It’s not your typical fine dining restaurant in a suburban neighbourhood. In fact, it’s an educational effort by a local university college. Dewakan, which got its name from two Malay words fused together – “dewa” meaning god and “makan”, which is to eat, is very much about taking from the local land and honouring it by transforming these ingredients into culinary masterpieces on a plate. Chef Darren Teoh who heads the kitchen, is fond of local produce and the amount of time and love is shown as he interprets simple produce into modern Malaysian cuisine. Dishes such as Pulau Ketam razor clams, sauteed and served chilled with cashew nuts, rose apples, tenggek burung herbs and ‘snow’ and mushroom broth with mandarin peel, garlic and vegetables with ox tongue and a soft-boiled egg showcase simple ingredients with culinary finesse.
Dewakan. Lower Ground Floor, KDU University College, Utropolis Glenmarie, Jalan Kontraktor U1/14, Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam.
The restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere and open kitchen concept is immediately translated into the contents of its plates. Ingredients from local farmers and suppliers are used to formulate the modern European dishes. Try appetisers like the applewood-smoked, free-range duck breast with browned butter puree and pomegranates for an earthy, rich start and for something a little more unusual, the breadcrumbed deep-fried frog legs served with housemade tamarind jam will dance on your tastebuds.
Roost. 69-1, Jalan Te;awi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
The white and clean interior of The Kitchen Table hints to a simple and unpretentious menu. A mouth-watering selection of cakes greets you as you enter the restaurant and you know that no matter how much you eat as your main, there will always be room for these baked goods. Gathering inspiration from local markets, their local community in Damansara Kim, and its heritage, The Kitchen Table reinvents Western classics in the hope if elevating the dining experience in the Klang Valley. A must-try at The Kitchen Table is the buckwheat fried chicken and Thai basil crisps.
The Kitchen Table. 23, Jalan SS20/11, 47400 Petaling Jaya.
This simple and unobtrusive restaurant situated in Jalan Batai, a growing hotspot for trendy food, is a reconceptualisation of a modern restaurant. Headed by Christian Recomio, the kitchen combines traditional ingredients using modern techniques to present a modern interpretation of Southeast Asian dishes. Before its opening, Sitka sourced for produce from local producers and small farms to support sustainable food practices that will also complement their evolving menu. For a unique and exclusive experience in Sitka, check out their tasting menus that are only available on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm onwards.
Sitka. 8–5 Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.
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