Project Smoked Dong

Project Smoked made its name with premium American barbecue at its original smokehouse on Jalan Sutera in Taman Sentosa, and Dong is its second outlet, in Taman Austin Perdana. Named after 東, the Chinese character for "east", Dong layers Asian flavours over classic American barbecue technique.

It claims to be the first Johor Bahru restaurant to pour local and regional craft beer, with Hong Kong's Young Master and Malaysia's PaperKite among the breweries on tap, and it's on Leyd Brewing's stockist list too. The group's website also promotes award-winning craft beer alongside the barbecue.

The group's approach is low-and-slow cooking, good ingredients, a menu that changes regularly and plates designed for sharing; at the Sentosa original that means Kurobuta pork spare ribs, Angus beef ribs and smoked meat platters. If you know the Sentosa original, come for the Asian twist on the smoked meats.

The room is sleeker and more contemporary than the original Taman Sentosa smokehouse, with taps lining a gold-tiled bar and wishbone chairs. Dong has its own phone line, separate from Sentosa, and tables can be reserved through the Project Smoked website, which is worth doing for a group at the weekend.