Brussels Beer Cafe, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Brussels Beer Cafe is a find in the sorry sadness of Ampang. Finally a decent pub on this side on town. The beer is cold and you can sit indoors or outdoors. The mussels (cooked with any assortment of condiments) rock, although the fried food is very average. Did I mention they have bacon? (Yes, the real stuff.)

http://www.brusselsbeercafe.com/
(Beside Ampang Grocers)
No. 4 & 6 Jalan 1/67B, off Jalan Mengkudu
Ampang, KL, Malaysia

Sage Restaurant and Wine Bar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sage Restaurant and Wine Bar
The Gardens Residences Level 6
The Gardens, Mid Valley City
Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
03 2268 1328
www.sagekl.com

Chef Daniel Cheong has created a delicious menu at Sage. Besides the standard ala carte menu, seasonal and set menus change every week so that you can be surprised by new dishes with every visit. The food here is exquisite. The chef does a particularly good job with fish and is passionate about his work. Each dish is a piece of art. Only the freshest ingredients are sourced locally and from around the world and chef Daniel is quite fussy about their selection. Service here is professional but very approachable. Meals here are not cheap but this place is worth a visit for a yummy night out.

Prego, The Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

www.westindining.com.my
Prego, The Westin,
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
03 2773 8338

Prego is one of my favourite restaurants in KL. Pizza, pasta and risotto are always consistent and the service is the best in KL - friendly but professional. Prices are typical of most other 5 star hotels in KL, but if you have the Starwood Privilege card you can get up to 50% off your meal - making eating at this place a real deal. I love the putanesca pasta, fennel and yabby risotto and salt crusted seabass. Hubby loves the pizzas. They have a feature menu every month which is also available with wine pairing. They are currently preparing a new menu ready to launch in August. I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of one of the planned starters- smoked fish, fresh buffalo mozzarella and toast - it was divine.

King's Park Botanical Cafe

This has to be one of the prettiest places to eat in Perth. I've heard mixed reviews about the service and food but the day I went I enjoyed a fabulously fresh and tasty salad, friendly service and stunning views. Coffee is good but not special.
http://www.frasersrestaurant.com.au/docs/botanicalcafe/index.aspx

Flutes Restaurant

Flutes Restaurant is one of the most spectacular places I've eaten at in Australia - with prices to match. The tables overlook a peaceful pond with ducks and a lush green backdrop. The interior is tastefully decorated with a decent selection of work from local artists. Food and service are super. The accompanying winery, Brookland Valley, offers some incredible wines. Indeed some of the best drops I tasted in Margaret River came from this winery. The prices match the quality though - no bargains here - but definitely worth a visit. I will return on my next trip for sure.
http://www.flutes.com.au/
4070 Caves Road, Wilyabrup
Western Australia 6280
Phone +61-8-9755 6250

Yahava Coffee

This coffee place, a few minutes south of Margaret River town, has some tasty coffee blends. You can taste test a number of varieties and can even make up your own blend. Their Espresso, Outback and X-Rated blends were my favourites. Sporting the Fair Trade label and offering a number of organic beans too give this company extra points. A number of coffee and tea making tools are also available for purchase.
http://www.yahava.com.au/

Bushtucker Winery Tour with Lunch

This is a highly recommended way of seeing and tasting the wineries of Margaret River. Strict drink driving laws in Australia prevent you from enjoying and driving yourself around. A small group tour is the way to go. Bushtucker tours were fantastic. The tour was well organized, the guide very knowledgeable and the lunch was a real treat. Authentic Aussie gourmet food and bushtucker were the highlights. We very much enjoyed the smoked wild turkey breast, roast beef, pumpkin bread, and an amazing selection of anti-pasto bits such as sun dried tomatoes, olives, cheese and some great local bush berries. The wineries you see are smaller boutique wineries that you might not see on the usual tourist route.

Ask at your accommodation if they have discounts for any tours, restaurants, wineries etc. Our hotel had 10% of Bushtucker Tours when booking through them and a number of other discounts for the region.
Bushtucker Tours
Office: 08 9757 9084
Mob: 0419 911 971
P.O Box 479
Margaret River 6285
http://www.bushtuckertours.com/winetour/winetour.html

Wise Winery Restaurant

The food and ambience here are spectacular. Menu is pricey but worth it. Everything we had was delicious. The dining area overlooks the vineyard with lovely views to the coast. The wine here is also great. I loved their 2008 Shiraz and it won best wine under $20 in Australia last year. Definitely worth purchasing a few bottles (or a whole case) to take home and it is a perfect match for Blue Cow Smoked Cheddar (Western Australian cheese company).
Wise Vineyards, 80 Eagle Bay Road, (PO Box 162)
Dunsborough 6281,West Australia
Restaurant Enquiries and Bookings
Phone: (618) 9755 3331,Facsimile: (618) 9755 3979
Email: bookings@wisefood.com
http://www.wisewine.com.au/index.html