Azalina's

Azalina’s is the only Malaysian tasting menu restaurant in the city, and it’s communal seating. So prepare to get your small talk on with random table mates over a four-course menu that’s $100 per person, including a mocktail and a glass of beer or wine. The dishes at this Tenderloin spot seasonally rotate, and they can be hit or miss. One day you might have a sweet barley and corn soup, and the next, idiyappam with pumpkin curry and undercooked beans you’ll wish you liked a lot more, especially considering the price of the meal. A consistent highlight is dessert, like the steamed sweet potato cake that’s nicely balanced with pomegranate molasses, edible violets, and macadamia nuts. And the cheery space, with every inch covered in murals, leafy plants, and windows, is a pleasant atmosphere for a nicer-than-average date or dinner with clients. 

photo credit: Jane Sim