Rio Hotel Restaurant @ Macau

For the pressed-for-time visitor, the lunch buffet at Macau's Rio Hotel does a decent job of representing several of the territory's should-eats, including African chicken, tomato rice, beef brisket curry noodles and congee. No bacalhau though.

Lykwid Ind. @ Taman Desa

The short list of bar snacks at Taman Desa's latest watering hole runs the table from South American to Southeast Asian - Peru is represented by the street-food favourite of salchipapas (RM15; fries with sliced sausages and tartar sauce), while our home country shells out the quintessential Malaysian supper of Maggi Curry, the instant noodles complemented by luncheon meat, egg and basic veggies (RM10). Wash away the guilt from these waist-widening indulgences with a potent shot of AGWA herbal liqueur made with Bolivian coca leaves.

Lykwid Ind.

29, Plaza Danau 2, Jalan 4/109F, Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur. Open Mon-Sat, 4pm-1am. Tel: 012-212-7909

Oshino Hakkai @ Japan

Flesh-warming food on a bone-chilling day: Handmade mugwort dumpings, steamed corn and piping-hot pork buns while exploring the entrancing landscape of the Fuji Five Lakes.

Makan Culture @ Melawati Mall

By Aiman Azri

Asian fare with fusion flourishes forms the cornerstone of this contemporary mall cafe.

The menu is headlined by the Special Claypot Curry (RM 20.90), laced with belacan for extra flavour, flooded with seafood and vegetables that include fish, prawns, squid, mussels, lady's fingers, tofu and eggplant. Sticking to the claypot theme but with a meatier bent, the Buttermilk Chicken (RM 19.90) features large chunks of poultry in a thick, sweet buttermilk sauce. Both work reasonably well for a hot, hearty meal, coming with your choice of Nasi Bon Bon, Fried Mantou or Plain Rice.

Single-plate possibilities include the Nasi Peha Som Tam (RM 19.90), comprising fried chicken thigh that's buoyed by a lightly garlicky sauce and bolstered by a subtly spicy Thai green papaya salad with hints of fish sauce.

Makan Culture
Level 3, Melawati Mall, Jalan Sabah, Taman Melawati, Ampang, Selangor. Daily, 10am-9pm.

Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings, F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits. Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/5106C196432BB23D

Amore Espresso Bar @ Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Petal attraction: Amore Espresso Bar confesses to having a crush on its customers; the feeling is mutual, with cafe enthusiasts making this venue (which shares its space with a florist) one of TTDI's most-visited in recent weeks.

Beyond the soothing backdrop and the warm service, Amore is also worth a stop for its modern Asian rice bowls (the Japanese chicken katsu curry with seaweed, spring onions and soft-boiled egg is warm, creamy comfort for RM16), aromatic rose oolong soft serve, and satisfying coffee with beans roasted by KL-based Toothless Coffee.

Amore Espresso Bar

24A, First Floor, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. 

Open Tues-Fri, 1030am-8pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-9pm. Tel: 03-7732-6138

Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings, F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits. Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/5106C196432BB23D