What We Love About the New Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill KL

The internationally renowned Gordon Ramsay finally opened his first restaurant in Malaysia. Does it live up to the hype?

The highly anticipated Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill at Sunway Resort opened its doors on June 18, marking the first time the restaurant has expanded beyond London.

Monochrome portraits of British style icons grace the walls of the main dining area.

The 12 Chelsea room comfortably fits 12 diners, complete with a window that switches from frosted to glass at any time, giving diners an on-demand look into the kitchen.

The grand entrance to the restaurant in the lobby of Sunway Resort.

The 10 Soho private room is adjacent to the bar and overlooks Sunway Lagoon.

Photo 1 of 4 Monochrome portraits of British icons grace the walls of the main dining area

Photo 2 of 4 The Chelsea Room boasts a frosted window that can be unfrosted to give a peek into the happenings in the kitchen

Photo 3 of 4 The entrance to the restaurant

Photo 4 of 4 The 10 Soho private room is adjacent to the bar and overlooks Sunway Lagoon theme park

A GRAND DESIGN

The interior features opulent and polished brass finishes that perfectly complement the walnut hardwood flooring and rich red and forest green colour scheme. Adding to its grandeur, the ceiling boasts 24k gold leaves, each placed by hand. Massive chandeliers lend the front dining area a warm touch.

The restaurant seats 150 diners in the main dining hall and its three private dining rooms named after London's upscale neighbourhoods: Chelsea, Soho and Mayfair. The space is furnished with custom leather chairs that are designed with comfort in mind. Additionally, large monochrome portraits of British icons such as Mick Jagger, Sean Connery and Twiggy, adorn the walls.

The restaurant's bar is the perfect spot to have a cocktail in a chic environment.

Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill KL bar manager Marek Klecka inspecting a bottle of wine in the cellar.

The barrel-aged Negroni comes with a custom two-by-two-inch ice cube to ensure it doesn't melt and dilute the drink.

One of the restaurant's signature cocktails, the Chelsea Royal Garden, made with lemon bitters, green apple juice, St. Germain, and prosecco, topped with apple foam and a gold leaf.

A portrait of Ramsay overlooks the bottles of wine.

Photo 1 of 5 The restaurant's bar

Photo 2 of 5 Bar manager Marek Klecka inspecting a bottle of wine in the cellar.

Photo 3 of 5 The barrel-aged Negroni comes with a custom two-by-two-inch ice cube to ensure it doesn't melt and dilute the drink

Photo 4 of 5 One of the restaurant's signature cocktails, the Chelsea Royal Garden

Photo 5 of 5 A portrait of Ramsay in the wine room

RAISING THE BAR

The 360-degree glass wine room is a distinctive feature in the main dining area. Providing a temperature-regulated home for the restaurant's wine selection, it boasts about 1,000 bottles from over 210 labels, including signature wines from Ipoh’s Jeff’s Cellar.

Apart from the extensive selection of wine, the restaurant's bar serves classic as well as Malaysian-inspired cocktails. Keeping things interesting are the ice cubes for its Negroni and Old Fashioned. The 2" x 2" ice cube is deliberately sized this way to ensure that it melts slowly, thus ensuring it doesn't dilute the taste of the cocktail. As an extra touch, each ice cube is also embossed with the restaurant logo.

Bar manager Marek Klecka is a master at cocktail crafting and his knowledge promises to wow you. The in-house sommelier is equally knowledgeable, ensuring that you get the perfect wine pairing.

An up close look at the Florentine Kitchen steak knife used at the Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, customised just for the restaurant.

The 64% Manjari Chocolate Tart is served with a honeycomb and buttermilk sorbet, making it a perfect ending to any meal.

Photo 1 of 2 The Florentine Kitchen steak knife customised just for the restaurant.

Photo 2 of 2 The delicate and intricate white and gold pattern plate

ELEGANT PLATING

The tableware here is a testament to the attention to detail. Custom-made for the restaurant, the china features delicate gold-and-white. You will scoop your pomme purée, soufflé and slices of lobster with The Cotswolds’ Studio William cutlery. You will cut your meat with Florentine Kitchen knives from Barcelona. The napkins are by the Italian brand Rivolta, made from the finest linen.

The Josper grill, along with Krono appliances, are the stars of the kitchen.

Above The Josper grill, along with Kronos appliances in the kitchen (Photo: Amanda Fung)

Food is prepared in the kitchen, where the young team operates like a well-oiled machine.

Above Photo: Amanda Fung

FIRE THEM UP

The food is prepared using the finest equipment. Think Josper grills and Kronos appliances. The kitchen team comprising young Malaysians is led by Chef Damien Brassel, and every member has been trained and approved by Ramsay himself.

The Aged Steak Tartare is one of the best-known dishes in the line-up with its signature gherkin gel, topped with an egg yolk confit and served with crispy game chips.

aThe seafood tower s a glimpse at the best the oceans have to offer with fresh oysters, Boston lobster, scallop ceviche, king crab legs, prawns, and pieces of citrus-cured salmon.

The Classic Beef Wellington is dressed with a red wine jus.

The Arnold Bennett Twice-baked Soufflé with smoked haddock is served with a rich and creamy aged cheddar sauce and a fine herb salad.

Diners can spend their Sundays with the restaurant's Traditional Sunday Roast, served with a Yorkshire pudding, spinach purée, butter-roasted potatoes, carrots and broccolini.

The citrus-cured salmon is served with dollops of smoked yoghurt, kohlrabi and carefully placed salmon roe.

The Murray River cod is served with a brown butter sabayon, salmon roe and chicken skin crumble.

The selection of French cheese is an elegant way to end a meal with Bleu d'Auvergne, Cremeux de Bourgogne, Époisses, Mimolette, Sainte-Maure de Touraine, all served with a caramelised honey gel and walnut-apricot croutons.

Photo 1 of 9 Aged Steak Tartare

Photo 2 of 9 The seafood tower

Photo 3 of 9 Classic Beef Wellington

Photo 4 of 9 Arnold Bennett Twice-Baked Soufflé

Photo 5 of 9 Traditional Sunday Roast

Photo 6 of 9 Citrus-Cured Salmon

Photo 7 of 9 Murray River Cod

Photo 8 of 9 A selection of French cheese

Photo 9 of 9 64% Manjari Chocolate Tart

FOOD SUBLIME

The elegant menu takes a leaf out of the iconic Savoy Grill's book, emulating the finesse and style of Ramsay's Michelin-starred restaurant. You will find signature Ramsay dishes, namely the much-touted Classic Beef Wellington, the Aged Steak Tartare and the Arnold Bennett Twice-Baked Soufflé. From the skilfully cut chives to the bone marrow butter for the bread, luxurious hints of Ramsay are sprinkled throughout the meal.

All these are complemented with a faultless service with a smile—the setting may be opulent but the vibe is certainly friendly and cosy.

View this post on Instagram

“Malaysia is a wonderful country with a rich heritage and an exciting future, and I am confident that local guests and international visitors will have an exceptional dining experience in our beautiful new restaurant,” said Ramsay.

We couldn't agree more.

NOW READ

Where to Buy Sashimi-Grade Fish for Homemade Sushi

4 Beautifully Designed Restaurants and Cafes in Kuala Lumpur

15 Local Food Instagram Accounts to Whet Your Appetite

Credits

Images

Courtesy of Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill KL, Sunway Resort

Topics

gordon ramsay bar & grill sunway resort gordon ramsay bandar sunway british cuisine