So true, and more so at FLOUR’s present incarnation where the stratospheric prices - a meal here can cost upwards of MYR1,000 (US$240/£180) per head - which means only those with really deep pockets, or with business expense accounts, can afford to dine here on a regular basis. And it was also always going to be a challenge to get Malaysians to accept its Franco-Indian creations which, whilst transcendental, was a bit too far removed from what Malaysians are used to.
I rather miss the old FLOUR when it first started off in a retail section of Plaza Damansara: then, it offered a marvelous selection of North Indian breads (the likes of which the average KL diner has never encountered before), accompanied by exquisite curries. For me, that place was like a KL version of ITC Maurya’s legendary Bukhara.
FLOUR built up a huge, loyal following, and was full & bustling every evening!
Unfortunately, when it moved to its (much) more palatial setting in Bukit Bintang, and also radically upped its dining concept to an absolutely elite luxe level, and with prices to match, it alienated a large segment of its regular clientele. It would have been a challenge for the new FLOUR to survive even in a larger city like Singapore, which also has a higher number of sophisticated (North) Indian dining crowd.
