Lai Po Heen at Mandarin Oriental Welcomes Chef Thomas Fong from Doha
April 24th, 2024
The Eighth Avenue could be this month’s first choice for customers seeking somewhere new to eat at Solaris Dutamas; married couple Vanessa & Raj have opened the kind of restaurant that KL could always use more of, with a menu that’s adventurous & appealing, buoyed by prices that feel honest & fair, plus service that’s encouragingly hands-on & personal.
Much of the selection is unique to this venue, showcasing an ambitious scope that Vanessa & Raj cultivated after spending years in Perth. This is their maiden F&B venture, but they’ve worked to put together a team capable of executing elaborate recipes that borrow inspiration from both East & West, from the seafood devotee’s Phat Boy Squid (RM17.90; squid stuffed with minced shrimp & fish, scrawled with squid ink sauce) to a vegetarian-friendly Zucchini Pasta Doppelganger (RM24.90; strips of zucchini masquerading as pasta, drenched in savoury basil pesto with portobello mushrooms & sun-dried tomatoes).
The Eighth Avenue genuflects before the glory of the swine: Pork temptations hog the spotlight – rolled soft tacos filled with pulled pork & paired with chili con carne (RM29.90) & a tortilla-based pizza blanketed with shredded pork, bacon & chorizo (RM26.90). If you’re here for lunch, some afternoon specials include nasi lemak with pork rib rendang (RM15.90 for a set with a soft drink & dessert) & an Oriental pork belly stew with enoki mushrooms, quail eggs & steamed rice (RM15.90 for the set).
Engaging flavours & playful textures come to the fore for the tender grilled catfish with creamy peri-peri sauce, crispy risotto balls & asparagus (RM30.90) & the Angels & Demons, a platter of smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus & pork bacon cloaking juicy prunes (RM14.90). There are many other intriguing items to try – oat-fried squid tentacles, ostrich burgers in pandan brioches & roasted beef bone marrow. Wine is available too; our thanks to The Eighth Avenue for having us here.
The Eight Avenue
D2-G3-03, Solaris Dutamas
Tel: +6012-407 7045
Open Sun-Thurs, 12pm-12am; Fri-Sat, 12pm-2am