SUBSTANCE - Wine
If you want to speak of wine selection, thats a fair comment, but seriously, wine bars do not produce wine. Oh, you mean you have a skilled curator or sommelier ... (the latter is almost unnecessary unless you are talking about a 5 star or Michelin starred restaurant with an enormous selection to start with).
What I am saying, getting a good variety of wines is not difficult, just peruse a few wine review magazines religiously, and try to stock up on those rated 85-88 or higher, further filtered by their prices (as most of wines consumed in wine bars has to be priced between RM150-400) ... just for show, include 10% of your selection of those between RM800-2,000... and you are on your way to becoming a more than decent wine bar. Another trick is to have very few of the first growth, aim for the second/third for value pricing.
Recently, I was introduced to Wineknot @ Taman Desa. To me, it probably is one of the top 3 places for wine. Better than that, the accompanying food are either good or excellent.
SUBLIMINAL - Senses
I like a place that not only provides the structure for a wine bar, put some wine there and call it a wine bar. Walk inside and you are instantly attracted by the ambience - its not the over the top "speakeasy lush designs" but rather very warm tones accented by the liberal usage of wood and dark hues. A lot of thought obviously went into the lighting, which was inviting and soothing.
All of that make you wish to linger at the place longer, more comfortable to have lengthy conversations.
SUBLIME - The Food, Oh The Food
Actually this place need not even be a wine bar cause the food is usually excellent. The owner is the cook and she creates unbelievably yummy dishes. Iberico is a frequent item, as reflected in the full name of the place. I loved the fried meehoon, to me its a 1 Micheline star dish.
Crispy duck confit
Iberico aglio oilio
Mapo tofu pasta
Matsuzaka beef
Iberico ribs
Iberico rendang with petai
These are just a few of the many more tantalising dishes.
Wineknot Wine & Iberico Kitchen
Address: Danau Business Centre, 9-0-10, Jalan 3/109f, Taman Danau Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: opens everyday, 3:30pm - 2am
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