City: New Haven, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 562-2511

Address: 76 Orange St.

Insider Pick:

Description: Chef Hasni “Jeff” Ghazaliv creates amazing Malaysian dishes at Bentara, located in the Ninth Square historic district of New Haven. The name translates as the “king’s highest servant,” and sampling the fascinating dishes that cull from Indian, Chinese, and other ethnic influences will make you feel like a king. The spacious 150-seat interior is decorated with dark wood, Malaysian masks, and artifacts silhouetted like shadow puppets behind screened boxes in the walls. Take some time to read the menu descriptions to get a sense of the diverse offerings. Griddle breads are a great place to start, even if you order an appetizer. The unleavened ghee breads are filled with meat, onions, and eggs, or if you prefer, plain. Wok-fried dishes and noodle soups are just part of the menu, and you won’t be disappointed with the kelantanese kerutuk with your choice of beef, chicken, or tofu simmered in rich spices. For a real Malaysian classic, try the nasi lemak (coconut milk rice stir-fried with beef and tossed with spices, eggs, peanuts, and cucumber) and you’ll soon add Bentara to your list of favorite restaurants.