Centrally located along Bukit Bintang, the Pavilion is the latest addition to Kuala Lumpur's (KL) shopping scene. The anchor tenants are Tangs and Parkson with an additional 450 boutiques that read like the pages of Vogue - Armani, Coach, Guess, Raoul, Ted Baker, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace and Salvatore Ferragamo. Cinemas, food court and restaurants complete the set-up.
♠Must-try food outlet
The Loaf is one of the most popular food concepts. Its prime location at the front entrance helps but the premium quality breads, pastries and now fusion cuisine is unmatched. Be treated to 18 varieties of handcrafted u-hu-hu cheesecakes that are created, baked and served by the team of master bakers. Enjoy fluffy, preservative-free cheesecakes inspired by fresh tastes of fruits, flowers and herbs. Some of the more interesting flavours are lychee, durian, longan and green tea. In addition, tarts, pound cakes and cookies are sold and packaged as gift items. In the Bistro@The Loaf, Chef James offers superb fusion cuisine with lunchtime bento boxes as the most popular choice.
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Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid has just had a makeover to give it a competitive edge but its bigger-than-life signature lion still dominates the shopping mall. Sunway Lagoon Resort Integrated Complex includes hotels, a water theme park, restaurants, medical centre and two universities. Jusco and Parkson are the anchor tenants of the mall while there are various other shops in themed areas such as Fashion Central, Asian Avenue, Kidz Zone and Marrakesh.
♠Must-try food outlet
One of the most sought after dining outlets here is The Chicken Rice Shop, which is popular for its Hainanese chicken. It is available in various forms from steamed to roasted, honey glazed, barbecued and braised. The outlet is cosy, lively and bright, decked out as it is in bright yellow and red.
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Suria KLCC
It is still considered as one of the city's most prestigious retail malls, even with several new ones sprouting up in KL. With its premier location, Suria KLCC will always lure tourists who come to see the Petronas Twin Towers - located above the mall - and shop. Its parkland setting, anchor tenants such as Isetan and Parkson, and the adjoining Aquaria and Convention Centre guarantee that Suria KLCC is packed every day.
♠Must-try food outlet
An excellent local dining concept is the first Madam Kwan's located on Level 4. Other outlets can be found in Mid Valley and Pavilion KL shopping malls. All outlets feature delicious local favourites such as nasi lemak, nasi bojari (tricoloured rice, nasi lemak, assam prawns, beef rending and deepfried chicken), sambal petai, and well-loved desserts such as chendol and sago gula melaka.
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Gardens at Mid-Valley Mega Mall
Ideally situated just kilometres from downtown KL, The Gardens is part of Mid Valley City which also houses the well-established retail centre of Mid Valley Megamall. The Gardens offers more high-end shopping along with Gardens Hotel & Residences and offices. Robinsons and Isetan are the principal tenants.
♠Must-try food outlet
Cova Café, Bar and Lounge stands out with its clean allwhite design and dining options in the air-conditioned interior or the open lounge overlooking a courtyard. The style of cooking is "Mod Oz" or modern Australian.
This can also be interpreted as international comfort food with some supportive local favourites. Unlike many shopping malls' dining outlets, there is no urgency to eat and run, as diners relax and soak in the ambience and the food. Try crab cakes with honey mustard and a chunky wild mushroom soup. The mains include steak, fish, risotto and pastas. For desserts, there's vanilla créme brûlee, tiramisu and numerous cakes.
Wines are taken seriously in Cova with a small but well-crafted list for diners to choose from.
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Lot 10
Lot 10 was once the place to shop in KL but as new malls have opened, the shoppers have moved away. Lot 10 still has a solid reputation and the adjoining Isetan Department Store ensures a regular flow of shoppers to boutiques like Esprit, Braun, Guess, Timberland Hush Puppies' and Birkenstock.
♠Must-try food outlet
In the lower ground floor facing Jalan Sultan Ismail is a restaurant in a somewhat secretive location.
Appropriately named Secret Recipe, this is one of several in the group which has become a Malaysian success story in recent years. Its creamy and tasty cakes are the foundation for their local and international success but now more substantive snacks are offered in this lifestyle café. In addition to cheesecakes and brownies, diners can enjoy pasta, sandwiches and tempting drinks.
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1 Utama
Located in suburban Bandar Utama (at one of the Aeroline bus terminals from Singapore), 1 Utama has carved out a solid reputation among happy homemakers in the area. It has expanded over the road so now there's a new and an old wing. The old wing seamlessly connects to One World Hotel, so visitors can set up base to explore all the shopping and entertainment options here.
♠Must-try food outlet
Old Town White Coffee is perfectly located next to the cinema complex of 1 Utama and with almost 100 stores in Malaysia, they must be doing something right to tantalise Malaysian taste buds. The creamy coffee is always great - try the white coffee or ice-blended. Move on to Malaysian staples such as kaya and butter toast, Ipoh lum mee, assam laksa and nasi rending chicken.
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Starhill Gallery
It's hard to miss the gleaming Louis Vuitton store positioned at the entrance to Starhill Gallery, immediately opposite The Pavilion and between The Westin and JW Marriott Hotels. This prestigious store is popular with foreign shoppers who eagerly snap up the latest in French fashion and accessories. Its alluring interior design is typical of this glamorous shopping precinct. Think outside the box with floors devoted to emotions like Muse, Relish, Pamper, Explore, Adorn, Indulge and Feast.
♠Must-try food outlet
Some of KL's most creative dining restaurants are located here - Enak, Shook!, Jake's Charbroil, My Thai and Vansh. These feature innovative design elements as does Gonbei Japanese Restaurant on the Relish Floor. Diners arrive flanked by an avenue of bamboo and sit in an interior dominated by timber. Dine on Japanese staples like tempura, sashimi and sushi. There are also tasty monthly promotions to whet one's appetite.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Nov 25, 2008.
