Once again, I am on the prowl for restaurants that do not distinguish between celiacs and non-celiacs, thereby rendering the cross contamination problem moot. Shucked, an oyster bar inside Ben’s Independent Grocer at Publika is one such place.

If fresh oysters au naturel is your thing, this place is your dream. Ever since returning from the US, I have been searching high and low for places that raw bars well, especially when it comes to oysters. This means that they shuck with a good amount of sea water and sans smothering in all sorts of sauces, thereby masking the brilliant taste of these bivalve molluscs.

Shucked does a decent job. Most of their oysters are sourced from the UK and Europe (for those of you who think of these two places are separate). They also have a lobsters, fish, and other sea creatures—all cooked very simply à la gluten-free. Service is a fine so long as the place is not crowded. Ambiance could be better given that it is a bar—it is best for quick meals. Oh, and it is cold. Bring a sweater.

Peace,

Daisy

Allergy friendly: *****
Taste: ****
Atmosphere: *** Casual. Inside a grocery store. Very cold.
Service: *** Can be slow
Cost: $$$ Approximately RM100-150 per person, unless you get the lobster, which is RM250 per person

Shucked Oyster & Seafood Bar

Ben’s Independent Grocery

Publika

Jalan Dutamas 1,

Solaris Dutamas

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 6209 1700

Call to find out opening hours. Can vary.

I met Chef Mickael Cornutrait, after a few bottles of chardonnay at the bar of La Vie en Rose. Thrilled to be told that “sans gluten, pas de probleme,” I decided to road-test his claim. I’ve since dined at La Vie en Rose three times and brunched once. The chef followed up each reservation with a phone call on menu options to ensure gluten free prep. Above the traffic of Kuala Lumpur and surrounded by trees, with a view across to the KL Tower and the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, service is attentive and friendly, and by your second visit, the staff greets you like an old friend.

At dinner, I loved the truffled mashed potatoes that accompany most main dishes, the sans gluten version of escargot in a creamy, garlic sauce (for non-celiacs, it is served in puff pastry), the perfectly rosee duck breast and the foie gras with caramelised apples. Brunch was less exciting and also a little depressing, when you can’t enjoy dark-chocolate stuffed pastries and fresh bread. My truffle-scrambled eggs were pleasant but I prefer to stick to lunch or dinner.

For non-celiacs, they do very buttery croissants, a more-ish profiterole dessert and traditional, french bistro fare with some imaginative twists. Despite the seafood and meat-heavy menu, the chef and staff were cheerfully willing to assist and offer options for vegetarians and other food allergies.

Now, if they would just put pommes frites on the menu.

La Vie En Rose

39 Jalan Raja Chulan

Kuala Lumpur

Reservations: +603 2078 3883

Lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday Brunch from 9.30am on the weekend Closed: Monday

• Allergy friendly: ****
• Taste: ****
• Cost: Around 150 for three courses without wine
• Atmosphere: **** Relaxed and romantic
• Service: *** It depended on which server you had