Basic Wine Store, Arcoris Mont Kiara

March 2026. This casual wine place has been on my to-visit list, I was waiting for the right person to join me, and then it happened. I make an online reservation very last minute via WhatsApp and received a quick response replying me with just come over at the time I preferred, table will be ready for us~ Good food, nice wine, friendly, attentive and warm hospitality~ that's what we felt on our first visit to Basic Wine Store today. Read from Eat Drink KL, the kitchen that prepares the contemporary Europe Tapas is headed by the team behind Table & Apron and Universal Bakehouse. While their wines and tinned seafood were stocked by Corevino~ a Malaysian-based wine importer. 

At first we plan to get a bottle of white wine to share however we changed our mind and choose to go for wine by glass so we could taste different types of wines. We start off with our first glass of white wine~ 2024 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis~ 100% Chardonnay from Chablis, France~ crisp, high-acid, and dry white wine characterized by vibrant citrus (lemon, lime), green apple, and white peach notes. Follow by our second glass~ the 2024 Adrien Berlioz, Des Gueux Blanc~ 100% Jacquère~ fresh, "electric" Alpine white wine from the Savoie region of France. We also order an Anchovies + charred peppers & feta, and picked a tinned seafood (Spiced Calamary in Ragout Sauce) from the shelf next to our seat to try. Both serves with grilled sourdough toast to eat with and oh my, I love the perfectly grilled sourdough with the charred flavour. 

After the whites, we then go for the reds~ the 2022 Domaine de Majas, Rouge and the 2023 Domaine Gramenon, Sierra Du Sud. Domaine de Majas Rouge is a 50/50 blend of Carignan and Grenache natural organic red wine from Roussillon, France~ a medium-bodied with fine tannins, bright red fruit notes, lively acidity, and a savoury herbaceous spicy finish. While Domaine Gramenon, Sierra du Sud is a 100% Syrah Côtes-du-Rhône from the Southern Rhône Valley, known for its wild aromatic flavors, deep purple fruit, and high acidity. We order another side~ Grilled pork jowl with salad greens to go with the red wines. We end up feeling full without having chance to try the mains. Spending some good time with good friend over food and wine is priceless.

KL Story Exhibition Gallery @ C-Space, Central Market

February 2026. I bet not many know that there is this free-entry exhibition gallery at C-Space, located at the mezzanine floor where you can have a quick glance at the history of Kuala Lumpur through personal stories, heritage, and trade including the past and development  of  Pasar Seni (Central Market). Viewing the entire exhibition will not take much time. It took me about 15 mins to browse and read through everything. I discovered here more than two years ago when I did the KL heritage walk. Every time I visit Pasar Seni with family and friends, I will make sure they did not miss out to visit the exhibition gallery if they haven't been there before. The gallery is a little bit "hidden" at the Mezzanine floor - from main entrance, just walk thru the Market Hall with "Pasar Besar" and "Made in Malaysia" signage till you see the staircases on your left. Take the staircase up to Mezzanine floor and you will see the C-Space sign in black with an orange color entrance few meters away on your left.