Old Malaya charm at bistro

By LIM CHIA YING

MALAYAS BISTRO,
G-9 CapSquare Centre,
No. 7, Persiaran CapSquare,
50100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2691 1616.
Business hours: Mon to Sat; 8am to 1am.
Closed on Sundays.

A DINING experience at Malayas Bistro is one of quiet elegance; guests dine and wine in chic setting that transports you back to the 1960s.

Sumptuous: The set of Banana Leaf Rice meal with its nine vegetables and one dessert inside the tray. Outside are ala carte dishes like Fried Curry Mutton and Butter Prawns.

It has much to do with the old world charm and jazzy soul of its tastefully done interior that reminds one of the era then, from its tiled flooring and fans to the high leather seats and expensive music speakers playing a mix of contemporary and oldies.

There is a bar table where guests could have their drinks, from the selection of liquors and alcoholic beverages and also wines from around the world.

The owner’s inspiration for his outlet’s decor is apparently from the Old Malaya teahouses, and with the ambience comes its whole-hearted Malaysian food uniquely served in tapas portions.

For UOB cardholders, they are offered two types of promotions.

Malayas Bistro vice-president of operations Suhaimi Sany said for the first promotion, cardholders were entitled to a 50% discount on food items after 6pm in a single bill.

Delectable: The Marinated Slipper Lobster with Citron Blanc was delightful and sumptuous to savour.

“The second promotion has to do with our signature dish — the banana leaf rice, which is cooked by our chef from Chennai, India.

“Cardholders will be given a card whereby they get to have it validated/stamped each time they order a banana leaf meal. Once they collect all seven stamps, they get to enjoy one free banana leaf meal,” he said.

Suhaimi, who has been in the F&B line for over 30 years, said there were three banana leaf sets that guests could choose from - Set A which comprises rice and nine types of vegetables and one dessert, all in tapas-style servings.

As for Set B, it will also consist of the above, but with an additional choice of either the Fried Chicken, Friedmackerel or Mutton Varuval.

“This is to satisfy the non-vegetarian guests,” he said.

Set C will combine Set A and B but with an additional drink of special Indian tea. All three sets come with a free flow of soft drinks.

Suhaimi said the promotion was available until further notice.

“Later on, we plan to take the vegetables off the set and convert them back to ala-carte style,” he said.

Yummy: A colourful assortment of cakes and puddings are sweet treats to end your meal.

Helming the kitchen is head chef Han Ah Seng with over 25 years of experience cooking all types of Malaysian food.

From the ala carte menu, we were served the Seafood Tomyam Soup, vegetable dish of Pakhora, seafood dish of Butter Prawns, and the Dried Curry Mutton.

The Tomyam broth was slightly sourish for my liking, but I did enjoy the flavourful mutton that had been cut into cubes.

The Pakhora was done somewhat like tempura, which Han said was cooked with flour, while the prawns had to be first deep-fried before being cooked with egg yolk, butter and a final touch of curry leaves for flavour.

Following the nice Malaysian meal, drinks will be perfect to wind down as you watch the world go by from the bar or the comfort of your cushion seats.

This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.