Expatriate Lifestyle

Poor Scalini’s, it had a damn good run in the location off of Jalan Sultan Ismail, near the Hap Seng BMW dealership. This is a place that was written about in all the major guidebooks, that was in the New York Times even. Every conversation in KL about fine Italian dining mentioned Scalini’s, and for good reason. But it didn’t make it, the effects of issues unknown. And that great location, up on a small hill where you ascended, tea candles drawing you in, went silent for years.

No more: now the former Scalini’s has been taken over by the formidable Tamarind Springs group, the people who bring you Il Tempio and Mandi-Mandi, in a major makeover that sees a familiar-yet-new restaurant take over the premises, Tamarind Hill. It’s an interesting transformation as Tamarind Hill, the winner of the industry accolade for Best Asian Cuisine by The Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2003-2004 and the original eatery that made the Tamarind Springs’ name, temporarily closed with this new eatery becoming its phoenix moment, a fine way to mark ten years of the brand. It’s a gorgeous property, lined with hill tribe artefacts.

The lolling water that pervades the outside deck of the restaurant is lovely and calming, an oasis in the downtown and I’m happy to report, the quality that preceded it is carried on here. The night I dined there I started with Sweet and Sticky Rice with Mango (RM18) that was delicious and not overpowering, exactly what it should be. The Stir Fried Chicken with Pineapple and Cashew Nuts (RM28) was lovely and filling as was a salad that wasn’t at all necessary. The dessert menu wasn’t extensive by design but I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of a selection. But no matter, the main take out is that Tamarind Hill is back and we, as KL-ites and visitors, can welcome back this dining comrade. SAM COLEMAN