Every edition of Nacre Weekender is a considered sweep of the city’s most compelling happenings, spanning dining, culture, and lifestyle. It is our midweek note to the curious—a way to decide not only where you will be, but how you will spend those hours.
This week leans into the art of collaboration. Chefs, bartenders, and winemakers cross kitchens, borders, and philosophies to create moments that cannot be repeated. Whether it is a Cantonese dinner staged with Singaporean polish, a rooftop table set for four-hands, or a bar top shared by two cities, each event offers more than what is on the plate or in the glass. These are experiences shaped by people in dialogue, and by the stories that come to life when they meet.
13–16 Aug: Korean Bar Takeover — Saja-Saja Boys in KL @ Three X Co, Lavantha, Reka & Bar Trigona
A week-long cross-current of Korean and Malaysian bartending talent unfolds as the Saja-Saja Boys bring their Seoul-inspired flair to four of Kuala Lumpur’s most acclaimed bars. The series links award-winning Korean cocktail destinations with their Malaysian counterparts, creating a run of one-off menus and spirited exchanges worth following across the city.
The line-up pairs Reka:Bar (Asia’s 50 Best #47) with Alice (#13) on 15 Aug, and Bar Trigona (#39) with Zest (#2) on 16 Aug. Earlier in the week, Three X Co (#15) hosts Bar Cham (#6) on 13 Aug, while Lavantha teams up with Villa Records on 14 Aug. Whether you chase just the weekend highlights or map the full circuit, this is a rare convergence of Asia’s best and a reminder of how dynamic KL’s cocktail scene has become.
Read also: These Are Malaysia’s Top Bars According to Asia’s 50 Best Bars
14–17 Aug: Madame Fan x YEN @ W Kuala Lumpur
The modern Cantonese elegance of Madame Fan, a celebrated name from JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, arrives at W Kuala Lumpur’s YEN for a four-day collaboration. The highlight is a Four Hands Dinner on 14 August, where YEN’s Chef Weng joins forces with Madame Fan’s Chef Yit in a one-night-only menu that layers refined Cantonese craft with subtle contemporary flair. For those who prefer a lighter pace, the evening’s dishes can also be enjoyed à la carte.
From 15 to 17 August, Madame Fan’s signature plates take over YEN’s kitchen in both set and à la carte formats—available for lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and for lunch only on Sunday. Expect the polished precision that has defined Madame Fan’s reputation, now reinterpreted in the dramatic dining room of YEN, high above the city.
15 & 16 Aug: Four Hands Dinner @ UpperDeck KL, Chinatown
Upperdeck KL has built its reputation on refined dining experiences, and this weekend, it hosts Guest Chef Dylan Ching alongside its Head Chef Rayner Viray Yong in a two-night Four Hands Dinner. Across nine thoughtfully curated courses, the menu traces each chef’s storytelling while sommeliers Justin Ho (Park90 Kuala Lumpur) and KC Tay (The Sommelier Press) bring a complementary five-wine pairing that underscores the elegance of each plate.
With two seatings each evening, the dinner unfolds at a gentle pace designed for savouring—inviting diners to appreciate the chemistry between kitchen and cellar, view and palate. It’s a rare evening where craft, context, and comfort converge above it all.
16 Aug: La Bella Vino @ Botanica+Co, Bamboo Hills
La Bello Vino is Botanica+Co’s dinner event dedicated to the art of wine pairing. This weekend draws on the Antinori estate, with a curated flight designed to mirror the progression of the evening’s courses. Expect generous pours, produce-forward plates, and the convivial energy that Bamboo Hills has quickly become known for.
It is an event pitched not only at enthusiasts but also at those seeking to deepen their understanding of Italian varietals in a relaxed yet polished setting, making for an atmospheric close to a Saturday night—whether you are there to taste, to learn, or to simply enjoy the company that good wine tends to attract.
17 Aug: Salty Sippy’s Coffee Club 2 @ Salty Sippy, SS15
Coffee parties are in! Known more for its nocturnal energy, Salty Sippy is the after-dark playground from the team behind SS15 mainstays RATA and Fortune Street. On most weekdays, its lights only flicker on after sunset — but for the second iteration of Coffee Club, the bar throws open its doors by day, swapping dimmed mood lighting for sunlight and a brunch-ready buzz.
This sequel brings back the formula that worked: coffee cocktails that blur the line between pick-me-up and party starter, a brunch menu with personality, and bakes that demand your attention. Add DJ Vin and Vikna on the decks from noon to 4pm, and you have the rare daytime chapter of SS15’s best-kept secret, set to a caffeine high and a soundtrack you’ll want to stay for.
Read also: Hétam+ Goes Hotel-Hopping with Marriott Bonvoy this Merdeka Season
Don’t Miss a Bite
The Nacre Weekender publishes every Wednesday. Follow @nacre.asia and visit nacre.asia to discover where to eat, sip, and go each weekend.
Tag us if you’re attending this week’s highlights, and send us a message if there’s something new we should be paying attention to.
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