Thailand’s highest rooftop bar Sky Beach (Photo: The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon)
Kuala Lumpur is a hotspot for great dining options, but sometimes it’s nice to tickle your palate a little far away from home. Here are some ideas.
Sky Beach — Bangkok
Wish to feel on top of the world? Head over to Thailand’s highest rooftop bar at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon for a bird’s eye view of the dazzling city down below when the sun sets or to witness the buzz in the city during the day.
With a selection of late-night drinks — curated by beverage manager and one of Bangkok’s most celebrated mixologists Milk Thanaworachayakit — to sip on, soak in the bucket list-worthy experience 78 storeys above ground level with a few American-style bites. Surrounded by potted palm trees and retro décor, visitors will be transported to a new level of cosiness with live music playing in the background.
To remain on par with the venue’s ambitions and environment, Milk’s beverage programme comprises a series of potions that will do the job. Bird’s Eye View, a tequila-based cocktail steeped with fresh mango and citrus, has a touch of spice to it from the fiery bird’s eye chili, otherwise known as Thai chili or chili pepper. If you prefer a concoction to combat the summer heat, there is the All-Day Frosé. A liquid merger between a Slurpee and soft-serve wine, the drink offers a fluffy texture with notes of dry rosé, Aperol, Lillet Rosé, peach and lime.
For something boozier yet fruity and refreshing, the Wet Gold cocktail offers a heady combination of aged pineapple rum, Dolin Rosso and Campari to add a touch of bitterness.
114 Naradhiwas Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok. Daily, 10am-midnight. To make reservations, call 02 085 8888 or email [email protected].
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse — Genting Highlands
If you happen to be missing that luxe New York-style steakhouse dining experience, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse at Resorts World Genting has you covered. Having just opened in conjunction with founder Wolfgang Zwiener’s 83rd birthday, the restaurant is situated 6,000ft above sea level and offers all the elements of grandeur associated with the brand, from the wooden interiors to the chandeliers, along with a magnificent wine cellar and bar.
While it was designed to be a throwback of the New York original, established in 2004, the steakhouse at Resorts World Genting embraces a more elegant and classy feel, one that keeps up with the high-end SkyAvenue complex. Designed to accommodate 110 visitors, indoors and al fresco — overlooking some of the most picturesque parts of the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park thoroughfare — the restaurant offers belly-pleasing food and excellent service.
While the menu features the brand’s signature dishes such as the porterhouse, rib-eye, tenderloin, sirloin and beef burgers, it does not leave out essential side dishes like mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach, which are kept simple to best complement the meat. Dessert options include classics like cheesecake, tiramisu, sundaes and pecan pie; the sweet treats can be served as a sharing platter if it is a party.
Combined with its delicious menus and equally tasteful setting, the selection of wine at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse also keeps up with the standard, as it is the brand’s belief that a great drink to match a great steak is mandatory.
Level M, SkyAvenue. Daily, 6-11pm. To make reservations, call 03 6101 1118 or email [email protected].
La Brasserie — Singapore
Located in the core of the historic Fullerton Heritage precinct, La Brasserie affords a breath-taking panoramic view of the Marina Bay waterfront — the perfect spot for a weekend brunch.
With prices at S$118 (RM374) per adult and S$59 per child, La Brasserie’s Le Brunch by the Bay includes delectable choices such as the Ocean Catch sharing platter, which is laden with fresh poached seafood with house-made dips like smoked salmon, snow crab, Maine lobster, tiger prawn, scallop and bouchot mussels.
The main course includes Meat Galore, a platter for two which serves Grilled Angus Côte de Boeuf, Bordelaise Beef Cheek Broccolini Almondine, Truffle Fries and Champignon. For vegetarians, a classic Wild Mushroom Risotto comprising Forest Mushroom Ragout and herbs awaits.
To suit diners with a more Asian palate, the restaurant also has a Cuisine Asiatique segment offering exotic picks like The Pier’s Prawn Laksa, which contains prawn, rice vermicelli, quail egg, bean curd puff and spicy coconut broth. And to end the feast on a sweet note, an assortment of macarons, Fullerton Fudge Cake, Coconut Kaya Mango-passion Trifle and other tempting desserts awaits. For those who desire celebratory weekend tipples, there is also a free-flow of champagne and delicious signature cocktails on offer.
80 Collyer Quay Singapore. Sat & Sun, noon-3pm. To make reservations, call 65 6877 8911 or email [email protected].
Hōseki Restaurant — Dubai
Recently awarded a star in the Michelin Guide Dubai 2022, Hōseki Restaurant is an exquisite and intimate dining room at Bulgari Resort Dubai. Hōseki, which means “gemstone” in Japanese, has only nine seats and celebrates the omakase experience, where guests leave the selection of food up to the chef.
With three choices of spreads — Kohaku, Hisui and Ruri, named after special gemstones in Japanese — on the lunch menu, diners will get to witness this one-of-a-kind experience through a four-course meal that includes a selection of appetisers, sushi, miso soup and tamagoyaki. The preparation of the meal will be helmed by head chef Masahiro Sugiyama, the sixth generation of sushi masters from Tokyo. The prices of these different dining experiences range from AED1,000 (RM1,199) to AED2,000.
Seated in the tranquil and dimly lit room, guests will find themselves tucking into their meal with a view of Dubai’s magnificent skyline through a window wall. So, if you are looking for a private and unique destination to host your special occasion, Hōseki Restaurant might just be the answer.
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Jumeira Bay Island, Jumeira 2, Dubai. Thurs-Sun, 1pm. To make reservations, call 971 4777 5433 or email [email protected].
This article first appeared on June 27, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.
