Lost count on how many times we have been to KLoé Hotel Bukit Bintang, be it for events or coffee takeaways. But this is our first time having a proper sit-down brunch at the famous MONROE KL – specially here on a Saturday to check out their Weekend Bubbly Brunch, which we find truly underrated. It is such as sweet deal that you shouldn’t miss out.
Located on the first floor of KLoé Hotel, overlooking the swimming pool, Monroe is definitely one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The modern-American restaurant was designed by Singapore firm Wynk Collaborative, with New York City diners and Los Angeles cafes as inspiration, tastefully blending geometric mosaic flooring, wicker-backed chairs and bentwood counter seats with gleaming marble, eggshell tiled walls and exposed concrete ceilings, composing a sleek yet casual vibe primed for diners to get together and feast.
Monroe, with its open plan and cozy nooks anchored together by the main bar, seems to possess an almost imperceptible golden glow, transporting guests into magic hour on Santa Monica Boulevard, making it the perfect gathering place, be it for brunch, lunch, happy hour or dinner, befitting of the hashtag #MeetMeAtMonroe.
As food here draws from America’s vast immigrant culture, the menu interestingly showcases a melting pot of Italian, Jewish, Mexican and Asian flavors in dishes designed for sharing. What makes Monroe KL more worth-mentioned is, the restaurant makes it a point to support local producers and flavours, with plates such as the Roasted Sambal Seabass served with ulam raja and calamansi offering a refined play on nostalgic local taste memories with a modern twist. Sous chef Raja Imran says, “This dish was created in keeping with Monroe’s ethos to serve comfort food based around family and community – its flavors resonate with each one of us on the kitchen team, reminiscent of dishes our mothers and grandmothers fed us growing up.”
Everything Omelette with cream cheese, smoked salmon and savory toasted caper sprinkles
Steak & Eggs drizzled with chimichurri
On the all-day brunch menu, staples such as Steak & Eggs drizzled with chimichurri, a delectable gluten-free Everything Omelette with cream cheese, smoked salmon and savory toasted caper sprinkles inspired by NYC’s ‘everything bagel’ and a rich custardy brioche French Toast with citrus compote are top sellers. From the evening snack menu, the Prawn Toast with lime crema is particularly memorable, though more substantial dinner offerings include the Grilled Rump of Beef with marmite butter, the irresistible Hot Fried Chicken with cool ranch sauce, and house-made, melt-in-the-mouth silky pillows of Potato Gnocchi served with seaweed butter and sesame.
Monroe’s fun, laidback style continue to echo through the weekday lunch offering of a two-course meal plus drink from RM45. While on weekends the Bubbly Brunch takes the limelight, putting together five dishes to share, paired with a bottle of ‘Tuff Nutt’ Bianco d’Alessano bubbly by Australia’s Delinquente Wine Co. All for RM290.
Bubbly by Australia’s Delinquente Wine Co
You can choose 2 starters + 2 mains + 1 dessert. Even though choices aren’t extensive, we still spent quite some time deciding which one to order, as everything looks so good. We settled down with Meatball & Kimchi Maninara, Salt Beef & Sauerkraut Spring Roll as starters; Steak & Egg, Everything Omelette (highly recommended by staff. It is good! Thank you!) as mains, Peanut Butter and Jelly Mille Crepe as dessert.
Meatball & Kimchi Maninara
Other options you can have include Breakfast Brioche with fried egg, chicken sausage, cheddar cheese; House Pancakes with praline whipped butter and golden syrup; Brioche French Toast with citrus compote and whipped cream, Scrambled Eggs with chicken sausage & aioil; Monroe Everything Bowl Overnight Oats with blueberry jam, Greek yoghurt, honey and fruit; Wagyu Fried Rice, Potato Fries, Kale Chopped Salad, Spiced Apple Cobbler
Salt Beef & Sauerkraut Spring Roll
Hard to tell which one is the best as we love all the dishes we ordered. Salt Beef & Sauerkraut Spring Roll & Everything Omelette, are Summergirl’s top favourites; and Summerkid loves the Steak & Egg.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Mille Crepe
End the meal sweet with Peanut Butter and Jelly Mille Crepe, which we didn’t expected much as we aren’t a fan of mille crepe. Started with a small bite and we were sold. Very nice! Rich and creamy but not too sweet nor cloying. We are so afraid of the cream in mille crepe but this is just nice!
Monroe, KLOE Hotel
Address:
Opening hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Tuesdays – Sundays
227 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Reservations can be made via this link or on the phone at
+60327721314