RAMA V CELEBRATES ITS 21st ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW REVAMP, NEW CHEF, NEW FURNISHINGS AND SAME OLD EXCELLENT FOOD!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
RAMA V
5 JALAN U THANT, KL
03-2143 2428
WWW.RAMAV.COM.MY
About RM 60 per person without wine

 ANDRE SHUM THE OWNER OF RAMA V AND 7 OTHER RESTAURANTS WITH HIS TEAM, ALL OF WHO ARE WEARING SPECTACLES! A COINCIDENCE OR DOES ANDRE SHUM HIRE ONLY SHORT-SIGHTED STAFF? HOW BIZARRE

2 ICONS---ANDRE SHUM THE RESTAURANTEUR AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE THE PROVOCATEUR

Modern Meets Thai: The New Rama V

The first Rama V opened two decades ago, as the first Thai fine dining restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. 

Hidden just metres away from Jalan Tun Razak, one of KL's busiest and most important roads, it manages to elude KL’s hustle and bustle as it is a stand-alone bungalow with huge garden so parking is not an issue.

For years Rama V was the last word in exclusivity and exotic extravagance, some even accused it of being exorbitantly priced. Then again, so are Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton! 

But suffice to say the standards it set and level of authentic Thai cuisine ensured its survival and even expansion as owner Andre Shum now owns a string of restaurants both high class and mid-level.

But like any high society grande dame, 20 years is a long time and a major revamp was in order. By a happy coincidence, 2016 was also the 21st anniversary of Rama V so it closed its doors last March 2016 for a makeover. 

Upon re-opening its doors in May, Rama V showcases a hip, fresh look and a revamped identity. The makeover was inspired by the concept of ‘Modern Menu Meets Thai Tradition’ with emphasis on a leaner, healthier cuisine using fresh, authentic ingredients and modern cooking. "We are lucky Malaysia has all the ingredients used in Thai cooking since we share the same border," notes Andre Shum. "We do import certain sauces and condiments but it is easy to create authentic Thai dishes due to our proximity."

The refurbishment still encompasses everything Rama V embodies —timeless yet innovative fine Thai cuisine in a vibrant yet soothing ambiance. Rama V's new look is reflected in the food:  mixing the classic with the contemporary. 

Upon entering the glass door, you will appreciate a vast hall with dark wood interiors, exclusive pastel sofas complemented by subtle Thai cultural iconography and subdued lighting that casts flattering glow on your face so you look even sexier in photos . 

A full-fledged bar and lounge complete the decor, allowing diners to sit back, relax or take business over drinks.

The architectural highlights that made Rama V so famous 21 years ago are still WIP (work in progress). These are the unique pavilions located in the back garden across the reflective lotus pool. 

One the 4 pavilions are ready, Rama V will lord over KL's dining landscape as each exquisite pavilion or sala can be reserved exclusively for your group. 

Conduct your romantic love affair in one of these pavilions. The small, intimate ones are ideal for secret rendezvous and I plan to have sex with my lover after dessert inside but too bad some walls are of glass which I bet is used to prevent illicit escapades but I don't mind being watched by peeping toms.

Thai restaurants are now a fixture in Malaysia but Rama V flourishes as it is always evolving and relevant to the times.

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My menu prepared by Executive Head Chef Jatuphol Puyprom

Appetizer:
Trio of appetizers – Thai Royal Money Bag, Chor Ladda (Rama V Signature Flower Dumpling), Thai Crab Cake, Thai Pomelo Salad with Cocktail Prawn

Soup:
Tom Yam Seafood Soup

Mains:
Grilled Tenderloin Beef served with Thai Green Curry Ragout
Smoked Duck with Thai Hot Basil Leaves and Smoked Eggplant
Grilled Scallop with Thai Black & Young Pepper
Deep Fried Garoupa in 3 Taste Chili Sauce
Thai Omellete with Crab Meat
Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables
Rama V Signature Fried Rice

Dessert:
Assorted Thai Dessert

 AFTER 21 YEARS AS KL'S FIRST THAI FINE DINING RESTAURANT, RAMA V WAS BEGINNING TO FRAY AT THE EDGES AND LOOK FADED LIKE AN OLD BAG SO I ORDERED OWNER ANDRE SHUM TO RENOVATE IT TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY

 NOW RAMA V IS BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BETTER, AND MORE BEWITCHING THAN EVER

 AL FRESCO DINING---PARK EAT AND DRIVE OFF

 OWNER ANDRE SHUM

 ANDRE SHUM IS QUITE A DISH HIMSELF BUT TOO BAD, SO SAD, HE IS MARRIED TO BELLY DANCE INSTRUCTOR SO IMAGINE THE FUNKY POSITIONS SHE CAN DO TO ENSURE ANDRE IS TIED TO HER APRON STRINGS AND NEVER STRAYS

 ANDRE SHUM AND THE TEAM OF RHOMBUS

 RHOMBUS ALSO OWNS DANCING FISH, FAYING, WONDERMAMA, WONDERKAWAN, RHOMBUS KITCHEN, MAO JIA AND YESTERDAY (NOT TOMORROW, OK?)

 PAVILION AT BACK GARDEN

MAIN DINING HALL

PRIVATE SMALL SALA. I CAN SEE MYSELF ROLLING AND THRASHING ON THE CUSHIONS

MAIN DINING HALL

SMALL SALA

INTIMATE AND COSY FOR 2 FOR A SEX ROMP

WATER BOWL IS DECORATIVE BUT I WASHED MY FINGERS AFTER POKING THEM INSIDE WEIRD PLACES EARLIER. THE GHOSTLY APPARITION IS ANDRE SHUM

STARTERS

CHICKEN TOMYUM SO YUM!

LIGHTLY SMOKED DUCK SO DELIGHTFUL

THE AUBERGINE SO EROTICALLY TWISTED

CRAB OMELETTE

SCALLOPS

FLIED LICE WITH PLAWN

NEARLY A DANCING FISH

CRISPY YET JUICY LIKE A FEW GALS I KNOW

BEEF WITH GREEN CURRY

STIR FRIED VEGGIES TOTALLY FRESH

ANDRE SHUM MADE SO MUCH MONEY FROM RAMA V HE COMMISSIONED CARTER TO MAKE THESE EAGLE AND TIGER RINGS

THINK BLING THINGS

SOME AVOW DATO KEE HUA CHEE ALSO HAS IDENTIKIT RINGS

ANDRE SHUM AND DATO KEE HUA CHEE LIKE PEAS IN A POD

SINFULLY DELICIOUS DESSERT

ANDRE SHUM MADE THIS COFFEE FOR ME. HE WILL DO SAME FOR ALL DINERS IF THE BILL TOUCHES RM 1,000

ANDRE SHUM OF RAMA V, EE SOON WEI OF WWW.APW.MY AND EDWIN YAU TEH CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER OF RHOMBUS FOOD & LIFESTYLE

ONE FOR THE ALBUM---ANDRE SHUM, EE SOON WEI AND EDWIN YAU