Eat Drink KL

Sensual elegance isn't something that a Chinese restaurant is expected to exude, but Way Modern Chinois sets out to be a breaker of multiple rules, painting on a broad culinary canvas.

Opening this week in Damansara Heights, the sister restaurant of Ploy is swathed in shadows, cultivating a cozy-cushy intimacy in a strikingly small space free of traditional banquet tables; it's perhaps the ideal place in KL for a Peking Duck-craving couple to enjoy a romantic evening.

Start with dim sum, served both for lunch & dinner; the Pac-Man platter (RM22 before taxes) is a cute one, comprising steamed prawn dumplings marinated with Szechuan spices & ponzu, to be consumed with a cracker resting on mashed avocado.

No-carb, no-meat dim sum? No problem. Lettuce-wrapped, carrot-filled 'treasure pouches' (RM17) taste like a healthy treat, enlivened with pumpkin sauce.

Cheong fun stuffed with shredded duck (RM17), as expertly executed as everything we had here.

Gyoza-like dumplings, pan-fried & packed with mutton & chives (RM12 for five pieces).

Way is a no-pork eatery, but that won't stop its chicken-based xiaolongbao (RM12 for four) from supplying satisfaction.

This one's wonderful: Wickedly creamy-smooth congee (RM68), constructed with chicken stock, slow-cooked for 12 hours, crowned with abalone & aromatically enriched with plenty of truffle oil.

Tropically tempting: Pina Colada Crab (RM33), chilled crustacean of the flower variety, its meaty flesh coated in soft ice flavored with pineapple & coconut.

Way's derring-do extends to its cocktail menu; try this "Journey To The West" of Ron Zacapa rum, dried longan, dried dates, ginger beer, lime juice & lime peel. The downside: It costs RM50.

"Long March," with jasmine tea-infused vodka, elderflower syrup, egg white & lemon juice.

Note: The way into Way is currently concealed; press the button outside to open this entrance.

Fun fact: Way is the Chinese name of the owners' son. It can mean 'unique' in Mandarin.

Way Modern Chinois
G-1, Work@Clearwater, Jalan Changkat Semantan, Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur
Currently open for lunch & dinner, except Sundays. Tel: 03-2095-1118

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

It's a fine week to be Fierce: KL's biryani professionals have unveiled their new outpost, Fiercer, a relatively upscale interpretation of their Bangsar curry house.

Fiercer retains its big brother's friendly casualness, transplanted into a modern restaurant-bar setting that suits its Solaris Dutamas surroundings.

The menu's limited at this early, soft-opening stage, comprising mainly the classics ...

... a variety of Hyderabadi Dum biryani that taste as terrific as Fierce's originals ...

... packing plenty of potent flavor, heat & moisture to be unlocked beneath a doughy swaddle in custom-made steel bowls.

Mutton's probably our favorite (RM22+, with mixed raita, pickled veggie acar & gravy), thanks to the robust punch of the tender meat that layers the rice ...

... though chicken (RM20+) is certainly no slouch in supplying satisfaction ...

... while fish (RM20+) furnishes fragrance, not foulness ...

... & a vegetarian-appropriate rendition (RM14+) brims with bean curd for Meatless Mondays.

It's likely that Fierce's premium biryani _ lobster, scallops, crab & more _ will become available later, along with a wider range of other food & beverages.

What makes us giddy with glee: Wine's offered at Fiercer, costing RM20+ per glass.

Nice start for Fiercer; will there be a Fiercest eventually? We sure hope so.

Click here for earlier 2012 entry on Fierce Curry House at Bangsar.

Fiercer by Fierce Curry House

D1-G3-5, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. Behind Publika, kinda beside Barfly

Daily, 11am-11pm (1am Friday & Saturday)

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Walking through SohoKL can be haunting, thanks to memories of the many restaurants that closed here; Lok Yun, one of this complex's newbies, occupies a corner lot that previously belonged to no fewer than three East Asian eateries: Zhen Shan Mei, Pin Shan& Peking Duck.

Lok Yun's another Chinese outlet with OK food; we liked the pork belly fried in salted egg yolk, though it could have been crunchier ...

... while various other pork parts, including neck & belly, proved less memorable ...

... fried with salted fish, braised with bitter gourd, it's all a blur in our foggy recollection.

Wine's available & service is solid, but we're not sure whether longevity is in Lok Yun's future.

A few doors away, Big Joe's is another recent entry, taking over what was once Dubrovnik.

Big Joe's main attraction: shelves of books that include some unexpectedly tempting titles.

The food's a hodgepodge of meat-heavy Western fare (think mushroom soup, spaghetti bolognese & chicken chop), plus occasional specials like sandwiches like paprika spelt bread stuffed with butter, paprika, cheese, tomato & lettuce.

Plenty of pastries & cakes, plus German beer chilling in the fridge; perhaps worth a lunch stop for folks working here.

Lok Yun & Big Joe's
Ground Floor, SohoKL, Solaris Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Returning to Cross-Legged, a cafe where things have gotten discernibly fishier since our first visit.

Earlier entry on Cross-Legged: July 10.

The chicken comes before the egg in this entry, thanks to irresistibly creative recipes like this salad of chicken baked over a low fire, then laid to rest on a bed of buttered potato cubes & sweet corn kernels, made perky with cucumbers, finely chopped mint, coriander & lime pulp, finished with a dash of ginger ale soda & mild chili gravy. RM15.

Cross-Legged's food displays not only creativity but complexity, showcased in this steamed rice powerfully flavored with smoked chicken essence, herbs & butter in a stone pan, then plated with smoked chicken breast slices. RM15.

We'll need little egging on to profess our love for Cross-Legged's steamed eggs (RM10), mixed with chicken sausage, cubed capsicum & tomatoes, topped with a thin cheese crust & served with unique "crust fries," comprising strips of bread crust seasoned with olive oil, herbs & butter.

Deconstructed omelets (RM15): Fantastically fluffy, pancake-shaped whisked eggs, crowned with corn cream cheese, coupled with a vivacious salad of guava & cucumbers dressed with Chinese black vinegar & coarse sugar.

Fiber & vitamins feature prominently in Cross-Legged's concoctions. The fruit omelet (RM10) is filled with not merely fruits, but oats, nuts & cornflakes as well.

Bonus cafe stop: Fat Spoon's fun desserts prove worth the time & effort of confronting Damansara Uptown's parking woes.

Cempedak spring rolls, five to a plate for RM10, served nice & hot with vanilla ice cream.

Sago pudding, well matched with The Last Polka's salted Gula Melaka ice cream.

House-made malted blondie, crumbly-moist in that indisputably fresh-baked manner.

Thumb through Fat Spoon's menu booklet; it might bring back childhood memories.

Cross-Legged Cafe
67-1, First Floor, Jalan PJU 5/21, The Strand, Kota Damansara
Tues-Fri, 12pm-2pm, 6pm-9pm; Sat, 11am-9pm; Sun, 11am-3pm

Fat Spoon

73, Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya

Daily except Mondays. Tel: 03-7728-3323

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Take a hefty bite of the Big Apple at Brooklyn B, possibly the Klang Valley's first hipster cafe that centers on bagels.

Brooklyn B replaces Subang's Cham Bagel Bakery; it's now run a Malaysian team coached by Cham's Gambian owner, who spent 16 years making bagels in New York City. This new outlet has been entirely refurbished, transforming it into a relatively trendy-looking hangout that might perform better among SS15's college crowd.

Brooklyn B's bevy of bagels is freshly baked, supplying a distinctive chew that's densely solid without being distressingly strenuous.

Bagels are served all day long starting 10am, except on Mondays; begin with breakfast, when a warm bagel sandwich can be savored, heartily stuffed with scrambled eggs & veggies (RM8.30).

Lunch might be the classic bagel with lox & cream cheese, plus capers & spring onions (RM15.50); Brooklyn B's salmon proves surprisingly luscious, signaling that the outlet is serious about stocking up on top-flight ingredients.

For dinner, when Brooklyn B's speakers switch to the turbulent sounds of Florence and the Machine, consider the garlic-topped bagel filled with soft corned beef, Worcestershire sauce & black pepper (RM11.90).

Regular bagels range from savory ones flavored with onions, poppy seeds & sesame seeds ...

... to sweeter varieties tinged with blueberries or apple cinnamon (RM3.50 each, RM12 for four), perfect to have plain for a snack.

Brooklyn B's can't-stop, won't-stop-eating addiction: Bagel chips, thinly sliced & baked till golden-brown, even crunchier than potato crisps.

Excellent with creamy aioli; very simple but purely enjoyable.

Speaking of pure enjoyment, Smooshie Juice, our favorite 'fruit juice purists,' are in the top three of an Alliance Bank competition that could enable them to secure funds to build a mini-factory. Fellow Smooshie fans can take the steps above by Dec. 8 to help make this dream come true.

Brooklyn B Bagel Bakery & Cafe

41, Jalan SS15/8A, Subang Jaya

Open 10am-10pm, except Mondays. Tel: 03-5611-6553

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Slurping our way through three udon specialists that opened in KL in recent months, starting with Yuu-jo, a fairly cozy spot on one of Mont Kiara's leafy streets.

Udon & soba command the mightiest share of Yuu-jo's menu; for something that tastes pretty nutritious, order the cold udon with marinated shiso leaves & spinach, blended with olive oil & crowned with char-grilled chicken (RM17.80 before taxes).

The remainder of Yuu-jo's repertoire includes light-lunch mains like fleshy cobia fish deep-fried in bread crumbs (RM12) ...

... & familiar-favorite side dishes such as 'nasu dengaku,' miso-glazed eggplant (RM8.80).

Other menu highlights: Italian-style udon, beef bolognese or chicken carbonara-style, as well as green tea soba with salmon & raw egg, plus comfort-food rice bowls.

Next up, Ori-Udon, a newbie at The Gardens Mall's lower ground floor, where several casual eateries have launched these past few weeks.

If Ori-Udon's selection seems familiar, that might be because its consultant chef appears to be Seiji Fujimoto, the founder of Taman Desa's well-respected Sanuki Udon.

Have a bowl of chilled udon coupled with a smidgen of mentaiko & soft-boiled egg (RM8.90), plus side dishes of wakame seaweed (RM1), fried tofu (RM1) & warm, tender beef (RM3, no taxes). A filling, fulfilling sampler, well-executed in Sanuki's signature style.

Ori-Udon's compact menu also includes hot, fresh skewers of chicken & quail eggs (RM3 each) that are breaded instead of grilled, for a surprisingly nice change.

Plus, there's sake here; we're thankful that Ori-Udon's friendly manager cheerfully serves this even at 10:30 in the morning. It wakes us up better than coffee.

Final stop, only a five-minute walk from Ori-Udon, here's Manmaru at Mid Valley Megamall, a spacious restaurant with a wide-ranging menu that partners udon with the likes of pickled plums, creamy curries & even sweet corn soup.

A small portion, pleasantly chewy, with smoked duck in savory gravy costs RM13.90; most other varieties here are cheaper. Side dishes include velvety eggs as well as tempura squid, tempura prawns, tempura chicken, tempura enoki mushrooms, tempura sweet potato, tempura pumpkin, tempura eggplant (the tempura compilation clearly rivals that of the udon).

Fans of Japanese food, it's worth noting that The Gardens Mall has some fresh temptations, including Ozen Zanmai, a bento-serving offshoot of Sushi Zanmai ...

... & Kuru Kuru Takoyaki, which whips up battered balls, stuffed with cheese or topped with teriyaki mayo, for what would likely be sinfully doughy snacks.

Yuu-jo Japanese Restaurant

B1-B3, Kiara Designer Suites, 18, Jalan Kiara 3, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

Open lunch & dinner, except Mondays. Can be crowded for lunch; it's calmer in the evening.
Tel: 03-6206-5273

Ori-Udon
LG-K01, Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur

Manmaru Homemade Udon
S-045A, Center Court, Second Floor, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Exposed at last, here comes one of Sri Hartamas' most seductive new restaurants this year.

This two-level venue proves knowingly versatile: on top, Naked's brightly lit, cafe-like setting would work well for lunch, while its breezy bar space at the bottom might lure customers seeking someplace casual but cool to chill out in the evening.

Naked's menu features familiar favorites with cheeky twists: Its mushroom soup (RM18+) is a menage a trois of the shiitake, brown button & oyster varieties, sauteed in a sherry broth with herbs, finished with truffle creme fraiche & fresh thyme.

Lady's fingers (RM16+), a vegetarian-friendly snack tossed in paprika-tinged batter, crisply coupled with coriander & a cucumber-mint yogurt dip.

Meat-free pizzas can satisfy, evidenced by this well-crowned creation with garlic-roasted veggies, goat's cheese, rosemary, whole-milk mozzarella & aged balsamic reduction; costing a reasonable RM33+, it's clear that Naked's prices won't strip patrons of their hard-earned cash.

Canadian executive chef Nigel Richter's house burger feels fully loaded for ravenous eaters, stacked with a seared beef patty, melted aged cheddar cheese, lettuce, subtly spicy onion rings, crunchy beef bacon & beefsteak tomatoes.

Dressed in a maple balsamic emulsion, Naked's no-gluten salad includes protein-powered components like caramelized beef bacon & a baked parmesan crisp.

White chocolate semifreddo (RM19++) with vanilla cream, salted chocolate crumble & berries.

Naked's cocktails exhibit the bare brilliance of Joshua Ivanovic; love the Cool Bananas (RM28+), comprising Angostura Reserva white rum, banana liquor, lime juice & a banana chopped up into the shape of a friendly dolphin.

School of Awesomeness (RM22+): Beefeater London dry gin, aperol, lemon juice & egg white.

Tea For Mojitwo: A mint tea-infused Bajan Mojito laced with passion fruit. RM38+ for two.

Bloody Gardeners (RM22+): Smirnoff Red Label vodka, tomato juice & seasoning. Will likely be served in a plant pot beginning next week.

Money Club (RM22+): Cachaca, lemon juice, raspberries & egg white.

Naked Restaurant & Bar

E01, Plaza Damas, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Kuala Lumpur

Open 11am through late, except Mondays

Checking out two compelling new reasons to return to Pavilion this month: confectionery shop Minamoto Kitchoan & caffeine bar WA Cafe, both infused with inimitable Japanese influences.

First, Minamoto Kitchoan, which recently unveiled its maiden Malaysian branch, bolstering a cross-continental network that spans locations from Singapore to Shanghai to San Francisco, London to Tokyo to New York.

Minamoto specializes in "wagashi," the traditional treats commonly consumed with tea. Beautifully packaged but bitingly priced; it's startlingly simple to spend a whole lunchtime's worth of money on more or less a mouthful here.

Minamoto's mochi might rank as KL's best, exceptional in taste & texture. Sweet but not cloying, with a commanding complexity of flavor, these rice cakes feel fresh & pleasurably pasty without excess stickiness.

Sakura mochi (RM10 per piece), its glutinous grains wrapped with a salted cherry leaf & topped with pickled cherry blossom. Delicate & nuanced.

Also adore the kusa mochi (RM8), typically a springtime delicacy, colored with mugwort leaves & filled with red bean paste. Glutinous greatness.

Tsuyaguri, a whole, soft chestnut enveloped in mashed chestnut paste. Folks who feel like festive splurging can buy a nice 12-piece gift box of these for RM152.

Hoshigaki dried persimmon, reputedly a labor-intensive product to create by massaging the fruit over time, stuffed with white bean paste.

The azuki bean paste is lovely here, be it stuffed in the Oribenishiki baked buns ...

... or sandwiched in dorayaki pancakes (Doraemon's favorite!) ...

... & koganeawase crispy-light wafers. This coming from someone who's not a red-bean fan.

Cookies? These "leaf pies" could prove an irresistibly buttery-sugary addiction.

Not everything here's a hit though: We'd skip the surprisingly bland kasutera sponge cake (RM48) & fukuwatashisenbei vanilla cream cookie ...

... & the OK-but-unmemorable shimizuhakuto peach jelly (RM42).

Before leaving Pavilion, take the escalators four floors up to WA Cafe, where a Japanese barista has started serving this shopping mall's most satisfying coffee.

Colombian Arabica beans form the foundation for WA's lovable iced latte (RM11).

Also admirable: Hot matcha latte (RM10), potently aromatic with top-flight green tea ...

... & a deeply enjoyable roasted almond hot chocolate (RM11), both not-coffee beverages that make WA Cafe more than a coffee bar, come to think of it.

Note: WA Cafe is in a soft-opening stage; its barista advises customers to come next week, when the cafe's own-made ice cream & a wider selection of beverages will become available.

Minamoto Kitchoan

P2-12-00, Level 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

WACafe

Center Court, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

A possible haunt for meat-lovers, particularly those who favor live music to invigorate their meals.

Poodoo's menu is primarily a pork-worshiping one, plowing through everything from enjoyable slow-roasted pulled pork sandwiches with streaky bacon (RM20.88) to Carlsberg beer-marinated pork chops & double-boiled pork trotters.

Plenty of inventive pub grub too, like cheddar cheese-stuffed onions fried in bacon-infused batter & breaded luncheon meat sliced into French-fries-style strips.

BBQ dishes are also a specialty, including Aussie grass-fed rib-eye (RM34 for 200 grams).

Grilled lamb shoulders & salmon steaks are available as well, served with sauces such as brandy pepper, wild mushroom, pico de gallo & spicy piri piri.

Poodoo's pretty proud of its sausages, which range from bratwurst to cumberland, Italian herbed to English Oxford, coupled with creamy mashed potatoes.

Not on the official menu, but worth requesting: Test tubes filled with all manner of liquor ...

... to be combined & transformed into a high-potency cocktail that might make the room spin.

For less intrepid guzzlers, wine is offered, together with lots of beer & regular cocktails.

Poodoo's a two-level outlet: Its bar with a performance stage is situated above its bistro.

Poodoo

Metro Mall, Jalan Metro Pudu 2, Fraser Business Park, Kuala Lumpur

Bistro opens 11am-3pm & 5pm-11pm; bar opens 430pm-2am, except Sundays

Tel: 03-9221-4828

Duck tales: Scouring Puchong for the tastiest of this neighborhood's roasted poultry, starting with probably our top pick, Soon Lok.

Soon Lok's roast duck (RM42 for whole) proves that this popular restaurant is no quack; its meat is fleshy & flavorful, while its skin proves commandingly crisp, blessed with a luscious layer of fat to broaden both the waistlines & the smiles of satisfied patrons.

Everything else here is convincingly executed, from the staples of siew yok & char siew ...

... to an assam shark's head platter that should appease fish fans.

Cabbage laced with dried shrimp for fiber, plus noodles for carbs.

Next, only a minute's drive from Soon Lok, here's a look at Choy Hi, which is slightly less busy but still seems to have a faithful following.

Pei Pa roast duck; probably a B-minus in our book. The meat could have been fresher, juicier & better-tasting. Not a total fail, but not a big hit either.

Choy Hi also serves steamed chicken that may or may not be from Bentong; there's a vagueness to how the food is explained here.

What's worthwhile here: Bean curd stuffed with fish paste, served steaming-hot ...

... plus boneless chicken in a thick apricot sauce that's addictive even if it might be artificial ...

... & wild boar curry that's lip-smacking in its creamy savoriness & the beloved three-egg steamed platter that's crowd-pleasing in a can't-fail fashion.

Claypot 'water spinach'& the bounciest of fish balls wrap up our look at Choy Hi, where the hits make the misses tolerable.

Next on our fowl itinerary: Pooi Kee, where charcoal-roasted duck rules the roost.

Pooi Kee offers no fewer than three types of roast duck: one swimming in a light sauce, the second sprinkled with sesame seeds & another soaked in angelica herbs.

Not bad at all; drumsticks cost RM12 per plate, while half a chicken sells for RM20.

Bentong-style claypot duck with ginger's also worthwhile, though the cuts seem bonier here.

Veggies galore, from sour to soupy, leafy to crunchy (the beansprouts are tasty).

Pooi Kee's pork is OK but not the highlight of this outlet.

Last but not least: Brother Kuan, where customers who come after 7pm might find themselves waiting at least five minutes for a table at this bustling venue.

Our definitive duck hunt ends with Brother Kuan's crispy duck in a mild, watery herbal sauce; good but not great, though in this case, good is good enough.

Brother Kuan's a fair place for a no-frills meal, with fast, friendly service. Steamed fish, spinach, roast pork & omelets all hit appealing notes. Hurray for Puchong.

Soon Lok, 77, Jalan Kenari 20, Bandar Puchong Jaya

Choy Hi, 16, Jalan Kenari 18A, Bandar Puchong Jaya

Pooi Kee, 56, Jalan Puteri 5/18, Bandar Puteri Puchong

Brother Kuan, 2A, Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri Puchong

It's off to the Netherlands for this entry: The name of this very formal restaurant (which translates into 'The Five Flies') might seem punishing to pronounce, but that's no impediment to eating here.

This sprawling outlet features nine intricately decorated, dimly lit rooms _ some with Rembrandt masterpieces or antique handmade glassware _ spread out over five 17th-century canal houses.

The establishment prides itself on using seasonal Dutch produce for recipes that bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary cooking.

Amuse bouche of langoustine mousse with salmon roe and rose petals. Who knew that oceanic flavors could work so pleasingly with a floral fragrance?

Herring cocktail with pureed shallots, potatoes, white bread and pickled gherkin sorbet. A cold, creamy combo with somewhat subtle, salad-ish flavors.

Spinach soup with poached hen's egg, forest mushrooms & bread. A weird mix; not quite sure whether the ingredients gel well together,

Fillet of rabbit with rilette of its stewing flesh, a hearty meat-and-potatoes recipe. For the accompaniments: Marrowfat peas are green mature peas allowed to dry out naturally in the field; piccalilli is a relish of chopped pickled veggies.

Dutch beef, medium-rare. Good steak; nothing more, nothing less.

Assortment of Dutch cheeses. As satisfying as some French ones.

D'Vijff Vlieghen,

Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Afiyet olsun! A taste of Turkish street food has come to Old Klang Road, courtesy of young newlyweds & F&B entrepreneurs Desmond, a native of Istanbul, & his Malaysian wife, Evonne.

The hardworking couple currently keep their restaurant open 10am-10pm, seven days a week, whipping up hot & fresh fare like 'tantuni' (RM15.90 nett), moreish rolls of thinly sliced lamb ...

... 'lahmacun' (RM15.90), crisp flatbread crowned with lamb, minced veggies & spices ...

... 'pide' (RM15.90), the Turkish equivalent of pizza, topped with the customer's choice of meat (chicken, beef or lamb) & herbs ...

... & 'fatayer,' a cheesy meat pie pastry that comes out piping-hot from the oven of Fravashi, named for the Zoroastrian guardian spirit.

Part of the secret to Fravashi's delicious dishes: Bread baked from scratch right here.

Fravashi's meat recipes prove expertly executed: The lamb kebabs turn out succulent & savory (RM17.90 with seasoned basmati rice).

Even chicken wings (RM15.90) taste more flavorsome than usual, finger-lickin' fabulous.

Fravashi's menu remains limited at this early stage; Desmond & Evonne hope to eventually offer adventurous concoctions like 'cig kofte,' raw meat evocative of steak tartare, but for now, they're sticking to safer options like 'cacik' (RM17.90), a chilled mix of diluted yogurt, olive oil & mint ...

... & 'coban salatasi' (RM7.90), a salad of tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers, onions & feta dressed in olive oil, lemon juice & pomegranate juice.

Fravashi also serves basic Italian pasta & pizzas, though these might not be its forte; the spaghetti aglio olio borders a bit too much on blandness ...

... while the pizzas (RM22-RM25) might prove too thickly crusted for some patrons.

For a sweet finish, there's the ever-popular, nutty-sugary baklava of course ...

... though we prefer the honeyed fig with vanilla ice cream (with the figs brought to Malaysia by Desmond's mom on her most recent visit to KL).

Beautiful-looking Turkish tea sets (RM10) are available too ...

... featuring imported Arabic leaves partnered with 'nabat' saffron candy ...

... & a medley of mulberries & raisins.

All in all, Fravashi's a pleasant stop, pretty casual & welcoming, run by friendly owners striving to serve satisfying fare. A nice, no-fuss little entry to Old Klang Road.

Fravashi Mediterranean Restaurant

12, Ground Floor, 3rd Mile Square Business Center, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-7988-0046

South Korea's fried chicken chain has finally spread its wings (literally, in this case) to Malaysia.

K-pop meets K-poultry: Some folks have nicknamed this 'Super Junior Chicken' amid expectations that the Korean boy band, who double as poster boys for KyoChon, will personally meet & greet ecstatic fans next month at this 1 Utama restaurant's official launch.

Naturally, it's the meat, not the music, that matters for this entry: KyoChon delivers fresh fowl crisply double-fried in canola oil on order.

Our best bet: Honey-coated chicken, well-measured in sweetness, satisfying in succulence, convincing in crunch. RM9.90 before taxes for a three-piece mix of drumstick, drumette & wing.

KyoChon's 'original recipe' version proves a little less distinctive than expected, but it's still enjoyably slicked up in soy-garlic glaze & notably not as greasy or salty as most fried chicken.

The hottest wings here? The spicy ones smothered in a sauce made of Korean red chili peppers.

Fiery fare, perhaps best eaten with KyoChon's firm-grained buttered rice as an accompaniment.

Bone-free strips of chicken breast, dubbed 'sal sal,' blanketed in a unique rice-flaked batter, with jalapeno dipping sauce. More moist than flavorsome, for better or worse. RM10.90 for five pieces.

Side dishes include a simple salad with blueberry sauce, somewhat overpriced for RM16 ...

... & steaming-hot chicken soup with rice cakes, clocking in at a more reasonable RM6.90.

Main courses comprise the likes of dak galbi-style chicken with kimchi fried rice & egg.

Roasted barley or corn tea make up the beverage menu (no booze, boo!). Also worth adding: service is friendly & fairly fast; all in all, a solid entry to this mall (& more malls soon, we hope).

KyoChon 1991 (near Cold Storage)

Lot 311, Lower Ground, 1 Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya

Visiting two very different suburban Thai eateries that started operating without fanfare this year, beginning with Dok Bua, a sedately casual & stubbornly frills-free destination in Ara Damansara.

Pork's our pleasure here, clocking in at reasonable prices: A serving of 'moo pa lo' (meat & egg stewed with five spices) that two can share costs RM10.

Kinda like a Thai cross between tau yew bak & bak kut teh. Could be more richly aromatic, but it's fine for what it is. Enjoy with steamed white rice.

Also worthwhile at Dok Bua, which seems to be run mainly by Thai men: Roasted glass noodles, hearty with a choice of either pork or shrimp (RM10) ...

... plus a nicely mild Panang pork curry (RM12) that could nevertheless be creamier with more coconut milk, but now we're simply nitpicking.

Chang beer is the best that liquor lovers can hope to do at Dok Bua.

Next up, Thai Grill, a more upmarket stop, nestled in what seems to be the basement of the Tropicana Golf & Country Resort's clubhouse.

Start with chicken feet salad, filled with gelatinous goodness (bone-free, mercifully), tossed with tomatoes, onions, chili & lime juice.

Crispy-fried skewered turkey (!), a satisfactory treat with thick Thai chili sauce.

Steamed mussels, always a pleasure if they're as fresh as the ones available here.

"Hor mok," the seafood custard-souffle that we can never resist ordering.

Salt-cooked freshwater fish, a little bit muddy-tasting but reliably fleshy.

Thai Grill serves no pork but makes up for that with wine.

Dok Bua Thai Cafe,
115-G, Jalan PJU 1A/41B, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. On a shop-house street near NZX.
Thai Grill,

Palms Wing, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Clubhouse.

Both outlets are supposed to open daily for lunch & dinner.

Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013
This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link.

One of December's most delightful discoveries, this Damansara Utama cafe shoots straight to the top of the class with a back-to-school vibe that's colorfully charming & whimsically evocative.

The owners of Ecole P have done their homework, flooding this space with detail-crammed chalkboards, tables & stools that might remind many Malaysians of their primary school years.

Ecole P marks a collaboration by Steven Heng & Ilrene Tee, both alumni of Taylor's University's hospitality courses who've sought to create a cafe where the carefree innocence & imagination of childhood spring stirringly back to life.

The counter here is chock-full of snacks, sweets & assorted junk food, equipped exactly like the best school cafeteria, while the shelves are well-stocked with writing utensils, revision booklets & even tiny trophies (highest achievement in mathematics?).

A salad comes served with savory-sugary dried chicken flakes, plus a Spongebob backpack & a case that opens to reveal cutlery instead of color pencils.

Ecole P's soft-launch menu remains limited, but top marks must be handed to the fried rice with salted egg yolk crumble, green peas & deliciously juicy chicken chip. Prices are fair; the salad & rice constitute a set lunch that costs RM18.80 nett.

Love the presentation for the beverages; this peanut butter smoothie, mixed with ice cream & tiramisu lady fingers for a textural grit, proves worth its many calories.

Penang's Lighthouse Coffee forms the foundation for Ecole P's lattes.

Our report card for Ecole P ('Ecole' is French for school; the 'P' stands for primary): A distinctive effort with thoughtfully prepared food. Keep up the very nice work.

Ecole P
First Floor, 19, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Open 11am-10pm, except Thursdays. Tel: 03-7732-9711

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Fans of chocolate can seek asylum starting this month at Mad About Coco, where an insanely broad compilation of cacao-based treats is now available.

From choc fondue to churros with choc sauce, choc brownies to muffins & marshmallows, waffles to pancakes, cookies to crepes, there's a dessert for nearly every type of sweet tooth at this Solaris Dutamas cafe headed by two Malaysian sisters.

"Innocent Devil Tiramisu Ball," likely the most fun of Mad About Coco's concoctions.

Tiramisu within a hollow globe of Belgian white & dark choc, melted down with hot choc sauce ...

... turned into one tasty mess, creamy-gooey but not cloying. RM20 before taxes.

Mad About Coco's signature cake also endures a similar transformation ...

... becoming an inventive variation of choc lava cakes, with the molten heat pouring forth from without, not within. RM18.50.

Another pleasant surprise: Sliced strawberries at the cake's center.

Other interesting items here include the babka-inspired sweet yeast cake with chocolate sauce & vanilla ice cream (RM13.50) ...

... & crunchy pizza topped with melted chocolate, cornflakes & marshmallows (RM18.50). The chocolate's commendably though not commandingly deep in flavor.

Can we make a wish? It'd be cool if chocolate cocktails were someday served here too.

Mad About Coco

A1-1-9, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur (outside Publika, kinda across from Chawan)

Currently daily, 11am-10pm. Tel: 03-6211-9988

Roaming through Amsterdam for snacks, starting with The Pancake Bakery, minutes away from the Anne Frank House.

There are enough pancake varieties here for customers to eat a different one everyday for a month. It was a difficult decision, but we settled on one topped with bacon, cheese & onions _ & loved it.

Poffertjes with cherries, whipped cream & kirsch. Smaller pancakes, made with buckwheat flour, with a fluffier, spongier texture.

Red port & Cherry Jenever. Pancakes with booze _ a brilliant plan.

The Pancake Bakery occupies two levels: downstairs feels warmly intimate, while upstairs features a pleasant view of the canal.

Next up, Manneken Pis: A signboard claiming this take-away outlet serves Holland's best fries lured us here (though we had no idea who the voters were).

Chunky, piping-hot potatoes, crisp on the outside, soft inside. Drenched in utterly unhealthy mayo-based sauces & ketchup.

Note the mountain of freshly prepared fries in the background to cope with the crowds swarming this stand, doors away from the Sex Museum.

Finally, Beems Brasserie, located off a key shopping street beside the Amsterdam Dungeon.

Bitterballen, a Dutch bread-crumbed beef ball snack, served with mustard. Crisp on the outside, mushy and piping-hot inside. Comfort food for a cold day.

Coffee and port wine.

The Pancake Bakery, Manneken Pis & Beems Brasserie,

Amsterdam.

The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets. Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Singapore's Twelve Cupcakes has opened its first Malaysian outpost in Sunway Pyramid, stepping up a regional expansion that's taking the brand to Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong & Manila.

Grinches will grumble that cupcakes are past the prime of their popularity, but the reality is that cupcakes have been around for two centuries and will continue to be baked, sold & served for a long time to come. Many people enjoy eating cupcakes; others shouldn't scoff at their pleasure.

Twelve Cupcakes' confections are pretty good, mostly avoiding the pitfalls that sink other cupcakes. They taste fresh & not too sweet, striking a careful balance between being fluffy & moist, topped with heaps of fine-flavored frosting. Reputedly handmade daily.

Our top picks in a RM36 box of six comprise the chocolate cupcake with salted caramel, rose cupcake with rose-flavored cream cheese, black forest cupcake with vanilla buttercream & cherry ...

... vanilla cupcake with peanut butter frosting & jelly, Nutella cupcake with hazelnuts & coffee cupcake with espresso-infused buttercream.

Speaking of cakes, remember the KL Depressed Cake Shop? The charity bake sale to raise funds for people affected with depression & mental health issues will head to Ipoh next month, with a one-day-only pop-up shop at Burps & Giggles on Jan. 12. Bakers can donate gray-colored cakes for the event, while others are welcome to check out the sale, with proceeds going to the Perak Palliative Care Society & Ipoh Befrienders. Details at https://www.facebook.com/IpohDepressedCakeShop

Twelve Cupcakes

LG2-43A, Lower Ground Floor 2, Sunway Pyramid, Over the skating rink

This feel-good cafe run with warmth & thoughtfulness is operating in Ara Damansara through Saturday, Dec. 21; next month, it'll reopen at a new location in Subang's SS15 neighborhood.

Comfort food's the theme, featuring recipes that feel lovingly homemade: Breakfast begins with Omega-3 scrambled eggs on toast, topped with smoked salmon (RM14.90 before taxes), a tasty variation of Eggs Atlantic without the poached eggs.

Baked eggs in ramekin, a mouthwatering, messy mix with sausage, veggies & tomato sauce.

Brunch burgers come in fun forms: Try the one with a patty made of both chicken & tofu, topped with cheese & egg to construct a protein powerhouse. RM14.90.

Good Friends' French toast (RM10.90) is well worthwhile for its suburb-suitable price, a hearty serving with caramelized bananas, almonds, strawberries & raisins.

Scones & artisan jams are available too, while for lunch, there's everything from blue mussel spaghetti to free-range chicken stewed with pumpkin.

Coffee lovers should also stop by; there's plenty of single-origin beans in stock here.

Good Friends Cafe

G-G-8, Jalan PJU1A/20E, Dataran Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya

Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm. Tel: 03-7734-3638

The next step starts here.

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Way Modern Chinois @ Clearwater, Damansara Heights

Fiercer by Fierce Curry House @ Solaris Dutamas

Lok Yun & Big Joe's @ SohoKL, Solaris Mont Kiara

Cross-Legged @ The Strand, Kota Damansara

Brooklyn B Bagel Bakery @ SS15 Subang

Yuu-jo @ Mont Kiara, Ori-Udon @ The Gardens & Manmaru @ Mid Valley

Naked @ Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas

Minamoto Kitchoan & WA Cafe @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Poodoo @ Metro Pudu

Soon Lok, Choy Hi, Pooi Kee & Brother Kuan Roast Duck @ Puchong

D'Vijff Vlieghen @ Amsterdam

Fravashi @ 3rd Mile Square, Old Klang Road

KyoChon Malaysia @ 1 Utama

Dok Bua @ Ara Damansara & Thai Grill @ Tropicana Golf

Ecole P @ Damansara Uptown

Mad About Coco @ Solaris Dutamas

Pancake Bakery, Manneken Pis & Beems Brasserie @ Amsterdam

Twelve Cupcakes Malaysia @ Sunway Pyramid

Good Friends Cafe @ Ara Damansara & SS15 Subang

Eat Drink KL Weekly Newsletter