Inspired by the local cuisine and dishes creatively designed to suit the restaurant name, the latest addition the Werner’s Group’s F&b list is the opium kl with with tag line ‘Eat Drink Man Woman’ that is seductive enough to get diners addictively wanting more.
Designed for the luxury as well as comfort, opium calls to mind the feel as if entering time tunnel the minute you step into the restaurant. Delivering imaginative creations designed to evoke the perfect blend between amusing mix of cocktails and mocktails done by their in house mixologist and the exciting names to each items on the menu is one thing they’ve done it right. I had a hard time making up my mind. Peking Man (Rm 32) twisting a mix of vodka, puer tea, longan, lime juice, orange and egg white, and served with style with nuts by the side on a tray and pretty cup that instantly reminded me of some preserved artifact.
Be prepared to get that little surprise and excitement every time a cocktail is served. Each nicely presented with pretty cups and bowls, it would be like travelling back to China in time when opium smoking was fashionable. Each also paired with creative and smart names, namely the Forbidden City, Tea Traders, and intriguing ones like Genghis Poison Chaliceand many others.
The Peppery Lamb Soup (RM 18) is loaded with chunks of lamb cubes and heaps of vegetables for the sweet and pepper to trounce the gaminess of the lamb, this one is a great starter to whipped the appetite.
The starters also double very well as pub grub, given the fantastic mix of alcohols available from the bar. Earning their own identity with the theme, we have Cheese Samosa (RM 18) nicely wrapped in popiah skin for that combination of crunchy and cheesy, and served with the dipping sauce, is mesmerizing while it’s hot. Also worth cheering is the Lamb Patties (RM 18) where the minced lamb is cleverly added with cheese to yield the creamy flavour. Grilled Chicken Wing (RM 15) puts good use of local spices but didn’t deliver to outshine the rest.
Lemongrass Sticks (RM 12) with intense herbs blending into sweetness from the juicy chicken served with dipping sauces are great as a communal dish. So is the Coriander dumpling (RM 15) of rich minced chicken and coriander wrapped in crystal skin. This of course must be eaten while steaming hot. Fern Leaf Salad (RM 24) comes with a good mix of enormous prawns with a good mingle of condiments showcasing a good mellow combination of all sweet, sour with a light tinge of spicy for the extra kick on top of the crunchiness from the Fern’s young shoots.
This range of dimsum innovatively renovated into pub grub also consist the favourite classics. Fan of Salted Egg Cream Bun (RM 12) would be pleased to find this on the menu.
Spot light of the day would probably be this Opium Wantan Noodle (RM 28), served with smoked duck, duck meat, spring onions and egg sauce. The crunchy noodles were amazing and matching that with deep fried spinach, one wouldn’t know what this is until they dig into it. Amidst the grease from all that deep frying, it’s unique on its own as a noodle variation.
Most of their mains serve with a dish accompanied by choice of rice with poppy seeds or lotus leaf buns. Wagyu Beef in Rendang (RM 38) here is served in luscious gravy and certainly appropriate to go with the lotus leaf bun.
Dessert also comes boldly out of the ordinary with Cheesy Banana Fritters (RM 18) topped with heavenly scoop of banana ice cream on top of generous sprinkle of aged cheddar.
And for the final surprise, some sugar to reminisce childhood for some of us perhaps? A complimentary when you pay the bill and was an absolute delight to see such creative idea that’ll put a smile on every faces.
The Opium KL is located at:
50 Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 KL.
Phone: +603-21425670
Sun to Thu – 4pm till 1am, Fri & Sat – 4pm till 2am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opiumkl
Website: http://opiumkl.com/
GPS: 3.166659, 101.699957
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