Located about 20 minutes away from the city centre, in Petaling Jaya, Bistro à Table is a small and homely classic French bistro that is busy no matter what day of the week you visit. The tasty food is what makes a trip here supremely worthwhile. Food served is primarily modern French but the kitchen uses local ingredients to keep dishes affordable.
The ever-changing menu is short but everything is prepared and executed with such flair that you won’t notice the small selection: signature dishes (such as the coddled maple syrup egg) stay on the menu throughout the year. Tables at this hit French bistro are sometimes booked weeks ahead, but staff members stay friendly and efficient no matter how busy it gets.
It looks very much like a warm, welcoming and dreamy Parisian bistro. The interior design is simple but attractive with bare white brick walls, polished concrete floors, classy art on the walls, naked bulbs hanging from the ceiling and gilded mirrors. The layout is done with both big groups and couples in mind: in the centre is a communal-style counter, perfect for large parties dining together. Edging that are small, intimate tables for two with gauzy beige curtains sectioning them off from one another and providing privacy.
A stronghold of classic French comfort food, behind the scenes in the kitchen is the hip chef Isadora Chai. Also the owner of Bistro à Table, she’ll take the time to come out and mingle with guests when the kitchen’s not too busy.
On the night we visited the restaurant’s menu of simple yet reassuring starters included a fluffy gruyere soufflé with creamy, well-seasoned slipper lobster bisque and a sweet French onion soup that was highly memorable. Standouts in the mains section include the bold and delicious Boston lobster and sea urchin linguini and the creamy, cheesy mushroom ravioli with mashed peas. But the real highlight of the night was Australian wagyu rib eye – it was a truly memorable dish with tender, juicy and well-seasoned meat accompanied by a horseradish cream that gave it a tangy kick.
For dessert we sampled ‘terribly alcoholic tiramisu’ – smooth and creamy, the coffee-soaked sponge layers, mascarpone cheese and dusting of chocolate powder create a wonderfully intricate mix of sweet flavours.
Bistro à Table
- Opening Hours: 18:00 – 22:00 Tuesday – Thursday; 18:00 – 24:00 Friday & Saturday; 18:00 – 23:00 Sunday
- Address: 6 Jalan 17/54, 46400 Petaling Jaya
- Tel: +603 7931 2831
