Eat Drink KL: Private Room @ Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Monday, January 11, 2016

Private Room @ Taman Tun Dr Ismail

KL's first speakeasy-style bar that specialises in the pleasures of wine, Private Room was conceived by a team of young bankers, entrepreneurs & sommeliers as an intimate space where cracking open a bottle from South Africa, Spain or France can be an affordable & fun affair. It's a versatile destination that strives to cater to wine-drinking veterans & novices alike.

Hunt for the tell-tale yellow door (on the same street as DC Restaurant & Bowery Petit) leading up to this discreet den of vino, swathed in sultry shadows. If you've made a reservation, you'll receive a text message with a door access password, lending an exciting air of exclusivity to the experience. But no worries if you're here on a spontaneous whim; you can still be buzzed in.

Private Room's shelves are stocked with a bumper crop of boutique vintages - expect more than 200 labels in the main hall, over half of which cost under RM200, ideal to browse for a casual evening with friends, or if you're only beginning to explore the wonderful world of wine. For serious enthusiasts, there's a premium selection stored in a hidden chiller. Whiskies, vodka, gin, brandy, rum, tequila & other liquors are also available, as are two private rooms within Private Room for group gatherings.

Seek the help of Private Room's two respected in-house sommeliers for food-&-wine pairings - Justin Ho & Danny Tai have carved a name for themselves at Malaysia's national-level sommelier championships & beyond, so they're more than up to the responsibility of recommending a vibrant red to match with the kitchen's Iberico pork collar (excellent - aromatic & succulent) or a sweetish white for the serving of fish fingers & calamari (partnered with a rich, complex mayo sauce tinged with lemon, capers, sun-dried tomatoes & porcini mushrooms). European ham & cheese platters are offered too, as are meaty mains such as an oxtail stew, chicken pot pie & rosemary lamb rack. Bar snacks cost between RM10 & RM35, while mains start at RM22

For a further dash of distinctiveness, Private Room tackles wine-based cocktails, with five confidently imaginative concoctions on the list - the Retemed Demeter (RM36; Sauvignon Blanc with blood orange, pink grapefruit & sencha-infused ice cubes), Apollo's Precious (RM35; tawny port with brandy, Grand Marnier, Pernod, cinnamon, citrus & ginger ale), Mocking Mistress (RM35; Sauvignon Blanc with Malibu, gin, kiwi, cucumber & lime), Winter Fuego (RM40; Carmenere with whisky, strawberries, mint & lemon) & Purple Venus (RM36; Pedro Ximenez with Parfait Amour, blue gin & lemongrass) - all refreshing & well-balanced with mellow, pleasing nuances. This is an enjoyable new entry in TTDI; many thanks to Private Room for having us.

Private Room TTDI
48a-2, First Floor, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 019-3346631
Mon-Thurs, 5pm-1am; Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am


This restaurant is available for bookings under TABLEAPP, which enables customers to make instant reservations at Malaysia's top restaurants, while saving time and money in the process. Reserve your table at this restaurant by clicking here.


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