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

In place of Mat Salleh's spot along Lorong Kurau is now the upscale N97, a prime place for the meat-hungry. The dim, atmospheric setting, coupled with a certifiably indulgent menu, makes this one great for date nights or group celebrations. The focus at every table is the Wagyu Tomahawk (from RM710). It will set you back quite a bit, but take comfort in knowing that the 1.6 kg gargantuan meat dish is not only delicious, but can comfortably feed six to eight tummies! Even if you're on a date (or in smaller groups), don't let the tomahawk out of sight just yet. There is a humbler (but still delectable) Angus Baby Tomahawk (from RM350) to consider. While the waitstaff will recommend a medium to medium well doneness that is more widely accepted, Burppler Dex Neo recommends getting it medium rare for seared, crusty sides and a moist, tender centre. The garlic sauce that comes with both meats is mindblowingly good too.
Avg Price: RM200
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo

Mid Valley City welcomes Hoshino Coffee into their midst this month. It makes a nice in-between cafe for weekend shoppers. The Japanese chain lives up to its reputation for desserts — you'll have a difficult time deciding between the bestselling soft, fluffy Pancake Souffle (from RM14.90) and custardy French Toast (RM17.90). Our advice is to come in a group of three to four, which grants more tummy space to order both! Tastemaker Kaelyn Pu revealed that upon request, the desserts can come topped with homemade whipped butter or ice cream, which fares better than the default whipped cream. We also like that the restaurant parks a maple syrup dispenser at each table, allowing diners to adjust the sweetness to their liking. On the savoury side of things, Hoshino has a few hits worth ordering too. The Hoshino Pot-Baked Curry Rice With Chicken (RM23.90) is a fine example, featuring cheese-baked rice in curry gravy, topped with simple favourites like sausages, broccoli and a wobbly egg.
Avg Price: RM30
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kaelyn Pu

After the much too soon closure of their Sri Hartamas flagship (then named Podgy & The Bankers), Podgy gets a reboot in Bangsar this month. The vibes remain the same, in that cafe-goers can count on the quiet, in addition to an abundance of natural light and greenery. Take advantage of this respite from Bangsar's bustle for languid afternoon chats with a friend or two. The menu of breakfast and sandwiches is as straightforward as we remember, sporting favourites like the classic Avocado Toast (RM19) as well as a Chicken Avocado Sandwich (RM19). But we most enjoy the house baked Lemon Tart (RM11), which balances sweet meringue, zesty curd and buttery crust in each slice. Get a Flat White (RM11) to go with that, and attest to the fact that if anything, the cafe's maintained their standards for a good cuppa joe.
Avg Price: RM25
Photo by Burppler Muriel A

This welcome addition to SS15 is just what the neighbourhood needs — in Burppler Trisha's words, "a casual and unpretentious place for a meal." At Palate, disregard the bare interiors and focus instead on the affordably priced fusion fare. The first part of the menu offers build-your-own plates: select a basic Pasta (from RM5) or Fried Rice (RM5) and add your choice of toppings, from meat to seafood and cheese. There are also default meals for those who need a little inspiration. Try the Cream Sambal Spaghetti (RM15), spaghetti tossed in spicy sambal toned down with a dash of cream. Similarly spunky is the Sambal Cheese Chicken (RM17), deep-fried chicken served with rice, vegetables and egg. The cafe also churns their own ice cream for the simple dessert bowls — the Homemade Nutella Ice Cream With Cornflakes (RM10) is sure to please.
Avg Price: RM20
Photo by Burppler Trisha T

Taking over Dazzling Cafe's nicely done-up loft location in Mid Valley, Tokyo Secret's first full-fledged cafe makes it even more enticing to stop for tea in the mall. Look forward to a full menu of appetisers, mains and the highlight — their ever-oozy Tokyo Cheese Tarts (from RM7.90). The mains are nothing to shout about, a succinct few like the Cheezy Teriyaki Chicken Chop with Garlic Rice (RM22.90) and Grilled Salmon with Spinach Cream Sauce (RM22.90) will suffice if you're hungry, but we highly recommend that you take advantage of the sublime cafe space to indulge in their variety of cheese tarts instead. The relatively new matcha flavoured tarts are layered with red beans and easy to love, but our vote goes to their original flavour that sees a beautiful, burnt top, as well as the subtly fruity strawberry cheese tart. Burppler Muriel A also found their Signature Mille Crepe (RM11) a pleasant pick for tea. Pro tip: Takeaway tarts are available off the counter with no service charge!
Avg Price: RM25
Photo by Burppler Muriel A

Stowed away above Seapark's shoplots, this Oriental-inspired restaurant and bar is just the place for your next girls' night out. Apart from the spiffy, red neon lights, the appeal of Yilo lies in its rice wine drinks served in traditional Chinese celadons. Start with the secret recipe Nu Er Hong (RM48), a crowd-pleaser of smooth, aromatic rice wine with buzzy beer. The drink is poured into old-school crockery for drinking, and it's delicious as much as it is Instagrammable. Burppler Eve Lee also notes that the concoction gets thicker and tastier towards the end. When drinking gives way to hunger pangs, the bar packs a punch with its bites. There's a Thai-Style Seafood Hot Pot (RM82) to share on cooler nights, or a Golden Cereal Seafood Platter (RM48) of deep-fried tilapia, prawns and more to munch on. Consider also coming by for lunch — the tasty Yilo Special Egg Fried Rice (from RM10) and a long list of noodles will be perfect for the hour.
Avg Price: RM35 per person
Photo by Burppler Eve Lee

Now featuring celebrity chef Sapna Anand's creations, the revamped menu at Jalan Ceylon's Hubba is what to come for. Retained is the smart casual environment, well suited for both business lunches and dinner with friends. Goa by Hubba's foremost dish looks to be the cheesy Grilled Cauliflower with Smoked Fennel Tomato Sauce (RM30). Whether or not you're a vegetarian, this flavoursome main makes for a delightful choice to lap up with buttery Ghee Rice (RM12). If you can't part with your meat, try the Mutton Floss Mantou (RM26 for three) that marries steamed buns with crunchy shallots and expertly marinated mutton. The Fire-Roasted Mutton Marrow (RM32) also deserves a mention, smoky and luscious with the bone's natural juices. Another exotic element about Goa is found in its cocktails, heavily inspired by spices from the region. An Ass Whuppin Chai Masala (RM36) spiked with rum? We're sold.
Avg Price: RM50 per person

A family who loves roast pork comes together to cook up a feast for other folks in the neighbourhood — there's no going wrong with a porky good time at Siu G Jai. Fit for the lunch-hungry, their succinct menu stacks multiple renditions of fresh, market-sourced pork, from crispy Roast Pork (from RM10) to scrumptious Fried Pork Belly (from RM10) and Siu Yuk Garlic Fried Rice (RM10). It's worth noting that all these house special siu yuk dishes are not available Mondays and Tuesdays, since that's when meat markets are usually closed. To make up for it, specials like the Satay Siu Yuk (RM13 for three sticks) make an appearance. The skewers of thick, crunchy double-fried pork are big bites, and the saltish flesh strikes a nice balance with the sweet, nutty satay sauce. We also recommend getting the Mustard Vege (from RM8), steeped in a hot and sour soup with tender pig's trotters.
Avg Price: RM15 per person

For families and friends who frequent Sunway Pyramid, this new cha chan teng makes a pleasant addition to the mall for hearty Hong Kong-style meals. Kids will love the cheerfully orange booth seats, not to mention a bakery front, which doles out Premium Egg Tarts (RM2.90) and an interestingly soothing Soybean Curd Tart (RM2.90). For starters, try the Curry Fish Balls (RM12.90), reminscent of those peddled on the streets of Hong Kong — that means they're bite-sized, mildly spicy and very bouncy. The cafe strays away from the often too long-lists at Hong Kong restaurants and offers only a select few classics like the Yong Chow Fried Rice (RM18.50) and Fried Rice Noodles With Beef (RM18.50). While it's the most advertised, we say skip the Honolulu Polo Bun (RM2.80) and Honolulu Signature Coffee (RM6.80), both of which pale in comparison to the others we've tried.
Avg Price: RM25 per person

If you've been hearing rave reviews about fruit teas in Taiwan, China and even across the shores in Singapore, now you get to try them right here in KL! Though small, Mid Valley's Heycha wins hearts over with its cutesy pink tones and murals of a tea-drinking character. Swing by the kiosk after lunch for a takeaway drink back to the office. Brewed from premium tea leaves and topped with fresh tropical fruits, the Fruit Teas (RM9.90) are the way to go — light on the palate with a subtly sweet aftertaste. Even healthier is the Brewed Tea (from RM5.90) range, which relies purely on tea leaves or flower buds for flavour. We like the fragrant Yunnan Pu Er Tea, a delicate Chinese tea made cold brew-style. The same flavours also come with milk or cheese-topped variations, but order only if you prefer something more decadent. Toppings, either chia seeds or pearls, are priced at an affordable RM1!
Avg Price: RM10 per person