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| Signature - Restaurant, Lounge and Bar |
The Roof, Signature – Restaurant – Lounge - Bar
Our ears pop as the elevator climbs swiftly to the top floor of the office block, 1 First Avenue, in Bandar Utama. We’re headed to The Roof – a food, beverage and entertainment hub housing five distinct outlets. The doors open and we’re met with decisions.
Should we veer left to visit the sports bar, Score, where the crowd is lively and football stars agilely negotiate their way around a field on the big screen? Maybe head towards the leather sofas and lush ambience of Malt and Leaf to sip on a whiskey or puff on a cigar? Or should we head up to the rooftop bar, Stratosphere, and enjoy the 360 degree view of the city and greater Klang Valley for sunset? Perhaps, later in the evening, a boogie on the dance floor of the nightclub, Play, might be in order? But, no… we’re not ready for any of those. Not just yet. We’re hungry and tummies must be listened to, so we turn right and enter Signature, The Roof’s restaurant, lounge and bar.
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| Signature - Restaurant, Lounge, Bar |
Strong lines and geometric design denote the entrance. A giant tree like sculpture grows in the centre of the room sprouting towards the bar and lounge. There’s a stage for live music in one corner and, a giant wall length screen above the bar. The display flashes with patterns and forms, almost keeping the beat with the electronic music pumping from the speakers. It’s late afternoon and tables are beginning to fill with twos and threes, seemingly enjoying an after work beverage. We want a meal, so continue further in to the dining area, which adjoins, but is privatized somewhat from the bar and lounge.
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| The Entrance to Signature |
Tall windows curve around the circular restaurant. A dark grey slate tiled floor provides a semi rustic appeal. White tree silhouette motifs mark the windows and are echoed in the room by sculptures in a 3D reflection of the flat 2D shapes. A ring of bleached timber lowers the roof and, a chandelier of exposed filament light bulbs hangs from the middle. I’m guessing though that most diners don’t pay too much attention to the décor. The magnificent city and low mountain ridge views are far too grabbing, causing all eyes to constantly gaze up and out. Without doubt, the best tables are by the windows – so come early or make a reservation.
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| Views from the Dining Room |
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| Great views! |
We’re seated by the window and, woo hoo (!), lucky us, we’ve arrived in time for Happy Hours (5pm – 8pm), which offer three-for-one beers and two-for-one cocktails. There are a number of Signature cocktails on the menu making it hard to choose, so we simply take the first two and, decide that if they’re great, we’ll continue working our way down the list.
The Convent Garden (RM32) combines Hendricks gin, cucumber and smashed apple into a refreshingly cool blend. Xmas in June (RM31) mixes Belvedere vodka, Frangelico, organic blueberry jam and a squeeze of citrus. It’s purple! A slice of lime contrasts the top. It’s icy cold and tastes like a purple gummy bear.
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| Happy Hour Cocktails - Two for One! - Convent Garden and Xmas in June |
There’s beer too. French, local, Japanese and Dutch beers are available on tap. International beers are also for sale by bottle. Hubby spies the Pure Blonde (a low carbohydrate beer from Australia) that he loves to drink when we’re home. So, thirst is quenched and it’s time to eat.
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| Pure Blonde |
The menu is a motley mix of Asian and international fusion cuisine. All dishes look familiar, but each comes with an artful twist.
Leaning Tower of Caesar (RM22) beefs up the traditional salad with the sweet addition of fresh mango and Italian air-dried beef. A mountain of Romaine lettuce leaves form the centre and, two long sticks of garlic bread lean like scaffolding up the sides. Finally their house made dressing is drizzled over the top, which ends up dripping down the flanks like melting snow off a building. Fresh and crisp, it’s an acceptable take on the time-honoured recipe.
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| Leaning Tower of Caesar |
Escargots a la Bourguignonne (RM28) are baked French snails with herbed butter. Make sure you attack these while they’re hot. Melted butter drips from the sides as we stab the mollusk with the fork. They’re rich and creamy and disappear so quickly that our dining companion asks if we’d like to order more.
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| Escargots a la Bourguignonne |
The Giant Meatball “Bomb” Linguine (RM39) comes with a braised monster-sized ball of minced beef. It’s served atop a bed of linguine and, sautéed in tomato sauce. Appearing a little tough at first slice, persistence in the cut pays off, as a surprise is tucked away in the middle – a hard-boiled egg. The sauce is a traditional tomato with an airy touch of spice augmenting the end. Hubby enjoys the simple tastes of this dish, which sends him off into his familiar rambling about “mama’s cooking.”
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| Giant Meatball “Bomb” Linguine |
A jet black plate with bursts of red showcases the Scallop Black Aglio Maki (RM45). Squid ink spaghetti sautéed with olive oil, garlic and chili is topped with grilled scallops wrapped with seaweed and crowned with Tobiko caviar. It’s a fetching dish and also finishes with a light bite of spice.
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| Scallop Black Aglio Maki |
Grilled King Prawns (RM55) arrive in an open topped cookie jar. On the side a tangle of spaghetti is bordered by asparagus and coated with a herbed crème pasta. Ebony caviar crowns it all. The sauce is scrumptious – creamy and spicy. We scoop it out of the jar and slather it over the pasta. When the pasta is gone, we guzzle up the last of the liquid by the spoonful.
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| Grilled King Prawns |
The next dish is presented and our eyes, becoming the size of bread plates, signaling to us that we’ve over ordered. Brontosaurus Beef Ribs (RM93) truly are of dinosaur proportions! Expertly prepared crisp potato wedges in a metal bucket accompany the meat. A few green leaves seem more of an adornment than a salad. The flesh is tender and the sauce sweet and piquant. Hubby gives it the thumbs-up and recommends it to all carnivores reading this.
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| Brontosaurus Beef Ribs |
Imperial King Prawn Noodles (RM42) are Signature’s interpretation of KL’s Sang Har Mein. Fresh king prawns, seared king scallops, squid and fried crispy noodles sit in a rich egg gravy. We find it best to break the noodles so that they mix with the gravy. As they soften, a mix of textures develops - soft and crunchy - which has a great feel in the mouth. The side of soy sauce and green chili helps bring out the flavours in the dish. Our local friends note that perhaps a touch more rice wine would perfect the recipe.
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| Imperial King Prawn Noodles |
It’s time for dessert and we order the suggested signatures. Spicy Chocolate Lava (RM22) is already spilling over half of the plate with the additional sauce on top, but when broken open, the whole plate is filled with a rich chocolate ooze. A subdued suggestion of chili gives it a subtle lingering agitation as an after effect. Adornment of Kahlua infused mascarpone, tops a berry compote and, mixes well with the liquid cocoa.
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| Spicy Chocolate Lava |
Ginger, coffee and vanilla flavour three pots of the Trio Crème Brûlée (RM19). This threesome makes hubby thrice as happy. The caramelized sugar surface breaks with a crack and unveils a rich creamy brûlée. We each have a different favourite. I enjoy the classic. Hubby relishes in the coffee and our dining buddy likes the tang of the ginger.
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| Trio Crème Brûlée |
Wines are not yet available in a comprehensive list by the glass, but I’m told they are working on buffing up the selection. Actually as we’re dining, we witness new stock being added to the shelves. For now however, if you desire wine with your meal, consider ordering a bottle.
Overall we find the food prettily presented, with a welcoming homey taste. Hubby is reminded of his mum, which is usually a good thing when it comes to food, so Signature at The Roof, just might be on our revisit list.
Reason to visit:fantastic views; good-looking food that tastes like mum’s cooking; Trio Crème Brûlée; Brontosaurus Beef Ribs; Grilled King Prawns; Escargots a la Bourguignonne.
Signature
The Roof
Sky Level
1 First Avenue
Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Malaysia
Open 5pm – 2am (Monday to Friday)
11am – 2am (Saturday and Sunday)
Park in 1 First Avenue car park. After 7pm you can have your ticket validated and pay only RM3.
There are two sets of elevators. One only goes to the 20th floor. You need the other one that goes to The Roof, which is the 30th floor.
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