Tatler Asia

Tatler Dining Guide 2023: The best Spanish and Mediterranean restaurants in Malaysia Tatler Dining Guide 2023: The best Spanish and Mediterranean restaurants in Malaysia

Mar 03, 2023
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Bocado 1. Bocado

Bukit Damansara
Tatler Asia

Tucked in a corner of Jalan Damansara Endah, Bocado boasts a contemporary decor with large bay windows. The menu is extensive, offering a wide range of tapas, paella, meaty mains and fish.

The croquetas are a crispy highlight, while the gambas al ajillo is served in olive oil and dried chilli mixture, perfect for dipping some baguette as well. Another standout dish is the puerros a la Josper, which is smoky and tender with aged cheese sprinkled over it, giving it the right amount of umami.

For mains, do not miss the Paella de Marisco and Costila de Cordero. End your meal with Bocado’s churros, which are crispy on the outside and fluffy light on the inside. They are served with chocolate sauce, pistachio crème anglaise, and berries marmalade—a sweet ending to a satisfying meal.

Nestled among the casual dining joints that line Jalan Bangkung, Cava is KL-ites' go-to for authentic Spanish cuisine. Fans of Spanish wines will be thrilled with the selection, which they carry exclusively, including the two dessert wines and brandy.

But the brightest star of the menu is undoubtedly the signature Spanish suckling lamb shoulder. Served on a platter, this is a succulent, fall-off-the-bone lamb that is a joy to sink your teeth into. Not to be missed are also the tapas plates which add variety to the meal. The indoor dining space may be on the smaller side but Cava fits in enough tables to make good use of the floor space.

From start to finish, there is likely only one person ever attending to you at Juju—Chef Lee. This is remarkable, considering the entire operation runs like a well-oiled machine.

Dishes are served and cleared with brisk efficiency, with a thorough explanation as they arrive on the table. Wine and water are always topped up and the cadence of the 10-course menu is ideal. The sea bream—deliciously flaky—arrives with an explanation that it had been caught just four hours before. The squid—perfectly springy—is hand-caught by a local fisherman that Chef Lee knows by name. An impressive bar housing rare wine, gins, and whiskies complete an experience that is unique and valuable.