Illustration by Fig & Ginger, drawn from the review. The venue's own photo is on its way.
Contemporary Malaysian in KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
Beta
A Tour With Caviar
Beta is a one-star restaurant with a theatrical dining room, and I mean theatrical in the way a good kitchen is, not the way a bad one is. The idea is a Tour of Malaysia, a menu that moves around the country's food traditions and treats them with modern technique and a lot of care for presentation.
The Michelin Guide points to one dish above the rest, an abalone Lawas rice. Lawas is a Sarawakian heirloom rice, and here it is topped with abalone, caviar and kaffir lime oil. It is rich, a little ridiculous and quite deliberate. There is also an optional cocktail and wine pairing, and the cocktail side is a nice break from the usual reflex of a sommelier with a ladder.
It is a date-night restaurant, so plan accordingly. Dinner runs Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 11pm, and Mondays are closed. There is valet parking, which in Kuala Lumpur traffic is a kindness. Book ahead, dress like you mean it, and let the room do some of the work.
- Order this
- The Tour of Malaysia menu, Abalone Lawas rice, Cocktail pairing
- The damage
- $$$
- Go
- A weekend dinner, booked ahead
- Find it
- Lot 3 & 4, GF, Cormar Suites, 10 Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur 50450
- Website
- betakl.com