Places to wine and dine in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is home to endless good places to wine and dine. Listed below are some of the best that The Star has picked.

Asian flavours

THE best of Asian food is being featured under the ongoing Asian Food Festival buffet promotion at Ancasa Hotel & Spa’s Saffron Brasserie. The promotion runs from Nov 17 to 28 and will feature Green Papaya Salad, Shredded Chicken with Chilli, Pickled Cabbage, Crabmeat Rolls and Sup Ekor. Countries to be highlighted include Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. For details, call 03-2026 6060.

Nuts galore

GO nuts over the Cuisine with Nuts month-long promotion at the Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant, Nikko Hotel Kuala Lumpur. There will be Sauteed Diced Fish Fillet with Pine Nuts, Stir-fried Diced Chicken with Walnuts, Stewed Duck with Chesnuts and Sichuan-style Sauteed Diced Prawn Meat with Macadamia Nuts to satisfy your palate. For reservations, call 03-2782 6128.

Cheesy delight

CAKE of the month at the Eastin Hotel is the Hokkaido Cheesecake. Each luscious slice is guaranteed to satiate the sugar cravings of cheesecake lovers. Or, why not purchase or order a whole cake to be enjoyed with friends and family. The cake is priced at RM75++ per kg or RM7.50++ per slice. For orders, call 03-7665 1111.

TO DINE FOR FINE THAI CUISINE, Lot B1-A, Chulan Square, 92 Jalan Raja Chulan, KL (Tel: 03-2145 1708). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (noon-3pm); dinner (6pm-10.30pm). Pork-free. Serves traditional Thai fare like Tom Yam, Stir-fried Prawn with Black Pepper Sauce and Chicken Stir-fried with Sweet Sauce.

SPICE GARDEN IMPERIAL, 205 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL (Tel: 03-2142 2220 /2223). Business Hrs: Restaurant — Daily (11am-midnight). Tandoor food and speciality drink Jal Jeera, which is a mix of soda and 65 Indian herbs and spices, should initiate your visit here. Has live entertainment daily. Set lunches RM20-RM22.

CHUTNEY MARY RESTAURANT AND BAR, 21-G Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, KL (Tel: 03-2282 9923). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-1am). Halal. Northern Indian cuisine with a smattering of Western and local dishes. House specials are Khairi Chicken Special, Chicken Noor Jahani Biryani and Kulfi.

U RESTAURANT, 69 Jalan Bangkung, Off Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, KL (Tel: 03-2093 1268). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11.30am-3pm); dinner (6pm-late). Halal. Uses the “Omakase Kaiseki” concept where chefs decide on how to cook and present the ingredients.

BIBIWOK RESTAURANT, 16, Jalan Persiaran Puteri 1, Bandar Puteri, Puchong (Tel:03-8060 7659). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11am-3pm); dinner (5.30pm-10.30pm). Pork-free. Specials include Ayam Api-Api, Thai-style Butter Prawn, Siamese Steamed Red Snapper and Curry Seafood Combo.

RESTORAN PRECIOUS, M2 Mezzanine Floor, Central Market, KL (Tel: 03-2273 7372). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-10.30pm). Pork-free. Malacca-born chef John Locke whips up Nyonya specialities and innovative dishes like Crispy Pomfret and Hangzhou-style Duck, upon a day’s notice. Ornate interior filled with antiques is great for entertaining.

CANTON-i RESTAURANT, G-208, Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya (Tel: 03-7729 7888). Business hours: 11am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday; 10.30am to 10pm on Sunday. Serves Hong Kong cuisine like Char Siew, Roasted Pork Belly, Roasted Duck and Wanton Noodles with essential ingredients from Hong Kong.

PARKVIEW CHINESE CUISINE, 1F-01, The Waterfront @ Parkcity, No 5, Persiaran Residen, Desa Parkcity, Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-6280 7766). Business Hrs: Daily; Mon-Sat, lunch (11.30am-3pm), dinner (6pm-10.30pm). Sundays & public hols, (9am-3pm), dinner (6pm-10.30pm). Non-halal. Dim sum is the favourite for lunch on weekdays with classic favourites like Barbecued Pork Buns, Baked Egg Tarts, Deep-fried Fresh Prawn Balls and Siew Mai. Other offerings are the Australian Lobsters Stir-fried with Ginseng, Toong Sing Garoupa in Two Styles, Homemade Beancurd with Spinach and Egg and Thai-style Fried Meehoon with Glass Noodles.

RESTORAN FORTUNA PALACE, 17 & 20, Jalan ½, Taman Kajang Prima, Jalan Semenyih, Kajang (Tel: 03-8739 3388). Business Hrs: Daily; lunch (10.30am-2.45pm), dinner (5.30pm-10.45pm). Non-halal. The outlet’s interior has a touch of Japanese’s minimalist style. It serves Chinese food with local and imported seafood.

IZZI, 44-2A, 44-3A & 44-4A Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL (Tel: 03-2141 5808). Business Hrs: Mon-Sun (11am-11pm); Fri & Sat (7am-2am). Pork-free. WiFi-able & free valet parking. A casual dining restaurant chain founded in Indonesia. Known for its Italian and Asian cuisine with French-influenced desserts and pastries. Izzi is spread across three floors overlooking the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

RIGHT 4 U CAFÉ, 27 Jalan SS22/19, Damansara Jaya, PJ (Tel: 03-7726 5527). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-1am). Pork-free. Serves local and Western cuisines and recommends food right for your blood type.

SALOMA THEATRE RESTAURANT, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), 139 Jalan Ampang, KL (Tel: 03-2161 0122). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-midnight); dinner with cultural show (7.30pm-10.30pm). Showtime (8.30pm-9.30pm). Halal. For a touch of filmdom, some dishes have been named after evergreen Malaysian movies. Specials are Air Jando Pulang, Sup Tulang, and Daging Dendeng.

ANTONIO’S TRATTORIA CALABRIA, 32A, Jalan Wan Kadir 4, Off Jalan Damansara,Taman Tun Dr.Ismail, KL Tel:03-77254164. Business Hrs: Daily; lunch (11am-3pm), dinner (6pm-11pm). Pork free. A cozy Italian restaurant where the food is elegant in taste and the atmosphere friendly and casual. Famous for home-made thin crust pizzas, pasta and tiramisu.Set Lunch from Monday to Friday at RM12.90 nett.