Published on The Brunei Times
No reproduction without permission
Dinner in the clouds
Delicious food, great view: (Top to Bottom) A waiter tempts diners with some succulent fruit; the KL Tower; a bird's eye view of Kuala Lumpur. Pictures: Liz Price
Sunday, April 13, 2008
IT'S quite an experience to have dinner at 288m above ground level in a slowly revolving restaurant. The rate of rotation is so slow you don't notice you are going around unless you stare at part of the structure that is not moving. But there were great views over the city as we slowly turned.
We were up in Menara KL, or KL tower. This telecommunications tower in Kuala Lumpur is the fifth highest such tower in the world, at 421m to the top of the antenna. Although it is not as high as KLCC's Twin Towers (452m), from a distance it can actually look taller than the Twin Towers, because it is built on a hill.
The tower was opened in 1996. There is an observation deck at 276m and the restaurant is one floor higher. As we approached the tower my attention was drawn to a large Jelutong tree, which the signboard proudly proclaims is 95 years old. This is actually not very old for a tree, but it seems this is a special tree as it was preserved when the tower was built, and it cost RM430,000 ($192,000) to protect.
We began our evening by taking the high-speed lift up to the observation deck. This is an enclosed area and you can walk around getting a 360-degree view of the city. There are free binoculars situated at a few points. Display boards and pictures name some of the buildings you can see in each section.
It was quite exciting for our group of four, as we could see the buildings we lived in, even though they were several kilometres away. And the binoculars gave an even clearer view of our respective apartments. I could almost see into my bedroom.
From this bird's eye view of the city we could see lots of buildings we didn't recognise, as well as lots of construction sites where new structures were sprouting up like mushrooms. It was nice to see there were a few green areas remaining, although these are few and far between now.
Twin Towers is very close to Menara KL and it was great to be able to see it from such a high level. It was early evening when we arrived and all the lights in the city came on transforming it into a colourful display of brightness. I wondered what the electric bill for the city is like on any given night!
We were totally absorbed in walking around the deck that we were reluctant to tear ourselves away for dinner. However, we knew that we would get the same view from the restaurant so we took the lift up to the next floor. Here we were welcomed by the restaurant staff and taken to our table. It's necessary to make a booking as the restaurant is full most nights.
We took our seats and the waiter explained how the food was laid out. Our table was conveniently located by the counters containing the starters. The main courses and deserts were situated at other areas around the deck. This is actually a good idea as it means there is plenty of space at each buffet area, and you get the benefit of a little exercise in walking to each section.
I found the starters to be particularly tasty and went back for seconds, before I decided to go and investigate the main courses. The seating area of the restaurant deck is the rotating part, whereas the inner area stays put. The desert section is in an inner area, and when we arrived, it was located right next to our table. But as we slowly moved round, the deserts disappeared and we slowly went past the lounge area, pianist and other parts of the inner circle.
Once or twice I had trouble finding our table as the deck had moved in my absence and I found myself walking a full revolution before finding our seats. This was good as it meant the food in my stomach had a chance to move down, creating room for more. At least that was my excuse to eat more!
I didn't take a note of the view when we arrived, but I know that during our lengthy dinner, we saw KLCC at least three times, meaning we did at least three rotations while we ate. After we were totally sated and fit to burst, we sat and relaxed and tried to recognise the landmarks.
All good things come to an end and we decided it was time to return to reality and go back down to ground level. As we were walking back to the car, I spotted a small enclosure of rabbits, and wondered why rabbits are part of the attractions at the tower. Unfortunately the fountains on the walkway terrace were not in operation so we gave that a miss.
Sometimes there are coloured lights running up the outside wall of the tower, and the upper decks are lit with lights of changing colours. But on our visit we were not in luck.
However, the view from ground level looking straight up into the night sky was still spectacular. The tower reminded me of a giant colourful lollipop. This was certainly a dinner I won't forget.
We were up in Menara KL, or KL tower. This telecommunications tower in Kuala Lumpur is the fifth highest such tower in the world, at 421m to the top of the antenna. Although it is not as high as KLCC's Twin Towers (452m), from a distance it can actually look taller than the Twin Towers, because it is built on a hill.
The tower was opened in 1996. There is an observation deck at 276m and the restaurant is one floor higher. As we approached the tower my attention was drawn to a large Jelutong tree, which the signboard proudly proclaims is 95 years old. This is actually not very old for a tree, but it seems this is a special tree as it was preserved when the tower was built, and it cost RM430,000 ($192,000) to protect.
We began our evening by taking the high-speed lift up to the observation deck. This is an enclosed area and you can walk around getting a 360-degree view of the city. There are free binoculars situated at a few points. Display boards and pictures name some of the buildings you can see in each section.
It was quite exciting for our group of four, as we could see the buildings we lived in, even though they were several kilometres away. And the binoculars gave an even clearer view of our respective apartments. I could almost see into my bedroom.
From this bird's eye view of the city we could see lots of buildings we didn't recognise, as well as lots of construction sites where new structures were sprouting up like mushrooms. It was nice to see there were a few green areas remaining, although these are few and far between now.
Twin Towers is very close to Menara KL and it was great to be able to see it from such a high level. It was early evening when we arrived and all the lights in the city came on transforming it into a colourful display of brightness. I wondered what the electric bill for the city is like on any given night!
We were totally absorbed in walking around the deck that we were reluctant to tear ourselves away for dinner. However, we knew that we would get the same view from the restaurant so we took the lift up to the next floor. Here we were welcomed by the restaurant staff and taken to our table. It's necessary to make a booking as the restaurant is full most nights.
We took our seats and the waiter explained how the food was laid out. Our table was conveniently located by the counters containing the starters. The main courses and deserts were situated at other areas around the deck. This is actually a good idea as it means there is plenty of space at each buffet area, and you get the benefit of a little exercise in walking to each section.
I found the starters to be particularly tasty and went back for seconds, before I decided to go and investigate the main courses. The seating area of the restaurant deck is the rotating part, whereas the inner area stays put. The desert section is in an inner area, and when we arrived, it was located right next to our table. But as we slowly moved round, the deserts disappeared and we slowly went past the lounge area, pianist and other parts of the inner circle.
Once or twice I had trouble finding our table as the deck had moved in my absence and I found myself walking a full revolution before finding our seats. This was good as it meant the food in my stomach had a chance to move down, creating room for more. At least that was my excuse to eat more!
I didn't take a note of the view when we arrived, but I know that during our lengthy dinner, we saw KLCC at least three times, meaning we did at least three rotations while we ate. After we were totally sated and fit to burst, we sat and relaxed and tried to recognise the landmarks.
All good things come to an end and we decided it was time to return to reality and go back down to ground level. As we were walking back to the car, I spotted a small enclosure of rabbits, and wondered why rabbits are part of the attractions at the tower. Unfortunately the fountains on the walkway terrace were not in operation so we gave that a miss.
Sometimes there are coloured lights running up the outside wall of the tower, and the upper decks are lit with lights of changing colours. But on our visit we were not in luck.
However, the view from ground level looking straight up into the night sky was still spectacular. The tower reminded me of a giant colourful lollipop. This was certainly a dinner I won't forget.
The Brunei Times
© Liz Price
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See more photos on menara KL.
BEWARE THE KL MENARA BITE
ReplyDeleteOn Friday September 5, 2008:
THE PROMISE:
Ramadan promo non—Muslim lunch RM40
VERDICT:
Meal for two – sensational buffet
Service – faultless
Outlook – simply the best
The bill! 2 meals @RM40 plus ordered one Martini in long glass with ginger ale, one orange juice, two glasses of water – RM193!!!
Explanation: Double Martini (double NOT ordered), 2 orange juice (one ordered and delivered), water ONE BOTTLE imported from Italy a staggering RM28 – we ordered two GLASSES plain water.
After monumentally embarrassing to overseas guest arguments with a) poor waiter and b) reluctant management tool bill finally amended to RM134 – a superb event spoilt; a KL visit highlight destroyed.
KL MENARA BITE 2:
Cabs - both Limo and 'Budget' extortionate from KL Menara
Remedy - take courtesy bus to bottom of hill and hail a meter cab on street: save RM+++++
Wow, that's terrible. But I can believe it. I know places do make their money on drinks. I think the cost of the normal buffet dinner (not during Ramadan) is about RM120, which in itself is expensive. But water , wine etc, is extortionate price. When I went, I asked for, and got, a glass of warm water. But another person in the group just asked for water and was given a bottle of very expensive imported water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.