Craving for some good ol’ fish and chips? Named after the postcode of Central London, W1 is a restaurant and bar that brings you a British dining experience. Established in 2017 in Bangsar, they’re now welcoming customers to their new branch at Petaling street.
Complementing the theme of the restaurant and bar, the Britain flag is proudly painted across the entrance. Upon entering, you are greeted with a rustic atmosphere. British icons such as Banksy, David Beckham, and of course the former Queen of England are seen across the walls.
Image Credit: MFT (left), Arvind Raj on Google Review (right)
The British man behind it all
In an interview with The Yum List, Danny Thompson, founder of W1 says that he started in the F&B industry at 14 years old back in London. From washing dishes to slowly being able to cook lunches on Sundays, and eventually helping to host private parties. He was doing it all.
As time passed, Thompson’s clientele became well known celebrities thanks to his buddy and mentor, Bobby Dazzler. Together they hosted parties for David Beckham, Richard Branson, and George Michael, to name a few.
His F&B experience continued to grow, bringing him to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. After working for multiple restaurants and bistros, he has his own clear vision for his own restaurant and bar, W1.
Ditching tea for alcoholic beverages
W1 is not about tea parties and scones. Instead, they offer an array of different spirits and alcohol to choose from. Their drink menu ranges from different sorts of wines to mocktails, cocktails, shooters, beers and many more.
When it comes to weekly specials, W1 really knows how to throw a party. All-day happy hours for a buy-1-free-1 drink run daily. It starts from 5pm to 9pm and on Sundays from 3pm to 9pm. They have their own signature shots such as Peanut Butter & Jam or even Peaches and Cream.
If you want to drink more, Setty Set Sets is perfect as it offers some good bundle deals on drinks such as 4 glasses for RM69 on Gordons Gin, Jameson Whiskey or Absolut Vodka, and many more.
There’s also Ladies’ Night happening every Wednesday and Thursday with a complimentary cocktail.
A taste of modern day London
What’s an English meal without some classic fish and chips with a side of mushy peas, one of W1’s recommendations. But W1 offers so much more than just fish and chips as their menu includes a variety of sides, burgers, steaks, and many more.
Starting with the Scotch Egg is the best way to go. There’s a crisp exterior, followed by a warm beef casing with curried aioli and pickled red onion, and finally a jammy egg yolk on the inside.
The Duck Dumpling Jiaozi, a twist away from Britain’s tastes, is what makes W1 so unique. Besides those, there is also the W1 burger which has a homemade beef patty, mozzarella, cheddar, served with shoestring fries, onion, tomato and ketchup.
Besides some of the picks above, there are many more options available on the menu ranging from RM20 to RM40 or even higher for their steak dishes. Twice Baked Cheese Souffle, Grilled Avocado, Steak Diane, and Jerk Chicken are just a few of the menu highlights. W1 is also inclusive in that it offers vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Beyond the main dishes of the menu, there are desserts available, as well as after dinner drinks ranging from RM10 to RM22. A traditional Sunday Roast is also available from 12pm onwards while stocks last.
MFT’s review
The crispy fish and chips may have been an obvious choice among many customers. However, I felt that out of all the recommended dishes that were served, Duck Dumpling Jiaozi was the best.
When it comes to the beverages, two cocktails were served to us, Winnie The Pooh and Mr Holland Come Home. Winnie The Pooh contained gin, Aperol, strawberry, lemon, and bitters. This drink was definitely on the sweeter side. It may not be 100% for me but sweet tooth lovers will enjoy this drink.
Mr Holland Come Home, on the other hand, contains Bombay gin, kiwi, lemon, sugar, and soda. Though it may taste a little sour-ish, it packs a zesty punch, which I absolutely loved.
Worry not about the hot weather, W1 is well air-conditioned throughout the restaurant. Though it may be hard to find parking due to its location in Petaling Street, Chinatown. You can also park directly opposite the restaurant, at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.
When it comes to pricing, it is slightly in the mid to higher side, but it is worth it for the vast choices of food and drink to choose from. Furthermore, the pricing is justified with the full experience of modern central London cuisine.
Although the branch at Petaling Street is new, reviews from customers visiting this past month have been praising them for their impeccable service.
So come one, come all, to a unique British dining experience that will knock your socks off! Cheerio~
W1 Chinatown
Address: 154, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays | Tuesday – Friday, 3pm – 12am | Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 12am
Halal Status: No-pork | No-lard
Contact : 03-2022 2795
You should also check out: Indulge in thick pillowy Korean milk breads at this new bakery cafe in SS15 owned by an Ahjumma
Feature Image Credit: Kim Blaszko on Google Reviews (left), MFT (right)
