Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Best Bars in Malaysia: A Bee, A Bird and A Bartender

Asia's 50 Best Bars | Best Bars in Malaysia | Food For Thought

The recent Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 had quite a number of toss ups, with new entries abound and a change in the top spot. But what has Malaysians buzzing are these three bars making the list. Bar Trigona with its honey-centric programme; JungleBird, the bar named after the only Malaysian cocktail; and Coley Cocktail Bar, which takes its namesake from the first female head bartender of The Savoy, Ada Coleman. We speak to their head honchos to find out a little bit more. Continue reading

Nadodi: A Nomadic Journey of Southern Indian Cuisine

The Nadodi Experience | Nadodi | Food For Thought

Situated on the corner of Jalan Yap Kwan Seng sits one of Kuala Lumpur’s more unique form dining in Kuala Lumpur, southern Indian fine dining cuisine. From its elevated take and refinement of traditional southern Indian fare, Nadodi takes you on a nomadic journey across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka. In addition to that the cocktail programme is one that collaborates with the kitchen in curating its menu, where a syncing of flavours permeates both menus. Continue reading

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Industry Icon Award: Agung Prabowo of The Old Man Hong Kong

Agung Prabowo Old Man Hong Kong | Inudstry Icon Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

When it comes to the bartending industry, there are a few names that need no introduction, and Agung Prabowo is one of them. The brainchild of the Hemingway inspired bar, The Old Man originally opened in Hong Kong and has now expanded with the opening of The Old Man Singapore. Agung has been recently crowned (like his namesake) the Industry Icon Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020. We speak to him to find out more about his philosophy as well as the creation of some of The Old Man’s iconic concoctions. Continue reading

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Bartender’s Bartender: Jay Khan of COA Hong Kong

Jay Khan | Altos Bartenders' Bartender | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Jay Khan is one of Asia’s best known bartenders, not only because he makes excellent cocktails, but has helped further educate the public about agave. The Hong Kong born native was recently crowned the Altos’ Bartender’s Bartender at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 and in addition to that, his bar COA has also placed number 3 at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars this year. We speak to Jay to pick the his brains on his thoughts about bartending and bartenders. Continue reading

Daniel Boulud’s Asparagus Salad with Crispy Egg

Daniel Boulud's Asparagus Salad with Crispy Egg | Daniel Boulud | db Bistro and Oyster Bar | Food For Thought

For those who are fans of DB Bistro & Oyster Bar at Marina Bay Sands, you can now enjoy some of their signature recipes at home. One such recipe is Daniel Boulud’s very own Asparagus Salad with Crispy Egg. The recipe and instructions are made easy to reproduce at home, and has careful steps each and every step of the way, bringing fine dining to your home. Continue reading

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Art of Hospitality Award: David Nguyen-Luu of Manhatan Bar Singapore

Manhattan | Michter's Art of Hospitality Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Manhattan Bar at the Regent Singapore needs no further introduction, with its time and time again ranking as at the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Winning the Legends Of The List award in 2019, and also number 1 bar in 2018, Manhattan has gone on to win the Art of Hospitality Awards this year, which comes as no surprise. We sit down with Bar Manager David Nguyen-Luu to learn about more about their approach to hospitality. Continue reading

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020: In Recognition And In Solidarity

Jigger & Pony | Best Bar in Asia | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

The current pandemic of the Covid-19 has affected the food and beverage industry severely, but amidst all the chaos, the drink industry has come together, albeit social distantly, not in celebration, but in recognition of the work all these bars have put in to raising the bar when it comes to cocktail culture, camaraderie and creativity. The inaugural event was initially supposed to be held in Singapore but instead was done via a live telecast across Facebook. Continue reading

DC Restaurant May 2020 Premium Tasting Menu

Lobster Feature | DC Seasonal May 2020 Menu | DC Restaurant | Food For Thought

As businesses in Kuala Lumpur are coping with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, restaurants are creating menus that are lighter, more agreeable and ensuring less wastage across the kitchen. DC Restaurant by Darren Chin has launched its new menu, which included a lighter 3 course menu, a middle 4 course and a premium 5 course menu. We were invited to taste the full range of courses, some of which were not in the final tasting menu, but were stunning nevertheless. Continue reading

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Sustainable Bar Award: Ashish Sharma of Bar Trigona

50 Best Cocktail | Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2020 | Bar Trigona | Food For Thought

Bar Trigona in Four Season Kuala Lumpur has won the Ketel One Sustainable Award at the  Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020, taking the crown for the second year in a row. The honey-centric bar’s practice of using the liquid gold as its focus and its efforts to keep everything sustainable from leaf to twig. We had a chat with Ashish Sharma, Head Bartender of Bar Trigona to learn a bit more about their sustainability efforts and their adopt a beehive programme. Continue reading

Tenmasa

Uni Shiso Tempura | Tenmasa | Food For Thought

For many people around the world tempura is one of the most well-known of the Japanese cuisines, but what many do not realise is that most restaurants in Japan specialises in specific cuisine, be it a ramen shop, sushi bar or takoytaki stand, and this is the same for tempura. Within Platinum Park in Kuala Lumpur sits exactly this type of specialisation, with a fine dining touch, Tenmasa, Kuala Lumpur’s first fine dining tempura restaurant, from shirako to foie gras to uni tempura. Continue reading