Checking out a couple of airport cafes: First up, eating & drinking at KLIA can be a little less dismal, thanks to Fauchon Paris.
Spaciously wide-open & seemingly perfect for people-watching, though the watchers will probably end up being watched themselves by passers-by.
A cheese sandwich seems like the quintessential airport food, but Fauchon's version is undeniably decent, with a baguette laden with sliced emmental, tomatoes, lettuce & cucumbers. For RM21++, you get exactly what you'd expect.
A bit more upmarket: Norwegian smoked salmon with steamed potatoes & salmon eggs. Luscious, but the serving, though large, won't justify the RM52++ price tag.
Blinis with horseradish & dill sauce. Warm & fluffy, fine for mindless nibbling.
Super-dense chocolate cakes & superbly creamy cheesecakes are also available. Bravo!
But the main reason we lingered here was for the drinks: Fauchon's own Szechuan-pepper spiced vodka and 10-year-old whiskey. All RM35++ by the glass.
Single-grain gin & 10-year-aged Martinique white rum. Cocktails are also offered, though the RM90++ Kir Royale seems too rich for our blood.
Open 24 hours. If only this outlet wasn't past passport control, we could almost imagine being peckish at 3 a.m. & deciding to drive here for some food.
Biscuits & tea for purchase before rushing off to the plane.
Next up, visiting our northern neighbor: Bangkok's Mango Tree might be best known for its charming eatery in the city, but folks departing this Land of Smiles can relish a final taste of Thai cooking at a branch located in Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Mee Khor Moo Yang _ thin noodle soup, made flavorful with grilled pork neck. Wish that we could have at least one outlet in KLIA that wouldn't steer clear of swine.
Ayutthaya-style beef noodles. Meat, balls and tripe, all here, all tasty.
Mango Tree's signature cocktails include this one served in a coconut shell, a thick, smoothie-like creation brimming with vodka, malibu, fresh pineapple juice and coconut milk.
Mango Tree Smile (Mekhong whiskey, blue curacao, fresh mango, rose lime juice, sugar syrup).
Fauchon Paris,
Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Mango Tree,
Suvarnabhumi Airport.