Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Penang
Page 17
Alexis BistroINTERNATIONAL$$
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2284 2880; www.alexis.com.my; 29 Jln Telawi 3; mains RM30-50; hnoon-midnight Sun-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Consistently good food is delivered at this Bangsar stalwart where Asian favourites such as Sarawak laksa (the owner is originally from this Malaysian state) mix it up with European fare. After your meal, move on to the ultrasmooth Sino The Bar Upstairs.
Fierce Curry HouseINDIAN$$
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2202 3456; www.facebook.com/FierceCurryHouse; 16 Jln Kemuja; mains RM8-20; h10.30am-10.30pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
There's outdoor and indoor seating at this biryani speciality restaurant just west of Little India in Bangsar. Choose from mutton, chicken, or even lobster biryanis (order the day before), and good-value veggie thali sets (RM10) and banana-leaf meals.
DeliciousINTERNATIONAL$$
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2287 1554; www.delicious.com.my; ground fl, Bangsar Village II, Jln Telawi 1; mains RM19.50-31.50; h11am-10.30pm Mon-Wed, to 11pm Thu & Fri, 9am-11pm Sat & Sun; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Serving brunches, healthy salads, pasta, sandwiches and pies (among many other things) in a contemporary setting. It's worth dropping by for the afternoon teas.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
LUCKY GARDENS
South of Jln Ara, Lucky Gardens may not be as ritzy as the grid of Telawis, but locals love to hit the morning fruit-and-veg market here and it is blessed with some delicious and inexpensive dining options. Time your visit to the Nam Chuan Coffee Shop ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Lg Ara Kiri 2; hawker dishes RM5-8; h7am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar), a busy, no-frills food court, so that you can enjoy a bowl of Christina Jong’s fantastic Sarawak laksa (RM5; from 8.30am to 2.30pm Thursday to Tuesday) or Ah Mun’s kueh (rice cakes; RM1; from 2pm) – his onde onde (glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar) are flavoured with real pandan and are considered the best in KL.
There’s also a fantastic strip of outdoor hawker stalls along Lg Ara Kiri: sample Indian vegan delights at Chelo’s Appam Stall ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Lg Ara Kiri; snacks RM5; h7am-10pm Mon-Sat; v; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar); more vegetarian food at Poomy’s ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Lg Ara Kiri; RM5; h3-9pm; v; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar), including the sweet appam (coconut-milk pancakes); and the taste-bud explosion of Bangsar Fish Head Corner ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Lg Ara Kiri; mains RM3-20; h9am-6pm Mon-Sat; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar), where if you don't fancy the actual fish head you can still get the curry sauce poured over rice along with delicious fried chicken.
6Drinking & Nightlife
6Lake Gardens & Brickfields
Mai BarCOCKTAIL BAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com; Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 5 Jln Stesen Sentral; hnoon-midnight Sun-Thu, to 2am Fri & Sat; W; dKL Sentral, DKL Sentral)
This Polynesian-style tiki bar, which goes a little too heavy on the red lights, is another addition to KL's growing band of high-rise bars with panoramic city views. DJs spin Wednesday to Saturday after 10pm. For a more casual atmosphere, and live music Friday nights, try the hotel's W XYZ bar.
Kia KlemenzCOFFEE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.kiaklemenz.com; 2 Kedai Cenderamata 1, Jln Cenderawasih, Perdana Botanical Garden; h9am-6.30pm; LRT Masjid Jamek)
In the small cafe attached to this boutique and gift shop, owner Rokiah prepares coffee from her native Borneo that's worth searching out, as well as a few pastries and snacks. The shop has a good range of handicrafts and textiles such as hand-printed batik and artwork from Sabah.
Take a taxi from Masjid Jamek.
6Bangsar & Around
oColeyCOCKTAIL BAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/LongLiveColey; 8 Jln Kemuja; h5pm-1am Tue-Sat, 3-9pm Sun; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Named after Ada Coleman, a female bartender in 1920s London and creator of the Hanky Panky cocktail, this tiny bar at the back of DR.Inc is the place to come for a seriously well-mixed drink. Legendary local mixologist CK Kho works the bar, serving a selection of classic cocktails with a contemporary twist.
Mantra Bar KLROOFTOP BAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.mantrabarkl.com; Bangsar Village II, Jln Telawi Satu; h4.30pm-1.30am Sun & Tue-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
This sophisticated bar on the rooftop of Bangsar Village II has an indoor lounge and outdoor deck with spectacular views over the leafy, low-rise suburbs to the city skyline beyond. A dress code applies on Friday and Saturday nights, when DJs play to a fashionable crowd. There are happy-hour prices until 7pm (cocktails RM15 to RM22).
Pulp by Papa PalhetaCAFE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/PULPbyPapaPalheta; 29-01 Jln Riong; h7.30am-10pm Tue-Fri, 9am-11pm Sat & Sun; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Expect top-quality brews from this premium coffee roaster from Singapore. Its contemporary shed-like cafe is in the grounds of the media printers APW (www.apw.my/home), where exhibitions and various events are held. Apart from coffee, it also serves craft beer from Japan and tasty snacks such as truffle popcorn and croissant sandwiches.
Ril's BarCOCKTAIL BAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2201 3846; www.rils.com.my; 30 Jln Telawi 5; h6pm-1am Sun-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
There's a premium-grade steak restaurant downstairs, but the main action happens at the Prohibition-era-style cocktail bar upstairs, where the mixologists get creative and there's live music (jazz, blues, soul) on the weekends. On Wednesdays there are free drinks for women from 9pm to 11pm at its tiki-inspired night.
Coffea CoffeeCAFE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; http://coffea.my; 8 Jln Telawi 2; h8am-midnight Mon-Thu, to 2am Fri, 9am-2am Sat, to midnight Sun; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Now one of many branches of this Korean speciality coffee franchise, which gets rave reviews for its single-origin bean drinks and expert baristas.
Plan bCAFE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2287 2630; www.thebiggroup.co/planb; G5, ground fl, Bangsar Village 1, 1 Jln Telawi Satu; h9am-11pm; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
The BIG Group successfully clones the sophisticated Melbourne-look cafe-bar at several locations around town, including this one on the ground floor of Bangsar Village. Handy for a latte, a light meal or something more substantial.
Sino The Bar UpstairsBAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2284 2880; www.alexis.com.my; 29 Jln Telawi 3; h6pm-1am Sun-Thu, to 2am Fri & Sat; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Above the popular Alexis Bistro, this chilled-out drinking spot offers comfortable chairs and soothing sounds on the decks. The first Monday of the month it hosts a jazz jam session that gives you a chance to catch some top local jazz talents.
SocialBAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2282 2260; http://thesocial.com.my/wp; 57-59 Jln Telawi 3; h11.30am-2am; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
This popular meeting spot has pool tables, good food and cheap happy-hour draught beer.
Bilique BangsarBAR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/biliquekl; 34a & 36a Jln Telawi; h6pm-2am; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Table football, darts, a pool table and an outdoor terrace are the main draws of this Bangsar bar.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
LORONG KURAU
Tucked away from the bustle of Bangsar Baru is this quiet leafy lane of cafes, bars and restaurants that's worth exploring. The pick of the bunch is Ganga Cafe ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2284 2119; www.theganga.com.my; 19 Lg Kurau; mains RM8.50-10.50, Sun brunch buffet RM21; h8.30am-9.30pm Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm Sun; v; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar), a sunny little cafe with an excellent Sunday brunch buffet.
3Entertainment
Temple of Fine ArtsTHEATRE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2274 3709; www.tfa.org.my; 116 Jln Berhala; hclosed Mon; dKL Sentral, DKL Sentral)
Classical Indian dance and music shows take place here throughout the year. The centre also runs performing-arts courses; see the website for schedules.
7Shopping
7Bric
kfields
Wei-Ling GalleryART
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.weiling-gallery.com; 8 Jln Scott; h10am-6pm Mon, 11am-7pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, by appointment only Sun; dKL Sentral, DKL Sentral)
The top two floors of this old shophouse have been imaginatively turned into a contemporary gallery to showcase local artists. Note the artwork covering the metal security gate in front of the shophouse next door.
Its sister gallery Wei-Ling Contemporary is on the 6th floor of the Gardens Mall, part of the Mid Valley complex.
Lavanya ArtsARTS & CRAFTS
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/lavanyaarts; Temple of Fine Arts, 114-116 Jln Berhala; h10am-9.30pm Tue-Sat, to 3pm Sun; dKL Sentral)S
Lavanya, inside the Temple of Fine Arts, sells colourful craft goods including adorable kids' and adults' clothes and home decorations. Come the week around Deepavali for a festive range of beautiful Indian tribal arts, as well as handsome painted wooden dolls, brass sculpture, and colourful furniture from Rajasthan.
SonaliFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.sonali.com.my; 67a Jln Scott; h10am-7pm Mon-Sat; DTun Sambanthan)
Sequins, silks, filigree patterns and tie-dye – all the elements of the flash Bollywood look are present in this boutique. It's mainly for women but also has some fancy tops for men.
Nu SentralMALL
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.nusentral.com; 201 Jln Tun Sambanthan; h10am-10pm; dKL Sentral, DKL Sentral)
Providing the connection between the monorail and the main station at KL Sentral is this shiny, multilevel mall. Among many shops there's a branch of Parkson department store, a MPH bookshop, a GSC multiplex and a food court, as well as the escape-game complex Breakout (www.breakout.com.my).
7Bangsar
oDR.IncHOMEWARES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2283 4698; www.facebook.com/thincacademykl; 8 Jln Kemuja; h9am-7pm; W; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Lisette Scheers is the creative force behind the Nala brand of homewares, stationery, accessories and other arty items. All her products embody a contemporary but distinctly local design aesthetic and are beautifully displayed at this Instagram dream of a concept shop and cafe.
oPucuk RebungART
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2094 9969; prebung@gmail.com; 18 Lg Ara Kiri 2; h10.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, to 7pm Sat & Sun; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Specialising in antiques and fine arts, this is one of the best places in KL to find quality pieces of local craft as well as pricier Malay ethnological items. It's worth dropping by for a browse and a chat with the affable owner, ex-banker Henry Bong.
TriBeCaFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2287 6760; 1st fl, Bangsar Village II; h10am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
This little shop is packed with treasures made mostly by small independent designers. You could easily lose an hour here looking through the gorgeous children's clothes by local labels Meor and Kooshoo and the Japanese-made bags and accessories by Malaysian designer Beatrice, as well as original artwork, patchwork furniture and vintage posters.
ComoddityCLOTHING
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.thecomoddity.com; upper ground fl, Bangsar Village II, cnr Jln Telawi 1 & Jln Telawi 2; h10am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Up-and-coming Malaysian menswear designer Vincent Siow has shown at KL Fashion Week as well as at street shows in Paris and Shanghai. His label Comoddity specialises in unique pieces such as hand-painted trousers, suit jackets adorned with cityscape motifs, and purple PVC bomber jackets. The boutique also acts as a gallery for Siow's artwork.
I Love SnackfoodVINTAGE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2201 7513; www.ilovesnackfood.com; 17a Jln Telawi 3; h11am-7pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Snackfood specialises in kitsch interior decor, vintage collectables (think typewriters, trunks and globes), books and stationery.
Never Follow SuitFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/Never.Follow.Suit.Bangsar; 28-2, Jln Telawi 2; h11am-9pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
You're guaranteed to find a unique piece at this extraordinary boutique hidden away on the 2nd floor. New and upcycled clothes and accessories are displayed like artworks in a hipster, shabby-chic gallery. Note that at the time of research the shop was closed for renovations.
Shoes Shoes ShoesSHOES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.shoesshoesshoes.com.my; 22 Jln Telawi 3; h11am-9pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
The lifelong dream of a shoe fanatic is realised in this bright 2nd-floor shop selling a range of home-grown and imported shoes as well as a great selection of jewellery, sunglasses and other accessories. Also has branches at Publika and Bangsar Shopping Centre.
oThisappearFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2201 2290; www.thisappearplus.com; 1st fl, 51 Jln Telawi 3; hnoon-8pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Co-owned by four young local designers, Thisappear is a gallery-like space selling runway fashion by Joe Chia, Kozo and Alia Bastaman, handmade leather bags by Producthief and unisex streetwear by Justin Chew.
MimpikitaFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.mimpikita.com.my; 1st fl, 15 Jln Telawi 2; h11am-7pm Mon-Sat; LRT Bank Rakya-Bangsar)
High-end local fashion made with gorgeous printed fabrics, as well as jewellery by Dipped Row.
d.d.collectiveFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; dd-collective.com; Bangsar Village II, cnr Jln Telawi 1 & Jln Telawi 2; h10am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Contemporary, high-end fashion for men and women by Paris-based Malaysian designer Jonathan Liang.
Lonely DreamFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/lonelydreamstore; lot 11, 2nd fl, Telawi Sq, 39 & 41 Jln Telawi 3; hnoon-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
Cookie H stocks her own label, Replay, as well as pieces by other designers from Malaysia and elsewhere at her cutting-edge boutique.
Bangsar Shopping CentreMALL
(BSC; GOOGLE MAP ; www.bsc.com.my; 285 Jln Maarof; h10am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
BSC has carved a niche with KL’s gourmets thanks to its fabulous food hall, Jason's, and its collection of restaurants, cafes and bars. Other retail reasons for heading here are to get a new outfit at British India, homewares at House & Co or fancy footwear from Shoes Shoes Shoes.
There are also some very pukka tailors should you need a dress shirt or suit.
Silverfish BooksBOOKS
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2284 4837; www.silverfishbooks.com; 2nd fl, Bangsar Village II, Jln Telawi 1; h10am-10pm; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
This local bookshop and publisher of contemporary Malaysian literature and writings has a good selection of English-language books and hosts regular talks.
Nurita HarithFASHION & ACCESSORIES
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.nuritaharith.com; 2nd fl, Jln Telawi 3, beside Alexis Bistro; h10am-6pm Tue-Sun; LRT Bank Rakyat-Bangsar)
A boutique specialising in bridal wear by one of KL’s top designers.
WORTH A DETOUR
MID VALLEY
Like a fortress island surrounded by concentric moats of highways and rail tracks, Mid Valley is a two-tower complex anchored by two giant malls: Mid Valley Megamall ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.midvalley.com.my; Lingkaran Syed Putra; h10am-10pm; dMid Valley) and its luxe sibling Gardens Mall ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.thegardensmall.com.my; Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra; h10am-10pm; dMid Valley), which also offers a good top-end hotel and serviced apartments. The KL Komuter Mid Valley station makes getting here a cinch.
Shopping
Mega is the only way to describe this complex, where you could easily lose yourself for a day or two: it's an ideal place to head if there's a tropical downpour or you just need to escape the heat for a few hours of air-con shopping, but do avoid it on the weekends and holidays if you're not into crowds.
Mid Valley Megamall alone has some 430 shops and restaurants as well as an 18-screen cinema, a bowling alley, a huge food court
and even a colourful Hindu temple. For street-style unisex T-shirts and accessories head to Fabspy, ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; https://store.fabspy.com; 3rd fl, north mall, Mid Valley Megamall; h10am-10pm; dMid Valley) which is well stocked with local labels such as Kozo, Supercrew, Nerd Unit and Medium Rare. Specialist shops include Cap City ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.facebook.com/TheCapCity; 3rd fl, north mall, Mid Valley Megamall; h10am-10pm; dMid Valley) for headgear and World of Feng Shui ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.wofs.com; 3rd fl, Mid Valley Megamall; h10am-10pm; dMid Valley).
If the Megamall is proving too plebeian for your shopping tastes, luxury brands are in abundance in the connected Gardens Mall. Anchored by Isetan and Robinsons department stores, here you’ll also find many lovely fashion emporiums, an art gallery, another multiplex and the spa and beauty floor.
Eating & Drinking
There are food courts and a multitude of cafes and restaurants in both malls. Should the enclosed mall environment start getting to you, take a breather on the road separating the Megamall from Gardens Mall where there are several restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating, including the Library ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %03-2282 6001; Mid Valley Megamall; h10am-2am Sun-Wed, to 3am Thu-Sat; dMid Valley), which has live music in the evenings.