For some peace & quiet, to contemplate your meal!

My favourite spots are :

EDEN CAFE @ Amcorp Mall
- sit in the long padded bench, inside, furthest away from the counter.
I once seeked refuge from the hustle & bustle of the Sunday Flea Market and ducked into this cafe which serves a fairly decent ciabatta (type of Italian bread) Cajun chicken sandwich. I had chamomile tea, which is said to be soothing. Note: No more ciabatta sandwich. Now - Beef salami on Focaccia (Italian bread made with olive oil & oregano herb)

Service was friendly and non-obtrusive. I could feel comfortable enough to take out my book for a short read. There were only a few customers. Since the sandwich was to come with potato chips, I casually asked the male waiter if I could change it for some fresh veggie and he obliged with an understanding smile. Thumbs up for service! The female waiter politely commented that she liked my purse (it had an unusual feature) and the lady in the next table also noticed it, so there was some light conversation before I left, feeling refreshed & happy!! :))

TARBUSH @ Ampang Point
A Lebanese / Middle Eastern restaurant which started as a kiosk in the same mall. Its was very popular. A few years later, it expanded into a restaurant (and another in Bkt Bintang, I think). I had falafel sandwich which is chickpea (kacang kuda) patties deep fried and wrapped in the Arabic flat bread stuffed with salad leaves and a touch of hummus (blended chickpea paste). Served with some onion pickles, and French fries which I declined and the cook gave me a weird stare!

I also tried the 'Wara Ainab' which is flavoured rice wrapped in pickled wines leaves and steamed. Makes a good appetiser! I once saw it being made on TV during one of those Ramadan cooking shows. To compliment the meal, I ordered the Arabic tea, which is hot black tea poured into a cup with some mint leaves in it. A nice refreshing taste! I once had it with some honey at another restaurant.

It's quite a good place to hang out too. They have an interesting a decor : dark 3-D mural of Arabic pots and jars lining the whole beige wall, and two wooden camels in attendance! Service is average but obliging. I (being a bit finicky... not my usual self, I hope) asked for the menu a few times - wanted to try out the authentic dishes. Btw, a little tip : tabouleh is a parsley-based salad. You know, the type of parsley (dark green, small leaves) they use to garnish Western dishes. It has a strong taste and some (like myself) find it unpalatable!

ONAGI Japanese Restaurant (next to Hock Choon supermarket, opposite The Amp Walk & Sucasa)
The chef & owner formerly worked at Kampachi (THE Japanese restaurant most famous for its buffet-you have to book months in advance.. I was told some years ago) for more 10 years. Whenever I visit Japanese restaurants, I almost always order Saba Shioyaki and I have practically tasted the best & the worst of the lot. Onagi serves the best Saba Shioyaki I've ever had. The fish was fresh, and grilled to perfection - succulent inside & crisp on the outside, sealing in the juices. The portion was ample and the price was reasonable.

Although the waiters were young & inexperienced, the senior person at the counter was attentive. He recommended a potato salad to go with the fish but I felt the portion may be too filling, so he gave me a 'half' portion and charged half the price of that in the menu! Quite surprising. I've heard of half portions but never heard of any restaurants in KL implementing it. .. (maybe got to get out more... ha ha). ...The chilled potato salad was delicious, by the way.