Located on the 51st floor of the Permata Sapura Tower, Mesa On 51 is divided into three sections: The Restaurant, which serves Spanish delicacies; the Nikkei Lounge, where you’ll find fresh Japanese sushi and sashimi paired with the best whiskies the world has to offer; and the Terrace Bar, an open-air rooftop bar for those who need to unwind.
Similar to Marini’s On 57, Mesa On 51 picked the perfect location in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where diners can enjoy the city’s skyscrapers from every corner of the establishment, including the three private dining rooms (available for booking with a minimum of RM3,000 spending) and the private lounge. You can effortlessly spot the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, Merdeka 118 and The Exchange 106.
“We aim to create unique flavours for our diners with a phenomenal city view. Something they can’t get anywhere else,” said Elizabeth Marini, co-founder, restaurateur and entrepreneur of The Marini’s Group.
Mesa On 51 was created to offer Malaysians a new and unique palate of flavours, from ‘toro’ and octopuses to steaks and lamb, as well as cocktails and mocktails curated to complement the food. Curious about the new Spanish and Japanese menu, we popped by Mesa On 51 to give it a try and got our minds blown.
Mesa On 51 Restaurant, where authentic Spanish food is served
Serving authentic Spanish tapas, paella, steaks, and Japanese seafood (from the Nikkei Lounge food menu), the restaurant aims to bring the freshest produce to the table. The dinner opened with a unique sushi and sashimi boat, accompanied by classic Spanish red sangria. The toro and maki were served fresh with minimal dips for the natural aromas to take centre stage. Next came the lightly-torched Nigiri – A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Sirlion in sushi style served alongside the Patatas Bravas, triple-cooked potatoes that are crunchy on the outside but buttery soft on the inside.
The Spanish plates took over after that with Gambas Ajillo – tiger prawns with garlic aioli – making the first appearance. The combination of earthiness from the prawn’s essence and sweetness from the garlic gave the dish an umami flavour that matched perfectly well with sourdough bread.
Next came the mini soft-shell crab burgers. The crab was deep fried with a crunchy exterior but maintained light and airy overall. Then, Pulpo Canario, a classic grilled Spanish octopus, made its way to the table. It had a firm but soft texture that instantly melts in the mouth.
Then it was time for some paella. We were served with two types of paella dishes. One was the Paella de Pato with duck confit, mushroom and truffle aioli, and the other one that stole the limelight, the Paella Negra with squid ink, cuttlefish and prawns. The rice was cooked al dente, blending perfectly with the crunch of the duck skin, meat and fresh seafood.
The ‘Entrana’ – grilled medium rare hanger steak with smoked eggplant puree, chimichurri and beef jus.
‘Paletilla de Cordero’ – roasted Spanish suckling lamb shoulder.
The ‘Entrana’ – grilled medium rare hanger steak with smoked eggplant puree, chimichurri and beef jus.
Towards the end, the meat dishes made their way out. The Entraña – grilled medium rare hanger steak with smoked eggplant puree, chimichurri and beef jus – had minimal seasoning to allow the beefy aroma to take the lead. Next to it was the Paletilla de Cordero – roasted Spanish suckling lamb shoulder. The meat was so soft and tender that it fell freely from the bones.
For the final mains, a block of miso-flavoured cod accompanied by some yuzu-marinated cucumber stole the spotlight for the night. The cod was silky and buttery with an intense miso base and would be complete if served with Japanese rice.
The night ended with some delicate basque cheesecake and Spanish churros that were amplified with some chocolate sauce, vanilla cream and mixed berries. We were left satisfied with a full belly and would highly recommend you give it a try if you’re looking for something new to savour.
Mesa On 51 Nikkei Lounge, where delectable drinks and good music await
On the other side, the Nikkei Lounge serves a large menu of whiskies, champagnes, beers and vodka, to name a few, and a Japanese cuisine menu. Accessible via a secret passageway from The Restaurant, the lounge offers the same panoramic view of the city. The highlight of this lounge is the state-of-the-art audio-visual light technology and an epic sound system that’s boosted by Void.
Mesa On 51 Terrace Bar, where you can unwind after work
If you need a breezy space to breathe after a long day, then the al fresco seating arrangement at the Terrace Bar is what you need. Have your dinner served outdoors accompanied by crafted cocktails from the outdoor bar and a splash of neon-coloured lights to elevate your mood.
From appetising seafood and slabs of beef to exquisite sangrias and champagnes, Mesa On 51 is just what we need to relax and unravel in the city, but away from the hustle and bustle.
Mesa On 51
Address: Level 51, Permata Sapura Tower, Lot 91, Jalan Pinang. 50088, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: 5pm – 2am (Sunday to Wednesday) | 5pm – 3am, 6–11:30 pm (Thursday to Saturday)
Contact: 03-2386 6030