Modern makeovers of Korean restaurants are all the rage in the Klang Valley. First, Namoo on the Park made its mark recently at Publika. Now, Bulgogi Brothers is set to make waves at Paradigm Mall and Pavilion. Complimentary starters: steamed corn, sugar snap peas and sweet potatoes. The Brothers chain in South Korea and the Philippines substitutes the peas with quail eggs; let's hope this pioneering Malaysian branch follows suit eventually. Lovingly crafted heart-shaped beef bulgogi (RM45.90++) is Bulgogi Brothers' pride. There's an experienced touch here; this franchise was brought to Malaysia by Chaswood Resources, which runs The Apartment, Malones, Laundry, Baci, Bedroom, Watami and more. Grilled to an aching tenderness. Bulgogi Brothers opened this weekend at Paradigm, with the Pavilion follow-up to launch by the first week of September. Expect further outlets at e@Curve and Mid Valley too eventually. Traditional soybean stew with crab, prawn and veggies (RM26.90++). Also well worth slurping up, thanks to a spicy richness that combines the flavors of both land and sea. Bonus Paradigm stop: returning to Cielo Dolci to check out the current flavors whipped up by gelato-making maestro Ong Kee Win. This weekend's wacky gelato and sorbet varieties encompass Cameron Highlands strawberry, banana parsley (!!!), barley lime, lavender-infused Belgian chocolate and peanut butter. Visitors to Paradigm, head to Cielo Dolci for the most satisfying finish possible to a shopping spree.

What a difference a year makes: When we first visited Artisan Roast at its Ampang birthplace, it was a secluded cathedral of coffee, with only three of us _ the barista and his two customers _ worshiping the short black on a weekend evening. Fast-forward to February this year: The cafe relocated to a warm, welcoming venue in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, becoming an immediate hit, hailed for serving some of the most sip-worthy espressos the ringgit can buy.

Now, Artisan has accelerated its drive toward citywide domination with a sprawling space in Bangsar Village that's a crowd magnet even on a Ramadan afternoon, signaling how far this place has evolved from its Ampang roots.

Some of Artisan's soulfulness has evaporated in this mall, though its core identity remains intact in the friendly service, the brick-and-wood look and of course, the cakes and coffee. Fans can now bring a little bit of Artisan's magic home with them, thanks to this coffee in a bottle _ hand-brewed iced latte made with espresso and Aussie organic honey. The facts and figures: keep this RM11 latte cold and it'll keep for five days. Antioxidant-rich red latte, with coffeemaker-brewed Rooibos tea.

What a difference a year makes: When we first visited Artisan Roast at its Ampang birthplace, it was a secluded cathedral of coffee, with only three of us _ the barista and his two customers _ worshiping the short black on a weekend evening. Fast-forward to February this year: The cafe relocated to a warm, welcoming venue in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, becoming an immediate hit, hailed for serving some of the most sip-worthy espressos the ringgit can buy.

Now, Artisan has accelerated its drive toward citywide domination with a sprawling space in Bangsar Village that's a crowd magnet even on a Ramadan afternoon, signaling how far this place has evolved from its Ampang roots. Some of Artisan's soulfulness has evaporated in this mall, though its core identity remains intact in the friendly service, the brick-and-wood look and of course, the cakes and coffee. From melt-in-the-mouth cheesecakes and fruit-flooded Sicilian apple cakes (RM10 per slice) to wafers of chocolate-citrus jaffa and fiber-filled muesli (up to RM5), there's theoretically a teatime treat for every type of taste bud. We'll admit it, we have an affogato addiction. We wish we knew how to quit you.

The memory of Mozart lives on in this newly launched bistro, which tries to take customers on a culinary voyage through Vienna and beyond. Run by the folks behind Solaris Mont Kiara's Dubrovnik (which closed this year), Amadeus is one of KL's few eateries that serve a rendition of Austria's classic beef-and-crepe soup. Might seem blandly watery for some though. Another Austrian favorite, schnitzel, name-checked by Julie Andrews as one of her favorite things (when the bee stings!). Amadeus' version features a breaded turkey cutlet instead of veal, but it's no less satisfactory than what we recall relishing on an autumnal evening in Salzburg. No going hungry with the Hungarian goulash, boasting braised lamb in a slightly too-salty stew. Wish we could say that Budapest has come to KL, but this would have worked better with macaroni noodles and carrots to accompany the mashed potatoes. Onward to Italy: What lies beneath the phyllo pastry dough? Only The Shadow knows! OK, it's no secret now: spaghetti sealed with scallops and prawns in white wine sauce. An interesting interpretation of pasta prepared in parchment paper. Italian Placido Chianti (RM21++) and Spanish Marques de Caceras (RM24++). All in all, an OK stop for a simple meal. Main courses cost a little over RM30 on average; the service crew is friendly and eager to make each evening a pleasant one.

With a few days remaining in Ramadan, there's still time for a buka-puasa buffet: Bora Ombak's is a satisfactory way to sample time-honored Malaysian fare in a setting that might seem a little less sterile than hotel restaurants. Lots of fresh air in a wide space, with enough of a customer presence on weekdays to keep things lively without turning crowded and chaotic. Also pleasing: the price of RM55+, reasonable for this range. No sashimi, oysters or pasta, but hey, none of that hits the heart of "buka puasa," right? Roast lamb, as tender and flavorsome as we hoped it would be. And no need to rush: there's still leftover meat at the end of the night on this carcass. Rejoice in the name of cockles! Have them straight from the shell or strewn into char kuey teow. Ais kacang, lacking in gula melaka goodness. But keep a date with sumptuously sweet dates.