Lunch at the Three Little Pigs & The Big Bad Wolf Proves to be Yummy!

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I’m not sure how familiar the fairy tale of “The Three Little Pigs” is to Malaysians, but most Western expats will be well-versed in the 19th-century English story. At Three Little Pigs & The Big Bad Wolf, a chic new restaurant in Bangsar, the play on words means not only is pork a main attraction here, but that the whole concept – a clever and well-executed one, at that – revolves around two different themes. By day, the eatery is the Three Little Pigs, but when dinner time rolls around, a small transformation ensues, and the restaurant becomes The Big Bad Wolf.The lighting changes, the servers wear different uniforms, a marvellous choose-your-own wine room is revealed, the menus are switched, and a number of other subtle shifts are made. If you visit for lunch one day, then return again another day for dinner, you may think you’ve landed in an entirely different restaurant.

Occupying over 3,000 sq. ft. in a fantastic space in Bangsar Village, Pigs and Wolf, as the short form goes, has a lot of area with which to work, and it’s put to great use. There’s an inside part that seats about 35, complemented by an enclosed patio area (fully air-conditioned) that comfortably seats 45-50. But there’s more… a private dining room for 10 is set off to the side, and at the other end of the restaurant, an open-air terrace provides Pig and Wolf’s only smoking area.

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So the concept is brilliant, and the ambiance terrific, but what about the food? Happily, it’s easy to report that whether you come during Pig time (10am to 6pm) or Wolf time (6pm to 11:30pm), you will be thrilled by the eclectic menu. Pork, in all its yummy goodness, is definitely a mainstay here, but there are many non-pork dishes from which to choose, too. Get off to a good start with a choice from a trio of tasty soups such as Potato and Leek Soup with Bacon, Wild Mushroom Soup with Truffle Oil, and Sweet Carrot Soup. Or choose their classic Caesar salad with Bacon and Shaved Parmesan. Lovers of the greens will surely want to come back several times to try all the various salads here… there’s a Bacon and Asparagus Salad, a Soft-Shell Crab Salad, a Smoked Salmon Salad, and more, including a vegetarian Soba Salad with Grilled Veggies. There are also a few non-meat pastas on the menu, as well.

But hungry carnivores will be well-sated here, too. Want a plate full of Baby Back Ribs so tender the meat falls off the bone? This is your place, and these are easily some of the best ribs I’ve had in KL. A read through the Big Bad Wolf menu – that’s dinner, remember? – will set the mouth to drooling. Cheesy Pork Lasagna, Shepherd’s Pie, Ultimate Chicken Parmigiana, Grilled Pork Pesto, Mushroom and Truffle Spaghetti, and so much more, all at reasonable prices. Some of the menu items have such whimsical names, a visit to Pigs and Wolf is warranted just to see what they are: The Wolf’s Favourite, the Mighty Piggy Burger, Alien Invasion, and Piggies Rolling in the Mud.

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Breakfast is served, too, and the plans are to open earlier in the morning in the near future. For now, it’s 10am to get your bacon and eggs, smoked sausages, or a tasty Eggs Benedict. Whatever hour you arrive, and whether you’re a Pig or a Wolf, you will surely leave happy and will certainly be back for more. Chad Merchant

First published March, 2013