The all-you-can get premium ingredients is from The Rare Food Company in Empire Residence. The Rare Food Company serves premium ingredients from different regions, offering engaging food produce and premium selections of alcoholic beverages in town.

A team of wild fire chefs, meticulously produce the finest plate before expediting, flare and flare non-stop. You will be able to see the finest cut of meat being slice, fresh octopus being plate on. Sound and aroma of the sizzling pan from the kitchen really arose the appetite.

If you notice, ratio of the seats are mostly alfresco rather than indoor. Glad that it wasn't that hot or humid choosing seats at the alfresco area because there's sufficient high-powered wall fans around the structure coupled with natural outdoor wind. The alfresco seats overlooking the beautiful residential view of Damansara Perdana.

Started with the appetizer - Pan-seared Iberico Gyozas (RM 28.00). Not the usual typical minced meat fillings inside the skin. They used the premium Iberico that was used for the filling then pan-seared gracefully at the right temperature to retain the succulent inside. The gyozas served with jungle garlic sauce for dipping. For me the gyozas has no difference if I were to compared them against any other gyozas from the Japanese restaurants. Unsure why this dish is in high demand?

Second appetiser for that night - Japanese Oyster Omelette (RM 29.00). A plate of omelette size of a hand palm, moist texture that was cooked right. Topped with fresh Japanese Oysters then highlight with the organic Yuzu and chilli. This dish you will enjoy the acidity and heat from the yuzu and chili, fresh ocean from the oysters.

The third dish that comes in with surprise - Pulpo (RM 78.00). The Spanish Octopus chargrilled to perfection (not rubbery but tender), beautifully charred drizzled gracefully with olive oil & paprika and served with smoked sauce to give a little heat to it. Highly reckon on this! Even the size of it is quite big.

Want some carbs? This is the Wagyu Bacon Don, served with pickled Kyuri & Shitake with Kombu Butter (RM 38.00). It is a small sized rice bowl that they make sure you don't outrun your calories calculator. Portion is just right, kombu smells great, together with the wagyu bacon slices.

The star and limited edition dish is the Uni Scallop Truffle Capellini. No doubt that the uni, scallops and roe are very fresh and delicate to enjoy with the capellini, however, the flavour of the broth seems to be lacking on my taste bud. Until they improvise the flavour, I will still recommend Darren Chin's signature somen. 

-Reservation is required.

-A place to impress your date with alfresco dining overlooking the beautiful view within Damansara Perdana.

-Be mindful of the portion as well as the price.

-Highly recommended dish: Pulpo 

-Consider twice on: Pan-seared Iberico Gyozas & Uni Scallop Truffle Pasta

Currently, solely one-man-show owner cum barista managing the business from coffee brewing to light food. According to owner, he has plans to increase the seating capacity as well as extending his kitchen for more output on food aspect. Plans aside, his ultimate goal is to put a smile on customers' face, ensure customers enjoy the overall services and vibes.

Personal Summary: A new quiet coffee space in SS 2, good spot for dating, self-reflection or work. Mostly on beverages. Check with owner for any light food or pastries. Space is tiny, about 10-15m sq.

An urban chic Japanese-Spanish inspired yakitori nestled along Jalan Mesui, not far away from the hotspot areas like Bukit Bintang and such. Tired of food in the shopping mall? Wanted something different? This Palillos Yakitori Bar may be your new discovery.

Warm and inviting indoor interiors which cladded with the Japanese wood finishing. If indoors seems tight for you, there's alfresco courtyard (outdoor) at the entrance, suitable for smokers and great for those seeking for outdoor vibes.

Deep inside Palillos, you can see the kitchen crews are busy grilling at the yakitori bar, a traditional method of grilling the skewers with the heat of imported charcoals - to have the skewers charred and smoky from the charcoal as well as elevating the skewers in terms of flavours and taste.

Started off with the Kampachi Carpaccio (RM 35.00) - a long plate of white fish slices crowned with black truffle, olive oil drizzle and sea salt, topped with chopped scallions. Absolutely love it! Glad to have it at the very beginning. Stunning compliment of every component you see on the plate.

Meatball "pork & chicken skewer" (RM 7/stick) - Yeap... basically pork and chicken meats blended together as one. Well marinated and seasoned, very delicious! Sounds simple but I think the key ingredient is from the spices which remains unknown.

Spanish Chistorra Chorizo (RM 10/stick) served with Romesco Sauce. Great taste on its own but nothing special to shout about it (even if it dipped with the romesco sauce).

Iberico pork belly (RM 12/stick) - Good bite, mild wasabi, perfectly seasoned. However, nothing special to shout about as well.

Duck Foie Gras with Honey (RM 19/serving) - a bread toast served with Duck Foie Gras drizzled with honey. This one will give you the wow factor at a very decent price for a quick bite. Perfectly grilled charred foie gras that matched well with the honey.

Spanish Melon with Serrano Ham (RM 35) - Ah ha! Special item from the menu. Slice of melon wrapped with Serrano Ham. The mixture of sweet & salty component, not many able to accept this, but I find this truly unique. A great reason to be here. Delicious.

Personal Summary: Great "quick bite" spot in KL city. Inside the restaurant can be a little hyper due to groups dine-in for celebrations or after work hours. Service was slow during my visit due to peak hours. Price of the quick bite menu can be perceived as expensive for certain group of customers. 

Palillos Yakitori Bar

23, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Saturday to Friday : 4pm - 12am

Close on Sundays.

Lucky Coffee Bar is part of LOKL Coffee Company, a new project collaboration operate within KLoe Hotel, serve mainly coffee, juice, tea, salads and pastries (light food) - a brand new chic environment open for the public and the in-house guests. 

Magnificent interior that has dash of urban design mixtures of wood, ceramic and bricks. Bringing ultimate comfort sensation that feels like home. A place where you just want to lay back and share your stories with your friends and family. You can choose to sit at the patio or within the stretch of the hotel lobby.

Score

Ambience: 3.5/5

Inside, you will be amazed by the artificial Japanese floral decorations within the dining space, beautiful mini ancient Chinese structured booths, bamboo netting and wooden table and chairs coupled with undercoated red brick walls. 

Also realizing that most of the customers in Mimi Nyugen's are Vietnamese, hence, the food is as close as what you can get from Vietnam.

Start your day with Bahn Mi Thit Kho Trung (RM 12.50) is a baguette served with braised pork meat and hard boil egg as well as pickled vegetables. Overall of the baguette is good for me, firm, crust crispy and soft inside unlike the baguette you find elsewhere rocky stone cold. The pork meat is very thick and tender as well - value for money.

When in Vietnamese restaurant, a bowl of Pho is a must. This bowl of beef noodle costs RM 12.50, quite big portion for price like that, few a number of meatballs and beef slice. The broth was incredible, very rich in flavors and it does not have heavy tangy smell from the protein.

Also, try to get a taste of this bowl of Hu Tieu Bo Kho (RM 12.50), which basically means beef stew rice noodle. Great for those who like to experience even more heavier palate from the beef stew. Delicious, rich and thick. No regrets.

As for dessert, this - Banh Chuoi (RM 7.50) is something new for me. It is a Vietnamese's sweet banana cake which usually served as a dessert. Ingredient may varies across province and individuals. In this case, this sweet banana cake is quite delicious as well. Firm inside out, with thin slices of banana in between the layers, covered with sweetened coconut milk cream and peanuts on top.

My personal verdict: Truly authentic Vietnamese meal at a very affordable price, good dining environment which make you feel at home. Variety of food menu item.

Score

Ambience: 3.5/5

Here is to another "old but gold" discovery. One of the hottest cafe exists within the commercial area of The Hub SS2, surrounded by skyscraper condominiums and beautiful greens. Be excited to receive warm hospitality, turquoise wallpaper, patches of deconstructed wall bricks and their iconic beautiful mess open-concept layout.

Inspired by Australian cafe scene, Flakes decided it was the right move to serve the local community with freshly baked flaky croissants and pastries, farm-to-cup coffee, comfort food and thirst-quenching drinks! In short period of time as soon as they launched, crowds and medias have made their way to experience this unique cafe.

Having said that Flakes forte are in freshly bake croissants, with great thought process, they came out with variety of flavors to cater the market demand. Ranging from original butter croissant to Niko Neko Matcha croissant. Price of each croissant varies depending on its flavor, so do check them out at their counter. My favorite croissant goes to the Niko Neko Matcha croissant, I'm a big fan of matcha and they managed to craft it well to my personal preference.

In Flakes, cappuccino, flat white or latte will considered as "white" to make matter simple. Hence, if you are looking for a perfect cup of white that can give rich and bold coffee taste then Flakes will be the place for you. For your knowledge, they are using house blend of Colombia & Indonesia and if you are interested to learn more, do speak with their barista. Coffee enthusiasts who seek for single origin coffee (on rotation basis), do check with them as well for availability!

One of the best selling menu item, this sinful Krabby Olio consists of spaghetti tossed over with reasonable amount of chili flakes, garlic crisps, mud crab meat and topped of with delicate fish roe and shredded seaweed. Aromatic with perfect balance of heat and taste.

If you are looking for Thai-Malaysian inspired flavors, try the Flakes' special prawn and squid pasta, tossed over with bunga kantan, lemongrass, hint of chili, shredded cheese and ale. Enticing flavors and aroma from the dish that coupled with seafood ingredients such as prawns and squids. Spicy friendly.

Keen for local staple and protein to beef-up your day? Don't miss out this incredible rice bowl that has sliced beef marinated with worcestershire sauce, topped with a work of art poached egg and sprinkled with fried garlic crisps, sesame and spring onions. I love the entire rice bowl when it is completely mixed, giving me a reminiscence of my solo trip to Ho Chi Minh. Poached egg was cook perfectly and the fried garlic crisps emits and elevates the whole dish aroma.

In conjunction to combating the spread of Corona virus, Flakes has came out with a initiative to set food delivery service to the locals. Check-out https://flakes.beepit.com/ to learn more.