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Cocktails & great views @ Marini’s on 57

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Marini’s on the rooftop of Tower 3 KLCC is one of THE spots in the Valley for late afternoon drinks and happy hours, with award-winning cocktails. It’s really high, dwarfing the skyscrapers below, and it’s got 360 views too.

We checked it out one Saturday after being invited, and the day was perfect. Doors here open at 5pm.

Marini’s gets its beer from Carlsberg Malaysia, featuring drinks like the ones below.

Rack

Rack

Marini’s serves this beer platter off the menu as well.

Happy hours here are called Sunset Hours, and it happens from 5pm to 9pm daily. Prices are reasonable – you ‘d get a draft glass of Carlsberg for $13.90 (nett), an Asahi for RM18.60.

We graduated to a whole load of cocktails soon after, starting with this:

Peppermint Martini

Peppermint Martini

 

It’s a light-tasting Sour, creamy, with a tinge of peppermint flavour. Goes easy.

 

Chamomile

Chamomile

The Chamomile is a vodka-based cocktail, with orange and tea. Turns out, tea and orange is a funky combo!

A lil sweetness, not too heavy. I dig this one.

(Most cocktails featured also have egg white for its creaminess.)

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Cilantro

The Cilantro Sour is also vodka-based, and turns out tangy, with a bit of lingering bitter.

 

Funky

Funky

Sumtin different is the 57 Spice, a mix of fresh grapefruit, maraschino cherry liqueur, and homemade spice syrup. Kinda refreshing, bitter-sweet, and tangy at the same time.

But a chocolate ice-cream fan like me loved this:

Smooth Criminal

Smooth Criminal

Cherry vodka, Creme de Cacao, chocolate ice cream.

When u got stuff like this, what else does the planet need??

Lapped it up like  a dog. Nutty, sweetish, with reminders of milo ais / Brown Brown.

Next was the 57 Fizz.

Flowers are on the house

Flowers are on the house

This is vodka + Campari + fresh grapefruit juice + Sparkling water. For those who like bitter-ish drinks. Me, am still learning to appreciate Campari. Has a pleasant light fizz, as its name suggests.

We also had sumtin localized:

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

A combo of vodka, hibiscus (roselle) syrup, mint, lemon and egg white. Interesting, but i would have preferred more of the roselle coming thru over the lemon.

Although famous for its dining, Marini’s does have a strong beverage angle, especially due to it’s great views. The outlet’s bar is large and well-located.

High

High

 

Higher than high

Higher than high

And mixologist Junior Joe is the Head of Mixology of Marini’s, ensuring good QC and a cocktail list that should have new stuff regularly enough.

Junior cookin

Junior cookin

Ingredients like herbs and spices are high quality and fresh, and the cocktail list pretty interesting.

Have a look here for the beverage list.

Lots of options when it comes to seating

Lots of options when it comes to seating

 

And more

More

 

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And more

 

Pizza is great, as Paul will testify

Pizza is great, as Paul will testify

 

The park

The park

 

And the sun sets

And the sun sets

 

Waaay up there

Waaay up there

 

Hit it

Hit it

 

 Brain damage: 8/10

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Patron Secret Surprise Dinner @ Marini’s on 57

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Yup, dat was d title of a session by Patron in the city recently. I like Marini’s – nice n fancy for a proper dinner with great drinks.

 

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Proceedings began with the one-of-kind ‘Bloody Mary’, a stronger called Marini’s Blooded Junior, as it was created by Junior Joe, formerly of View Bar, now with Marini’s.

 

Marini's bar area

Marini’s bar area

 

With a base of Patron Silver, it’s got Asian-kitchen aromas, as there’s a bbq-powder rim, Maggi seasoning sauce, and some tomato juice. A unique, herbaly drink, with a bitter finish. The celery ice-cubes sure grow on you.

This was served with smoked shrimps.

 

Some of the participants

Some of the participants

 

The second cocktail, Twisted Moments is like a margarita that’s more like a martini – strong, and taste-wise, bitter-sweet. This uses Patron Reposado.

 

Served with bamboo clams

Paired with a dish of bamboo clams marinated in Reposado

 

Berries Basil Smash was definitely my fave of the night – a fruity blow-up. Very pleasant berry aromas, and a superb fruit cocktail experience. Berries go really well with tequila, especially slightly-aged ones. This Patron Anejo drink was served with Venison Tartare. Great stuff.

 

Keep 'em comin!

Keep ’em comin!

 

Killa

Perfectly-balanced

 

Patron also has a vodka! This was used to make the Ultimate Martini. Two words – very strong. (Served with caviar.)

 

Rambutan?

Rambutan?

 

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Ultimat vodka

 

Unfortunately i had to split before the dessert, and missed the Patron XO Cafe!

 

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Flowing

 

The orange version - excellent! Had several shots

The orange version, Patron Citronge – excellent! Had several shots. Orange liqueur, but at 40%

The crew, with Junior second from right

The crew, with Junior second from right

 

Patron is a well-respected, 100% agave tequila. While the Silver is the standard issue, the Anejo and Reposado display more character due to aging in barrels.

The first time i had it, things got messy. Haha

And it comes in cool bottles too!

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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Absolut Elyx

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Vodka brand Absolut now has a super-premium drink in its stable, the Elyx.

Ready

Ready

It’s a new product that hasn’t been launched yet in all markets. It’s Malaysian intro went down at The View Bar in the city.

For Elyx, Absolut has moved away from it’s traditional roundies to create a squarish piece of work.

Funky

Funky

Elyx is a vodka made from hand-selected estate wheat, and blended with soft and naturally-filtered water. When taken neat, it’s soft and silk-like on the palate. Goes down easy.

It is a small-scale vodka, produced according to craft techniques in a 1929 copper still. Basically, an elegant and smooth handcrafted vodka.

The cool set-up at the bar

The set-up at the bar

The party was also the first anniversary of The View Bar, a cool rooftop bar at G Tower. View Bar is Pernod Ricard’s premier flagship outlet in Asia.

Guests were treated to several cocktails with Elyx as its base. Most were pretty good.

View's open air area is now closed unfortunately

View’s open air spot is now closed unfortunately

The suggested way to enjoy it is to drink it neat over a single ice cube.

The Elyx is brewed using wheat from Råbelöf, a neighbouring estate where every year, the master distiller walks the fields to select wheat that meet the highest of standards. Throughout the distillation process, copper plays an integral part in the making of this vodka. Its unique character is obtained from the vintage rectification still, with columns, pumps and hand-forged pipes all made from copper.

One highlight of Elyx is definitely the texture. It’s mouth-feel is delicate and pleasant.

The price has not been revealed, and is available at selected bars, including View Bar of course.

If there was ever a mega ice bucket i wanted to steal, it's this

If there was ever a mega ice bucket i wanted to steal, it’s this

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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Thursday sessions @ The Hill

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Like wine?? Then Thursday nites will be yours to indulge.

Cozy hill-top joint The Hill has been doing wine lovers a favour every week by offering unlimited wine on these nights for one flat fee.

Well, two actually. Guys cough-up $88 and chicks can do a $69.

 

Bring it

Bring it

It’s called Mingle Thursdays. Checked it out during Party Season and had a ball. You have the option of gettin straight into the vinos, or warmin up with Asahi or Sangria. The Sangria needs some work tho.

There’re also bites n shit, tho dont expect a meal too. Just stuff to go with your drinks. Altho last week they offered roast lamb! Damn.

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Of the seven wines on offer dat nite, i liked three of ’em. Obviously it’s best to try all of em then stick to your favourites.

 

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There’s a mix of reds and whites. I like the spot where it happens – the lounge on the top floor of The Hill. Tunes are pretty good too, and there wuz some house goin on.

Event page right here.

Check it out this Thursday! Kick-off is 8.30pm.

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Don’t roll down now!

Brain damage: 8/10

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