THE BLUE COW CAFÉ

The Blue Cow Café N–1–4, Plaza Damas,
60 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03–6201 3206

With the one escalator serving the upper level of Plaza Damas undergoing repairs we were left to haul the buggy and children up the stairs before reaching our lunch destination: The Blue Cow Café at Fogal's Meat Market. Not a very auspicious start. Things soon picked up though, thanks to a quick, friendly serving team and a clear, original menu. Apart from those who dine at the three tables on the pavement out the front, diners are obliged to walk past the delicious displays of steaks, sausages, burgers and other Fogal meat specialities, which is probably the most effective hunger stimulant in any restaurant.

The full breakfast was enormous and apparently delicious. I could only watch as this humungous meal was devoured by my husband; sausage, bacon, eggs, and even rump steak (yes, really) were greedily scoffed, each mouthful being accompanied by appreciative 'mmm's and 'ooh's. My chicken burger meanwhile was moist and delicious, being freshly made and cooked straight from the display chiller. I added mushrooms and an egg and was delighted with the end result. Although the mustard was an unexpected surprise I could have done without. The burgers (and sausage and kebab meals) come with two sidelines. I went for steamed veggies and mash, but could have chosen fries, wedges, coleslaw or 'pigs in blankets' instead.

The children's meals may not be huge but are better than the predictable 'sausage and chips' offerings that must be so tempting; they offer mashed potato as the standard accompaniment. The talk as we left the cute little outlet was not just whether we would go back (a resounding 'yes!') but of whether the breakfast and burger were among the best we've had in KL. Which says it all.
MICHELLE WHYTCROSS



Lookout Point

1 Look Out Point Tourist Complex,
Jalan Ampang-Hulu Langat,
Ampang

Getting to this place can be tricky. My only advice: don't miss the Kajang and Ulu Langat signboard and you will be fine. Then, it's only a three-kilometre drive on the winding road before you see the huge 'Lookout Point' signage. It was the fantastic panoramic view of the city that caught our attention first before deciding where to dine. There are three restaurants around: Haven, Gasoline, and Bread and Olive. In terms of the atmosphere of each location, Haven looks clean, Gasoline feels like a traditional eatery that you can find in the suburban areas, while Bread and Olive is more modern, comfortable and has an upscale feel. The menus are similar as all three restaurants serve Western food, with Bread and Olive having more variety and it's, well, as authentically Western as you can get.

I was there for late lunch and settled at Gasoline. After going through several pages of the menu—from beef steaks to lamb chops right until fried rice and noodles—I was hungry for some chicken and ordered their special chicken chop, hoping that it really would be special! Out it came and, really, there was nothing special about it except for the slice of ham with cheese and the generous amount of fries. We also ordered grilled fish, which was hardly the best food we've ever tasted but filled a hole. The food may be only slightly above average, but the reason you would come here is for the wonderful dining experience and view. It was just so relaxing and almost comforting to observe the city's skyscrapers amidst the cool wind.

Come during the evening to enjoy the lights. It is ideal for couples or a group of friends to chill together. Warning: be careful if you're driving after sunset as there are not lights along the road at night. Syafique Shuib



W.I.P

Lot G111, Ground Floor
Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285 Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandar Raya
59000 KL
Tel: 03–2094 1789

Fans of Sevenatenine – the lounge club and resto that burst on the scene two years ago with its hip white interiors, its groovy house music and eclectic menu – have wondered what was up with their sister project, W.I.P. (Work in Progress) that opened up in Bangsar Shopping Centre last year. It didn’t seem like it had the genetic code of Sevenatenine, W.I.P.’s tones are darker; it’s far more of a food haunt than a clubby drinking lounge and its less focused on being hip and trendy than its older sibling. And then it had the bad luck to join BSC at a time of major renovation. The name, after all, wasn’t accidental.

It’s for all those reasons and more that W.I.P. has seen its star rise in the Bangsar massive’s foraging ground range (Delicious, TSB, La Bodega). Bangsar diners are a picky bunch that are leery of a new restaurant’s hyperbolic claims and as such are a good bellwether to a place’s creds. And Bangsar’s A-list has anointed W.I.P. one of its own.

The reason comes from a combination of factors starting with location (BSC) that puts W.I.P. at the heart of the action (not withstanding the cacophonic construction going on) but also through its excellent health drinks, fruit and herb based concoctions that that are in line with what weight and health conscious consumers are looking for, drinks like the excellent Cleanse, a ginger, apple and carrot restorative that is just one of many such excellent beverages.

As for food, W.I.P delivers deftly on its ambitions to give good and imaginative food creations to its guests, ones that are based on a four cuisines (Western, Indian, Chinese and Malaysian) that are generated by separate chefs in the kitchen, one headed by young and dynamic head chef Ishmail. Tasty fish dishes, well managed meat ones and a creative flair on the appetisers spells success for W.I.P’s menu options and offerings. It’s closing in February for renovation (ironic) so catch the place this Christmastime, before it becomes even more true to its name.