Bangsar Neighborhood GuideDestinAsian Page 5

Hit & Mrs

Be transported to a 1950s Malay home when dining at Hit & Mrs.

If you’ve had a meal in Kuala Lumpur, chances are you’ve happened upon a BIG Group franchise restaurant. Benjamin Yong is the granddaddy of the chain, lending his creative spirit and name to venues such as Ben’s coffee shop and Ben’s Independent Grocer. With more than 25 outlets, the group’s only restaurant not located in a shopping mall, Hit & Mrs, is a departure from BIG’s frenetic growth. Located on a sleepy Bangsar street, Lorong Karau, the restaurant occupies a two-story shophouse with furnishings inspired by a 1950s Malay home. Draping vines cloak the exterior, leafy banana tree wallpaper decks the walls, high-back wicker chairs populate the bar, and vintage Malay posters are framed on the wall. Newly appointed chefs Keith Choong and Edmund Chong both hail from Penang but spent their culinary tutelage working with big names such as Chef André Chiang. Now back in their home turf, the two have reinvigorated the menu following a reopening of the venue in August. Contemporary European dishes dominate the menu with a majority of ingredients prepared in-house around revolving seasonal dishes based on what’s fresh from the market. The Beetroot Confit is a light starter with an artfully detailed fruit selection arranged around delicate goat cheese. The tender lamb rack features a red capsicum chutney, pink garlic, and a cherry tomato garnish. For a taste of the chefs’ best, try the five-course tasting menu paired with tropical tipple from the old-school upstairs bar.