La Fina Oyster Bar – Who could have imagined that a local oyster hatchery in our very own Penang Island could produce such exceptional quality oysters?
What truly sets La Fina Oyster Bar apart from other oyster bars is their unwavering commitment to serving locally sourced seafood. La Fina Oyster Bar takes pride in offering live mussels, a rarity in Malaysia, making your visit a truly exceptional seafood adventure.
Oysters (3 pieces) – RM58
We were lucky enough to sample these delicious fresh oysters, born and bred in Penang.
Magallana Oysters (on the right) had a slightly firmer texture and a flavour that danced between a delicate brininess and a creamy sweetness. The Belcheri oysters (on the left) is plump, crunchy with a nutty hint which is pleasant for the palate. (I’d prefer to do without the tabasco sauce to be able to fully savor the flavour).
La Fina Oysters Bar currently does not offer wine on its menu, but its strategic location right in front of a supermarket provides a convenient solution. You can easily grab a bottle of wine at the Vineyard, which pairs wonderfully with your oysters and mussels. On this particular afternoon, we selected a delightful Chardonnay, and it turned out to be the ideal choice. The welcoming staff at the bar graciously provided us with wine glasses and an ice bucket. Fortunately for us, there was no corkage charge, (at least for now).
Special Flavour Mussels – RM55
Frankly, I wasn’t much of a fan of mussels before, perhaps due to the fact that I haven’t had proper fresh ones, hence I did not know fresh mussels should taste like this – plump and juicy, faintly sweet with a mild mushroom undertone.
The chef truly outdid themselves with this dish, using exceptionally fresh mussels and a chili crab sauce that enhances the mussels’ character without overshadowing it. I will definitely come back just for this.
Seagrapes – RM25
The seagrapes give a slimy texture, similar to that of fish roe, as is typical for seagrapes. However, I think the seagrapes they serve here are saltier than those I’ve tried tasted in other seafood restaurants, and I approve of it. They made for the perfect side dish to complement our mains this afternoon.
Little lobster – RM88
Served in the signature mala-to sauce, I had anticipated that my taste buds would go numb from the spiciness. To my surprise, it wasn’t all that spicy. Instead, it offered a delightful balance of sweetness with just a gentle hint of spiciness that tickles your tongue.
If I were to nitpick, maybe the amount of flesh was slightly smaller than I had initially imagined. However, considering they are indeed ‘little’ lobsters, I might just be expecting a bit too much.
Yellowfin Tuna Satay – RM25
While yellowfin tuna is a versatile fish that can be cooked in various ways (like my favourite seared tuna steak), it’s truly intriguing to see it transformed into a satay dish. The Yellowfin tuna is surprisingly harmonious with the satay sauce.
Spanish Mackerel Steak – RM38
This dish truly steals the spotlight, winning me over completely. The fusion of the fish and the expertly balanced Malaysian flavors is nothing short of explosive! Tastefully done as I repeatedly tell the owner not to alter the recipe ever!
Whisker’s Essence – RM15
We ended the afternoon with this cute bottle of whisker’s essence, which sounds more like a potion but are essentially herbal tea. A really good choice to ease the stomach after a heavy meal.
La Fina Oyster Bar
Address : Lot C-C1, 200, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours : Monday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm
