HAVING had a home at the Bangsar Shopping Centre for the last 14 years, trendy bar and restaurant WIP has finally expanded into the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a prime location within walking distance of KLCC and a number of luxury hotels.
Designed and built over the course of the last two years, SOULed OUT Group – the group behind WIP – has converted the space at Marc Residence into a new city hotspot, with interesting new cocktail variations, an eclectic menu of upscaled dishes, a second floor outdoor patio for those who want fresh air, and a well stocked cigar room, among other accommodations.
“Encapsulating various elements of the city’s enchanting charm, from its colourful heritage to the plethora of cultures, WIP On The Park aims to transport guests back to the city that never sleeps,” said Michele Kwok, executive director of SOULed OUT Group.
WIP On The Park combines a contemporary interior design aesthetic with large windows and verdant plant walls in a 10,000 sq foot atrium, with a massive LED screen.
(Originally WIP referred to work in progress, but the group got so used to the abbreviation that they stuck to it, except it now stands for Whipped Into Place.)
On the menu, WIP On The Park has almost a hundred dishes – either locally inspired, or with flavours from around the world, or some combination of both.
During the media launch event this past Tuesday, several new dishes were highlighted, namely oxtail consomme, paneer tikka, Wagyu truffle pesto burger, and seafood tom yum fettuccine, among others. Other dishes that were on display included the appetising looking Kashmiri lamb rack and the short rib nasi lemak.
These dishes represent the fusion of Asian and European cuisine.
In terms of beverages, WIP On The Park – like the location at the BSC – has a variety of drinks for every kind of drinking preference. From specialised wines from around the world, to local beers and a robust drinks menu with every type of liquor there is.
What’s new are the refreshing cocktails, such as the Cabernet mojito, smash hit, coco-groni and tropic thunder, that are made on the spot with natural ingredients and top shelf range of spirits. Some of the garnishes for the drinks are a bit excessive. It makes for a good picture on social media, not necessarily as a drinking experience.
In a further indulgence, celebrity chef and author Sapna Anand will be holding a monthly guest chef spot, exclusive to WIP On The Park. Those who enjoy flavourful dishes made from the best, freshest and finest Indian spices can look forward to thematic dining sessions during these Chef’s Table nights.
In terms of ambience, the location is pleasant enough as the music isn’t too loud and there’s plenty of space to mingle. The outdoor patio is nice and airy, and you can get a nice view of KL traffic with a sprinkling of ambient honking.
It’s central location makes WIP On The Park a must visit for tourists, holiday makers, and visitors to the big city looking to enjoy a fancy meal or night on the town. – The Vibes, November 4, 2021
