From one former tin-mining city to another, an Ipoh institution has come to KL, harboring hopes for a bright future in the shadow of the twin towers.
Similar to 1919's original outlet, which has thrived for years in Ipoh, Chinese, Nyonya & Thai fare dominate the menu at this KL branch. There's no resisting the squid cooked with cencalok (fermented shrimp) & petai (the stinkiest of beans). Bring some breath mints for later.
Sliced dory fish cooked Siam-style, an addictive sugary-sour-slightly spicy fashion.
Chicken coated in salted egg yolk batter. The food here is really savory (& none too healthy), but free of MSG, apparently, since we craved no extra water in the hours following our meal.
Curry kuey teow. The noodles are the thin variety, brought in from Ipoh. Might 1919 be perfect for Perakians in KL who miss the food of their hometown? We'd hope so.
Nyonya fried rice, tinged sweetly by a sauce we can't recognize. Prices here are OK; a filling feast should cost about RM50 per person, without liquor.
Coconut ice cream. Excellent; this seems to be filled with dehydrated coconut flakes, supplying a nice, natural texture to a refreshing dessert.
Wine is available by bottles & glasses. Never taken for granted, always appreciated.
1919 Restaurant,
15A, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2161-9919
Open daily for lunch & dinner except Sunday (lunch only)
