MALAYSIA

Restaurants & Bars

In Kuala Lumpur, a constant favourite is the Top Hat Restaurant (No. 7 Jalan Kia Peng; Tel: +603 2141-8611). Constructed out of an old school built in a 1930s bungalow, the vivid walls wind their way through teak tables and antiques. The menu is a typically Malaysian mix of Asian cuisine and is particularly famous for its tempting desserts.

Lovers of Thai food will adore Chakri Palace (Level 4, Suria KLCC Shopping Centre; Tel: +60 3 382 7788), especially its choice of plain, fried or pineapple rice and its range of spicy tom yum soups.

For a touch of class and some pizzazz, try the funky fusion fare of the Pacifica Bar and Grill (Ground Floor, Mandarin Oriental Hotel; Tel: +60 3 2380 8888). The open-plan kitchen lends a warm ambience and specialty dishes include lemongrass ginger steamed blue river prawn and warm salmon escabeche on roasted beetroot.

The Monkey Bar (Legend Hotel, The Mall Putra Place; Tel: +60 3 4042 9888) is a riot of laughs. Everything is, you guessed it, monkeys - from lamps, mugs and posters to a great range of cocktails including the King Kong, Gorillas in the Mist and Monkey Business.

In Penang, head for the Coco Beach Seafood Paradise (Lot 37 Jalan Pantai Cenang, Padang Mat Sirat; Tel: +60 4 955 5000). Swaying palm trees at sunset under thatched roofs form the setting for Malay dancers and fine dining including fried green mussels, steamed red snapper, tiger prawns and lobster.

For a spot of people-watching over an espresso or a cold beer, check out Bird Cage Coffeehouse (Pantai Cenang, next to Champor-Champor Restaurant); Tel: +60 4 955 1449). Specialties included the luscious fruit smoothies. Look for the bird nests hanging from the roof.