Taiwanese bartenders have invaded Malaysia, & they're playing with fire: Meet the Klang Valley's latest speakeasy-inspired bar, hidden behind thick, heavy doors, serving striking cocktails that succeed in making a stirring impression.
Ojos is founded by Taiwanese expatriate Cindy, who has lived in KL for three years & is eager to nurture a venue that evokes her homeland's night-life & craft cocktail culture. She has brought in Min, a bartender who honed his skills in Kaohsiung, & David, a Malaysian mixologist, to help her - if they remain consistent in their efforts, this could become one of PJ's best bars.
Let's have a tiki: This combo of rum, mango & persimmon makes for everything we look for in a cocktail, with satisfying nuances at sensible prices (each drink here costs between RM40 to RM45, within a reasonable range for a bar of this calibre).
Distinctively topped cocktails include one featuring vodka, coffee & raspberry, garnished with a house-made caramel 'bird's nest,' & another with Bols Creme de Cassis, ginger, a dusting of cocoa powder & crown of cotton candy, all with delicious flavours. Food isn't available yet at Ojos (which is Spanish for 'eyes'), but a selection of Taiwanese snacks is in the pipeline.
Take a seat at the counter to watch each cocktail being painstakingly crafted & presented in eye-catching fashion: Try the elegant carafe filled with whiskey & Tie Guan Yin oolong tea, or the sensual glass of Campari, spiced Caribbean rum, Dom Benedictine & Sauvignon Blanc, pegged with herbs cultivated right here at Ojos. Note: A formal cocktail menu hasn't been printed so far, & communication with Min can be complicated because of language issues, so patience is vital.
Ojos Bar
H-99-G, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya (same row as Wendy's, but on the other end). Daily, 6pm-2am
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.
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