Luxe.
That’s the first thought I had before even stepping foot into GoldBar, the new dining destination in KL City Centre.
Its entrance was seamlessly hidden by stone panel walls, and if it wasn’t for the golden name plaque and reception table, I would have missed it. Little did I know, behind the concealed door was everything I was looking for in a sophisticated bar.
How interesting can a wall be?
“Walking into GoldBar feels like entering a modern day goldmine,” is how the brand describes itself.
While not in the literal sense, the space certainly has an air of elegance to it. Part of this is thanks to the brass fixtures that pepper the scene, as well the plush, velvet cushions in muted tones of grey and blue. The warm, golden lighting creates an inviting atmosphere that makes you want to decompress and relax.
But perhaps what really sells the goldmine concept is the pièce de résistance—GoldBar’s bar.
The backdrop of their marble-patterned countertop is a beautiful accent wall, featuring French-styled wainscoting. It’s easy to overlook if you’re not paying closer attention to the details. Once you catch it, though, it’s hard to look away.
Sure, the crystal-like decanters add a refined touch. However, the “mini” square panels are the real star of the bar, where each square has its own distinguishable wainscoting design.
If you’re here with a new date and conversation runs dry, these probably could make for a great topic to analyse!
“A golden oasis where bold flavours and elegance meet”
To me, there are four factors that differentiate a casual bar and a sophisticated one: classy decor, cosy atmosphere, attentive service, and fine food and drinks.
GoldBar easily checks all of these boxes.
Despite having a large crowd that night, the bartenders and servers were still watchful and took care of us. Some even went a little above and beyond, but we’ll get to that in a bit.
For starters, our table of four was served a platter of Live Oysters (RM108) and Seafood Bisque with grilled focaccia (RM32).
Plump and springy, the oysters had a lovely and fresh briny taste. The seafood bisque was velvety and had small chunks of carrots and fish, as well as whole mussels and prawns. The chunks added some texture to the dish, which personally made it more delectable to me.
Next came one of my top picks of the night—GoldBar’s Foie Gras Mini Croissant (RM48). Now, I’m not a fan of offal and have a strong aversion to it, but this dish might have changed my mind. Pan seared to perfection, the foie gras was buttery in taste and smooth in texture, with hints of teriyaki-like sauce.
Following that was the Hanwoo Beef Skewers (RM55). A prized Korean beef, Hanwoo is an alternative to the popular Wagyu and comes with a similarly high price tag. According to the South China Morning Post, this may have roots in Korean culture as cattle has historically been held in higher regard than other livestock.
Taste-wise, it’s fattier than Wagyu beef and has a silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture. I appreciated that it came in skewers of two for sharing, as having a set alone would be too rich and leave no space for mains.
You’ll want to leave space for mains because….
There is Grilled Boston Lobster (RM190), Pan Seared Atlantic Cod with Ikura (RM118), and Tiger Prawn Arrabiata (RM52).
The lobster is cooked upon order and split down the middle. Diners were given a pair of plastic gloves and seafood crackers to pry open the claws. This wouldn’t normally be an issue if you love seafood, but some of us weren’t dressed for the occasion.
Here’s where GoldBar’s attentive service shined. Noticing that most guests were struggling, the front of house staff went to each table and offered to get the chef’s help.
My table, however, challenged ourselves to do it ourselves. It wasn’t the easiest but the experience itself was one to remember.
The black cod was served with garlic butter sauce with ikura, on a bed of sauteed spinach. It had a slight crisp on the outside and tender white meat on the inside. Paired together with the ikura that pops in your mouth, this dish was a medley of textures.
As for the pasta, the Tiger Prawn Arrabiata was exactly what you’d expect it to be. Not too chewy or soft, and it had the right amount of spiciness.
Dessert was the only way to go after such a heavy meal, and what better treat than a sinfully delicious Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Cake (RM20).
Just one bite transported me back to my childhood where I’d munch on Ferrero Rocher every birthday. The dark chocolate used wasn’t bitter, while the whipped cream and raspberries made it less overwhelming.
It’s cocktail o’clock somewhere
The whole dinner was washed down with a glass of GoldBar’s handcrafted cocktail, specifically The Lemon Whisper (RM48). The tasty gin-based beverage was concocted with limoncello, lime, and egg white.
Other house specialties include:
- Golden Ember, a tequila cocktail
- Berry Royale, a bourbon cocktail
- Kyoto Heat, a jalapeno infused gin cocktail
All of these aside, what really makes GoldBar my ideal sophisticated bar is how the space balances openness and privacy.
The dining area and dimmer lights make it seem like you’re in your own little world. But if you’re looking to meet new people or just vibe with live performances, there’s the bar section.
At the moment, customers can have a taste of GoldBar’s trial menu. Its complete offerings are set to fully launch soon, which I’m excited for if their teasers are anything to go by. We recommend making reservations here, lest all the tables are taken.
