Highway 4, Hanoi, Vietnam

Highway 4 might not be the place to come to drink every week if you live in Hanoi, but if you're a visitor, this bar and restaurant should definitely be on your hit list. Three stories of bar and restaurant with a variety of seating sees both locals and foreigners alike enjoying what's on offer. If you're an adventurous eater the menu is sure to please. Served tapas style, you can sample locusts roasted with lemon leaves (seasonal of course), cricket and pork patties, chicken cartilage in batter and even pig's ear salad. I'd already eaten by the time I reached Highway 4 so I stuck to the drinks... :-) Here you can sample Vietnam's very own rice liquor (Son Tinh Premium Spirits) infused with fruits, herbs (sworn to cure many ailments) and, (in true Vietnamese style) even animals such as seahorse. The Nep Phù Loc, herbal spirit at 40% alcohol, will blow your head off and lingers on the palate for quite some time - I recommend trying this one last so as not to wipe out delicate taste buds before you've sampled some of the the softer styles. The fruit infused varieties are a better option for untrained tasted buds and offer a gentle stepping stone into the more serious blends. Rose Apple and Passionfruit are palatable with the Apricot and Red Plum having more of an artificial resonance on the tongue. The company claims that the high quality of distillation and absence of artificial flavours basically means you can drink a lot and be hangover free the next morning. Perhaps these are a better option than the home brew varieties you might be offered during a homestay in the countryside. One serving will set you back around 30 000 Dong and three small sample bottles make a great gift or souvenir for 200 000 Dong.

Highway 4
3 Hang Tre
Hoan Kiem
Old Quarter
Ha Noi, Vietnam
Tel: 3926 4200, 2215 5797
info@highway4.com
www.highway4.com

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