Marini's on 57 @ Petronas Tower 3

There might be no better perch in KL for sipping a Sangria while soaking up the sunset; launched this month at Petronas Tower 3, Marini's on 57 hopes to raise the bar for what a rooftop bar and restaurant can be.

The entrance to Marini's can be best spotted from outside Mandarin Oriental Hotel's lobby; take the express elevator, which whisks customers within 60 seconds to near the top of the 58-floor Petronas Tower 3.

Spacious, sleek and sleaze-free, flooded with natural light in the early evening. Marini's opens by 4pm everyday, closing a full 12 hours later before dawn breaks.

Marini's on 57 features air-conditioned and alfresco areas. There'll be separate sections for an Italian restaurant and a whiskey lounge by mid-July; we're keen to see what those will look like.

And for folks keeping count, yep, this is now KL's highest-level watering hole; Skybar, Luna Bar and The View are mostly on the thirtysomething-floor of their buildings.

The trump card might be the unbeatable proximity to the Petronas Twin Towers. Positioned as both an after-work haunt and a late-night party place, Marini's seems to require reservations for the best tables.

Bar bites here are better than average too, but as expensive as expected. Nevertheless, these French fries (RM15++) are mighty fine, especially with a moreish house-made truffle dip that's buttery-creamy and earthy-fragrant.

Lamb kofta with harissa sauce grilled bread (RM28++). Giving the staff members here their due: service is lightning-swift and sunshine-warm.

Marini's happy hours stretch from 4pm through 9pm. Excellent bargains include RM25++ for a glass of Prosecco La Fara ...

... or a glass of Italian Coste Delle Plaie Rosso ...

... or a pleasurably potent Mojito.

As more eateries work to open before Ramadan, we're looking forward to the next few weeks.

In an eerie coincidence, this entry on Marini's on 57 comes a day after our Midi 57 post(the former's on the 57th floor of its skyscraper, the latter's No. 57 on its street). Perhaps that's a number that warrants a closer watch.

Rest assured, a few more up-in-the-air hangouts will open before 2012 is over; keep an eye out for THIRTY8 by the time the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur opens in September.

Marini's on 57,
Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2161-2880