Tabla & Temptations

These two outlets at Changkat Bukit Bintang offer entertaining-sounding fare, though the results are erratically hit-and-miss.

Let's start with Tabla, which serves Indian fusion recipes, such as chicken masala burger with onions, mushrooms and mango chutney. Sounds more unusual than it tastes; the marination for the meat and the use of spices both fall a little short in flavor.

Crab meat in wonton mille-feuille. A creative victory, thanks to meaty crustacean flesh and light, crisp crackers that work well together with a tangy salad.

Mutton vindaloo thin-crust pizza. Too much second-rate cheese makes this too heavily gooey; a shame, since the mutton vindaloo on its own isn't too shabby.

Bangalore Tea Party (same as a Boston Tea Party) and Cuba Libre Tangga (with coconut).

Hilariously named cocktails: Indira Gandhi (essentially a Bloody Mary with both Worcestershire & tobasco sauce) and Bond @ Delhi (a Dirty Martini with olives).

Also on this street: Temptations Kitchen and Bar, which serves a strange mix of Mexican and Indian fare in an almost throbbing-disco setting.

Super-filling finger food (is that an oxymoron?): Kathi wraps _ thosai-thin, griddle-cooked bread stuffed with mutton, chicken and spices. Not haute cuisine, but even a mouthful might prove hearty enough to satisfy carb-and-protein cravings.

More intriguing cocktails: Viaveneto (hennessy, sambuca, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white) and Denmark Ice Tea (beer, tequila, lime juice).

Tabla and Temptations,

Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.