One of 2013's most notable newbies, Porcélene is a fun, funky hangout billed as Malaysia's first acid jazz restaurant & bar, determined to deliver a distinctive dining experience that lives up to its tagline of 'coup de foudre,' the struck-by-lightning sense of love at first sight.
This multiple-level establishment matches the beauty of its home, Empire Damansara, featuring elegantly intimate spaces for eating on the ground & mezzanine floors ...
... plus a "Bowler Room" for live performances, as well as a rooftop lounge that'll be ready soon.
The menu strives for playfully creative touches, epitomized by The French Bird (RM38 before taxes), 60 fabulous grams of pan-seared duck liver on hash browns with caramelized onions.
Asian Diver (RM28), another tapas-style treat of sauteed scallops with rock salt & asparagus.
Porcélene's mushroom soup (RM15) is a good one, a light, lovely cream of five types of fungi, drizzled with truffle oil & almonds.
Pasta has a place of pride at Porcelene: Highlights include angel hair, aglio olio style (RM25), well-prepared with prawns & salmon roe.
Plus, there's a passion for pizzas with Asian flourishes: mildly spicy Thai-inspired Ga Prao Gai (RM25) with Pattaya-style minced chicken & fried sweet basil.
Pantai Timur (RM36), a Malaysian-influenced recipe with mixed seafood & sambal belacan.
The wine list is thoughtful, supplying something for everyone.
Solid opening-night performers, including gritty Malaysian blues-jazz band Minetrane, bode well for Porcélene's musical future. The thrill most certainly isn't gone.
Porcélene,
Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8A, Damansara Perdana.
Daily, noon through late. Tel: 03-4065-0039
The Oct.-Dec. inaugural edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews & information for 100 pretty nice eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets.
Please click here: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013
This link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link.
