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| Thursday, May 17, 2012, 04.08 AM | |||||
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Home » TravellerTales
You cannot help but feel a sense of connection with the past in this charming restaurant which, though rather threadbare, manages to retain an elegant grace. There is even a tall coat hanger where men would hang their coats before entering. On the walls of the 88-year-old cafe are Victorian-esque wall lights and naked light-bulbs that add to the overall charm of the restaurant in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. The soft lighting of the place, the mosaic flooring coupled with the tiny squares that make up the floor enhance that old world atmosphere. I am no newcomer to the Coliseum Hotel and Cafe, thanks to my grandmother who, when asked where she would like to have lunch one Sunday, promptly answered: “Coliseum.” In the good old days, it was, after all, one of the places that offered a range of dishes from Western to Asian. According to grandma, all were delicious. One thing that stood out in my memory, however, was the respectful deference of the serving staff towards my saree-clad grandma. Service was definitely old school – silent, efficient and cordial. Actually, this hasn’t changed even today. Perhaps this is because many of the staff have been with the cafe for decades. What’s the best-seller in Coliseum Hotel and Cafe? Its sizzling steak of course! Cooked perfectly with a moist centre, the steak is served with a delicious black pepper sauce. This indelible steak has been immortalised in a Datuk Lat cartoon series of two inspectors coming into the restaurant to investigate a case of billowing smoke, only to find it comes from a waiter uncovering a sizzling steak. And who can forget the thick slices of bread served with generous amounts of butter? A fellow diner says that she used to come to Coliseum as a child as did her grandparents. Now that she is a career girl, she still makes her way to the cafe frequently. This association with family history is perhaps the main reason why third generation KL folks like me continue to patronise the cafe. After all, the tradition and memories of moments spent with those no longer with us, are simply priceless, not to mention that it still serves great food.
 
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