RESTAURANT OVERSEA

Unit 35, LG-1-1, Palm Square, Jaya One
72A, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7956 9911
E-mail: reservation@oversea.com.my
www.oversea.com.my

When it comes to good Chinese food, you will hear the name of this restaurant being mentioned many times. That doesn’t surprise us, what with its Jalan Imbi branch being set up in 1977. Today, there are seven branches – five in Klang Valley and two in Ipoh.

What the restaurant is known for is its contemporary Chinese cuisine with a special emphasis on the Cantonese style of cooking. What we can’t get enough of is its special stewed pork, so soft and tender that it literally melts in your mouth. Other signature dishes include steamed bamboo fish in soya sauce, braised homemade bean curd with petola, braised sliced pork belly with salted fish in claypot and everyone’s favourite – char siew (barbecue pork). Oh, and do ask for chef recommendations. You and your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised.

Another well-known fact is that one of Klang Valley’s most delicious moon cakes comes from Restaurant Overseas’ kitchens. You’ve been informed.

EXTRA SUPER TANKER RESTAURANT

48, Jalan SS20/10, Damansara Kim
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-7726 7768
www.estrestaurant.com

The packed car park and tables are a sure indication of what one can expect from Extra Super Tanker Restaurant. Known for its seafood dishes and exquisite Chinese cuisine, the restaurant tops the list for good and unique Chinese dishes in town. So much so that you better make a reservation and book your menu if you want to dine on favorites like the braised pork knuckle with preserved vegetable served with man tau (which runs out nightly), pan-fried fresh tiger prawn with corn flakes, homemade tofu, crispy suckling piglet ribs and more. Even a simple dish like fried rice tastes heavenly here.

Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that the head chef is also the owner of the restaurant. Whatever the case, Extra Super Tanker restaurant gets our vote for consistently good Chinese food cooked with the freshest ingredients. Book in advance.

JIN XUAN HONG KONG

63G and 65G, Jalan SS21/60
Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-7729 8881
www.jinxuan.com.my

You can’t talk about Chinese food and not mention dim sum, which is why we’ve picked this little gem of a dim sum restaurant for its delectable trays of delicious goodies. The restaurant is packed on weekend mornings, so if you really want to get in there, we suggest going first thing in morning or wait in line like the rest of the late comers.

Its menu is similar to those you will see in Hong Kong dim sum restaurants, with a few localised versions. But nevertheless, you will surely delight in usual favourites like its bouncy steamed fish balls, country style shrimp dumpling, har-gaw and the more unique ones like bamboo fungus shrimp dumpling, scallop shrimp dumpling, Teochew siu-mai, fried crab date balls and more. Didn’t we mention that there is a wide variety for you to choose from?

Here’s a tip: Its weekend menu seems to vary with a few creative dim sum dishes making rounds in the restaurant. So if you are up for something other than your usual dim sum choices, then we say check it out this weekend.

LI YEN

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur
168, Jalan Imbi
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2142 8000
www.ritzcarlton.com

If a swanky dining experience is what you are after, well then Li Yen – Ritz Carlton’s award-winning Chinese restaurant – is the place to be. Featuring Cantonese specialties in a luxe Oriental ambience, it is Chinese dining at its very finest. Even traditional Yangqing music is performed live every evening for an authentic feel.

As for the food, you can be sure that it won’t be anything less than ordinary. We suggest the abalone cubes and sliced cucumber marinated with minced garlic for starters, roasted chicken with nam yee sauce (must order 24 hours in advanced), its signature golden prawns deep fried with thousand island dressing and coated with shredded yam, signature bean curd with Honshimeji mushroom and spinach and for dessert, the Li Yen special durian pudding. One thing is for sure – you won’t go hungry with its wide array of dishes, each one cooked to perfection.

REUNION

Lot 2F-17 & 18, Level 2
Bangsar Village II
Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-03-2287 3770
www.reunion-restaurant.com

From the guys who brought you Delicious comes this simple yet elegant Chinese restaurant. Expect authentic Chinese cuisine but served with an innovative twist. The decor is modern with a wooden interior, giving it a rather moody, imperial chamber feel.

Dinners are quite busy here, so reservations are advised. To get the best out of your dining experience here, we suggest blanched sliced pork in spicy sauce, roast meat combination, stir-friend scallops with chef special sauce, pan-seared Wagyu steak with sesame sauce, signature Hokkien noodles and for dessert, coffee pudding with black cherries. Craving for some Chinese soup? Then, we suggest the Mid-Sea Treasure – a bowlful of goodness you won’t regret (your wallet won’t let you at RM53.80 per bowl).

more Chinese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

Jan

40th Hong Kong Arts Festival
An extravaganza featuring 44 main events, from opera to dance, music and theater, spread over 41 days. The festival features workshops, masterclasses, talks, screenings and behind the scenes tours. Highlights from this year’s festival include Grzegorz Jarzyna’s production of the late Sarah Kane’s final play 4.48 Psychosis (Feb 22-25), Poon Wai-sum’s look into the Hong Kong property market Show Flat (Feb 16-28) and an all-Handel concert from The Sixteen and Harry Christophers (Feb 24-25).
January 28-March 8. Hong Kong. HK$60-680. www.hk.artsfestival.org

Feb

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Whenever the Asia Pacific region’s biggest gay festival comes around, you know it’s going to be nothing short of fabulous. Mardi Gras is a celebration of all aspects of LGBT culture from theater productions, to concerts, a film festival, academic talks and discussions as well as that legendary parade.
Feb 12-Mar 4. Sydney. Free and ticketed events. www.mardigras.org.au

Mar

Java Jazz Festival
It might be sponsored by a cigarette company, but that takes nothing away from the quality of the performers on show at this weekend of jazz. The Al Jarreau & George Duke Trio, Bobby McFerrin, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Erykah Badu and Laura Fygi are just some of the names who’ll take to the stage at the Jakarta International Expo.
Mar 2-4. Jakarta. Daily passes available from Rp385,000, single show tickets from Rp110,000. www.javajazzfestival.com

Fashion Week Tokyo 2012-13 A/W
After its cancellation in 2011 following the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Japan Fashion Week returned with its Spring 2012 edition in October 2012. The line-up for the Autumn/Winter week in March hasn’t been announced yet, but you can expect to see the likes of Araisara, Fur Fur, Yukiko Hansai, Motonari Ono, SOMARTA and Johan Ku.
March 18-23. Tokyo. Price TBC. www.jfw.jp

36th Hong Kong International Film Festival
This year’s HKIFF will feature 330 films from 50 countries screened to a combined audience of around 600,000 with a focus on Asian (and in particular, Chinese) cinema and talent. The full line-up will be announced at a later date and you can keep tabs on the event via its Facebook page.
March 21-April 5. Hong Kong. Price TBC. www.hkiff.org.hk

Malaysian Grand Prix
Can anyone catch Sebastian Vettel in 2012? The young German has already established himself as this generation’s Michael Schumacher, winning his second consecutive World Championship hands down in 2011. Malaysia gets front row seats with one of the first few races of the season.
March 23-25. Kuala Lumpur. RM63-1,763. www.malaysiangp.com.my

Hong Kong Sevens
While famed for the bonecrushing tackles and fleet-footed runs on the pitch, the carnival atmosphere it brings is the real reason to go. Start planning your costume now.
March 23-25. Hong Kong. HK$1,500 for a three-day pass. www.hksevens.com

Apr

Songkran Festival
Attending Songkran, the week-long water war that rings in Thai New Year, is definitely one of the things to add to your bucket list. In Bangkok, the action is concentrated around Khaosan (for backpackers) and Silom (for locals) but Chiang Mai is where the insanity reaches its peak, particularly along the northern capital’s main canal. If you’ve seen it all, try Khon Kaen’s Khao Niaw road for a change. If you just can’t get enough, the action tends to travel east of Bangkok after Apr 15, towards Bang Saen and Pattaya.
April 13-16. Thailand. Free. www.songkran.net

Artista Bar and Restaurant

[Lot G-13, Tropicana City Mall, 47400 Petaling Jaya, 7710-6585]
Aimed at combining art+music+food+drinks, Artista at Tropicana City Mall is part restaurant and part bar but perhaps most importantly a great spot to enjoy an eclectic mix of live music. Mondays are Easy and Lite, Tuesday is Chill Out Nite with Allan, Wednesday features the Jumpstart Showcase which gives a platform for new bands to perform. Indie music lovers will adore the Artistic Series on Thursdays, followed by pop Fridays and School of Rock on Saturdays.
Opening times: Sun– Thurs 11:30am-2am, Fri – Sat 11:30am-3am
Website: http://www.artista.com.my
Nearest train: Taman Bahagia (LRT)

Backyard Pub & Grill

[28 Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, 6201-0318]
Owner, Jerry, has combined his love of traditional London pubs and live music to create the Backyard an easy going but fun filled boozer. You’ll find some of the best musicians from the local scene performing here—everything from independent to up-and-coming, soloists, veteran artists and bands. Apart from their regular acts, expect Backyard’s ‘One Night Only’ shows, themed nights and lots more.
Opening times: Mon-Sun 4pm-1.30am
Website: http://www.backyardpub.com
Nearest train: Bangsar (LRT)

Mezze Lounge

[No, 132, Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara 50490, Kuala Lumpur, 2095-0122]
Downstairs you’ll find a casual and contemporary bistro serving classic European and North African dishes, while upstairs at the Mezze Lounge you’ll find an equally sophisticated spot to kick back and enjoy some jazz and fine wine. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days to come to enjoy the best local and international jazz artists performing in the Night Owl Sessions in a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.
Opening times: Bistro: 5pm – 12am, Lounge: 4 pm – 1am
Website: http://www.mezze.my
Nearest train: Bangsar (LRT)

Zeta Bar

[Zeta Bar, Hilton Kuala Lumpur, 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, 2163-0163]
Whether you choose to enjoy your drinks at the central bar or cosy up in the comfortable booths at Zeta bar, we are pretty sure that the energetic live bands who play nightly will have you tapping your feet and getting on the dance floor soon enough. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with a sophisticated crowd.
Opening times: Mon-Thu, 8pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 8pm-3am
Website: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/KULHIHI-Hilton-Kuala-Lumpur-hotel/dining.do
Nearest train: KL Sentral (LRT)

Alexis Bistro Ampang

[10, Ground Floor, Great Eastern Mall, 303 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 4260-2288]
Alexis Bistro in Great Eastern Mall, Ampang is the place to be for their wood-fired oven, fine selection of local and international cuisine, extensive wine list and most favourably for the live jazz performances. During weekend nights, crowds of jazz-lovers gather to listen to the fantastic lineup of internationally renowned musicians, local legends and aspiring talents too. To find out the artists playing over the weekend, simply call up to find out from the friendly Alexis staff.
Opening times: Mon-Fri, 12noon-1am; Sat, 9am-12am
Website: http://www.alexis.com.my/
Nearest train: Ampang Park (LRT)