James Won dishes out inventive Japanese-French fare in a fine, elegant space that's already a hit with the city's gourmands
Reservations are difficult to come by at Shin’ Labo, the hottest new eatery in town and we found out exactly why that is. Located at LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, Shin’ Labo falls under James Won’s latest brand, Metta, which was founded some time last year, and promises to bring brands, venues and experiences that are highly desirable, beginning with this brand new signature restaurant.
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What’s in the name, you might ask? Well, in Japanese, "shin" means “true,” “extend,” “new,” or “heart,” while "labo" holds the same meaning in both French and Japanese, that is “laboratory". You may also notice its logo, a simplified Chinese word ‘xin’ done in Japanese calligraphy form, thus being an original creation and a new word in a sense.
Which in a way is symbolic of the masterpieces being served up here, a fusion of two cultures birthing one cuisine, with flavours and tastes that are familiar yet somehow different.
The 2,700 sq ft space exudes an understated elegance. Comprising four areas, you enter at the Shin’ Lounge, plush and cosy, and made for preprandial drinks. It also includes high-tea options.
This extends into the Maison du Caviar Caspienne caviar bar that boasts the finest selections of caviar, from the rare almas to the prized royal beluga as well as sevruga and baerii. The caviar is so pristine and fresh that there’s a lit magnifying glass at the counter for you to inspect the eggs closely.
As a further testament of the quality of caviar here, one can turn over an entire jar and it would remain intact. Enjoy it with a glass of champagne at the bar or lounge.
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