La Risata, Ampang, Malaysia

Can it be true? Does the food really taste better when the ambience is nicer? I've been patronizing this restaurant in Ampang for years for its convenience to home and decent meals. For some reason though, after last year's renovation each time I go back I think the food is better. Fresh salads, pizzas and tasty soups are pretty much standard for an Italian restaurant but the black olive spread served with the table bread is something special. My pick of the month though is their roasted chicken with olives, capers, tomato and veg sauce - you can ask to have it minus the skin if you're a bit of a fuss like myself. I find the service friendly, attentive and accurate - rare finds in KL.

La Risata
16 Pesiaran Ampang
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: 03-4252 6269

Jarrod & Rawlins, Ampang, Malaysia

Jarrod & Rawlins, most definitely non-halal, serving a small but good selection of wines and gourmet sausages is a great place to satisfy your pork and liquor cravings. Their deli offers a quality choice of cheeses, charcuterie and antipasti. Hubby can't resist the sausages and buys one or two of each variety every time we go. The menu offers simple hearty meals featuring pies, sandwiches, burgers and sausages. They often have promotions which are great value such as the weekday set lunch where you can get a starter, main, dessert, tea or coffee for 24RM++. Happy Hours, 4 - 8pm Monday to Friday, allow you to enjoy a glass of wine or basic spirit from 13RM++ per glass and beer from 8.50RM++

Jarrod & Rawlins
AMPWALK Mall, Jalan Ampang
Lot G08B, Ground Floor
The Ampwalk, 218 Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2166 0708, Fax: 03-2166 7708
Email: ampwalk@jarrod-rawlins.com
Also outlets in Damansara Heights and Desa Sri Hartamas
http://www.jarrod-rawlins.com/

The Apartment, KLCC, Malaysia

That magical hour when daylight fades and night begins is the perfect time to visit The Apartment at KLCC Suria. If you're just a few and don't mind the heat there is a small balcony upstairs overlooking the KLCC water fountains and park. If you need the comfort of air con or are in a larger group there are plenty of seating options inside from comfy sofas, to regular dining chairs to bar stools. Funkily furnished, The Apartment is a great place for a drink to wind down your day, begin your evening or ponder possible renovation ideas for your own home.

The Apartment
Lot 139, 1st Floor, Suria KLCC
(facing the lake)
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur
theapartmentklcc@chaswood.com.my
Tel: +603.21662257
11am to 10pm

Market Hall, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Modern Australian cuisine. Love the design - especially the paint can lights, wooden tables and funky red stools. Excellent service. Don't miss their version of gnocchi - spinach and ricotta dumplings with a sweet smooth pumpkin sauce. Mmmm :-)

Market Hall
Lot 6.01.03
Level 6
Pavilion
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
03 2141 9620

Spasso Milano, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Spasso Milano is another nice find on the Ampang side of town. Little gems amongst the rats and grot of Ampang are starting to pop up (it's about time) and I'm pleased to say that Spasso Milano is one of them. Recently opened towards the end of 2010, this restaurant offers Italian food by Milanese chef Felice Martinelli. There is plenty of parking - another bonus for the location. The restaurant is part of Nihonkan club serving local food downstairs with indoor and outdoor bar areas upstairs and a soon to be opened pool bar at the entrance. The decor is sleek and polished and the service attentive and friendly. Their antipasti buffet lunch for 18RM ++ (add 3RM for a main course) has to be one of the best deals in town. Small portions were served at a time with fresh food coming out continuously. Soup, antipasti and desserts are all part of the buffet. The gratinated scallops, mushroom tart and lightly salted pizza breads are all delicious. You must pay the extra 3RM for the main course. What a bargain! I had freshly made prawn tortellini in a prosecco cream sauce (light with a perfect balance of cream and tang) and hubby had strips of beef tenderloin (succulently tender) served with a slice of polenta and vegetables. Dessert on the buffet is served in ideally tiny portions so that you can try it all - which of course we did. Their panna cotta is not to be missed.

Spasso Milano
Nihonkan
347 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
03 4252 7088

Le Passione Cafe, Hartamas Shopping Centre, Malaysia

Knowing that I'm always on the search for great coffee in KL a friend introduced me to Le Passione Cafe in Hartamas Shopping Centre. Success! Run by some Aussies they take their coffee making seriously and import their own blend of Brazilian beans. I'm partial to Brazilian beans anyway with their smooth and sweet finish but great beans combined with expert barristers lead to an amazing cup of coffee. Prices are between 7 and 12RM depending on what type of coffee you order. There are lots of soft comfy chairs to lounge around on and a good selection of magazines. Skip the food but make an effort to find this place for your caffeine fix.

Le Passione Cafe
60 Plaza Ground Floor (address is ground floor, but it's actually the top floor of this complex, go to the top of the escalators and you'll find it next to the Moo Cow yoghurt place)
Hartamas Shopping Centre
Sri Hartamas
Malaysia
03-6201 4376

Living Room, Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of my favourite breakfasts in KL is that at The Living Room at the Westin Hotel in Bukit Bintang. The selection is so wide that it is able to please my husband, local and foreign friends and myself (and I'm quite fussy:-). Unfortunately my photos just don't do the huge range of dishes justice. Both local and western taste buds are covered with dishes from nasi lemak and roti canai to a full egg and sausage fried breakfast all the way through to fruits and cereals. The Westin is one of the few places in town that you can actually find a decent coffee and you have an unlimited choice here when you purchase the buffet breakfast. The spread spans over two restaurants and a bar. I like to sit by the windows of the bakery section where I have pancakes made to my liking, a huge selection of pastries, sandwiches, cereals, fruits, yoghurts, fresh juices and an assortment of Mediterranean salads and dips. My husband usually heads straight for the egg and barbecue section where you can have eggs freshly prepared however you desire (yes, they will even make you an egg white omelette without blinking an eyelid) and as much cholesterol as you can bare in the form of sausages, chops, steak, beef bacon and hash browns. At 68RM++ it does make it one of the more expensive breakfasts in KL, however if you have the Starwood Privilege card you get 50% off making it a bargain for two people.
The Living Room
The Westin Hotel
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur, 55100
Malaysia
(60)(3) 2731 8333
www.westindining.com.my

Aussie Gourmet Roasted Nuts & Treats, Queensland, Australia

Don't miss trying some roasted macadamia nuts when in Australia. The best variety are those that are freshly roasted on the spot and sold to you still warm. They come with a number of sweet or savoury seasonings but my favourites are the plain roasted macadamias so you can enjoy the full taste of the nut. The nut lady has a mobile set up traveling around to shopping centres and various events.
Aussie Gourmet Roasted Nuts & Treats
Gold Coast
Queensland, Australia
0423 644 726
aussiegourmettreats@hotmail.com