"Pic-trained chef Nathalie Arbefeuille's French kitchen in Solaris Dutamas — book it for a quietly serious French lunch or date."
Nathalie's Gourmet Studio is the French restaurant and cooking studio of chef Nathalie Arbefeuille, in Solaris Dutamas. She grew up in France, trained under three-Michelin-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic, and was named Outstanding Chef of the Year at the 2011 Time Out Kuala Lumpur Food Awards. The space doubles as a working teaching kitchen and a dining room — the kind of restaurant built by a cook who runs it the way she wants, not the way the market dictates.
The cooking is contemporary French with the honesty that comes from working within tradition rather than against it. Signatures include the Landaise salad — a construction of duck confit, smoked duck and foie gras — and Nathalie's celebrated macarons, which built the studio's early reputation. The menu is seasonal and changes every month, so the carte shifts with what is good. Set lunches keep it accessible — French cooking at this level is mid-range for Kuala Lumpur rather than blowout-priced — and the pastry work runs right through to dessert.
The room is calm and bright, split between an air-conditioned dining area and an outdoor terrace, with the teaching kitchen alongside. By day there are cooking classes; by service it settles into an intimate, conversation-easy restaurant. Service is personal — this is very much the chef's own house — and the pace suits a long French lunch or an unhurried dinner. Seating is generous and the dress code relaxed-smart.
For a date, a celebratory French lunch or hosting someone who appreciates real pastry, Nathalie's is Solaris Dutamas's quiet standout: Pic-trained cooking, a monthly menu and a personal room. A natural first-date and anniversary table.
Not for a quick casual meal or anyone wanting a fixed, year-round menu — Nathalie's is a personal, seasonal French kitchen where the carte changes monthly and the pace is unhurried.
Nathalie's Gourmet Studio is the kitchen of chef Nathalie Arbefeuille, who grew up in France and trained under three-Michelin-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic. She was named Outstanding Chef of the Year at the 2011 Time Out KL Food Awards.
It is at A-4-1-5 Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas, in Kuala Lumpur — a combined French restaurant, pastry kitchen and cooking studio.
Try the Landaise salad — duck confit, smoked duck and foie gras — and Nathalie's macarons, which built the studio's reputation. The savoury menu is seasonal and changes every month.
No. While the cooking is serious French, set lunches keep it mid-range for Kuala Lumpur, making it one of the city's more accessible ways to eat refined French food.
Yes. The space doubles as a teaching kitchen, with cooking classes during the day, before it settles into an intimate French dining room for lunch and dinner service.
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