New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Kuala Lumpur: November 2017

After Alexis's success comes its sister Isabel, the new upclass bistro along Jalan Mesui that serves modern Southeast Asian. Its beautifully outfitted space makes an ideal destination for brunch, but dinnertime too gives us something to celebrate — cocktails. The menu sees small plates, bigger plates as well as bar bites, all communal creations convincing of the fact that this is a place to eat with friends. Try the Thai-inspired Hor Mok (RM25), a flavourful starter of steamed curry custard with prawn and barramundi wrapped in betel leaf. We enjoyed the Red Duck Curry (RM46), creamy and fragrant with five-spice roasted duck and sweet lychees. The curry also goes excellently with their Egg Fried Rice (RM10). If you're turning to tipples after dinner, the namesake drink Isabel (RM42) should be at the top of the list for a gentle hit of Tanqueray 10 gin with elderflower, aperol and orange bitters.
Avg price per person: RM80

Aside from its modern, sunlit space, this lofty locale in Sri Hartamas also boasts a vividly extensive menu — ticking all the right boxes to cater for large groups! Ate_cetera's aptitude lies in its subtle contemporary spin on comfort food, whether it's for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Take for instance, the silky Eggs En Cocotte (RM33) — instead of shaken, eggs are shirred (baked with cream) with beef, tomato concasse and bechamel sauce. Otherwise, the pasta section sport a decadent meatless alternative: The Fab Five (RM31), which features spaghetti tossed in creamy balsamic sauce with five types of mushrooms. It's a good thing portion runs big here, so there will be enough to go around if you prefer to share. Don't leave without trying the Yam Tiramisu (RM24), a well-thought out twist on the classic dessert, served in a dim sum basket.
Avg price per person: RM45
Photo by Burppler Trisha

Spurred by two chefs hailing from Hokkaido, this ramen shop at the new One Space cooks up the prefecture's specialty Spicy Miso Zangi Ramen (fried chicken ramen, RM34.90). Don't let the steep price tag dissuade you — the big-on-value portion is good to share between two light eaters. Ramen noodles are laid deep into the bowl, followed by its mildly spicy pork bone broth, chashu, marinated soft boiled egg and bamboo shoots. On top of all that goes two large chicken thighs, batter-fried to juicy succulence. While its smaller components like the chashu and egg seem to fall short of expectations, the mainstay of noodles in stocky broth and scrumptious fried chicken are enough to make this a very enjoyable experience for rainy day dinners. Look to the menu for other hale, hearty ramen dishes, from Western-inflected Chicken Confit Spicy Miso (RM34.90) to a simple Tonkotsu (RM24.90).
Avg price per person: RM35

Brought to you by All Tasty Things (The Good Batch, Nara, Hyde at 53M), Food by Fat Cat brings a handful of one-bowl meal options to Sunway GEO. The soothing backdrop of a pastel pink wall will help ease Burpplers working nearby into laidback lunch hour. The Fattie Bom Bom (RM17.90) is fast becoming a favourite for its foolproof combi of crispy chicken karaage, onsen egg and the funky 'Chef's Dynamite Ebiko' sauce, which helps pull all the flavours together. If it's noodles you crave, put your money on the Creamy Carbonara Ramen (RM18.90) — it sees thinner, springier ramen in place of pasta for an effectively luscious noodle-to-sauce ratio. More carbs can either make or break the meal, and in the case of the Fat Cat Fries (RM12.50) slathered in chicken and a secret umami sauce, it's the former! Drinks are all worth a sip, made with quality stuff like green tea from Niko Neko Matcha and beans from Takeover Coffee.
Avg price per person: RM25

This new entrant to Pavilion is no stranger to us all, especially dessert lovers. With the opening of its third outlet, Kakigori also gives us new, never-before-eaten delicacies to try! We’re talking about the Omugi Soup with Matcha Ice Cream (RM18). This hot zenzai (Japanese sweet soup) is a health-giving bowl of warm barley cooled with a dollop of matcha ice cream, served with osmanthus honey, matcha jelly and red beans. The elaborate combination strikes a delightfully harmonious balance between sweet and bitter, hot and cold. The other new item that’s most likely to lure shoppers to stop for sweets is the Yoyogi Custard Pudding (RM11), burnt caramel custard pudding that slides off the spoon for a perfectly dense and creamy treat.
Avg price per person: RM15

Anneh brings to Damansara Uptown South Indian favourites with extra indulgence — think banana leaf rice with pork and beer! Here's the spot to spice up your next group dinner. Build on your banana leaf with either white rice or basmati. White may better allow for the curry flavours to showcase their potency, but our vote goes to the basmati for its healthier nature. The Set Meal (RM9.90) also comes with the usual side of three vegetables, and pray it includes the crisp, deep-fried eggplant slices. Be sure to bolster your meal with pork dishes, like the celebrated Devilled Pork Ribs (RM11.90) or the Pork Varuval (RM8.90). Look out for weekly beer promos scribbled on their blackboard for worthy bottles to wash down the spice-laden meal!
Avg price per person: RM20

Behind a nondescript door in Bangsar Shopping Centre’s The Othrs, a barbershop, lies this speakeasy that’s worth sussing out. It’s a small space that serves up chic, clandestine feels and delicate cocktails for a discreet after-dinner date out here in Bangsar. The bar is manned by David Hans, an up and coming mixologist who holds claims to many creative concoctions. Let loose and stray away from your usuals for a more exciting experience — that points you first to the Eastern Poem (RM45), a combination of chrysanthemum gin, yuzu tonic water, ginger rootlets and intriguingly, pei pa koa syrup (a Chinese herbal syrup commonly used to soothe coughs). Ladies will love the floral-fragrant English Whisper (RM45), which blends earl grey-infused gin with elderflower sauvage, grapefruit juice and vermouth. The common factor in these is sublime presentation; the former in a cup painted with Chinese fairies, the latter in a refined English tea cup and saucer.
Avg price per person: RM50
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Melanie Yu

The first to bring the concept of Italian omakase to life in KL, Butler & Chef’s Japanese aspirations for its European kitchen is fascinating. There is even a menu of Lunch Bentos (from RM25) that feature pasta, a main and a dessert within a bento-like tasting box. Its trendy settings play a part too, in making this yet another spanking new venue to visit when you have a budget to spare. The Omakase 3 Chef’s Selection (RM68) is what to go for — this yields three chef specials in small, palatable portions. The highlights can vary from antipasto platters to pastas and meat dishes, such as a commendable steak with mushroom sauce we had. We can’t tell you what to expect but come with an open mind!
Avg price per person: RM60

From the team behind Puchong’s Ground Eatery comes this low-key cafe that has crept its way into the hearts of those in Sunway. Harvest Ground takes pride in its duality, excelling at good old Western breakfast fare as well as tasty Asian takes on lunch. Warm and wholesome is the Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie (RM18), baked with tomato beef in a casserole that fits the bill for cool morning comforts. For rice bowl buffs, the Taiwanese-inspired Lu Rou Fan (RM19) may fare better. This version griddles a golden-yolked egg alongside braised pork and fermented black beans atop a considerable portion of rice. We like that it also sees a sprinkling of crispy anchovies and chopped preserved vegetables for more bite. Tastemaker Calista Tang tried and loved the Qing Empire Latte (RM13), delicate matcha espresso latte presented in an elegant, albeit larger, Chinese tea cup.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Calista Tang

This new resto bar pops up in place of Melt’On in SS15 with swanky vibes and a bubbly beer neon sign to suit the buzzy neighborhood. Friends looking for a new spot to hang will find it here, along a small menu of Western eats to line tummies before drinks. Try the Fish & Chips (RM14), plated to please minimalists — think fish on fries on a geometric-patterned sugar paper. Flavourwise, the dish is intuitively simple, spun only with a twist of cheesy glaze. There is also an easy Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RM10), our go-to greasy snack to line the stomach before another round of Brrr (beer, from RM15 a bottle).
Avg price per person: RM20