Mona, Publika: 2020 Menu

It was past lunch hour when we visited Mona this month, but the restaurant remained bustling and boisterous, a testament to its popularity for Publika's visitors. The setting is lustrously polished, coupling nostalgic photographs with glassy, reflective modernity, but Mona's F&B offerings might be the main attraction, promising distinctive flavours from both East and West at some of Solaris Dutamas' fairest prices - perfect if you're planning to indulge without breaking your budget.

Mona has carved out its reputation on a crowd-rousing salted egg butter chicken recipe first crafted by its sister venue, Subang Jaya's Jibril. Now, both Mona and Jibril have expanded their repertoire to salted egg butter seafood, as well as exclusive nasi lemak butter creations that pack a lip-smacking punch.

For a show-stopping platter that'll make for the ideal introduction to Mona, sample the Salted Egg Butter Combo, bringing together the triumphant triumvirate of chicken, squid and prawns on one platter (RM28.90). It's not merely buttermilk or salted egg - Mona coats the chicken, squid and prawns in both butter sauce and salted egg sauce, successfully balancing both for luxurious textures. If you'd like to make this even splashier, dip the meat and seafood in butter sauce served on the side.

For an unmistakably Malaysian concoction, order the Nasi Lemak Butter Combo, which layers the salted egg butter chicken, squid and prawns in an extra coat of creamy sambal for a pleasant spiciness, perfectly rounded out with aromatic nasi lemak and all the essential accompaniments of anchovies, nuts, egg and cucumber (RM29.90). Make sure you're hungry before having this - it's a hefty portion, with plenty of protein heaped high.

You can also order the chicken, squid or prawns individually on their own. It looks likely that this will be Mona and Jibril's flagship temptation for many more years to come.

Mona's food menu is more extensive than Jibril's, so you'll find several intriguing treats solely available here. Lamb lovers might adore the Southern Spiced Lamb Rack (RM49.90), Australian-cultivated meat laced with a blend of chilli, turmeric and coriander leaves for clear Asian notes, smashed with a mash of avocados, onions and capsicum. There's nourishment galore on this plate, with no fewer than two salads on the side - one showcasing cannellini beans pan-fried with garlic, the other with rocket leaves and corn with balsamic - plus a tomato-based pomodoro sauce to ensure vivid, vibrant flavours.

Mona's big hit for 2020 deserves to the Butter Chicken Pizza (RM24.90), piled with smooth, tender chicken made ultra-decadent with cheese and curry leaves - if you're a fan of pizzas with fusion twists, this pizza is made for you, each bite channeling the lushness of butter chicken at its most fulfilling. We can imagine many groups of friends returning purely for this pizza.

The kitchen whips up such hearty portions that it's easy to be satiated with a single main course, but save space for the Pisang Goreng XL (RM12.90), a delectable dessert of airily battered, thickly sliced bananas, impeccably ripened, its warmth contrasting delightfully with coconut ice cream for a lovely coupling of two tropical fruits.

Note that even if you can't come to Mona, Mona can come to you - prompt delivery is conveniently offered via  monapublika.eatmol.com with no minimum order, with a reasonable delivery fee of RM5 within five kilometres (add RM1 for each additional kilometre).

But if you're dining in, there are lots of affordable breakfast, lunch and dinner sets to cater for folks working or living in this neighbourhood.

Mona is an alcohol-free establishment, so its bar specialises in playful mocktails like Potter (RM9.90; a cool, rejuvenating reinterpretation of Hogwarts-inspired butterbeer) and Coco (RM9.90; conveying the delicious depth and dimensions of coconut nectar). Patrons who prefer tall, striking refreshments can choose the lychee pink lemonade (RM14.90) or the Mockarita (RM8.90; zesty with orange and lime, rimmed with salt for that Mexican-inflected kick).

If you're celebrating a special occasion at Mona, the restaurant offers beautiful table settings with tablecloth, flowers, candles and even a slice of cake, starting 1 February 2020 (it's advisable to book three days in advance).

Mona also features a VIP room that can accommodate up to 13 persons, equipped with a television and microphone, perfect for celebrations, meetings or more private dining experiences.

For fans of Malaysian movies, when you watch the upcoming political thriller 'Daulat' later this year, note that Mona and Jibril both helped fund the film.

Many thanks to Mona for having us back.

Mona Publika
D3-G3-8, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Email: monapublika@gmail.com
Tel: +6010-245-8056
Social Media: @monapublika (FB, IG, Twitter)
Operation Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9am-11pm (last order 10:30pm)
Friday, 9am-12am (last order 11:30pm)
Saturday-Sunday, 11am-12am (last order 11:30pm)

This post first appeared on eatdrinkkl.com