RM44.90) yield small but flavourful morsels, whereas the Tsarkaya Oyster No.3 (from RM56.90) are fresh and fleshier. The bar also loads up on an interesting range of craft beers worth looking into, especially if you're intending to end the work day early!
Avg price per person: RM45
Premium supermarket Mercato in Pavilion has taken grocery shopping to the next level, having expanded one floor up with their new dine-in space. Part cafe, part oyster and seafood bar, this sun-filled restaurant stretches along Jalan Bukit Bintang for a close-up view of the city's bustle. Stop by after shopping for nosh with the ladies! Aside from shucking fresh oysters flown in from France, the chef works around the grocer's readily available produce to create a menu of its own class. Standout starters include the zingy Tsarkaya Oyster No.3 (from RM56.90 for three), the creamier option of Baked Oysters (RM39.90) and the made-to-share Mussel Fries (RM54). Mains should be shared as well, as portions run big, especially for the Slow Roasted Lamb With Rosemary (RM38). The Australian grain fed lamb is slow cooked for a precise period in the oven, voiding the dish of gaminess. Its side of homemade potato puree with truffle also hits the mark — definitely a must-order.
Avg price per person: RM50
Photo by Burppler Rueann D
Though an Italian brand, Mercato wants its grocer and food arms to be a repertoire of international goods. The French-style Mussel Frites is a case in point. Cooked in a creamy herb and garlic sauce, the mussels were tasty (although a little too puny for my liking) while featuring crispy fries and bread (rather bland) for mopping up gravy is a very, very good decision on their part. Something for sharing between meals maybe?
The new spot to take lit photos and enjoy life after grocery shopping in Pavilion is Mercato's newly opened cafe and oyster bar. I was so sure that I'd be too busy scrambling for fresh oysters to pay attention to anything else until I met the lamb. The Australian grain-fed cut was top-notch. Having only spent some time in the oven with salt, pepper and rosemary, the medium well lamb spotted a hint of pink and lots of yum. Here's the perfect example of quality ingredients done right. The meat needed nothing else, except that truffle mash that wrapped up a perfectly good dish at Mercato. Pictured above is also a Salmon With Garlic and Lemon Sauce (RM44) - not bad, but not lamb-good.