Ciao Ristorante, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ciao Ristorante is a surprising find off the busy road of Kampung Pandan.  Once inside it's hard to believe there's a stream of heavy traffic just meters away.  Ciao backs onto the Royal Selangor Golf Club, so the views from the large restaurant windows are beautifully green and peaceful.  There's plenty of parking and staff waiting with umbrellas if it happens to be raining.  Serving freshly prepared Italian cuisine prices range from around 20RM for an appetizer up to 70RM for some mains.  A great value way to sample the menu is with the 3 course set lunch for 48++.  Choose from a wide range of appetizers, pasta or pizza followed by dessert and tea or coffee. Ask for a spot by the window to fully enjoy the location.

Ciao Ristorante
No. 20A Jalan Kampung Pandan
off Jalan Tun Razak
55100 Kuala Lumpur
+6 03 9285 4827
info@ciao.com.my
www.ciao.com.my

The Bakery, Ukay Heights, Ampang, Malaysia

Best croissants in KL and delicious wholegrain breads.

the Bakery
Ukay Heights
Jalan Chong Koon Lin
(after ISKL make a left turn after the SPCA)
68000 Ampang
Malaysia
03 4260 1606

They also have an outlet in Sri Hartamas
17 Jalan Sri Hartamas 7
Taman Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur
03 620 333 54

Giovino Wine Shop & Restaurant, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Giovino Wine Shop Restaurant serves up hearty Greek and Italian meals.  I've been here both for private functions in the upstairs area and for dinner.  Both times I enjoyed the Greek antipasto plate. Both times I filled myself on these tapas and didn't have room for much else.  Wait staff are pleasant and quite capable of recommending a decent wine from their wine list - or browse their cool room yourself.  It's a good place to sit on the upstairs balcony, nibble on the antipasto and enjoy a glass of wine.  Maybe next time I'll get past the starter and actually try a main.  Let me know if you do. 

Giovino Wine Shop Restaurant
32 Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
03 2141 1131
ask@giovino.com.my
www.giovino.com.my

Meatworks, Solaris, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Real burgers for real men - this is the place.

Meatworks
2G 3A Jalan Solaris 5
Block H
Solaris Mont Kiara
50380 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 03 6203 0871
noor@meatworks.com.my
www.meatworks.com.my

Lunch at Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

To my surprise not all German food is heavy and made for big eaters.  Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar has some great lunch offerings and lighter meals for dinner too.  A variety of soups, sandwiches and pizzas make for a quick bite before you head off for a day of shopping at Pavilion.  My personal favourite is the green pea soup with chili sausage served with German laugenbrezel - a soft pretzely type of bread.  The chef is from Switzerland so you see an influence of both German and French cuisine on the menu.  The thin crusted pizzas - flammkuchen - are another enjoyable lighter plate - both the mushroom and salmon pizzas are delish.  The burgers are super tasty too.  A big juicy pork paddy topped with crunchy bacon and onion rings served with crispy chips is hubby's recommendation.  Be sure to save room for dessert - the chocolate mousse is handwhisked to perfection - smooth and creamy and portions large enough to share (if you want to...).  If you're up for the heavier dishes be sure to finish off your meal with the German digestive Jagermeister - a potent herbal liqueur that surely has potential to grow hair on your chest :-)

Wiessbrau German Bistro & Bar

Lot 3.05.02 & C3.16.00, Level 3

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

168 Jalan Bukit Bintang

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

+60 3 2142 0288

www.weissbrau.com.my

Steps of Rome Caffe, San Francisco

We arrived in the gorgeous city of San Francisco in time for a late dinner and authentic Italian meal at Steps of Rome Caffe. We ordered a simple meal including brushcetta, salad and pasta. The bruschetta was fresh and seasoned just right on lovely, hearty Italian bread. The gladiatore salad was also light with a nice olive and lemon dressing. We ordered a rigatoni amatricana cooked with italian pancetta, tomato cream and white wine. It came out hot and each mouthful was delicious. This restaurant is an easy place to dine at and a comfortable place to eat and enjoy with friends in San Francisco's Little Italy area. It's also open later than other places too. Will have to go back next time for pizza!

Steps of Rome Caffe
348 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, California 94133
Tel 415 397 0435
www.stepsofrome.com

Nahm Restaurant Bangkok

We enjoyed dinner at Nahm Restaurant Bangkok immensely. We selected the chicken salad from the yum (salad) menu and it was nicely balanced. Out of the curries, we chose the green beef rib curry and it was so spicy and rich but mere male said it was the best green curry he'd ever eaten. We chose a duck soup which was slightly pungent yet plain and the dtom yum soup was tangy. But I liked that and enjoyed every sip with curiosity for the flavours of the elements. Perhaps it was the lemongrass that indulged me. The mushrooms were simply cooked and fresh. The jasmine rice which is served complimentary was delightfully aromatic. I loved the simplicity and decor of this restaurant if that enhances taste at all but as this is the yum list - I just have to recommend Nahm restaurant for yum or 'aroy', as the Thai's say. The complimentary pineapple appetizer was lovely too. Thoughtful is the detail, presentation and care with the food. The staff are professional in explaining the dishes they offer. My mother is Thai and her cooking is fantastic but this was unlike any other Thai food I have eaten. I will be going there again with my Thai friends to get their perspective and see if they agree.

Nahm

Metropolitan Hotel
South Sathorn Road
Tungmahamek
Sathorn Bangkok 10120

Tel + 662 625 3388

http://www.metropolitan.bangkok.como.bz/eat-and-drink/nahm

B Station, Ampang Waterfront

I wouldn't go out of my way to get to this place, but... if you do happen to be hunting down renovation materials in this grotty part of town, B Station is a very pleasant escape.  With a clean and comfy atmosphere this place is packed with books, ornaments, plants, baskets and lots of cosy little corners. Their specialities are an interesting mix of hotdogs, Korean food and coffee.  I'm definitely not an expert on Korean food, nor hotdogs for that matter, but the dishes we tried were made with fresh ingredients and tasty.  The coffee was also surprisingly good considering it's not made from 100% Arabica beans - although I've been learning lately that some blends with mostly Arabica and some Robusta can be quite appealing.

B Station
Ampang Waterfront
Taman Kosas
03 4280 2054 
Joseph - 016 687 3751 
David - 010 273 2733