Publika

Shopping mall Publika is a handsome addition to KL’s retail scene, combining a fun and hip quotient with great dining options. Ask your cabbie to drop you inside the West Gate entrance and the first thing you’ll espy on your right: the abstract whirl of books, typewriters and suspended wooden chairs at funky terraced diner Journal by Plan B at #65 / 03 6205 5318 / thebiggroup.co. Opposite is Wondermilk Café at #7A / 03 6211 1092 / ilovewondermilk.com / which does a delish line in fresh java, mint sodas and cute cupcakes, but for a real slammer brekkie/brunch zap down the escalator to level UG for Ben’s Independent Grocer (see V. Useful) where in the far left corner you’ll find the porktastic S.Wine (see Lunch/Brunch). Exit, and totter along the main drag past Soap Artisan at #82 / 03 6205 5606 / and Pantry Magic at #81 / 03 6206 1579 / for chic kitchen utensils, while on your left at #9 Happi Kiddo / 03 6206 1830 / is home to a charming array of playsuits and playthings for toddlers. March onwards, and at the very end of the strip you’ll find the excellent EAT Food Village, a food court chock full of Malaysian vendors, many cooking generations-old recipes – don’t miss the tasty Kin Kin Chili Pan Mee, Yeoh’s Bah Kut Teh, and Tian Yuan Claypot. Yum! Now, up the escalators you waddle, and for a spot of culture, MAP @ Publika (see Activities/Art) is diagonally across the square, otherwise u-turn at the escalators and wend your way down the G2 main drag, taking in on your left Red’s Revenge at #40 / 03 6206 5263 / a fun treasure trove of costume baubles, colourful shoes, clutches, and jolly fascinators. Soldier onwards for dusty antiques and vintage artifacts at #24 Hariz Vintage / 03 6206 3334; BritishIndia on your right at #20 / 03 6201 1302 / britishindia.com.my / has resort-style linen and cotton staples; and finally, step into Shoes, Shoes, Shoes parcelled into one smart concept store with local lovely Dude & The Duchess at #16 / 03 6730 4991, a span of towering platforms, glitzy jewellery, and über mod cocktail dresses from local designer Jonathan Liang, plus bespoke shirts to bemuse the old grump. Opposite, you’ll find a parade of innovative threads and clean-cut totes at #46 A.L.L.I.E.N. / 012 268 2899; while a few doors down are custom leather sacs at Thirtyfour Bespoke #57 (see Adv. Shop.). From here, exit the doors to the left onto Art Row, and veer left past a few stores to find Industry at #52 / 016 206 8591 / with its neat cache of retro chairs, bar stools + trunks that double as tables. Retrace back into the mall and head left down the main walk to find yourself back at the start. Options. On the floor above is Outdated at #10 / 03 6211 5055 / another eclectic selection of vintage furny packing an East London vibe, and The Odd Loft at #12 / 03 6411 6118 / where jaunty clothes are Stepford Wives meets pretty princess. For more tot treats, look out for the two giant tin soldiers outside Carousel at #14 / 03 6206 3618; or opposite at #37 is gift shop Kaleidoscope / 03 6211 1613 / touting handmade soaps and pouches crafted from vintage kimonos. Or, exiting the main West Entrance past Plan B, cross to Mee Jawa Café, up the stairs and right along the strip for Gadis Manis (see Standout Stores). Olympic shopper!