Words: Patricia Podorsek Photos: Monica Tindall
Some years before I moved to KL, I visited as a tourist and my host took our group of friends to the SkyBar for a sunset drink overlooking Malaysia’s iconic landmark. From the moment I tiptoed around the swimming pool and settled into my window box, I was smitten. The Traders has always set the standard for a memorable experience, and it is exactly this spirit that has led them to develop their “Memory Maker’s Menu,” with signature cocktails at the SkyBar, plus several entrees and mains at Gobo Chit Chat and Gobo Upstairs.
The concept of this new menu spent many months in development. The culinary management team began with the feedback from customer service forms, then put their ideas to the test by gathering feedback from F&B critics from around the city. After many refinements, they were ready to launch the finished product: A number of high-quality items that will keep guests returning again and again, without gimmicks, and without the high sustainability of an ever-changing whimsical plat du jour.
Starting from the top, two cocktails grace the Memory Maker’s set at the SkyBar. Modeled off the modern classic, the Selangor Sling (RM48 nett) delivers a tropical post with refreshing undertones of juniper. The dash of absinthe cuts the sweetness of the hibiscus and elderflower to create a tall cool drink that mirrors the view in the windows.
For something smaller in stature, but just as tall in taste, the Sky 33 (RM35 nett) ladles a potent kiwi punch into every glass. The shock of freshly muddled kiwi hits the palate first, then follows with a clean vodka rinse. A stick of bamboo with a lime twist flag decorates the rim, but the most fun part of this drink are the kiwi jelly cubes sprinkled on top! These classy jello shots are a far cry from those I saw in uni!
A little further down the steel lies Gobo Upstairs, the Traders’ stylish dinner restaurant with views to rival those of its upstairs cousin. As a starter or nibble, guests can enjoy the memorable Mushroom Tea (RM35 nett), a fragrant infusion of mushroom broth poured over a wild mushroom salad. A full sensory experience, the aroma of the broth could only be described as heavenly. Crispy tempura oyster mushrooms are served on the side, seasoned with rock salt, pink peppercorns, and a little chili.
Good memories typically involve friends, of course, so the next item from the Gobo Upstairs kitchen is the 3some Meat Platter (RM250 nett), designed for sharing. Here, grilled beef tenderloin and lamb chops come together with roasted chicken and a smattering of vegetables for a more substantial biting. Gobo’s extensive wine list has plenty to pair with this dish.
A prime cut of beef tenderloin reclines temptingly aside a brush of pumpkin puree. Syringes full of honeyed rosemary sauce and earthy Bordelaise frame this landscape.
Two shapely lamb chops provide a tender and flavorful emissary for the zesty artichoke-coriander pesto served on the side.
Half a Cornish hen is marinated and rubbed with rock salt and herbs before being roasted in a corn husk. The results are a moist and tasty bird.
“A national favorite given a refreshing upgrade” reads the description for Gobo Chit Chat’s Nasi Lemak 2.0 (RM30 nett). Guests will recognize all the standard features of Malaysia’s specialty dish — peanuts, fried anchovies, sambal, hard-cooked eggs — but will bring fresh eyes and taste buds to the rice that is steamed in the coconut itself! Tender and fragrant, these grains can be scooped out with coconut flesh for a flavor that made me wish for the palm tree that created it.
Gobo Chit Chat’s playful side emerges with a variation on one of Malaysia’s childhood staples. Le Bon Vivant Ice Kepal (RM20 nett) takes the ice ball principle, but fills it with rich vanilla ice and covers it with a syrup made of fresh black raspberries. It was certainly unlike any snow cone I’ve ever tasted!
The most memorable item on the Memory Maker’s Menu, however, has to be the Cherry BOMMM (RM 30 nett) featured at Gobo Upstairs. I truly have never seen anything like it. An ostrich-sized egg of premium white chocolate melts before your eyes when rich dark chocolate is poured over it. The velvety outcome reveals treasures inside the sphere and floods those found in the nest for a divine experience that made me want to pick up the plate and lick it clean. Unreal.
The Memory Maker’s Menu at the Traders is exactly that reason you’ve been looking for to return to the heart of the city and remember all that is good about KL: friends, food, and a city that shine.
Reasons to visit: The MEMORABLE new menu at the Traders outlets, including the melt-in-your-mouth and on-the-plate Cherry BOMMM, the iconic Selangor Sling, and the stylish Nasi Lemak.
Memory Maker’s Menu
SkyBar, Gobo Upstairs, Gobo Chit Chat
Traders Hotel
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+60 3 2332 9888
www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/
Champagne and all kinds of bottles for their decor? Very unique.
Sure makes for a colourful setting.
Classic venue and nice cocktails. Great place to admire the fabulous blue sky from!
I usually think of SkyBar as the place to go for views, but they are equally as good from this floor.
I love lamb, and Rock Cornish hen, too! Both look succulent! 🙂
Lots of tasty choices here. 🙂
I love the way they presented the nasi lemak in a coconut shell
That was a hit with us too Ken.
The lamb looks delicious.
Lot of dusting there on those shelves including what’s on the shelf.
Hee hee… that’s a practical way to think of it. 🙂
Monica and Co.
Has this “Traders Bar” got anything to do with the “Famous
Trader Vic’s” scattered around the world in rather exotic places?????
If memory serves me correctly Trader’s Vics were the haunts of the
rich, famous, infamous, exotic, swindlers etc of the jet set crowd.
The likes of Hemmingway, Noel Coward, Liz Taylor, Richard Burton,
assorted members of the former “royals” of Europe, Princess Margaret
and co.
I am sure that I have been in a Trader Vics in Vancourver, Canada or maybe Seattle
in the USA. The one in Mexico City and one either in Portugal (Lisbon or Estorial) and
one in Madrid. Isn’t there a Trader Vic’s in Bangkok??? Somewhere up river on the Oriental and Royal Orchid Sheraton side???
The food looks fantastic and so are the cocktails – but I dread to think of the prices
for such.
Interesting report.
Cheers
Colin
Not sure about the connection Colin, but it’s certainly an iconic property in KL. It is a Shangri-La managed brand though – so that explains the quality. Even with the rebranding of many Traders Hotels around the world to the new Jen brand, this one cannot change as it is one of the most popular hotels in the city.
Wonderful cocktails and great food with a spectacular view….what more can one ask for! I’d sure love to try 😉
When you put it that way – it sure does have it all!
The food and drinks look great. Very interesting to see nasi lemak served in coconut shell.
I loved that presentation piece too Nancy.
Their Selangor Sling looks more exotic than Singapore Sling! ;p
And… tasted better too! 😉
Fabulous place with a fantastic view…and tasty food. 🙂