Tumis Teak 5 @ Solaris Dutamas

Not one of Solaris Dutamas' most prominent places, but this outlet run by Singaporean couple Rosli & Yani offers enough enticements for a visit or two.

Tumis Teak 5 is part cafe, part furniture store, which kinda helps explain its name.

The menu comprises Malay & Indonesian specialties like this Javanese favorite, "nasi ambeng," rice accompanied by sotong sambal, serunding, egg, crackers & more.

The rice set comes with ayam lemak cili padi, all for RM15. Satisfyingly flavorsome.

The ominously named Daging Maut proved to be beef cooked in a black gravy with lime leaves. Surprisingly tender, but punishingly spicy.

Murtabak Maggi, a treat for fans of instant noodles seeking more ways to savor their slurps. Fun to munch initially, though its doughy-starchy texture eventually left us longing for the meatiness of mamak murtabak.

Paru, tempe & tahu, a triumphant triumvirate, expertly executed. And there's still much more here to order, from ayam penyet to ikan terutup.

Something cold & santan-based, to finish on a fine, not-too-sugary note.

Cold syrup & somewhat ineffectual Tongkat Ali iced tea.

Tumis Teak 5,

Solaris Dutamas.

Same row as Urbano E Fresco & Espressolab.

Open through at least 9pm, closed Sundays.

Noble Mansion @ The Plaza, Jaya 33

The Oriental Group keeps expanding: this year's entry to its restaurant roster is Noble Mansion, likely to be a popular pick for Lunar New Year merriment.

Noble Mansion sits on the first floor of Plaza 33, the new block beside PJ's Jaya 33; soon, Kampachi will open in this building too.

Noble Mansion is meant to look like "a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Chinese mansion," with sections labeled Bamboo Courtyard, Grand Hall & Terracotta Rooms.

Shunde specialties are the highlight, focusing on fresh seafood, pork & poultry: the three come together in this serving of lobster, chicken & pork stomach in spicy sauce.

Staggeringly chunky-meaty, far exceeding our evening's protein requirements.

Braised whole superior fish maw in imperial sauce. Gotta love the grandiose descriptions on Chinese restaurant menus.

Sizzling claypot abalone & frog meat. Executive chef Justin Hor is the man to thank for this interesting recipe, befitting The Oriental Group's reputation for top-flight fare.

Liver sausage, remixed & reinvented into a sticky-sweet "char siew roll."

We love liver sausages; Noble Mansion fulfilled our plea for them to be served on their own. RM15++ for two, the cheapest plate of our orders.

Wine is available too, but only by the bottle. Haven't seen this Aussie "Lackey" brand much.

It's intriguing that The Oriental Group embarked on its 10th restaurant at this venue, considering it already runs Oriental Pavilion in Jaya 33. Looks like business is booming.
Entries on other Oriental restaurants: Noble House (Sept. 2009), The Ming Room (Dec. 2010), The Han Room (Jan 2011), Maju Palace (Feb. 2011) & Oriental Viva (Jan 2012).

Noble Mansion,
1st Floor, The Plaza @ Jaya 33, Jalan Semangat, Section 13, Petaling Jaya.
Open daily for lunch & dinner.

Zapata @ Pavilion & Tamayaki @ Publika

Snack attack! Taking a look at Pavilion's Zapata, which serves Spanish and Mexican street food to widen waistlines, and Publika's Tamayaki, a takoyaki specialist.

First up, Zapata at Pavilion's basement food court, where customers can munch on this bocadillo, a carb-and-cheese-laden sandwich wrap, stuffed with an omelet, tomatoes and grease that seeps scarily through the paper packaging.

Arepa, hot flat bread filled with a choice of veggies (our pick!), chicken, beef or mushrooms.

Zapata's take on beef empanadas, with soft, doughy pastry that's baked instead of fried.

Tortilla chips, with a creamy melted-cheese-and-pepper queso dipping sauce.

Zapata makes a mean, meaty chili, fiery and brimming with burp-worthy beans.

Next up, Tamayaki at Publika serves steaming-hot takoyaki stuffed with the likes of octopus, soft-shell crab and eel.

We chose a four-ball portion of battered squid and mentaiko (RM9), crisp and sinfully saucy.

Zapata,

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Tama Yaki,

Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.

Table 23 @ Mesui

Comfort food is the catchphrase at this latest entry to the increasingly vibrant Mesui street, now a viable alternative to Changkat Bukit Bintang's chaotic nightlife.

Table 23 serves Asian fare by day & Western favorites by night in a spacious setting that nicely complements its neighbor Palate Palette. And with George Michael's Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 playing in the background, we can't fault the musical selection here.

The menu is compact: Table 23's five starters range from this pear & pickled fennel salad (RM17+, blessed with a lovely crunch from rocket leaves & spiced cashews) to potted shrimp with grape chutney & pumpkin soup with truffle oil.

Pork belly, in the form of confit & crackling (RM43+), with beetroot puree, sauteed asparagus & potato fondant. Flavorful, though the sodium content seems to soar.
Note/Update: Table 23 has stopped serving pork since October 2013 & is now a pork-free restaurant.

Beef cheek with bacon, parmentier potatoes, cherry tomatoes & zucchini (RM62++). The menu describes this as a must-try; it's hearty, but the sauce might feel cloyingly overpowering. Still, that's a matter of personal preference.

Desserts are enticing, from apple strudel with vanilla ice cream & salted vanilla cream (15+) ..

... to a can't-fail, creamy-rich brandy-infused chocolate torte with berries (RM18+) ...

... to a house-made carrot cake with gula melaka (RM14+) that's probably worth the calories.

Not a bad wine list, with six by the glass, all below RM30 before taxes.

All things considered, Table 23 might not rank on 2013's best-of lists so far, but the friendly, enthusiastic team here seems to have its heart in the right place. We hope its future is bright.

Table 23,

23, Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2141-0023

Open for lunch & dinner, except Sundays.

Click here for online reservations.

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.

Yokotaya @ Section 17, Petaling Jaya

It could use a little more natural light, but it's nice to see this Japanese eatery open at PJ's Section 17, with a comprehensive menu at suburb-friendly prices.

Yokotaya's sushi topped with salmon & onions (RM7.80+) is fun, with the fleshy freshness of the former mingling well with the crisp pungency of the latter.

Hiroshima oysters (RM25.80+), kaki-fry that can't be faulted, thanks to juicy mollusks that are heavy on flavor & crunchy bread crumbs light on grease.

Salmon belly kushiyaki (RM21.80+), a sacrament of succulence.

Healthiest hamburg steak ever (RM25.80+), served nabeyaki hotpot-style, in a richly savory broth with carrots, potatoes, mushrooms & egg yolk.

Pickled glass noodles with cucumber, simple but satisfying.

Natto lovers, rejoice: stinky-sticky soybeans come in abundance with soba here (RM23.80+).

Familiar name? Yokotaya's PJ outlet is a branch of an existing Kepong restaurant.

Yokotaya is on the same row as The Gastro Project & Little Heritage House.
Note: This outlet serves pork. The hamburg is a mix of beef & pork.

Yokotaya Japanese Dining,

17G, Jalan 17/56, Section 17, Petaling Jaya.

Tel: 03-7931-7003