Category Archives: ~ Review (invited) ~

44 Pop-Up Bar

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Hidden among the large newspaper HQs in Jalan Riong, Bangsar, is 44. It lies in a former printing press beside NSTP, the place where i got my first job in journalism.

44 is a specialty bar focusing on American craft spirits, ranging from rum to gin. I had a taste of these drinks a few months back in Georgetown at a place also called 44 (the same owners).

The space

The space

There’s whisky, vodka, gin, rum, craft beer and specialty cocktails. As these are small batch producers, prices range from $380 to 400 for spirits. However prices are nett, and the range is definitely nothing you will find anyplace else.

The menu features 5 specialty cocktails, tho there are many others as well. The Darjeeling Jungle Bird mixes rum Ragged Mountain, which is a dark one, with Campari, lime and pineapple juice, and lots of mint garnish; a bitter-sour ‘refreshment’.

Lil birdie

Lil birdie. The JB is a Malaysian classic tiki cocktail from the 50s

There’s also a gin mixing station for customers to screw around at, called Gintoxicated. There’re a bunch of herbs, spices, botanicals and fruit for you to flavour your gin tonic with. The tonic is fancy as well, called Fentiman’s.

A good deal at $35 (1.5 shots of craft gin). If you’re confused, 44 barman Erik’s your man, who can recommend flavours as well as cocktails.

The featured gin right now is Bulfinch 83. I had a shot, and find it light and not over-ginny. Easy on the florals and herbs. I built mine with juniper berries, rose buds, cinnamon stick and lime. Turned out pretty nice, with floral and limey notes coming through.

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Some colour to that

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The Bulfinch

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Special tonic

We also tried a few other drinks, notably the Coconut Gingerbread Daiquiri, which i thoroughly enjoyed, tho a lil sweetish. The aroma is awesome – like freshly-baked coconut cookies. Erik explained that this is due to his homemade gingerbread syrup.

Gosh. I can still smell it in my head.

Wild colour

Wild colour!

It’s made with Montanya rum (platino), coconut water, lime and dragonfruit juice.

I also had a Lynchburg Lemonade that was made with Bully Boy Straight Whiskey, a three-grain spirit. Unlike bourbon, it’s not too woody, and made for a perfect Lynchburg for me.

Specialty cocktails cost about 40.

The bar is set-up in a printing press, and some old presses decor the spot. Seats are basic and informal, and tunes are decent, with some funk goin on at times. Food? Haha. No such thing.

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Basic

Basic but cool

There's also Bakon Vodka; unfortunately no real bacon were killed to make this

There’s also Bakon Vodka; unfortunately no real bacon were killed to make this

If you’re confused on which bottle to go for, there’s a flight – 3 samples for $35.

Being a pop-up bar in a temp location, 44 wont be there forever, with plans to end in March, unless plans change. It opens Wed-Sat from 6pm. Might hit it again this Friday!

Will try to drive this thing out after a few drinks

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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Cocktails at Mediteca Tapas Bar

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Mediteca Tapas Bar (2181 -2426) is one joint i never knew was there until i paid a visit. It’s got a great spot, smack downtown at Fraser Place, and occupies the front of the building. The set-up is stylish.

Checked it out on a Sunday afternoon for a cocktail session. The place has a little bar as well, but we opted for a table by the all-glass wall. As in floor-to-very-high-ceiling glass! Nice.

The facade

The facade

Mediteca’s Sunday Happy Hours here is one of its unique features. It applies a trend that began in bars in Milan, Italy, called Aperitivo alla Milanese, where patrons get complimentary buffet food when they drink.

When we were there, the Sunday cocktails were focused on aperitifs, mainly Campari-based ones. The cocktail specials changes every Sunday. Guests can opt for beer or wine as well for this unique happy hour.

The entrance is inside the tower

The entrance is inside the tower

Up to the mezzanine section

Up to the mezzanine spot

The lil scene upstairs

The lil scene upstairs

The scene downstairs

The scene downstairs

The afternoon began with a Negroni (Campari, Martini Rosso & gin), which is a classic ol skool cocktail. Bittersweet, quite balanced, tho i let the ice melt a lil to dampen the sweetness. A slice of fresh orange adds some refreshment.

Sweetness from the vermouth

Sweetness is from the vermouth

Campari is an Italian liqueur, an infusion of herbs and fruit, and to me, is very bitter.

A variation of the Negroni, the Negroni Sagliatio (or the bungled negroni), rocked my boat. There’s fizziness, with some prosecco taking the edge off, adding that light champagne sweetness; makes it fruity even. Awesome.

Spritz

Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a mix of prosecco, Aperol and soda. It’s a tarty sparkling wine cocktail, with the Aperol introducing itself at the end with a bitter-orange finish, as it’s an orange liqueur.

We tried the Americano too, which tastes a lot like the Negroni, ‘cept gin is switched for Martini Rosso.

Dessert anyone?

Healthy dessert anyone?

Mediteca’s strawberry daiquiri is well-made, strong, with a good consistency.

We tasted the outlet’s house prosecco, and it was quite pleasant – medium to dry, the right fizz, and a sweet-sour tinge that lingers for a bit.

 

Oops. Double-parked

Oops. Double-parked

Good marks on all the drinks. All spirits used are premium, none of ’em moonshine many bars use.

The food: it’s light Mediterranean stuff; crowd-favourites like pizza, breads n dips, seafood paella, some interesting sauces n salads, and a couple of other light bites. The olive oil-drenched pesto salad was funky. Weird. Me liking a salad is like an alco liking a shandy.

Sumtin called a spelt salad.

The bar area

The bar area

Some of the food items

Some of the food items

Basically what’s laid out, changes. It’s whatever the chef can cook up on that day. It’s not meant to be a meal, but a snack with drinks, or as a pre-dinner session. However, food quality is decent. I had no issues with anything i had.

Loved the potato chips, which came in soft slices. Unreal.

Cheeeeeps...

Cheeeeeps…

To enjoy the spread of Mediterranean grub, all you need to do is enjoy the cocktails, which are generally about $28.75 nett.

This Milanese happy hours thing could grow on me. And i like the spot too. Should be hitting it again in the future. Very likely to blaze their Saturday Prosecco Brunch as well, from noon till 3pm. They got cheese too.

Cheeeeese…

Attaaaack!

Attaaaack!

There's an outdoor deck too

There’s an outdoor deck too

Al be back!

Al be back!

Cost is $135.70 NETT, with all-you-can-drink prosecco.

It’s a sweet deal, if i stay sober on Friday nite.

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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Christmas goodies @ Press Room, BSC

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Had a major gulp n munch session at Press Room (Bangsar Shopping Center) recently, checking out their Christmas specials. Good stuff. (Some of the the below are also available at all La Bodega outlets.)

Some interesting cocktails are available too. We opened with sumtin called Grinch (Creme de Cacao White, peppermint liqueur, Midori, milk). It’s melony n refreshing. And well-balanced – which is a rare thing when it comes to cocktails.

There are light mint flavours too, and the drink’s creamy light green hue looks awesome. (All these cocktails are Rm20.90 nett.)

Am obviously no salad freak, but the prawns in the Press Room Prawn Cocktail were great – fresh n crunchy, with fruity, sweet-sour flavours from the dressing.

Kick-starter

Kick-starter

All these nice pix courtesy of Suanie. (Thanks!)

There were a couple of other salads lying around which i ignored.

The Roasted Pumpkin with White Truffle Oil soup is gooood. Thick n creamy, with random chunks of pumpkin surprises.

Pump it

Pump it

The Steak Tartare here is excellent. Raw beef bits which are tender, fresh, spicy, with pickled bits n herbs adding to the party in your mouth.

Raw session

Raw session

I had the 25th Toast next (strawberry puree, passion puree, cava). Sourish, bubbly & strawberry-like, served in a champagne flute. Pretty OK if you like sour stuff, but it should have been served a lot colder.

I’d definitely have the fish dish again – Sea Bass with sautéed spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Tender, juicy chunks of white flesh, with just the right marination and baking time.

Looks boring, but it aint

Looks boring, but it aint

And for the traditionalists, there’s Roast Turkey with chestnut stuffing, roasted sweet potato mash and cranberry sauce. It’s a bigass drumstick. Basically, for those who want a caveman meat fest. Would have preferred more sauce / gravy.

Belasah

Belasah

As am cheesy, i dug the Oven-baked Herbed Provolone. Semi-hard, baked cheese. Slightly chewy.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese...

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese…

I enjoyed the Udon Carbonara, with smoky, flavourful duck, and the meat is particularly strong-tasting.

SONY DSC

With shrooms too

Rudolph’s Fuel is an excellent cocktail served in a martini glass. It’s like a strawberry smoothie, with a boost of course – rum. Tilting a lil towards the sweet side, but still very enjoyable, with its ingredients being Matusalem (Platino), banana liqueur, strawberry puree and Creme de Cacao (White).

Pick 'em

Pick ’em

Crème Brûlée with Strawberries was one of the designated desserts. Pretty good.

SONY DSC

But my dessert was Vanilla Sky – Matusalem (Platino) rum, almond syrup, vanilla chai, egg n milk. It’s strong, nutty, with spice hints due to floaters of cinnamon bits (which i thought was chocolate n tried to eat. Bad idea). I wdnt recommend the margarita or mojitos. I tasted mainly sugar n nothing else.

Overall, dining here is a good experience. The atmosphere is nice, the food quality high, and the Christmas cocktails enjoyable. Reservations required – 03 2095-8098.

Merry Christmas everybody! Drink on; rock on!

 

Brain damage: 7.5/10

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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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