Thirty8

By Alif Omar Mahfix  •  29 Jul 2013 in Venues

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THIRTY8
38TH FLOOR, GRAND HYATT KUALA LUMPUR
12 JALAN PINANG
50450 KUALA LUMPUR
T: 03 2182 1234 (EXT. 2340)
OPEN: 6AM – 12MN (BAR CLOSES AT 1AM)
GRANDHYATTKUALALUMPUR.COM

IMPRESS A DATE
Live in Kuala Lumpur and have no reason to check into the 10-month old Grand Hyatt hotel? You might just want to visit THIRTY8 then, their signature restaurant located on the, well, 38th floor (weirdly below the lobby, which is on the 39th floor!). Occupying the whole circumference of the floor, patrons are able to witness an inimitable 360 degree view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Barring one or two buildings still under construction, the sight alone makes the restaurant a swanky date spot. Specialising in 3 cuisines – Chinese, Western, and Japanese – the restaurant, lifting its aesthetic inspirations heavily from their Singaporean equivalent, is segmented into different areas; sushi counter, pastry section, and a buffet area to name a few. Despite the expansive space, the venue only has a single island bar, which is a conscious decision by the hotel to not compete with their surrounding area. Guests and walk-ins looking for gastropub experience stand a better chance along the road leading to Beach Club, THIRTY8 is primarily a restaurant. And what a restaurant it is. JUICE managed to sample all 3 cuisine types; their Australian wagyu (cooked medium-rare to our preference) is near perfect in retaining the meat’s flavour and juiciness, the wok-fried tiger prawns cooked in spicy seafood sauce has a tang of piquant zest that doesn’t overwhelm, and the fried crab cakes minimise the batter and maximise the crab meat. Don’t get us started on the dessert – fans of chocolate would find nirvana here (they even got a chocolate buffet).

CLIENTELE Office crowd, hotel guests, guys wanting to impress their girlfriends.

DRINKS The expected alcoholic trifecta of beer, wine, and liquor. Try the cocktails though, we recommend this trifecta; Caipiroshka  (RM30), Mojito  (RM30), or Lychee Martini  (RM30).

HAPPY HOUR 5pm to 8pm (‘Five to Eight’).

EATS Heading by Executive Chef Tommy Franssila, THIRTY8’s kitchen is divided into 3; Chinese, Japanese, and Western, each with its own dedicated chef (their Chinese chef is flown all the way from Mainland China). Average spending is about RM150 to RM200 per person. Try any of these; fried crab cakes (RM55), frisée salad with shaved bresaola, fresh herb black pepper cheese, caramelised walnuts, honey (RM40), sashimi platter (RM100 for small, RM150 for large), penne pasta with chicken, mixed mushroom, cream, parsley, parmesan cheese (RM55), M7, 350g Australian wagyu rib eye (RM300), wok-fried tiger prawns with spicy seafood sauce (RM70).

MUSIC POLICY Contemporary, broadway, and jazzy tunes. A local 3-piece band plays at 5.30pm, who will then switch with a 6-piece Pinoy band at 8pm.

DRESS CODE Smart casual.

PARKING Grand Hyatt’s basement parking. Expensive.