KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Five years after Chef Isadora Chai brought modern French cuisine to a once-sleepy Petaling Jaya suburb by opening Bistro à Table, she now turns her attention to Malaysian food.

With the recent unveiling of Abacus Bar, the finishing touch to Antara Restaurant, guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails and Malaysian-inspired bar bites "accompanied by stunning skylight views of the KL Tower."

Chef Isadora calls Antara Restaurant and Abacus Bar her three-year dream project... yes, it took her that long to find the perfect space for her modern Malaysian culinary outpost.

Antara is housed in a restored building that dates back nearly a hundred years, and it is set within a former Serani settlement.

The building where Antara Restaurant and Abacus Bar are located is more than a 100 years old
The building where Antara Restaurant and Abacus Bar are located is more than a 100 years old

She adds that she chose the names Abacus and Antara because the restaurant and bar are "set within the financial heart of Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by all the great banks and financial institutions (i.e. Maybank, Ambank, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, Bank Negara, Public Bank, Affin Hwang Investment Bank, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd), yet exuding the spirit of old Malaya."

Check out the stunning view of KL Tower from Abacus Bar. (left). The Tunku Abdul Rahman room is perfect for private functions and features 50 pop art portraits of our first prime minister (right)
Check out the stunning view of KL Tower from Abacus Bar. (left). The Tunku Abdul Rahman room is perfect for private functions and features 50 pop art portraits of our first prime minister (right)

Designed by Iskandar Razak, guests enter Abacus Bar which is above Antara via a traditional Dayak wooden doorway from Borneo while the interiors boast Chinese blue and white decorative touches and a feature wall of "live" native plants. 


Abacus Bar is also one of the few outlets in the city to offer Asahi Beer on tap as well as the more exotic offering of house-pouring tuak.

Chef Isadora Chai is already known for her inventive modern French cuisine, and now she turns her attention to Malaysian food
Chef Isadora Chai is already known for her inventive modern French cuisine, and now she turns her attention to Malaysian food

Abacus also bears the distinction of being the first outlet in Malaysia to offer Glenmorangie Signet, the most luxurious expression of whisky from the Highlands region-based house, by the glass.

Also available here is a space for private functions: the Tunku Abdul Rahman room, with its statement wall featuring 50 pop art portraits of Malaysia’s revered first Prime Minister.

Ankara’s cuisine which is MSG- and pork-free is all about celebrating local flavours but with a decidedly luxurious twist. Think Sarawak laksa served with Boston lobster and traditional kuih pie tee (Nyonya "top hats") filled with eel and foie gras.

Chef Isadora Chai presents popiah and other Malaysian favourites at Antara
Chef Isadora Chai presents popiah and other Malaysian favourites at Antara

The ground level of Antara Restaurant sits 30 comfortably while the Tunku Abdul Rahman room fits 70. Antara Restaurant is open daily for lunch (noon to 2.30pm) and dinner (from 6pm). Abacus Bar opens from 6pm till late. 


Antara Restaurant & Abacus Bar is located at 66, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. For bookings and enquiries, Tel: 603 2078 8881 (Antara Restaurant) or 603 2078 8882 (Abacus Bar).