Valentine’s Day Dining Guide 2010 Part I – The Luxe

This year both Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year happen to be in the same day. I’m sure most of my (guy) friends who were under immense pressure picking out a gift or choosing a perfect place for the candle lit dinner will feel relieved.

For those who still make it a point to celebrate V-Day, I hope this little dining guide will do some help. It is a continuation from last year’s dining guide with some newly featured restaurants. Have a great Valentine’s Day (or CNY) people! 🙂

21 Kitchen & Bar
Where (is it):
20-1, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2142 0021
Why (here):
Locating at a superb location at Changkat Bukit Bintang, the spanking new Twentyone Kitchen and Bar offers a large variesties of dishes but the fusion cuisine clearly dominates, it is also a great place for a drink or two as you can see, the bar is heaving with bottles of alcohols.

Alexis Bistro & WIne Bar
Where (is it):
Lot f209 1st Floor
The Gardens
Mid Valley City
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur
T +603 2287 2281
Why (here):
Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar, a place that has been blogged to death. Beautiful cakes, extensive wine list, jazz performances; there isn’t any reason to hate Alexis though. I just realized that I have not written anything about this uber cool place despite having numerous tea sessions here.

Bermuda & Onion
Where (is it):
No.41, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.
T: (03) 2145 8333
Why (here):
With great food, reasonable price, fun ambiance and attentice services (look for Romain, the restaurant manager), B&O is certainly the place to go for a hearty fare.

Café Café
Where (is it):
175, Jalan Maharajalela,
50150 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21458141
Why (here):
Stepping into Café Café, one leaves the mundate streets of Kuala Lumpur and is immediately enthralled by its lavish interior; magnificent Occident in this part of urban Orient.

Dubrovnik
Where (is it):
J-0G-14,
Solaris Mont Kiara,
No.2, Jalan Solaris,
Mont Kiara
Tel: 03/62036780
Why (here):
Dubrovnik Restaurant offers an unforgettable Croatia experience in an easygoing and relaxed setting. Definitely not light on the pocket, but every dollar spent on the food and ambiance is worth while.

El Cerdo
Where (is it):
43 & 45, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2145 0511
Why (here):
El Cerdo, (means the pig) used to nestle around Tengkat Tong Shin but was shifted nearby, at a walking distance I suppose to Changkat Bukit Bintang. From its exterior, you couldn’t tell it’s serving a rather exclusive meal, but the poshy interior laid down with dimly lit environment, sophisticated furnishings and most importantly the adornment with little piggy figures as well as piggy paintings to match with it.

Fukuya
Where (is it):
No 9 Jalan Delima,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2144 1022 / 1077
Why (here):
The layout of restaurant is created to bring back the reminiscent of a wealthy Japanese family home in the olden days complete with a courtyard surrounded by mock houses, and secret corridors. It is an absolute pleasurable experience of dining the genuine Japanese way.

Gobo Upstairs
Where (is it):
Traders Hotel,
Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2332 9888
Why (here):
A quaint restaurant plopped amidst the busy KLCC area, Gobo Upstairs has the best food and excellent services for the most reasonable price; the total bill came less than RM 200 for a 3 course meal. 2 hours of parking is free upon validation for total bill above RM 250. However, for those who pay less than RM 250, you can park your car at Suria KLCC (RM 7 flat after 5 pm) and take a slow walk instead of going into the hotel’s parking which charge a higher rate.

Kampachi Japanese Restaurant
Where (is it):
Hotel Equatorial,
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21617777 extension 8444
Why (here):
With jet-fresh supplies of premium and fresh ingredients, one can be sure that they are getting what they paid for. Apart from that, service was impeccable because all the Japanese speaking staff in Kampachi is very well trained. If I have that extra cash to spare, Kampachi would be the first place that appears on my mind. If only…

Kin Shui Tei Japanese Restaurant
Where (is it):
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort,
Jalan Kelab Tropicana,
47410 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-78042079 / 03-78804437 ext 315
Why (here):
I’ve been on a kind of quest lately to fine a really good Japanese restaurant near my home and I’m glad that I found one.
The interior is simple and the colours of the whole restaurant is easy on the eye and rather classy. There’s even tatami rooms with Japanese style table where you sit low to the floor.

Kura Japanese Restaurant
Where (is it):
Kura Restaurant
One World Hotel
Bandar Utama
Petaling Jaya
Tel No: 03 – 7681 1111
Why (here):
On this special occasion, we went to Kura Japanese Restaurant at One World Hotel for a simple meal. Look at our previous anniversary dinner here (2nd, 3rd, 4th)
The interior is elegant but not overdone, making the restaurant stylish but providing a vague hint of coziness at the same time.

Max! Kitchen
Where (is it):
Max. @ iHaus
Lot No. 32,
Jalan Jati
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 – 2142 9720
Business hours: Open for lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (7-11pm) daily.
Website: http://www.ihausgroup.com/
Why (here):
The food was perfectly cooked and presented but the giant, plump seared scallops that we had lacked in flavor. Certain parts of our lamb cutlets were burnt with a bitter note as well. Minor gripes aside, the melt-in-the-mouth braised wagyu beef cheek and braised duck leg were excellent. Max @ iHaus is a simple restaurant where you can appreciate fine cooking at a reasonable price. One can enjoy Chef Max’s cooking for only RM25++ too; just drop by for lunch on a weekday .

Moxie, Damansara Heights
Where (is it):
44 Jln Medan Setia 2
Plaza Damansara
Bukit Damansara, KL.
Tel: 03-2095 0016
Why (here):
Moxie is more than just an exciting addition to KL’s dining scene. It has got indisputable food quality, just like its reputable sister outlets at Jalan Bangkung. Though ‘glam’ dining as such is not light on the pocket (for us lar), Moxie still warrants a revisit. As I am writing this, I can’t help but to keep thinking about the seafood parcel, the cod fish and my banana toffee pie!

Opus Bistro
Where (is it):
67, Jalan Bangkung,
Bukit Bandaraya,
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel:03-20924288
Why (here):
We’ll be coming back for sure! The atmosphere, food and staff are great! Price is quite reasonable too!

Rakuzen
Where (is it):
Block B, Lot 2A,
Chulan Square,
92 Jalan Raja Chulan,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-21456200
Why (here):
Ambiance wise, Rakuzen has one of the most pleasant settings. The starter selection, sashimi selection and sushi selection was good but the same does not go to the skewered grilled item and tempura item.

Ribs by Vintry
Where (is it):
120-122, Jalan Kasah,
Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2096 1645
Opening hours: Noon till late. Kitchen closes 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
Why (here):
Just a few doors away from Vintry, Ribs by Vintry has a similar menu but most people come here for their R-I-B-S. Bad business strategy I would say, thou shall never put all your eggs into a basket. But apparently it works another way for Vintry because most of the tables in both premises were seated on the Friday night when we dined in.

Sage
Where (is it):
The Residences Level 6,
The Gardens,
Mid Valley City.
Tel: 03-22681328
Why (here):
It was a very satisfactory dinner, the starters and mains were beyond excellence while we think that we are going to give it a pass to the desserts the next time (wrong choices maybe, as other floggers raved about the desserts).We will definitely be going back and would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. Ooo yes, Sage is perfect for Valentine’s Day celebration and to impress your dates as well. Reservation is a must, unless you want to try your luck and get turn down.

Villa Danieli
Where (is it):
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur,
Jalan Sultan Ismail,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : 0327179922
Why (here):
Overall Villa Danieli is one of those authentic Italian restaurants that set itself apart from the rest. The food is always great, the wine selection is nice and the staff are very helpful and knowledgeable when it comes to recommending wine to pair with your food choices.

Vincenzo Ristorante Italiano
Where (is it):
One Bangsar,
63H Jalan Ara, Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22871686.
Why (here):
Anyway. it’s the best place for dates or family gathering. The waiters are humourous and attentive.A tips to my noob guy friends: if you have meet this fantastic girl and you want to win her hearts, bring her here.

Xenri Japanese Restaurant
Where (is it):
No. 20, Wisma Elken,
Jalan 1/147C,
Batu 5, Jalan Kelang Lama,
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 77838118
Why (here):
Xenri is a great place to experience good Japanese food, in a seemingly Japanese atmosphere. Be it food, service or ambiance, it was all great Not so great thing would be the great hole burnt on our pocket but it was all worth it.

Yuzu Japanese Restaurant
Where (is it):
T236, 3rd Floor,
The Gardens,
Mid Valley City.
Tel: 03 – 2284 7663
Why (here):
Though a meal at Yuzu can take a chunk out of the monthly entertainment budget, it is generally worth it for the excellent quality and ambiance. For something that is light on the pocket, one can always go for the set meal which can easily feed two. The wait staff is always friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about everything on the menu too. I wouldn’t mind returning to Yuzu for some quality Japanese food in the future.

Stay Tune for Part II – The Budget

Disclaimer:
* The list was painstakingly compiled by the author of KampungboyCitygal. Please credit the source for any images/articles taken.
* The list referred to only places that the authors have actually been to and compiled based on their personal preferences and opinions. For restaurants that we have been to, sans the blog posts, pictures were taken from other sources with link backs.
* Price and quality might differ from the Big Day itself. Please dial to inquire about the menu before proceeding with reservations.