Malaysia's first Grand Hyatt has officially opened, occupying highly coveted real estate within a five-minute walk of the Petronas Twin Towers.
The star restaurant here, Thirty8, takes up the hotel's entire 38th floor, showcasing a 360-degree view of KL's skyline and exuding a calm, confident elegance.
Thirty8 isn't as immediately striking as, say, Marini's on 57 at Petronas Tower 3 nearby, but it's a risk-free bet for folks seeking a spacious venue to mix business with pleasure.
A battalion of workers whips up a melting-pot cornucopia of Chinese, Japanese and Western specialties at Thirty8's open kitchens. Something for everyone, since Grand Hyatt KL features relatively few F&B outlets (more on that in awhile).
Thirty8's executive chef is Swedish-born Tommy Fransilla, who has toiled at Hyatt hotels in London, Melbourne, Bangkok and Sao Paulo. Not sure whether he was around when we visited Thirty8, but his Kuala Lumpur team worked very well nevertheless.
This sushi-sashimi platter supplies pure and simple satisfaction. Sure, it's less memorable than what top-breed Japanese restaurants offer, but it's still impossible to criticize.
Two can share a RM120++ serving. Thirty8 probably charges up to 40 percent more for its food compared to earthbound establishments.
Half a duck roasted with Chinese five spices, served with pepper compote (RM60++). Other Oriental offerings here include wok-fried Szechuan tiger prawns, double-boiled chicken soup with wolfberries and soon hock fish with soy sauce and spring onions.
Hot off the Western section: uber-creamy, ultra-sweet pumpkin soup, with notes of walnut oil singing through each slurp. Sunshine in a bowl.
Macaroni and cheese, filling and fulfilling. Like the soup, it's also RM20++. More elaborate (but extravagant) options on the menu include a whole Boston lobster salad and Australian Wagyu and Black Angus steaks.
Thirty8's wine is costly (five reds are available by the glass _ the cheapest is RM29++, with each subsequent one priced progressively higher up to RM69++), but the choices are inspired and the pourings are generous.
Sacha Lichine Merlot (Languedoc, Fr, 2009) and the most potent vodka martini (RM30++) we've sipped this year. Bucking the trend for hotel outlets, Thirty8 serves still water for free.
Service at Thirty8 is award-worthy by every possible measure. To get here, take the elevator from the ground floor to Grand Hyatt's Sky Lobby, where guests check in.
Grand Hyatt has two excellent other eateries: the Malaysian-centric JP Teres and the alfresco Poolside. Reviews to come very soon.
Links to other lofty KL eateries: the 57th-floor Marini's on 57 at Petronas Tower 3 (August 2012), 28th-floor Tanzini at G Tower (August 2010), 29th-floor Upper Deck at G Tower (August 2011) and The 39 Restaurant at PNB Darby Park (May 2009).
Thirty8 Restaurant and Lounge,
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Hotel line: 03-2182-1234
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Hotel line: 03-2182-1234
And me and ulric was just wondering where we should head to next..this looks like an interesting place to check out!
ReplyDelete|it's less memorable than what top-breed Japanese restaurants offer" - alright, wont set my expectations too high then.. :P
TNG: it's quite a cool hotel, impressive in terms of both architecture and service (i doubt i'll ever get a chance to visit its rooms though).
Deletethe food i've tried here is very good but not quite great yet. hopefully this is just the soft-launch menu, and they'll introduce some bolder dishes eventually. for now, the main reason to head here is the sky-high setting! :D
we jus walk pass Grand Hyatt last week while walking back to Pavillion frm KLCC..too bad we didn't know there is such a nice restaurant around...thinking to visit too but mayb I won't order sushi sashimi platter?black angus steak would be a more suitable choice for me...I can see the surrounding sky high view is much better than other restaurant could offer in KL...
DeleteCindy: oh yeah, the hotel hasn't really started promoting its restaurants yet. the steaks here are really good though, perfectly cooked. and ya, the view here showcases the whole city! :D
Deletewow! that's a great location for a hotel! hmm. I wonder how their breakfast buffets look like! hehe I have a 'thing' for breakfast (not lunch or dinner) buffets especially those in really good hotel!! I have yet to find one with a really good cereal bar! :D
ReplyDeleteVien: it's gonna be a good alternative (and strong challenger) to mandarin oriental, i think! i'm no sure which outlet will be serving breakfast buffets here though. none of the grand hyatt's three eateries offer lunch or dinner buffets (for now). anyways, let us know when you find a yummy cereal bar! :D
DeleteI was thinking when are you going to blog about Hyatt, since I can see from my desk that they already open. :P
ReplyDeleteCK: another place that you can walk to easily for dinner! :D
DeletePumpkin soup with walnut oil - yummo! Looks like a great view from up there too. You are certainly on top of all of the new spots to dine. Thanks for a being a wonderful resource Sean. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Yum List: aww, thanks for the too-kind words, monica. but yeah, you're right, the view from the top at this hotel is the very definition of panoramic! :D
DeleteAnother place with a lovely view:D These places make good spots to unwind after work.
ReplyDeleteMissyblurkit: oh yeah, i'm looking forward to sipping another ice-cold martini here sometime after work this week and watching night fall on kl! :D
DeleteWhat sky-high prices! Great views.
ReplyDeleteFootfringe: ya, RM20++ for a bowl of macaroni and cheese makes my wallet groan (though admittedly, the was the best mac-&-cheese i've had in ages). nice place to go to for a business lunch :D
DeleteJust read about a fifty3. now there's a thirty8 hehe. :P Sushi looks delish!
ReplyDeleteCiki: heheh, what's in a number :D a piece of sushi a day keeps the hungry tummy at bay! =)
Deletethat's right. tis all a number game.. or not;)
DeleteCiki: the higher the number, the greater the satisfaction! hopefully :D
DeleteThe view is worth coming here for!
ReplyDeleteBaby Sumo: love the view, though it does make me wish that KL had a more awesome skyline. apart from the twin towers and several other structures, there's not much to really admire, heh =)
DeleteWowww... another high-dining place, hehe...both in terms of location and price :-) Hope the food improves later!
ReplyDeletePureglutton: heheh, the sky's the limit when it comes to the food and the price here! :D
DeleteOh Gosh, u are super fast, like Superman? lol
ReplyDeleteChoi Yen: heheh, speed is a good quality =)
DeleteNice restaurant ... N good number too
ReplyDeleteSimple Person: a nice round number! :D
Deleteall the dishes look pretty good, and yet somehow it's the pumpkin soup that's getting us excited! haha have officially added this 'sunshine in a bowl' on the to-do list =D
ReplyDeleteBob and Julie: oh yeah, we're getting really lucky in KL. quite a number of eateries serve very satisfying pumpkin soup these days! :D
Deleteyeah you're right! we've fallen head over heels for the pumpkin soup at opika. have you tried it?
DeleteBob and Julie: ooh, i've only been to opika once, and i haven't tried their pumpkin soup. thanks for the info, will check it out sometime :D
Deletewow.. another place with nice view of KL city. My friend went there for lunch and complained about their food. I guess I'm quite curious as to their quality of food as well.
ReplyDeleteEiling: ooh, ya, some of the food is average, but there are a few dishes that are quite good. i can recommend the steak here! :D
Deletewonder where can i find the menu?
ReplyDeletei looking it for next month gathering with frens.
thirty8 is just nice for my searching, city view~
Melvin: i think your best bet might to phone the restaurant and ask them to email you the menu. or check grand hyatt's website. good luck! :D
DeleteSean can you post up their Operation time as well ? thx.
ReplyDeleteis easier for readers to make a reservation . :)
ReplyDeleteCentury Auto Tech: hi, apologies, i don't have their exact business hours. but i believe they're an all-day-dining outlet, all the way till at least 11pm =)
ReplyDeleteCompare to marini 57, which one is better in food?
ReplyDeleteｃａｎｔ ｍａｋｅ ｒｅｓｅｒｖａｔｉｏｎ ｏｎ９， ｎｏ ｐｐｌ ａｎｓｗ ｃａｌ ａｓ ｗｅｌ， ａｎｙ ｏｔｈｅｒｓ ｗａｙ ｔｏ ｍａｋｅ ｒｅｓｅｒｖａｔｉｏｎ ？ｔｈａｎｋｓ
ReplyDelete