July 2014: Top 5 new restaurants in KL and PJ

New openings include a Japanese 'robatayaki' restaurant, an opium den-inspired bar and a North Indian restaurant.

While most of us are still in the Raya mood or recovering from the long weekend of festivities, it is time for our monthly new restaurants roundup for July, following the exciting new eateries that have opened in June.

This month, we have two new Japanese restaurants, an Oriental bar and lounge, a French creperie and a North Indian fine dining establishment lined up for you.

So it is time to cleanse your palate from the Raya delicacies with a range of scrumptious new dishes from these restaurants in KL and PJ.

Qureshi Restaurant KLGCC
As one of the most prestigious country clubs in Malaysia, we expect nothing less from Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s restaurants. Joining its famous Connoisseurs Lounge & Restaurant, Qureshi is a fine dining establishment that adds authentic North Indian cuisine to KLGCC’s impressive line up. Here, diners will get a glimpse into the world of Royal Indian cuisine created by two chefs, Ashfaque Qureshi and Irfan Qureshi, descendants of royal chefs who served the Nawabs of Awadh royalties for 10 generations.

Qureshi is located at Ground Floor East Wing, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club; Tel: +603 2011 1007

Haru Japanese Restaurant
Known for our incredible love of sushi and sashimi, Malaysian foodies can now rejoice as there is another new Japanese restaurant that has just opened in town, joining the legion of Japanese eateries across KL and PJ. Headed by Chef Oreo (formerly known as Coco Tei), diners can expect perfectly executed omakase dishes that feature unconventional ingredients including Umeshu jellies, tri-coloured noodles and maguro tuna with foie gras.

Haru is located at 124A, Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur; Tel: +603 2011 8783

Robata Monkey Bar & Grill
If you are still not tired of Japanese food yet, here is another place that can satisfy your cravings while keeping it fresh on the palate. Instead of the usual sashimi platters, patrons can indulge in the fine delicacies of Japanese slow-grilling (robatayaki) at Robata Monkey. Cooked with Japanese bincho tan (oak charcoal), each and every dish has a fragrant and earthy aromatic finish that will have your mouth watering in anticipation. Rest assured that despite the different cooking techniques, Robata Monkey’s main ingredients still are robust and fresh seafood flown in straight from Japan.

Robata Monkey is located at Palm Square, Jaya One, 72A Jalan University, 46200 Petaling Jaya; Tel: +603 7932 5168

Opium KL Restaurant
Before we introduce this next restaurant, we assure you that there are no illegal piped substance sold in the premise, despite its blatant name. That said, we cannot guarantee that diners will not fall into addiction for Opium’s scrumptious menu. Boasting of 19th century Oriental opium den inspired décor, patrons are invited into the world of the post colonial Asian cuisine where you can find delicious fusion and classic offerings like phoenix dumplings, fern leaf salads and Wagyu beef rendangs. Opium’s cocktail offerings are also worth getting addicted to, especially unique flavours like its spiced rum with mangosteen or the Genghis Poison Chalice.

Opium is located at 50 Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur; Tel: +603 2142 5670

Strangers at 47
Being the avid foodies that we are, crepes are no stranger to us but this new creperie in Section 17 is dead set to change your perception of the French treat with a range of new savoury and sweet flavours. For savoury crepes, diners can expect flavours like seafood with salted egg yolk batter or poached egg with a trio of mushrooms. Not a fan of savoury crepes? Then dive in to Strangers at 47's sweet selections like Japanese sweet taro with coconut sago or the pandan-infused coconut custard with orange caramel. Whichever you taste, be prepared to reevaluate what you think you know about your crepes.

Strangers at 47 is located at 47, Jalan 17/45, 46400 Petaling Jaya; Tel: +6011 1669 5707

(Photos courtesy of all respective restaurants).

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