big in bangsar
With the introduction of Alila Bangsar, the upscale area in which the hotel is located is no longer merely a quarter for KL’s well-heeled and well-connected to rest and play. The 143-key hotel sits on the border between Brickfields and Bangsar, injecting the formerly quiet streets with a cosmopolitan refresh.
Over at its French restaurant Entier, Chef Masashi Horiuchi works his magic, skills undeniably shaped by his work as Sous Chef at the two Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in London. Expect dishes like the flavoursome herb-roasted chicken in salt crust dough, and mash potatoes. There is also a commendable dry-aged thinly sliced Hokkaido shabu beef and fresh uni, served with cauliflower puree, lotus leaf, shimeiji mushroom, and hot dashi stock.
Rooms at the Alila Bangsar are the work of Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu. The duo has attempted a boxy modular design approach. Spaces are chicly compartmentalised and accented by an abundance of woods, slate and glass in various variations of beige, cream, dark chestnut and black.
On the 41stfloor, the Pacific Standard bar speaks in minimalist design voice with a mid-20thcentury SoCal by way of Hollywood inflection. In other words: easy glamour. By doing so, it avoids being one of too many speakeasy establishments in KL’s thriving bar scene. Instead, bartender in-charge Ruben Anandha fashions tipples like the Chocolate Negroni, composed of bold gin, bitters blend, sweet vermouth, chocolate bitters; and the pineapple-rum flavoured Sunset Swizzle, pepped up with green chartreuse, basil cordial, fresh lime, pineapple, and mint.
Then, there is the bar’s prime position views of Kuala Lumpur that have been already been Instagramed by most of the city’s sophisticated cliques. It’s hardly any surprise: sunsets here are amazing.
