28 August 2019, KUALA LUMPUR: Opening in the newest eating locale called The Republik, tucked in Damansara Heights – Kuala Lumpur’s exclusive and opulent neighbourhood – Frangipaani is bound to entice your taste buds and create a unique dining experience. The restaurant which boasts authentic Indian cuisine aims to take customers on a culinary journey through one of the of the most colourful sub-continents in the world.
“Frangipaani is not your usual fine dining restaurant. Our menu is poised to set our cuisine apart from the rest. We will be serving the popular Indian fare along with carefully curated Anglo-Indian recipes native of Goa, to create a rare, sensory experience. India has a rich culinary heritage and we feel honoured to share this culinary experience with our customers,” said Leslie Gomez, Managing Director of The Olive Tree Group.
The restaurant’s ethos is to offer refined and flavoursome Indian cooking inspired by the authentic hands that once originated these recipes; dishes that began with spices mixing and blending together in a mere pestle and mortar, and ingredients that were sourced right from the rich and authentic farms.
Malaysia is no stranger to Indian food. Being the third major race in Malaysia and ancient India’s rich trading history with Southeast Asia’s, the Indian culture has shaped local cuisine and our palate for rich spices, spicy tingles and vibrant flavours. Yet when we talk about authentic Indian fine dining cuisine, many of us think exclusively of North Indian cuisine.
Leslie added, “When I say that our repertoire is Indian cuisine, it doesn’t limit to just northern Indian staples. Our food presents the classic yet unexplored charm of India’s diverse regions, marrying them expertly with familiar flavours that we have grown fond of. We promise an exciting culinary journey for our clients. Our cuisine is matched by fine wines, refreshing homemade drinks, heart-warming atmosphere and consistency in our standards, so that we will never take quality for granted.”
As part of a rich, fine dining experience, the founders of the restaurant want customers to not only enjoy the scrumptious food but to also experience the ambience that blends Malaysia’s lush greenery, with architectural nuances from a time long gone. Walking into the restaurant, customers will be welcomed with décor inspired by British-India colonial charm whilst set in the background of a tropical rainforest.
The minimal and pared back aesthetic of interiors, offset with antique mirrors, marble table-tops and wood panelling paired with sophisticated, evergreen foliage, creates a cosy yet elegant, and sociable dining atmosphere that invokes romance and joy.
Most interestingly, the name of the restaurant itself is a stark difference compared to many Indian fine dining establishments in Malaysia. Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims believe that the Frangipani or Plumeria tree is an emblem of immortality due to its extraordinary capacity of continuing to produce flowers and leaves even after it has been uprooted.
The Frangipani is also known as the Deva Nagale or God’s Flower in Kannada, a language spoken in the Old Mysore region of what is now modern-day Karnataka in South India. As the tree and the flowers play a big influence in the Indian culture for centuries, it is only apt that Kuala Lumpur’s newest Indian culinary cove is named after it.
“The lush flora of the Frangipani tree is what inspired me to name our restaurant in tribute to it. It was while chatting with my wife on our vacation trip to Bali when I was taken away by the beauty of the white blossoms which were in abundance. That moment brought a cheer to my heart and I want our customers to feel the same way as I did. The Frangipani’s perennial nature also reflects our effort to provide quality service to build a long-lasting relationship with our clients. We hope our customers find those moments of happiness with every bite and continue to frequent us after every meal,” said Leslie.
So, if you are looking to indulge in some sugar and spice, or to take a loved one out on a romantic evening, or even just a night out with your friends, Frangipaani is the ideal restaurant for all occasions. Reservations are highly recommended.
Frangipaani Restaurant
Lot No. M.03, Mezzanine Floor
he Republik, Jalan Medan Setia 1
Bukit Damansara, 50490
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2011 0030
