Five O’ Clock Brasserie
Wine and Dine
By Hiranmayii Awli Mohanan
The gleaming and lavish Five O’ Clock Brasserie (sister restaurant to Portofino), nestled in the food enclave of The Sphere at Bangsar South exudes a sense of familiarity and comfort. Inside, clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, complementary black accents, teal velvet upholstery on rattan chairs and paintings run throughout the brasserie. The space is unpretentious and bounteous, with plenty of natural light for Instagram photos and cosy enough to catch up with the gang over wine or cocktails.
Its curious name takes inspiration from the saying, ’It’s five o’ clock somewhere’, encouraging white-collared workers from the surrounding buildings and families to wine and dine here at any time of the day. The menu allures with its delightful mix of Mediterranean, Western and a dash of local cuisine, offering something to suit every palate.
For groups of friends or couples, we suggest whetting your appetite with the Hummus Platter. It features a smorgasbord of ingredients, namely homemade hummus, guacamole, feta cheese, kalamata olives from Spain, artichokes, tomatoes and cucumber served alongside locally-sourced sourdough bread. Alternatively, the Tuna Tataki, the restaurant’s signature starter comes unassuming but sweeps you off your feet with its umami flavour after one bite. The marinated tuna is lightly seared, served on a bed of sliced avocado and accompanied with a ginger soy dressing.
The progression of meals to something heftier and with more depth calls for the Traditional Seafood Paella — a copious plateful of fresh squid, mixed vegetables, Australian fresh mussels, clams and king tiger prawns tossed in saffron-infused Spanish rice. This sinful seductress checks all the boxes of a good paella and strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savoury and sour.
The Rotisserie Roast Chicken follows suit, boasting tenderness that comes from a 24-hour long marination before being slowly roasted. It is presented with crisp rosemary roasted potatoes, green salad and truffle chicken jus that doesn’t overpower, rather flatter. It’s a showcase of skilled cookery that reveals a lightness of touch and respect for ingredients.
Our favourite from the mains, the Salmon Teriyaki Fillet is a generous slab of expertly pan-seared caramelised teriyaki salmon served with seaweed noodles, asparagus and bonito flakes. The flavours emitted are exemplary, bursting with umami and an interplay of various textures that work well with one another — from the al dente noodles and a balance of a crisp crust and tenderness from the salmon. Conclude the gastronomic voyage with a velvety Burnt Cheesecake that is light and creamy all the same, with a hint of orange zest to unify the dessert.
Address: Five O’ Clock Brasserie, The Sphere, Unit G5, 1 Avenue, Bangsar South,
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 017-218 1734