Private Room at Taman Tun Dr Ismail: Restaurant Review

This post is brought to you in part by Private Room.

KL’s first speakeasy-style bar that specialises in the pleasures of wine, Private Room was conceived by a team of young bankers, entrepreneurs & sommeliers as an intimate space where cracking open a bottle from South Africa, Spain or France can be an affordable & fun affair. It’s a versatile destination that strives to cater to wine-drinking veterans & novices alike.

Wine Selection

Private Room’s shelves are stocked with a bumper crop of boutique vintages – expect more than 200 labels in the main hall, over half of which cost under RM200, ideal to browse for a casual evening with friends, or if you’re only beginning to explore the wonderful world of wine. For serious enthusiasts, there’s a premium selection stored in a hidden chiller. Whiskies, vodka, gin, brandy, rum, tequila & other liquors are also available, as are two private rooms within Private Room for group gatherings.

Food & Wine Pairings

Seek the help of Private Room’s two respected in-house sommeliers for food-&-wine pairings – Justin Ho & Danny Tai have carved a name for themselves at Malaysia’s national-level sommelier championships & beyond, so they’re more than up to the responsibility of recommending a vibrant red to match with the kitchen’s Iberico pork collar (excellent – aromatic & succulent) or a sweetish white for the serving of fish fingers & calamari (partnered with a rich, complex mayo sauce tinged with lemon, capers, sun-dried tomatoes & porcini mushrooms). European ham & cheese platters are offered too, as are meaty mains such as an oxtail stew, chicken pot pie & rosemary lamb rack. Bar snacks cost between RM10 & RM35, while mains start at RM22

Wine-based Cocktails

For a further dash of distinctiveness, Private Room tackles wine-based cocktails, with five confidently imaginative concoctions on the list – the Retemed Demeter (RM36; Sauvignon Blanc with blood orange, pink grapefruit & sencha-infused ice cubes), Apollo’s Precious (RM35; tawny port with brandy, Grand Marnier, Pernod, cinnamon, citrus & ginger ale), Mocking Mistress (RM35; Sauvignon Blanc with Malibu, gin, kiwi, cucumber & lime), Winter Fuego (RM40; Carmenere with whisky, strawberries, mint & lemon) & Purple Venus (RM36; Pedro Ximenez with Parfait Amour, blue gin & lemongrass) – all refreshing & well-balanced with mellow, pleasing nuances. This is an enjoyable new entry in TTDI; many thanks to Private Room for having us.