Eat Drink KL: Fa Ying by Rama V @ Paradigm Mall

Monday, November 19, 2012

Fa Ying by Rama V @ Paradigm Mall

Fa-Ying, Rama V's second foray into the suburbs this year, serves Thai tapas & fusion fare in its bid to become one of Paradigm Mall's most enticing eateries.

Launched over the weekend, Fa-Ying features a menu that remains a work in progress, but expect everything from Thai spicy beef tortillas to fishcake burgers & Caesar salad with crispy catfish in the weeks ahead.

Tapas top the selection; customers can nibble on rice paper rolls stuffed with roast duck & veggies (RM15++; might be better with more meat), crunchy rice cakes with minced chicken, or even French fries partnered with Thai dipping sauce.

Barbecued skewers are another highlight; lamb satay (RM20++) is worth the munch, thanks partly to the accompanying secret-recipe gravy that tastes like it's part peanut, part peri-peri.

Watermelon salad (RM12++), unexpectedly fiery, with some elements of 'som tam.' 

Fa-Ying's menu calls this Thai roasted pumpkin soup (RM16++); it tastes nice enough but we can't tell what makes this Thai. Fa-Ying's staff is well-meaning but seems unequipped to explain the food _ a problem for a place where patrons will ask questions.

Customers seeking regular Thai recipes, like what Rama V's main Tun Razak outlet & Khao outpost in Setia City Mall offer, can order seafood fried rice with one prawn & several slices of squid (RM20++), plus pad thai, pomelo salad & lychee duck curry.

Creative cocktails: Try the Tom Yam Thai (we had to borrow the bartender's notes to learn that this comprises white rum, malibu, sugar syrup, kaffir lime leaves & chilies).

Sex on Koh Phi Phi Beach (vodka, midori, cranberry & pineapple juice, lemongrass).

Plenty of potential; once the teething troubles are wiped out (fix the air-conditioning, chase the mosquitoes away), Fa-Ying will likely become a respected name that'll bring pride to Rama V.

Fa-Ying means "celestial princess." Or something to that effect. Definitely worth a visit.

Fa-Ying By Rama V,
Boulevard, Paradigm Mall (opposite Bulgogi Brothers).

This restaurant is available for bookings under TABLEAPP, which enables customers to make instant reservations at Malaysia's top restaurants, while saving time and money in the process. Reserve your table at this restaurant by clicking here.