Dining & Entertainment

Dining

Not many countries can vie with Malaysia as a food paradise, and Kuala Lumpur offers the country's best selection of foreign and local cuisines. With its many nationalities and different ethnic groups, the country claims such a diverse array of cuisines that some simply visit the country just for a food hunt. Such pleasures should certainly be enjoyed while in KL.

Bangsar
Eating in Bangsar offers an epicurean delight. With kopitiams (coffee shops) serving food at inflated prices, this district no doubt serves mainly the upper-class market. That said, however, you can be assured of unparalleled food and services.

An all-time favourite here is Alexis Bistro, a casual and comfortable place to dine, with specialties including Sarawak Laksa, beef lasagne, Chicken Rice and Alexis Dips. For a variety of local favourites, try Champ's. Try their signature dish, Hangover Pork Shoulder, but if the thought of uncountable calories turns you off, then sample the popular prawn mee instead.

One of the oldest establishments in this area, Bangsar Seafood, is famed for its wide range of fresh and exotic seafood.

KL City Centre
KLCC offers yet another prime spot for good food, and you need not to look far. Just enter Suria KLCC, the premier shopping complex in this area, and surround yourself with a range of--not just Malaysian food--but practically anything else you might possibly wish for.

Check out Café Aseana, a quaint little cafe located within the famed Petronas Twin Towers and specialising in Asian cuisine. It sits aptly within Aseana Gallery, a galleria selling ethnic Asian products ranging from rattan mats to designer clothes.

Gloria Jean's Coffees, casual yet hip, provides a delightful place to rest your tired legs after an endless shopping marathon. Enjoy its wide selection of gourmet beverages including cappuccino, espresso, latte or iced coffees while taking in the panorama of the KLCC Park. The Emporium Grande Café stands as one of KL's hottest landmarks for hanging out, dining and partying. Everything here spells sophistication, elegance and the good life.

Golden Triangle
And, of course, who could miss gastronomic indulgence in the Golden Triangle, where food outlets abound? Carmen's is the place with everything under one roof, bestowing on you an array of activities for an evening of fun and entertainment. You can croon the night away in the private karaoke room, spend hours playing pool or surf away at the cybercafe.

Taking up about half the basement in one of KL's classy shopping centres, Shook! proves popular with the sophisticated crowd. Prices seem rather steep, but the ambience, good food and live jazz make up for it. The menu includes assorted Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Western grills, and you get to watch the cooks whipping up your order in the open kitchen.

TGI Friday's offers a cheerful, casual and fun atmosphere. The food range includes everything from Jack Daniel's Grilled Salmon to barbecue beef ribs to that all-time favourite mud pie! Most desserts come in huge portions--remember to leave room for them.

For the ultimate dining experience try Seri Angkasa, a delightful revolving restaurant offering a panoramic city view. Dress smartly and brace yourself for the glorious selection of Western and local delicacies. Or, if you prefer Chinese fare, Toh Lee might just suit you. Exuding a friendly, classy and almost romantic mood, this high-end restaurant is particularly proud of its dim sum. Other favourites include Peking duck and baked lobster with cheese.

Touted as an all-in-one entertainment establishment, The Embassy houses places like Modesto's and Havana Club. It certainly provides a happening hang-out in KL.

Outskirts of KL
Specialising in authentic Penang Nonya fare on KL's outskirts, the Little Penang Café is located at Mid Valley Megamall. The blend of Penang, Chinese and Malay cuisines delivers the usual favourites like Asam Laksa and Nasi Lemak Penang.

For Mediterranean food, try Mirabelle. Here, the offering includes a variety of regional favourites, although some are not really Mediterranean. There is French goose liver, Turkish shish kebab, Portuguese ensopado di borego and Greek moussaka, amongst others. Bon appetit!Text by Audrey Goh Photo by Neezam Abdul Rahim

Entertainment

Kuala Lumpur (KL) boasts a bustling commercial centre by day and offers an exciting entertainment location by night. It could become Asia's next big entertainment and party capital as discerning clubbers from around the region, and the world, hotfoot it to KL--their rest and relax location of choice these days.A myriad of nightspots spoils everyone for choice, each different from another, and attracts the fickle loyalties of party-goers. No doubt, a dull moment never exists in KL. The various races and cultures also present a great base for many festivals and culturalshows.

Dance Clubs
One of the most famous KL places to get groovy is the Vivid Dance Club, which seems to slowly gain momentum as the night goes on and is a favourite place to be seen. The Beach Club Café, on the other hand, offers a less conspicuous spot in an idyllic resort setting. It draws an already ecstatic crowd with perennial pop tunes. By night, the Hard Rock Café, a favourite, becomes the haunt of an clectic crowd ready to groove to the varied sounds of rock, soul, R&B, funk and blasts from the past.

Bars & Pubs
Visit some of the best bars and pubs in the yuppie suburb of Bangsar Baru, a serious partying ground in bustling KL. Featuring almost 50 entertainment joints, this area attracts party-goers, young and old.

Other area watering holes include The Pub knocking out popular hits, while the famous Benson & Hedges Bistro draws in loyal customers with great coffee and snacks. For something really funky, try The Monkey Bar where everything centres around monkeys.