Fri, 2010-07-16 13:46 — admin

Have you ever felt like you want more than french fries and fry-ups in your favourite bar? Ever felt like having something totally random, like Japanese food, in a bar that serves whiskey and beer? Ever felt like going to Mark's Place? Oh, you've never heard of it? Well, now you will!

By PAULINE WONG
Photos by ARIS ZARIL

Located at the deceptively quiet  Plaza Kelana Jaya, an unassuming bar/restaurant decorated in browns and greens fools you into thinking that all you're going to get there is a basket of fries and a pint of beer.

You will get those, of course, if you want them, but why not throw in some sushi while you're at it?

And this is what this cosy little bar and restaurant offers - something you'd never expect, but mingled with a sense of familiarity, as the TVs are tuned into the sports channel and the band plays something catchy and foot-thumping in the background.

Yeap, that's Mark's Place - and Mark Lingam, the owner, wants you to feel as comfortable there as he does. He also wants you to eat the sushi on the menu, and the various concoctions of his kitchen, and enjoy a nice pinch of whiskey too.

After all, this place stands out for two reasons: Its enormous collection of whiskeys, and the fact that Japanese food goes really well with a nice cold pint of beer.

Two dishes really stood out for me personally - the Cheese Baked Scallops (priced at RM 1.50 each, minimum half-dozen order) and the Palantine Roll (RM18).

The first is a combination of firm, succulent scallops baked on a flat shell (yes, shell) and topped off with cheese (cheddar, I reckon) and baked to perfection. The second is a sushi roll like you've never eaten before: It is joy on a chopstick with cheese, salmon, fried crab sticks, sesame and cucumber.

Next up were the Cheeseburgers (RM 18, for 250 g of pure beef), the Mutton Curry Quesadilla (RM 10), and the Beef Pepperoni Pizza (depending on topping, RM 12 - RM 20).

The first is a mouth-watering meaty marvel. Second: Spicy and sublime. Third: Good. Really good. Need I say more, really?
And do not fear the price tags that usually come with food at bars and pubs, because there are lunch sets available for (wait for it) RM 9.90 nett. You can choose from a Japanese set lunch (with miso soup and fruits) or the Western set lunch of Chicken Chop or Lamb Chop - both delicious (albeit on the salty side) and both very worth the money.

Mark's the Place you can go to at any time of the day for a good meal, a mug of beer and a fry-up with friends. What are you waiting for?

Mark's Place
Units 01-02 & 02-02 Block B, Jalan SS7/13A, Plaza Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya