@21 Rooftop Bar – Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur
Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Han Sen Hau
@21 Rooftop Bar wants you to know where you are – on the 21st floor of the sparkling new Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, with various iconic downtown KL landmarks reflected in its saltwater infinity pool – and revel in it.
The bar is visually arresting. Upon our entry, we had to pause and admire the floor-to-ceiling windows, wrought-iron accents encircling the bar backlit by a rosy glow, and the furniture carefully outfitted in soothing sandy hues and sapphire blues. We instantly felt like we were at a beach club in the city’s urban embrace.
@21 Rooftop Bar Food Menu
The kitchen keeps the food menu simple and shareable with five quesadilla recipes. Led by Chef Afiq Ghanni fondly known as Mumu, they wanted to focus on perfecting the execution of one dish without compromising presentation and inventiveness. Unlike a typical quesadilla with the ingredients hidden within, @21 Rooftop Bar arranges additional toppings on the crown, so you may have a variety on your table without confusion. They also slice them into triangles for ease of sharing. When presented this way, it’s the perfect bar snack.
We started with the Larb Gai (RM 35), a blend of Thai-marinated chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, and guacamole drizzled with mint yoghurt, sriracha, caramelised onions, tomato, and fresh cilantro. The marinated chicken packed a satisfying punch that was evened out by the mint yoghurt, and the cilantro kept the aftertaste fresh and light. Despite a blurb about corn tortillas on the menu, the flatbread is made from wheat. We hope they can source some maize-based ones in the future.
The Lamb Kofta (RM 38) quesadillas were also delicious with tender slices of lamb, baba ghanoush, red onion and pinenut salsa, sprinkled with spicy aioli, pomegranate seeds, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. The lamb shone through, complemented by creamy aioli, nutty pine nut salsa that balanced the baba ghanoush, and sweet bursts of pomegranate seeds.
We loved the local influence with Beef Rendang (RM 38), a combo of soft beef, pickled pineapple, Monterey Jack cheese, and curry mayonnaise layered with slivers of young coconut, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. The slivered coconut and pickled pineapple added a fruity component that deliciously offset the spice in the beef.
Tiger Prawns (RM40) were the stars of the next quesadilla, alongside hot sauce, mango salad, and cheddar cheese. It was drizzled with coriander aioli and garnished with basil leaves. The prawns were extra juicy, and the mango sweetness took the edge off the jalapeño spice.
Finally, we capped our quesadilla sampling with the Mushroom (RM 33), featuring roasted mixed mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, and Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses partnered with truffle aioli and caramelised onion confit. It’s a delicious, meat-free option.
Drinks Menu
While the focus at @21 Rooftop Bar is a cleverly crafted cocktail menu, they offer a full range of beer, wine and spirits as support. Our visit was timed with the sunset, so rosé seemed fitting – Château Miraval “Studio by Miraval” Rosé (RM 50 per glass, RM 245 per bottle), to be exact. Mon says that despite being a “celebrity wine” (the chateau is jointly owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie), it’s actually quite good. All the red berries you’d expect of a Provencal rosé are evident on the nose and mouth. It’s elegant, fresh and versatile enough to drink all night long.
@21 Rooftop Bar Mixologist Janella Carissa took us on a marvellous ride through the inventive cocktail menu.
Señorita Sting (RM 50) started our exploration with a potent blend of Don Julio Blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime, chilli, and honey. It’s served in a thin-walled tumbler glass with sea salt trailing down the side and a single chilli poised over the ice cubes. This is the pick of our editor, Mon, who loves all things sour and tequila.
Next, Tropic Like It’s Hot (RM 50) featured Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Sarawak langkau, spiced blue Curacao, and charred pineapple. Served in a tiki cup and blue in hue, it reminded me of a late-night beach party. The langkau added some rice notes that dovetailed elegantly with the rum, while the pineapple infused the drink with fun and sunshine.
However, for me, nothing could match the Big Fizz Energy (RM 50)! It’s a smashing cocktail of pandan-infused Belvedere vodka, Limonata soda, and Midori lemon. Quite frankly, this drink reminded me of going to the arcade after school, sans adults, and enjoying a clandestine soda and stick of melon gum. Surely, I can’t be the only one…? Regardless, the delicious melding of pandan and melon notes, coupled with the fizziness, kept this drink exciting from start to finish.
The Nutty Heist (RM 60) tasted like a liquefied peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a touch of danger. Peanut butter-infused Johnnie Walker Black Label whiskey and Lagavulin 16 years shot through with a welcome swirl of gula Melaka. They danced around our palates with equal amounts of sweetness, nuttiness and peat.
The Disco Beans & Cognac Dreams (RM 60) was as much fun to consume as it is to read aloud, bringing together coffee-infused Hennessy VS with crème de cacao and Tia Maria coffee liqueur. The crème de cacao added a light chocolate touch that combined well with the coffee liqueur, reminiscent of a biscuit dipped into a coffee.
To end, we had to take a Vibe Check @21 (RM 60), an electrifying combination of Tanqueray London dry gin, Aperol, lemon, orange, and asam boi bubble bath. Very soon, when all the glassware arrives, its next iteration will be served in a small tub with a duck! We have to come back to try (photograph) it.
Dessert Menu
Like the quesadilla menu, the dessert menu is thoughtfully curated and refreshingly concise – basically, boozy ice cream! The Heering (RM 58) is vanilla ice cream splashed with Heering cherry liqueur from Copenhagen. Cherry, spice and a touch of almond are awesome melted into the vanilla. On the other hand, Sambuca (RM 55) offers sweet anise flavours over coffee ice cream. It reminded me of Kopiko candies, another childhood comfort.
@21 Rooftop Bar Review
How can anyone have anything but a tremendously good time at @21 Rooftop Bar? From its industrial accents with beach club elements to its inventive beverage menu, commitment to exploring the boundaries of the beloved quesadilla and skyline views, @21 Rooftop Bar has all the makings for sundowners, cosy evening cocktails or partying hard with a DJ late into the night, and everything in between.
Reasons to visit @21 Rooftop Bar: great spot for sundowners; the covered patio is a perfect perch for patting yourself on the back while watching the traffic jam below; inventive quesadilla menu; innovative cocktails that are soon to come in irresistibly Instagrammable vessels; wine and beer for those who prefer to keep things simple.
@21 Rooftop Bar
Level 21, Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur
17, Jalan Sultan Ismail
50450 Kuala Lumpur
@hyattcentriccitycentre_kl
+6012-698 4462
Link to @21 Rooftop Bar on Google Maps
Underground parking is available next door in Menara Hap Seng 3.
@21 Rooftop Bar Opening Hours
4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Find more KL bar recommendations here, and stay up-to-date on the latest gourmet and travel happenings around Malaysia via The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.