Note: Colony KL is on hiatus.
The new kid on the old Pudu block is Colony, a restaurant founded by the same people behind atas appam restaurant Hoppers. Serving up a menu spanning Burmese, Sri Lankan, Indian and Malaysian cuisine, Colony occupies the same space that used to be the bar H. by Hoppers. The same pots of leafy tropical greens, rattan chairs and brightly coloured seats from the bar’s days are still there, so you’ll get the same laidback vibe, but now paired with the new offerings from Colony.
Start with The Old Delhi – house-made atta bread served with creamy bone marrow butter and spiced apple chutney. Pair this comforting appetiser with the sure-fire crowd pleaser, The Rompin; it’s calamari dressed with calamansi, garlic, cili padi, vinegar, basil and ulam raja. Once you’ve had your fill of warm bread and squid, a piece or two of The Madras – tender and juicy brined fried chicken marinated with tandoori spices, served with mint aioli – will pave the way nicely for Colony’s meatier mains.
The stars at Colony are The Sri Pada – 48-hour-braised lamb ribs glazed in New Zealand’s Karma Cola soda, with sprinkles of nuts, pomegranate and mint – and The Salem, well-portioned slow-cooked duck in biryani with roasted carrots and onions, served with raita on the side.
For dessert, go for the lemongrass-infused watalappam tart if you’re a fan of serai. The coconut custard pudding commonly found in Tamil Nadu, India is given a lemongrass twist here, which introduces a sharp tang to the usually sweet pudding.
Wash your meal down with spiked mango cinnamon lassi, Horlicks ice cream float, or the Golden Coconut Water Gin and Tonic with a surprise sprinkle of curry powder.