Each contemporary dining restaurant today has its own set of unique offerings, yet they all share a few unmistakable common characteristics. These establishments strives to pamper diners with an exceptional experience from the moment they walk through the door - an experience that goes beyond the sparkling chandeliers, tunes that hit the right note, and art on the wall.

Read also: Sabayon EQ Hotel: Rooftop Fine-Dining Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

First there’s Bijan, then there is SPG by Bijan.

SPG or Sarong Party Grill is a kittenish play on words. It was initially coined as the acronym for Sarong Party Girls - a term that dates back to the late 1940s to describe Asian ladies who preferred dating and socialising with white men. The tapas and grill bar embodies playful and carefree elements that follow the theme closely, all while staying true to its local roots through its tastefully embellished interior and attentive selection of the chief ingredients used in all its dishes.

Honeycomb tiles. Walls abound with bold, vibrant floral paintings. Sturdy rattan and wood furniture. A breezy ambiance with plenty of room for conversations and boogie-woogie. Every corner of SPG by Bijan is affectionately fashioned to meet its vision of the perfect modern Malay restaurant.

All the cocktails - even the frozen ones, are priced at RM35 per glass, which I personally think is very reasonable considering the quality and ingredients used.

Stinkini (RM35) Pickled petai, gin & vermouth.

My personal favorite is definitely the Stinkini, which I think would be a shame for anyone to skip during the visit here. The only possible way to remember this brilliant concoction by is through its potent, palate-awakening flavors and soul-wrenching stench (which ironically, is something Malaysians appreciate). The first few sips may be overwhelming for those who are yet to be accustomed to the pervasive "rotten egg" odor of this tropical broad bean, but the following sips will slowly but surely turn the potion into your next secret addiction.

Frozen Asam Pedas (RM35) Tequila, triple sec, tamarind juice

Yellow Fever (RM35) Gin, turmeric, lime juice, honey, tonic water

Feeling adventurous? SPG by Bijan offers cocktail lovers a monthly special to excite your senses!

À la Carte Menu at SPG by Bijan

Botok-botok Herbaceous steamed fish parcels - one of the latest addition to the SPG menu

Grilled Calamari (RM29) Grilled squid served with sambal belacan

Ah Ran Sini (RM25) Nasi Lemak balls: All the familiar flavors stuffed into bite-size rice balls, deep-fried and served with anchovy mayo dip.

Lidah & Sambal (RM28) Pan-seared braised ox tongue served with sambal hitam

Muhibbahger Golden deep fried mantou, ayam percik & cucumber raita

Roti Jala Tiffin (RM22) Lace pancakes, kaffir lime curry chicken, fish floss & anchovy sambal

Grilled Lamb Shoulder (RM39) Served with sambal hitam, sambal hijau and sambal merah

Angus Oyster Blade (RM68) Served with sambal hitam, sambal hijau and sambal merah

Prawns & Pineapple (RM35) A new addition to SPG by Bijan's Bakar-bakar menu

Nasi Petai (RM27) Rice with petai, galangal floss, anchovies, salted egg & sambal hijau

Desserts at SPG by Bijan

Always end your meal on a sweet note! The chefs at SPG have come up with several innovative and lip-smacking sweet courses with a local twist, including the diving Pulut Mango Cake and Chocolate Durian Cake!

Bananas over Bananas (RM18) Homemade banana ice cream, smokey caramelised banana & dehydrated banana cone

Pulut Mango Cake (RM15) Chilled mango mousse, fresh mango & coconut glutinous rice on a biscuit base

Chocolate Durian Cake (RM24)

Don't be fooled by the sheer size of the cake - it's packed with mind-blowing richness. I highly recommend ending your meal here with desserts and a hot cuppa tea/coffee!

A Playful Showcase of Malay Flavors

SPG by Bijan is everything packed into one beautiful package: A semi-fine dining restaurant that’s kept casual and playful, a café serving coffee and a small yet innovative dessert selection, as well as a bar specialising in cocktails yet also offering a comprehensive alcohol menu. Conveniently located in the KL city center and just a few steps away from country's nightlife hub of Changkat, SPG by Bijan makes a great dining spot for locals with an adventurous palate or visitors who would like to witness the artsy side of Malaysia.

The restaurant is located at Bukit Ceylon - in the heart of the vibrant Kuala Lumpur city. Make your way to the famous bar street called 'Changkat', and you will find  SPG at the very start of the row of shops. If you are driving, there are many several parking options available, with the nearest ones being the valet parking service next to Havana Grill & Bar.

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Address: 3A, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 12pm-12am daily

Reservations/Inquiries: +603-2022 3575

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Southeast Asia’s oldest ancient civilizations were made up of Buddhists and Hindus, and Sungai Batu is here to prove it.

Sungai Batu is an archaeological site in northern Malaysia, and it holds the ruins of several Hindu-Buddhist temples dating back to the 8th and 11th century. The site, which is located in Merbok of the Kedah state, is believed to have existed since 535 BC. It was a former thriving international entrepot, an iron smelting hub, as well as a religious center.

Read also: Top 12 Temples to Visit in Siem Reap

Entrance to the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site in Bedong, Kedah

One of the many smelting centers found at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site

A glimpse of the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site

Sungai Batu Archaeological Site in Kedah, Malaysia

Due to Sungai Batu’s involvement in the global exports of iron, archaeologists have unearthed merchant ships believed to have been buried for approximately 4000 years. In total, the site holds 17 smelting plants, 13 administrative centers, numerous ritual sites, and 10 jetties. During a mapping carried out in 2007, 17 candi were found intact while 33 candi that were previously recorded by early British explorers have unfortunately vanished due to natural reasons.

Candi is a term describing ancient temples and ritual sites which have evolved into being today's historical monuments.

An ancient temple found at Sungai Batu.

Smelting plants found at Sungai Batu in Kedah

Ruins and bricks found at Sungai Batu in Kedah

Ancient monuments made of bricks found at Sungai Batu

The ancient Kedah Tua Civilization went by many names in the past: Queda, Kalah Bar, Kalaha, Cheh-Cha, Ka-Cha and Qalha.

Local archaeologists claimed that the Kedah Tua Civilization was one of the world’s oldest civilizations, surpassing the ancient Rome and Greece civilizations. In 2016, world-renowned archaeologists confirmed that the sites found in Lembah Bujang were over 2,000 years old - putting them way ahead of Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Indonesia's Borobudur in the history timeline.

Excavation work being carried out at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex in Merbok.

Thousands of iron ores are still being unearthed at Sungai Batu each day.

Activities at Sungai Batu Archaeological Site

It is recommended to spend half a day at the historic archaeological site at Sungai Batu in Merbok. There are several activities and educational attractions tailored specifically for those with an interest in archaeology and anthropology, such as the following:

Go on a Candi tour

Lembah Bujang or the Bujang Valley is a sprawling historical complex covering over 224 suare feet. Being the richest archaeological site in Malaysia, this site also houses the oldest manmade structure recorded in the whole of Southeast Asia, which is made out of clay bricks known as Candi 11. You can visit all 17 registered candi here.

Ancient monument in the Bujang Valley Archaeological Park in Kedah, Malaysia.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, Lembah Bujang

Candi at the ancient Bujang Valley of Kedah

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat is a popular ancient Hindu temple discovered in Bujang Valley, Kedah

See ancient artifacts at the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum

Ancient relics are on display at this dedicated museum, including inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools, ceramics, beads that were once traded, and other Hindu ornaments.

See ancient artifacts of the Bujang Valley

Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum

An ancient statue of Lord Ganesha are among the items on display at the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum

Observe the ongoing excavation or join as a volunteer!

Excavation work is currently being carried out at Sungai Batu, and you can be a part of this significant event by participating as a volunteer.

Excavation work at the Sungai Dua Archaeological Site

Hands-on ancient brick making and iron smelting experience

Curious to learn about the methods used by the region's oldest civilization in the making of bricks and melting ores? Find out how here!

Learn brick making and iron smelting at Sungai Batu

Archaeologists demonstrating and explaining ancient methods of making bricks and iron in Sungai Batu.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Status

Despite all the excavation efforts, scientific evidences and its potential to become the next international heritage tourism attraction, Sungai Batu is still not recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As the Sungai Batu archaeological site has not been properly developed into a tourist attraction, here are a few things to look out for during your visit:

1. Lack of information. While walking paths are available, there isn't any signage and direction being put up.
2. Lack of tour guide. However, on certain days, visitors might be able to find volunteers or students for a free and casual guided tour around the site. Otherwise, one will have to rely on Google for information. The experience here is a far cry from that of Angkor Wat.
3. Disintegrated ruins. While several candi are still intact, most of the major discoveries are left with scattered ruins that will not impress a visitor who does not have prior knowledge of the place.

How to Get to Sungai Batu Archaeological Site at Bedong, Kedah

Start your journey from Sungai Petani and take a shuttle bus to Sungai Merbok from the Sungai Petani bus terminal. The Sungai Batu Archaeological Site is located approximately 70 kilometers south of Alor Setar - the capital of Kedah and is easily accessible by car or taxi.

Sungai Batu Archaeological Site Ticket Price

Sungai Batu Archaeological Site (Tapak Arkeologi Sungai Batu)

Address: Lembah Bujang, Kampung Permatang Samak, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
Opening hours: 9am–3pm (Closed on Saturday)

Contact number: +6019-753 7327

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Lounge In The Sky is the latest addition to TwoSpicy Entertainment’s inventory of unique dining experiences in Malaysia

	Dinner In The Sky	Lounge In The Sky
Maximum capacity	22 pax	32 pax
Location	Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL	Elements, TREC KL
Sessions	Daily	Closed on Mondays
Private dining	No	Yes
Price	RM369 (Economy Class) RM569 (Business Class) RM939 (First Class)	RM199 (Economy Class) RM299 (Business Class)  RM499 (First Class)
Duration	60 minutes	45 minutes
Menu	3-course meal: Starter, Main course and Dessert	Canapés