Bistro Léa – Casual French Dining Sri Hartamas
Words: Caroline Lai
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Helmed by Chef KaHong Lau, who runs the highly sought-after Atelier Binchotan – known for its infamous three-month waiting list and grill menu – Bistro Léa is the latest kid on the block in Sri Hartamas. KaHong and his wife, Celine Choong, have expanded their culinary prowess through a series of successful ventures. Following the opening of JUS at APW, a cocktail and small bites bar, their latest creation, Bistro Léa, takes an entirely different approach. Chef KaHong describes Bistro Léa as a tribute to his time perfecting his French culinary skills in the world-class kitchens of Joël Robuchon and André. Instead of fine dining, his vision for Bistro Léa is to offer the community an accessible and wholesome bistro experience where traditional French recipes are prepared with a touch of finesse.
Casual French Dining Sri Hartamas
Tucked unassumingly into the quieter neighbourhood of Sri Hartamas, amidst just two rows of shop lots, Bistro Léa immediately welcomes with its courtyard, surrounded by greenery, featuring a cozy blend of sofas and high-top tables, all arranged around a quaint central fountain. Stepping inside, we’re transported to the heart of France, with deep red tiles, textured ceilings, and lace curtains hanging elegantly from golden brass rods. The warm ambience is completed by a playlist of French tunes playing softly in the background.
We were fortunate to be among the first to preview the much-anticipated brunch menu launched on October 19 under the expert direction of Head Chef Dimitri Rosli. Having spent several summers working in Europe, where he forged lasting friendships with French locals and developed a deep love for the cuisine, Dimitri brings a personal touch to the kitchen in Bistro Léa. Available exclusively on weekends from 9 am to 3 pm, the menu pairs beautifully with their well-chosen wine selection, promising a memorable brunch experience.
Wine List
As hinted earlier, Bistro Léa’s wine list is very well chosen. It provides a selection of Old World wines that are great value for money. A Spanish Provencal-style rosé, Vinea 2023 from Finca Museum, is one such example. At only RM24 a glass, or RM125 for the bottle, it’s highly quaffable. With a complex, expressive bouquet, plenty of elegant fruit and floral notes in the glass, and a refreshing finish, it easily partners several of our dishes, from salads to seafood and even our French toast.
Later in the meal, we go red with Vieux Clocher P’tit Clocher IGP Vaucluse Rouge, France (RM26 glass, RM136 bottle). It’s another well-priced wine for the quality. The blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre produces a lovely ruby red hue. Loads of wild berries fill the nose, with more carrying over to the palate alongside a whisper of spice and a lengthy round finish. It’s particularly fine with the Boeuf Bourguignon we have later as our main.
Bistro Léa Menu & Prices
In addition to the brunch menu we’re about to describe, Bistro Léa offers an a la carte selection and weekday set lunches.
Found on all menus, the warm Sourdough Basket (RM9) served with butter lightly sprinkled with sea salt is a simple yet satisfying opener. It’s a good companion to the Salade de Pommes de Terre (RM40), a classic French potato salad with smoked herring, fresh dill, and finely sliced pickled cucumbers. The cucumbers bring a refreshing acidity, balancing the richness of the potatoes. The Salade Burrata (RM48) makes a well-rounded beginning with fresh arugula, beetroot cubes, and balsamic reduction, adding flavour and texture to the creamy burrata.
Bistro Léa’s Pain Perdu, a seemingly simple French toast brioche with a hidden mascarpone filling, made this dish an unexpected highlight. We were pleasantly surprised by the raspberry jam made in-house that held a balanced note of sweetness and tartness from the berries, tying the whole dish together beautifully.
The Shakshuka (RM38) is a fine choice for brunch, served in a piping hot cast iron pan. The dish features chicken chorizo, piperade (a mix of bell peppers with onion, garlic, and tomatoes), and baked eggs. It is hearty and comforting and begs to be swiped up with some of that fabulous sourdough.
The Eggs Benedict (RM48), a classic brunch favourite, did not disappoint either. Two poached eggs sat atop toasted sourdough covered with thick slices of smoked salmon and a generous amount of hollandaise sauce. A simple garnish of finely chopped chives finished it off. It’s a simple classic, and well-executed.
The Hachis Parmentier (RM58) is a French adaptation of shepherd’s pie that embodies pure comfort. While dining safely inside the cosy bistro, we found it particularly satisfying as the wet season storm drew down outdoors. Beneath a layer of herb-crusted pomme purée lay tender duck confit, complemented by tomato concasse.
The Risotto Verte (RM32) stood out as a flavourful meat-free option. Steering clear of the cliché creamy mushroom risotto commonly found on menus, this meat-free dish makes a bold statement without the use of cheese. The finely chopped zucchini and pistou sauce delivers a robust umami that left us all thoroughly impressed.
Our main, the Boeuf Bourguignon (RM95), features generous chunks of beef cheek braised overnight to tender perfection. The pearl onions bring a touch of sweetness, while the savoury jus vinaigrette rounds the dish off. The accompanying buttery potato purée, inspired by Chef KaHong’s time at Joël Robuchon, was silky smooth and indulgent.
To finish, we enjoyed a Rustic Apple Tart (RM21) baked just long enough to achieve a warm, crisp crust. Paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, it was a comforting homestyle dessert. It goes hand in hand with their medium-roasted Aurora espresso coffee beans, which offer fruity, floral notes—an ideal way to conclude our meal.
Bistro Léa Review
From the thoughtfully curated ingredients to the careful presentation, Bistro Léa’s attention to detail is evident in every dish. Each course pays homage to traditional French recipes while adding a contemporary touch, elevating the overall experience in an unpretentious, heartfelt way.
Reasons to visit Bistro Léa, Sri Hartamas: wholesome, unembellished take on French cuisine; the pricing is excellent value, considering nearly everything is made from scratch in-house; the wine list offers value-for-money options, starting at a tiny RM125 per bottle. Pet-friendly outdoor seating; ample street parking; cosy setting with a pretty green outlook.
Bistro Léa – Casual French Dining Sri Hartamas
1, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7, Taman Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
@bistrolea
+6012 810 3638
[email protected]
Bistro Léa Sri Hartamas Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 12 pm – 3 pm & 6 pm – 11 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am – 11 pm
• Pork-free
• Vegetarian options
• Weekday set lunches at RM69 for two courses and RM89 for three courses (includes choice of coffee or tea after meal)
• Child-friendly with high chairs
• Alfresco area that is pet-friendly
• Ample public street parking
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