Situated in the prime location in Solaris Mont Kiara, Drop Exchange sets itself apart from the saturation of watering holes in the area with its unique approach to ordering drinks – a la the stock market.
Inspired by the trading concept of Wall Street, the gastrolounge allows you to order your drink at a lower price – when the demand for that particular drink is low, of course.
Simply check the price fluctuations via the official Drop Exchange app, downloadable from both Google Play and App Store and place your orders there.
The unpredictable fluctuation of the stock market is also where the bistro gets its name – “drop” refers to both the drop in the stock exchange market as well as a drop of whisky.
Drop Exchange takes much pride in its drink offerings, boasting a robust selection of handpicked bourbon and whisky that are the best of their class.
The attention to detail is also reflected in the gastrobar’s extensive menu featuring Persian and Indian cuisine.
Curated by Chef Vipin Singh Rana of Uttarakhand and Drop Exchange’s founder Payal Gautam, the menu takes customers on a culinary journey to North India and ancient Persia, with recipes that are kept as authentic as possible.
The cosy dining area is separated upstairs but customers are also free to eat at the bar area downstairs for a more casual ambience.
Although North Indian restaurants are aplenty in the Klang Valley, Drop Exchange distinguishes itself from the pack with the addition of Persian favourites in the menu.
Combined with Chef Vipin’s far-reaching experience working in five-star hotels, and his immense knowledge of the subcontinent’s spices, the gastrobar excels when it comes to the food.
To help you with ordering, here are five of Uppre’s favourites off the Drop Exchange menu.
Cutlis
A cutlet variety, the Cutlis is essentially a plate of vegetable cutlets stuffed with fresh green coconut chutney. Vegetable cutlets are popular in India, mostly since many are vegetarians there.
Although the filling of the vegetable cutlet is usually a combination of mashed potatoes, onion, and spices, the Cutlis features here also contains homemade green coconut chutney.
Gallouti Kebab
A favourite amongst customers from the Barbites category, the Gallouti Kebab has two components – minced mutton shaped into a thin patty and toasted, and placed over a miniature piece of Rumali bread.
The highlight of the mutton patty is in its preparation – the meat is pre-marinated before being minced and toasted.
The Rumali bread made from wheat flour mixed with sugar, egg, milk, and salt, was a perfect complement to the meat.
Salli Na Margi
A Persian entry in the menu, Salli Na Margi is a thick chicken curry topped with potato salli – a sev-like snack that requires the removal of starch from the potato with alum, half cooking them once cut into fingers, followed by sun-drying, and then deep-frying them for a crisp texture like no other. It is served with a homemade soft bun.
Rogan Josh
This signature mutton dish at Drop Exchange recently won the Diners Choice Award for the Most Outstanding Main Course at the Malaysian International Gastronomy Festival 2018.
Cooked the Kashmiri way in shallot yoghurt and fragrant spices, the tender meat falls off the bone effortlessly and its rich flavour is perfectly complemented by Steamed Basmathi Rice.
Kulfi
The popular frozen dairy dessert here is made from condensed cow’s milk blended with cold water, pistachios and almonds. It melts fast as it’s made in-house so slurp slurp!
Drop Exchange
K-G-3, Solaris Mont Kiara No 2
Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 11.30am – 1am
Thursday – Friday: 11.30am – 2am
Saturday: 5pm – 2am
Sunday: 5pm – 12am
This article first appeared in butterkicap.com