I remember blogging about the Time Out KL Food Awards 2011, when I just started this blog. In fact it was my fifth post! How time flies. Last year I was at the awards night as one of the supporters for Sid’s Pubs, and the plus one for Frank. This year, I went there as one of the shortlisted bloggers, along with Wilson of PlacesandFoods and Sue Lynn of Bangsarbabe. Nominated or not, it was great to hang out with our friends again (almost the same bunch of people).

This year the event was held at Zebra Square KL. Remembering the horrible jam on the way there for another event, we had planned to leave the house super early. But because of the heavy rain (surprise, surprise) it took us nearly 2 hours to get there. Needless to say, most people were late as well due to the jam. It’s the story of KL Peepz’ lives.

(The Dress: La Femme, from GASP, Melbourne. I actually bought a size too small by mistake and couldn’t fit into it when I tried it on 2 weeks ago. By some sort of miracle, I just managed to squeeze into it that night. Crisis averted.)

There was a never ending flow of Kronenbourg1664, Asahi Super Dry, Grimbergen, Cape Mantelle Shiraz and Sauvignon Semillion, Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial and Spritzer (and we snacked on some delicious canapés and cakes by Humble Beginnings). After quite a bit of boozing and mingling, we made our way into the hall as the awards ceremony was about to start. Not wanting to miss the action we took the very front row. Yes I know, we are kiasu-lah!

Time Out KL Editor Lim Chee Wah welcomed the guests noting that as an International brand (in over 40 cities), many of them have their own Food Awards but ours is one of the biggest in the world. He also said that the real purpose of the night is to acknowledge and acclaim the chefs and restaurateurs who work so hard for KLites, making us the food we eat three times – or more –  a day. Every one of the attendees had received many votes and have a warm place in the hearts of KLites. The Time Out KL crew saluted these nominees and urged everyone to keep up their outstanding efforts.

As usual, no time was wasted in handing out these awards and the highlight would be when the Best Pub Grub was announced, as our very own Sid’s Pubs was crowned the winner! Congratulations Geoff and Frank and well done (I’m still waiting for the celebration party).

Surprisingly they announced the Bloggers Choice category pretty early. This year the bloggers were asked to nominate the restaurant they felt has the best service in the KL pile. And as you know, I nominated Loco, a Mexican restaurant in Changkat Bukit Bintang. Bangsarbabe was announced the winner, and Wilson and I the runner-ups. Still, it was a great honour to be standing on the stage, receiving an award specifically for my writing efforts. Just so you know, this is not about who has the “Best Blog” per se. Because if that was the case there would be many more bloggers that are more deserving than little old me, haha.

A special congratulations to The Eatertainment group too, for their winning outlet Al-Amar Lebanese Cuisine 3 years in a row.

Mr. Matt Bellotti, Chief Content Officer, Mongoose Publishing, the publishers of Time Out Kuala Lumpur delivered a closing speech and said, “These awards reward and celebrate dining excellence in the Klang Valley. They are the result of tens of thousands of votes cast by the cosmopolitan citizens of Kuala Lumpur. They are one of the biggest independent people’s choice awards and you can see that from the excitement and warm smiles of all concerned. Just reaching the Shortlist has been an epic achievement and the eventual winners will have received literally thousands of thumbs up… and deservedly so! The dining culture in KL is so vibrant and exciting. We’re honoured to be able to pass on the thanks and respect of those who eat out in KL to the people who make it possible.”

I would like to congratulate Time Out KL for yet another successful year and thank Carlsberg Malaysia for keeping the alcoholics happy. Most of all, I have to thank you all for voting for me (and Sid’s Pubs).

By the way, isn’t it interesting that last year I had suggested adding a category for Best Service and it happened this year? I’ve only just realised that after re-reading my previous post. Haha! Maybe someone did get the memo from here, or great minds think alike?

Anyway, here’s a list of all the winners with links to Time Out KL‘s reviews.

Best Chinese
Winner:
Celestial Court
Shortlisted:
Li Yen
Restoran New Paris
Yut Kee

Best Malaysian
Winner:
Bijan
Shortlisted:
Songket
Enak KL
Makan Kitchen
Old China Café

Best Indian
Winner:
Bombay Palace
Shortlisted:
Fierce Curry House
Passage Thru India
Saravanaa Bhavan
Annalakshmi

Best Healthy Eats
Winner:
Marmalade
Shortlisted:
RAW (Real and Wholesome)
The Yogitree
Living Food Bistro

Best Cheap Eats
Winner:
Nasi Kandar Pelita
Shortlisted:
Fierce Curry House
The Humble Chef
Yut Kee
Meng Kee

Best Meat
Winner:
Ril’s Steakhouse
Shortlisted:
PRIME
Jarrod & Rawlins
The Daily Grind
DISH
El Cerdo
Las Vacas

Best Seafood
Winner:
Fatty Crab
Shortlisted:
Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant
South Sea Subang
Unique Seafood
Causeway Bay Spicy Crab
Fisherman’s Cove

Best Banana Leaf
Winner:
Kanna Curry House
Shortlisted:
Raju Restaurant
Sri Nirwana Maju
Devi’s Corner
Nagasari Curry House

Best Thai
Winner:
My Elephant
Shortlisted:
Erawan
Surisit Thai Kopitiam
Rama V
Tamarind Springs

Best Middle Eastern
Winner:
Al-Amar
Shortlisted:
Hadramawt
Laziz
Tarbush
Naab

Best Coffee
Winner:
Artisan Roast Coffee
Shortlisted:
Antipodean Café
RAW (Real and Wholesome)
Chilla Cup
Whisk Espresso Bar & Bake
Espressamente illy
Café Art at The Warehouse

Best Pub Grub
Winner:
Sid’s Pub
Shortlisted:
The Green Man
Healy Mac’s
Tom, Dick & Harry’s
D Legends bar

Best Italian
Winner:
Garibaldi
Shortlisted:
La Risata
Neroteca
Ciccio
Sassarosso
il Lido
Tatto

Best Fine Dining
Winner:
PRIME
Shortlisted:
Sage Restaurant & Wine Bar
Frangipani Restaurant & Bar
Cilantro Restaurant & Wine Bar
Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Best European
Winner:
El Cerdo
Shortlist:
Albion
Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant
The Press Room
twenty.one kitchen+bar

Best Japanese
Winner:
Kampachi
Shortlist:
Kyoto Lab
Fukuharu
Rakuzen
Gonbei San
Hanare
Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Best New Restaurant
Winner:
Acme Bar & Coffee
Shortlist:
La Vie En Rose
Five Sen5es
myBurgerLab
Wondermama
Ten Japanese Fine Dining
Bistro à Table

Outstanding Chef of the Year
Winner:
Chef Garth Welsh, The Westin
Shortlist:
Chef Steve Allen, DISH
Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille, Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio
Chef Amir Khan, The Press Room
Chef Pierre Chahda, Al-Amar
Chef Isadora Chai, Bistro à Table

Restaurateur of the Year
Winner:
Benjamin Yong, Big Ideas Group
Shortlist:
Joseph Afaki, The Eatertainment Company
Dan Thompson & Richard Holland, DrBar
Khairil Ibrahim, Ril’s Steakhouse
Edward Hyde, Gastrodome
Werner Kuhn, The Werner’s Group

Bloggers’ Choice
Winner:
Bangsar Babe, Yuzu Japanese Restaurant
Shortlisted:
Places and Foods, Gu Yue Tien
Kelly Siew Cooks (Yours truly), Loco Mexican Restaurant and Bar

Congratulations to all the winners. I’m doing slightly better this year as I’ve actually been to at least one outlet in each category. Let’s keep eating! And thank you again Dear Readers for your continued support and appreciation.

Photo credits to Time Out KL 2012, Kronenbourg Malaysia and Tim Chew.

Time Out KL December 2012 Issue is now available.