What's cooking on the local scene?
Tickets just went on sale over the weekend for Kita Food Festival 2023 (Photo: Kita Food Festival)
Need some dining recommendations for the week ahead? Here's a shortlist of meals and restaurants to look forward to, plus a reminder to get your tickets early for the Kita Food Festival happening between September and October.
MERDEKA MAKAN
With the 66th National Day and 60th Malaysia Day coming up, Dorsett Grand Subang will hold its Dorsett Kopitiam at the lobby of the popular Subang Jaya hotel in Selangor from Aug 15 to Sept 16. Inspired by the beloved kopitiam culture of the country, where fellow Malaysians spend time, catch up and exchange news over packets of nasi lemak bungkus, kaya butter toast with soft-boiled eggs and mugs of teh or Nescafe Tarik, this cute pop-up café is where you can relive nostalgic memories or just lepak in style. A wide menu of local favourites will be served and priced at RM12.80 nett per order, inclusive of choice of beverage. À la carte drinks are RM6 nett per order. Dorsett Kopitiam will be open on weekdays from 10.30am to 5pm.
BEAUTY + THE BEAST
Beast, Plaza Batai’s former Japanese-accented contemporary dining room famous for dishing out stylish treats such as Japanese A3 wagyu tenderloin katsu sando, cold capellini with amaebi and shio kombu, burrata cheese pizza and bafun uni toast, has relocated to the third level of Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Although it is not open for business just yet (the team is hard at work crafting gorgeous interiors to ensure an elevated dining experience), word has it that it will be ready to welcome guests as early as Aug 28. Mark your calendars, then!
A TASTE OF CILANTRO
A new lunchtime concept called L’Atelier recently launched at KL’s original — and most long-standing — fine dining room, Cilantro. L’Atelier aims to give lunchtime diners the chance to enjoy classic French fare such as French onion soup, escargots, coq au vin and steak frites. Those dining in larger groups may also pre-order items ideal for sharing, such as whole roasted chicken and rack of lamb. Everything is presided over by celebrated chef, Takashi Kimura, and, before you ask, Cilantro’s famous Friday Lunch remains untouched. L’Atelier operates only from Tuesday to Thursday as well as on weekends, from 11.30am to 2pm.
KITA FOOD FESTIVAL
Tickets just went on sale over the weekend for Kita Food Festival 2023, with a whole slew of events added to the Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore line-ups. It will kick off in Kuching in September before proceeding to the three aforementioned cities in October. You can expect a wide variety of gourmet events, sfrom communal cook-outs to Sunday barbecues and four- and six-hand dinners. There are also two symposiums, titled “Kita Conversations”, planned with TED-style talks by chefs, food producers, historians and anthropologists who will discuss pertinent food-related topics ranging from sustainability to food waste and how to run a profitable business. Book here.
This article first appeared on Aug 14, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
