MARINI'S ON 57
Specialising in Italian fine-dining, the restaurant has à la carte options but we liked the recommended specials, like the spaghetti with botargo (mullet roe) and almonds – it had terrific texture and lots of flavour. Also good was the pan-fried sea bass stuffed with shrimp and lemon dressing, a terrific, zesty dish. Food portions are small but each dish has unforgettable taste.
ACME BAR&COFEE
Set on the ground floor of Troika Sky Dining, the award-winning restaurant promises only the best ingredients, and a bite of any of their offerings proves it is high quality. There are seasonal items on the menu but there’s classic fare, too, that keeps their returning customers coming back for more. For some Asian flavour, try out the popular salt egg yolk chicken strips served in a Staub pan all warm and fresh; and sambal hebi aglio olio spaghetti, an interesting take of the old pasta dish with a dash of spiciness, thanks to the sambal.
CANTALOUPE
The kitchen, helmed by Chef Chris Bauer (who used to head the team behind the food at Frangipani’s), puts out haute French cuisine that is simply unsurpassable. Standout dishes include fine de Claire oysters marinated with a briny anchovy cream and served with a side of light cucumber jelly. We also love lobster bisque – a creamy, highly-seasoned soup, striking the perfect balance between the sweet shellfish, tart tomatoes and notes of rosemary with each taste.
THIRTY8 RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
With a smooth fit-out, great service and a laid-back atmosphere, the team behind Thirty8 Restaurant & Lounge has pulled out all the stops in trying to impress diners. Opened in 2013, it offers 360 degree views of the KL skyline (including up-close panoramas of the PETRONAS Twin Towers), and its decor is ultra-modern with curving balustrades, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of steel and chrome fixtures.
An unpretentious, light-hearted ambiance dominates, and the kitchen, helmed by Executive Chef Tommy Fransilla, puts out Chinese, Japanese and western fusion dishes that are inventive and tasty. Standouts include barbecue Australian Black Angus beef ribs, a small but hearty cut of meat that is at once juicy, savoury and smoky in flavour. Besides that, we love the filling – and fulfilling – roasted duck in five Chinese spices: dark meat that is succulent and moist, with crispy crackling skin.
CEDAR ON 15
When the rooftop Cedar on 15 restaurant first appeared on the city’s foodie scene, it did not cause many waves, but as time has gone by, it has garnered the respect it deserves. Its attractions are plentiful: it has a fantastic location on the 15th floor of Impiana KLCC Hotel (just opposite Suria KLCC), food is sumptuous and not overpriced, the ambiance refined and relaxed with attention to detail evident.
The kitchen is headed by Austrian WACS National Global Master Chef, Helmut Lamberger, a man who deserves his recently-acquired title. His food is just so amazingly tasty and his humble, down-to-earth nature makes our meal a fun, easygoing one. A sleek and pared-back space hosting a kitchen that comes up with astoundingly creative food, we highly recommend you visit Cedar on 15 for their set meals which start at RM55 for a two-course and RM58 for a three-course meal. Arrive early to get a table on the balcony – it is the perfect spot for photos of the city skyline.