Sometimes, the best dining discoveries happen when you are not actually planning to dine there. That was exactly how I ended up at Since 1939 by CSS Liquor at Damansara City Mall.
Located at Damansara City Mall, Since 1939 is a flagship concept by CSS Liquor, a company with roots in the wine and spirits industry dating back to 1939. The outlet combines fine wine, whisky, food and coffee, creating a cosy space designed especially for someone who want somewhere to unwind and catch up with friends.
An Unexpected Dinner Find
So, why was I there?
I had a late check-in at a nearby hotel on a weekend and arrived in the area at around 7:30pm, so naturally, dinner was the next priority. We started looking around for somewhere nearby to eat.
Surprisingly, quite a number of shops were already closed or closing for the day.
The area gave me a little bit of a Singapore CBD feeling after office hours where weekend trade slows way down, and the majority of spots either close early or stay shut completely. Thankfully, we spotted Since 1939 by CSS Liquor at Damansara City Mall and, most importantly, it was still open!
Wild Trio Mushroom Soup
We started with the Wild Trio Mushroom Soup, which came with toasted artisan garlic bread on the side.
The wild trio mushroom soup was packed with mushrooms, giving it a lovely earthy flavour. It was comforting and satisfying, especially when enjoyed with the crispy toasted artisan garlic bread.
I particularly liked dipping the toasted artisan garlic bread into the soup. The crispy texture of the bread worked nicely with the warm wild trio mushroom soup, making this a comforting starter to begin the meal.
Creamy Seafood Soup
We also ordered the Creamy Seafood Soup, which came with toasted artisan garlic bread on the side, and this turned out to be another enjoyable choice.
The soup was generously filled with mussels, prawns and squid, giving the broth plenty of seafood flavour. With all the seafood simmered together, the soup was naturally sweet and flavourful.
It was the kind of soup that did not need much accompaniment as the seafood itself gave the broth plenty of character.
For our mains, we ordered the Wild Mushroom Garlic Aglio Olio and Grilled Chicken Carbonara, along with King Oyster Mushroom Skewers as a side.
Wild Mushroom Garlic Aglio Olio
The Wild Mushroom Garlic Aglio Olio from Since 1939 was flavourful with a nice garlicky profile, while the wild mushrooms added extra texture and an earthy taste. If you enjoy simple pasta dishes with plenty of flavour rather than a heavy cream-based sauce, this is worth considering.
Grilled Chicken Carbonara Sauces
The Grilled Chicken Carbonara Sauces from Since 1939 was a hearty and flavourful dish, served with creamy pasta, a runny egg yolk, grated cheese and marinated grilled chicken. The egg yolk added extra richness to the carbonara when mixed into the pasta, creating an even creamier and more indulgent texture. The marinated chicken was tender and flavourful, with a nicely grilled exterior that complemented the creamy pasta.
King Oyster Mushroom Skewers
We also tried the King Oyster Mushroom Skewers at Since 1939, which came with generous pieces of king oyster mushroom grilled until lightly charred and topped with a fragrant, spicy seasoning. The king oyster mushrooms were tender and juicy, while the seasoning added a savoury and slightly spicy kick. These made for a nice sharing dish and are a good option for mushroom lovers.
A Convenient Place to Unwind
What I liked about Since 1939 is that it is more than just a place to enjoy alcoholic beverages. While wine and whisky are clearly an important part of its identity, the outlet also serves food and provides a comfortable setting for dining.
For us, it turned out to be a lucky find for a late weekend dinner. When many of the surrounding places were already closed, Since 1939 was still open and offered us a comfortable place to sit down, enjoy some warm food and relax after a long day.
If you happen to be around Kuala Lumpur and are looking for a cosy place for dinner, drinks or a casual catch-up, Since 1939 by CSS Liquor is certainly worth checking out. You can also follow my TikTok, Instagram and Facebook for more delicious eats worth adding to your foodie list.
Location:
G-06 & 07, DAMANSARA CITY MALL, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Wilayah Persekutuan, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Damansara City Mall (DC Mall)
You can find directions on HERE
Operating Hours:
Mon to Sun 10:00AM - 12:00AM
