Nothing binds us together more than food! It goes without saying just how significant food is in our culture - this is pretty evident in Malaysia where new food trends and restaurants will emerge every now and then.
For alot of us, indulging in good food is more than filling up the stomach, it’s about getting a unique dining experience while we’re at it. Malaysians not only prefer to eat, but they like to eat in places which offers something new for them to document.
As Paul Prudhomme said, "You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food”. All you need is an empty stomach and a good choice of restaurant (or cafe).
Here are restaurants and eating spots you may want to include in your eating bucket list.
WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse has officially stepped into Malaysia’s culinary arena as it opened its doors in June this year..
Located at Resorts World Genting, it’s worth mentioning that the 30th restaurant by Wolfgang Zwiener is up for the challenge of serving New York-style steakhouse dining experience to the Malaysians.
Let’s take a little trip down the memory lane.
The original Wolfgang's Steakhouse was opened on New York City's Park Avenue in 2004.
It was founded by Wolfgang Zwiener, a seasoned head waiter at Peter Luger Steak House with more than 40 years of experience there.
With good ratings as one of the best steakhouses in New York, it continues to expand and as of now, it has 22 locations worldwide.
What makes Wolfgang’s Steakhouse a sought after eating spot is their dry-aged steaks derived exclusively from Black Angus cattle.
Dry-aging, which is the process of storing beef on racks for several weeks for tenderising and enhancing their flavour profile has always been known as the golden method of making sapid, juicy steaks and Wolfgang Steakhouse adopted this into their core.
As for a glimpse of their signature menu, they offer the porterhouse, rib-eye, tenderloin, sirloin as well as beef burgers.
Like all true steakhouses, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse also offers mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, and other sides which will purposely be kept simple in order to best complement the meat. Desserts will have a characteristically New York slant, with cheesecake, tiramisu and sundaes which can be ordered as a sharing platter.
Location: Level M of Sky Avenue, Resorts World Genting, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang.
Operating hours: 6.00pm - 11.00pm
GORDON RAMSAY BAR & GRILL
Fans of the famous Gordon Ramsay should rejoice because his first restaurant in Malaysia just opened at Sunway City.
News flash, it is also the first Bar & Grill location outside of the UK! Once you enter the dining area, be prepared to be amazed by the interior design featuring red and green colour schemes, and the luxury vibes brought to the fore as you notice the polished walnut hardwood flooring, brass finishes, and a 24-karat gold leaf hand-placed ceiling.
The portrait of Chef Ramsay with his arms crossed also awaits you in the lounge area.
The celebrity chef known for his crude remarks said that the menu at the restaurant in Malaysia is a mix of British favourites and experiences he’s garnered from cooking in Southeast Asia as well as influences from Savoy Grill in London. What about the signature dishes in the restaurant? His famous Classic Beef Wellington is on the menu and you will be able to taste this dish Ramsay has cooked countless times on screen.
Wrapped in flaky puff pastry, a beautifully cut fillet mignon lies within layers of prosciutto, savoury chive crepe, and a mushroom mixture.
Special mentions goes to Seafood Platter, Spiced Beef Tartare with Egg Yolk Confit, Arnold Bennett Twice-baked Cheese Soufflé with Mornay Sauce as well as Dover Sole with Grenobloise capers sauce.
Location: Sunway Resort Lobby, Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Operating hours: 6.00pm - 10.30pm
LUKUMADES
Specializing in hand-crafted Greek doughnuts with a modern twist, Lukumades is just right for those with a sweet tooth.
Freshly opened on July 1, they offer doughnuts with a variety of flavoursome toppings such as Nutella, crushed Oreos or salted caramel sauce drizzle.
These sugary balls smothered with melted chocolate or other flavours of your choice are perfect for desserts or snacks! Started in Melbourne, Australia and finally opening their very first store in Malaysia, Lukumades have definitely arrived in the country to fish for Malaysia's smiles and fulfil our sweet cravings.
Location: G13, The Grand Subang Jaya, Jalan SS15/8A, 47500 Selangor. Operating hours: 2.00pm - 11.00pm
BOL RESTAURANT
You are in the KL area and you are looking for a new cafe to try on good food and unique dishes? Bōl Restaurant should be on your list of cafes to try! The best thing for the restaurant is that it is Muslim-friendly, so the Muslims can come here and eat comfortably since there is no pork served, except for alcohol.
This is also the best place for those who love the taste of Peranakan cuisine.
The signature dishes for the full-course meal will be the Rojak tart and Itik Tim as the entree, lamb shank and rendang wagyu as the main course as well as two types of dessert - guava soup and Hawthorn Melaka.
You can try the lamb shank that looks black because it is cooked with keluak fruit, popularly used in the Nyonya dish since it imparts a smoky, nutty flavour that counters well with spicy preparations.
Make sure to bring your camera with you because the casual dining setting is the hotspot for great pictures featuring the green colour palette tone as the background, with floral wallpaper and rattan furniture completing the overall perfect look.
Location: 15, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: 11am - 9pm
THE ORANGE COUCH
If you are a fan of the American television sitcom, Friends, then you will be familiar with the infamous orange coloured couch in the show.
The orange coloured couch has become so iconic that it was put in the Empire State Building.
This new cafe in KL offers a perfect spot for those who wish to relive the vibes of the tv show, as it features humorous tributes to the show especially in its menu of six waffles that pivot from Chandler Bean (topped with tau-fu-fa ice cream) to Rachel Berries, Monica Mocha, Ross Chocs, Joey Oreo and Phoebe Earl-Grey.
As Chandler would say - could it BE any cooler than this?
Location: 11, Jalan SS 15/4c, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Operating hours: 10.30am - 6.30pm