Classic European fare has come to Taman Tun, thanks to this casual cafe that concentrates on French & Italian favorites.
On a rain-soaked night, this Marseille-style, saffron-steeped bowl of bouillabaisse (RM43++) , featuring fresh fish, prawns, clams & mussels, would surely warm the cockles of our heart.
Pesto cappellini (RM20++), a light but lush starter of angel hair pasta with toasted pine nuts, pesto sauce, shaved parmesan & the faint hint of truffle oil. Wonderful for whetting the appetite, offering a squeaky-clean taste & silky-smooth textures.
Chicken roulade (RM28++), made juicy with bold-flavored burgundy sauce & accompanied deliciously by mushrooms, shallots, chestnuts & asparagus.
Moules mariniere (RM29++), the Normandy staple. Savory mussels cooked in a slurp-worthy broth of butter, white wine, shallots & parsley.
Duck confit (RM33++) with potato fondant & French beans. Topshelf's dishes are mainly aimed at Francophiles, with an unabashed selection of the best-known Gallic recipes. The Italian items on the menu are outnumbered.
Escargots (RM24++), plump snails prepared with butter & herbs. It'd be curmudgeonly to complain about Topshelf's food; while there's little here to rock KL's gastronomic world, everything's well-prepared, with the rock-solid assurance of no second-rate ingredients.
Pan-seared halibut with braised baby leeks & onions in ginger bouillon (RM36++). The setting at this restaurant might seem sterile & cafeteria-like at first, but the management & service team are more than friendly enough to make up for it.
Steak Au Poivre, the traditional bistro staple showcasing 220 grams of Black Angus fillet mignon with fries & Bordelaise sauce (RM89++). Other options here range from Nicoise salad & boeuf bourguignon (it's like Julia Child's cookbook!) to salmon ravioli & linguine vongole.
Jean-luc Colombo Cotes Du Rhone 2009.
Topshelf Restaurant @ TTDI,
61, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7727-7277
Open daily. 4pm-12am.
