Coliseum Cafe & Hotel @ Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman, a.k.a. Jalan TAR, Kuala Lumpur.

Hooray!

Finally, I have made my footprint at one of the longest standing restaurant available in town since ealry colonial days. It is none other than the Coliseum Café, which is located at the historical street of Jalan TAR in KL.

I have heard of this unique café for quite some time, known to be serving delicious Western fare, infused with some elements from the Hainanese culture. From its main entrance which is pretty much Oriental-dominated design, it definitely won’t strike in your mind that this place actually serves variety of English fares. Contradictory enough but that’s the way it is.

In sync with the historical values this café carries together, all the waiters you seen helping here are of elderly but still fit-to-work folks. Some may appear seriously looking like Mr Wilson, in the movie, Denise the Menace, but once you break the ice and get to know them better, they are just friendly people, like the other uncles and aunties.

The age of this majestic café is clearly portrayed by its traditional built-its and wooden architecture within the café, which might appear rather old but still well-maintained from time to time.

They even have their own antique bar lounge to cater for liquors afficionados especially foreign tourists who spent their vacation in Kuala Lumpur.

And caution be taken if you are ordering some steak dishes, be prepared to let yourself soak in thick smoke for the staff would actually have the last grill at your table, upon your dish arrival. Sounds challenging but appealing still right? : )

But we prefer to play it safe, so we each call for Hainanese Chicken Chop and Grilled Chicken with Turkey Ham ^_^

But before that, we are served with a set of complimentary steamed fluffy Hainanese bread as our appetizer. They come with two thickly cut butter slices which are milky but seriously, very sinful indeed.

Soon, our choice of soups arrive; homemade Fresh Onion Soup and Cream of Mushroom Soup.

Fresh Onion Soup (MYR 9.90)

Cream of Mushroom Soup (MYR 9.90)

Coming up next are our main course.

Hainanese Chicken Chop (MYR 23.90)

The meat is tenderly done, laid juicily underneath the crispy skin. As the signature of Hainanese cuisine, it dictates the sweet and sour homemade gravy to be smothered over the chicken chop, alongside some mixed beans and tomatoes.

Roast Chicken with Turkey Ham (MYR 26.90)

A decent roast poultry with juicy and well-marinated meat. This dish comes with a whole chicken leg that is pleasantly roasted, leaving the skin tad smoky, and served with French fries and some vegetables. The accompanied brown sauce is savory, perfectly moist up the succulent meat, and last but not least, the long awaited Turkey Ham! That’s the main reason I order this plate. I always have a knack for turkey produce and would never go bored with it, be it ham or steak version. Simply loving it!

To clear the throat, we try the signature Hainanese Coffee (MYR 3.20 / cup)

It somehow shares a close resemblance of ‘Kopi-O’ that my dad used to take. It’s quite aromatic by the way.

Fried Ice Cream (MYR 7.90) is the choice to go, completing our meal on a sweet note.

This ice cream ball is adequately shaped into a sphere before is deep fried. Quite crispy on the outside, believes is of bread, but also could be quite oily. But to have it once in a blue moon, I guess that shouldn’t hurt that much right? Hehe

Overall, it’s a nostalgic place to hang around, especially when you are having guests from oversea. I can’t wait to bring my Korean friend over here to try out the food, when he comes for a visit soon. Quite a quaint steakhouse in town I suppose : )

Location :

98,Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,

50100 Kuala Lumpur,

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Operation hours : Mon – Sun (10 am – 10pm)

Phone: +603-2692 6270