The Malaya

Think you can handle chilli? See how spiceresistant you really are. Judging from the groups of corporate diners and holidaygoers who crowd the Malaya's steeland-glass interiors, there are many willing to put their palates to the test, interpreting the 'extra hot' label next to the sambal as either a warning or a dare. A nonya-style Assam fish curry doesn't hold back on firepower either, but at least its sour notes of tamarind and pineapple offer some relief. More restful are the restaurant's touristy harbour views and the milder flavour profiles of dishes such as Singapore-style chicken satay skewers and the super-likeable popiah rolls, served with a rich soy-chilli sauce. Unlike bland salt-and-pepper cauliflower, sticky black rice pudding has a lot of appeal - coconut cream and sweet additions of passionfruit and banana helping to make it the pick of the otherwise non-Asian dessert plate, and a cool reward for those overworked tastebuds.