This vividly colourful cafe is poised to become a pretty big hit, celebrating a well-curated selection of crowd-pleasing local fare in a fun & friendly suburban setting.Rice-lovers will likely be heartened by Chuup's nicely executed nasi lemak (RM14.90), tastily complemented with pork rendang, tender-crisp kangkung & nearly all the other necessities (except for a hard-boiled egg, strangely) ...... as well as Hainanese chicken rice with super-smooth fowl & kitchen-made chili dip (RM12.90). No surprises here, but familiarity can breed righteous comfort. Chuup shows respect for why these recipes are so beloved.For folks who fear carbs, pork's a pleasure; can't fault "Grandma's pork chuup" (RM18.90) _ shallow fried, marinated loins with spinach & potato carrot ragout. Pure protein & fine fibre at fair prices.Also a success: Popiah stuffed with prawns & dried shrimp in Chuup's own-made popiah skin (RM4.90). The food feels fresh; nothing seems like it was left on the shelves for too long. That's a testament to the hard work & thoughtfulness of Chuup's team, which claims to be newbies to the F&B business.Chuup serves Puro fairtrade coffee; for a tropical-fruit twist, have it as a coconut latte (RM9).

There's consistent cause for celebration whenever a Spanish restaurant opens in KL, especially one that ventures beyond the staples of meatballs, olives & button mushrooms to brave the fearsome realm of pig's head recipes.Try the tapas: Nexo's aforementioned pig's head emerges in fine, fried form, essentially fleshy croquettes coupled with pickles & garlic aioli (RM17 before taxes). An acquired taste, but all offal is, after all.Sardines prepared with sherry & garlic (RM15). The rest of the tapas selection comprises temptations ranging from octopus with potatoes & paprika to mussel-&-prawn croquettes with spicy tomato sauce.Squid cooked with its own ink, caramelised onions & rice crackers (RM18). Or try calling it by its more evocative Spanish name, "chipirones en su tinta."Moving on to main courses: Nexo's bacalao (RM57) is worthwhile, well-executed salted cod loin, moist & meaty with bacon, polenta & a buttery blend of Roncal cheese & lemon.For folks strictly NOT on a diet: Suckling pig confit (RM52), as fatty as imaginable, with pork jus & a carb-laden potato gratin. The grilled asparagus can only sit by helplessly.Sangria costs RM26 by the glass & RM90 by the jug, offering slight savings for folks who order the latter & plan to drink a lot.

Magic 1 serves hawker specialities in a setting that's well-lit, clean-looking & completely comfortable.Penang favourites form the focus; the selection ranges from a passable char kuey teow (below RM6, with several somewhat shrivelled cockles & a few fair-sized prawns) to assam laksa ...... & Hokkien Char with sambal belacan (relatively uncommon in the Klang Valley) to chicken lor bak, ais kacang & cendol.The big surprise: Magic 1 offers wine (!!!), including an unusual Australian red laced with green tea (a little less alcohol, a lot more antioxidants), pleasant-tasting & refreshing for hot afternoons.

Bangkok's 'boat noodles' have sailed into Damansara Perdana, stirring up a sweet-&-spicy storm for fans of Thai fare.Boat Noodle _ which isn't officially open but has been hosting test sessions _ plays it somewhat safe by sticking to the beef & chicken versions of its namesake, shunning porcine blood & crackling for resolutely bovine & fowl broths. But even without pork, these little bowls still pack plenty of nuance, with undercurrents of a savoury-sour tang.Customers are advised to order three bowls per person for a fairly filling meal. Each bowl here will likely clock in at RM1.90, more than what they cost near Victory Monument, but calculative customers should appreciate being able to save on airfare to the Land of Smiles.Chilled pandan-coconut desserts that could pass off for Nyonya puddings, served in small bowls as well, constitute the ideal wrap-up to a meal here. Absolutely addictive.

Thursdvys, one of KL's most handsomely designed caffeine bars. Hats off to the people who worked on constructing this place; there's a lot to admire here _ we're not sure where to start.Blends from Singapore's Common Man Coffee Roasters surface again in KL; the coffee's nice & nuanced here.Beat the heat with a peach cooler mocktail or an iced latte.Hot food should be served starting March 22, but customers can trifle with various desserts at Thursdvys for now.