Cedar on 15, Bar and Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur

Excellent food, professional service and a good drink list are not enough for a restaurant or bar to be successful these days. More demanding customers want something that goes beyond the standard – a celebrity chef, unique ingredients -something that says, “wow.” Cedar on 15, with the basics covered, takes care of the wow factor with an incredible view.

Located on the rooftop of Impiana Hotel in the city centre, Cedar on 15 is a restaurant, bar and private room with vistas worth making the ascent for. A transparent ceiling in the restaurant lets in natural light during the day. Glass windows in the personal dining room open up to the shining peaks of the twin towers and, the bar, with its breezy open balcony, catches the golden rays of sunset and the twinkling city lights at night.

As the sun kowtows to night and the warmth departs the air, Cedar on 15’s bar pulses with contemporary chill music. This is the prime time to visit. Happy hours run a generous 5pm – 10pm Monday to Saturday and 5pm to 2am Sunday. One-for-one specials on house selections of beers and spirits make it a popular after haunt or a pre-dinner drinks meeting place. With a professional mixologist whipping up the classics, but also some signature concoctions, a cocktail is a fine way to start.

Pandan Runner (RM25) blends Matusalem Platino rum, screw pine (pandan), green apple and Monin cucumber into an energizing beverage. Leaves of green dominate the glass fitting in with the tropical jungle climate.

Kaffir Martini (RM25) makes use of kaffir leaf providing a kick, Monin lychee to add local flavour, Monin Elderflower for sweetness and, Skyy Blue vodka for strength. This is a cocktail with punch.

Cedar’s Whisper (RM25) is a rosé wine based cocktail, elegant and pink, with an edible flower simply adorning the surface. It’s so graceful it makes you want to put on a pretty dress. Apparently appealing to both men and women though, as hubby supped the last drop from my glass.

The golden rule of alcohol with food should definitely be followed, especially when you have bar snacks as

tasty are these ones. A classic tapas plate, Gambas al Ajillo (RM45), is fresh and flavoursome. Fine specimens

of juicy Malaysian tiger prawns are sautéed with garlic, chilli and olive oil and sided with toasted slices of French baguette and a large sprig of fresh dill.

Not missing out on the KL burger craze, Cedar on 15 has their own stylish version in the Slider (RM32). A house made Scottish Angus beef patty is jacketed with melted cheddar cheese, wiped with a hit of Dijon mustard, browed with cornichons and sided with seasoned crisp fries. No complaints for this dish.

Vegetarian or not you can’t go past the Quesadillas (RM25) filled with soft roasted capsicum, pan-fried mushroom, aubergine and cottage cheese. They’re a gorgeous mouthful of lush.

As dusk darkens to night and you’ve had your fill of the glittering romantic skyline, move inside to the restaurant where a different but equally enchanting scene awaits. The wine menu offers a reasonable selection of old and new world labels with 13 wines, including champagne, rose and dessert wine by the glass. We sipped on a white from Australia and an Italian red while deciding on what to eat. Cape Mentelle’s 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon from Margaret River (RM35) was mineraly on the nose, crisp to start and round in the finish. The Tuscan 2009 Lamole di Lamole, Chianti Classico, DOCG (RM35) presented a mix of dark cherries and whiffs of slate on the nose, with a bitter chocolate beginning in the mouth and a saliva inducing dry finish. This red was served chilled but improved when reaching room temperature.

The dinner menu is a two page selection of European specialties featuring vegetarian, fish, poultry and red meat catering for most preferences. There’s also a grill option where the best cuts of meat are chargrilled and finished in the oven to your liking. A choice of sauces: Green Peppercorn with Cognac; Classic Béarnaise; Memphis BBQ; Sweet Brown Mustard and; Mushroom Cream come with your meat while, vegetable dishes can be ordered on the side (RM12 each).

Black Angus Tenderloin (220gram RM80) from Tasmania was an incredible piece of meat cooked to absolute perfection. Caramelized on the outside and luscious within, the flesh was nothing short of amazing. Our sides of Creamed Baby Spinach (RM12) and Wild Mushrooms with Herb Butter (RM12) were so good they are worth ordering on their own. We chose the Memphis BBQ sauce for our steak, but truthfully barely dipped our forks in, as the steak was the epitome of magnificence.

The Pumpkin Seed Crusted Codfish, popular since opening, has stood the test of time. A pumpkin seed crust crests flakes of white flesh. Pumpkin seed and yellow carotene oil (according to chef this latest trend in oil is even healthier than olive oil) fringe the edge. Fennel puree and mushroom confit are exciting sides, but nothing can distract for too long from the delicate, lean, moist fish meat. Whether visiting Cedar on 15 during night or day, this dish is an a la carte must order!

Pavlova (RM30) is a fluffy light meringue served sandwich style (topping and base) filled with fresh cream and strawberries. Obviously a well-honed craft, the meringue is crispy, crumbling upon slicing but held together with fluffy cream.

A touch of chocolate is always welcome in dessert and again Chef Helmut has perfected this item, the American Walnut Brownie (RM28). Dense chocolate interior is lightly crisped on the outside and topped with homemade sour cream ice cream and poached pear. Brownie fans should not miss it.

Cedar on 15 also does an excellent value set lunch Monday to Friday. Check it out here.

Reason to visit:  Vegetarian Quesadillas, Pumpkin Seed Crusted Codfish, Tasmanian Tenderloin (!), Creamed Spinach, Cedar’s Whisper Cocktail (as long as you wear a pretty dress), all of Chef Helmut’s desserts.

Impiana KLCC Hotel

13 Jalan Pinang

50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

+6 03 2147 1111

www.impiana.com

12pm – 2:30pm (Monday to Friday)

5pm – 2am (Daily)