Kuala Lumpur – In 2012, Italian chef-proprietor Cavaliere Modesto Marini and his wife, Elizabeth Marini embarked on an ambitious project – taking on the 57th floor of Menara 3 Petronas to create a luxury dining and entertainment establishment, Marini’s on 57.
Over the next decade, this entrepreneurial husband and wife duo propelled the brand to become an award-winning destination, known for its memorable dining experiences, events and celebrations, as well as a beacon for international celebrities. The likes of David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Benedict Cumberbatch, Priyanka Chopra have wine and dined at Marini’s on 57.
“When we first started this culinary journey, it was to share my passion for food and my vision for a world-class venue with the Malaysian public and the world. It has been a rewarding experience on many different levels and we are grateful for the many relationships we have built with so many over the years. We would like to extend a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to our guests, staff and partners for their support and look forward to sharing many more delightful moments together,” said Cav. Modesto.
This significant 10-year milestone will see the establishment marking the occasion with jam packed festivities in October to do just that. Namely Viva Marini, the line-up of activities includes a founder’s menu, a bartending competition, bartender guest shifts, and an anniversary party to end the October celebrations with a bang.
Table of Contents
In the following interview, the charming and beautiful Elizabeth Marini talks to Set the Tables about what it takes to stay relevant and building Marini’s on 57 as a lifestyle brand.
Table Talk with Elizabeth Marini, co-founder of The Marini’s Group
Tell us more about how the past ten years have been for Marini’s on 57?
It’s been quite a ride! In the blink of an eye, ten years passed. We are still very involved in the day-to-day operations. My husband and I are excellent partners, complementing each other well.. He is in charge of the kitchen, menu development, and operations. I am in charge of marketing, branding, and communications.
What kept us going was our initial belief in what we were doing. My husband, Modesto, is a true-bred Italian, and our menu is always Italian-focused. And we never wavered from that position. Many people have kindly provided us with feedback, their opinions on how we should add this or that to the menu over the years, but we remain committed to our philosophy.
Marini’s on 57 has always been positioned as a lifestyle brand rather than a restaurant.
Elizabeth Marini
Can you expound more about how Marini’s on 57 is a lifestyle brand?
When we first launched this brand (and my husband’s name is Marini), we promoted the brand rather than our chefs. Our chefs have come and gone over the last decade, but our brand has remained consistent. During the early years, I began making the M pin for our employees, and people began requesting it. I knew we were onto something when our guests asked to wear our brand.
We began launching premiums such as t-shirts and masks. When we returned to Italy this summer, a passenger on our flight was wearing a mask with our M logo! We were ecstatic about it and shared the story with our team.
We are trend setters, and we are not here to compete. It has been a difficult few years for all of us in the industry, and we must all find ways to keep our respective pieces of the pie.
We want to recognise everyone’s hard work as we celebrate our tenth anniversary. The Viva Marini Bartending Competition is giving away a total of RM18,000 to encourage bartenders to show their craft, the Viva Marini Guest Shift Series is bringing back our pioneer bartender Rizal Junior Joe Utto, and the Viva Marini 10th Anniversary Party is set to be a big bash.
What is the secret sauce to longevity in this industry?
- Maintain a constant presence in people’s minds, such as our seasonal menu launches, events, celebrations and so on
- Continue to evolve; we work with various channels to get people excited.
- Create an unforgettable experience for our guests. We’ve created this one-stop hub for people to come in and enjoy and party with us, spending the entire evening and enjoying the best view of the city!
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Themed Viva Marini, the month long celebration in October line-up includes:
Founder’s Menu
To showcase its fine contemporary Italian cuisine, feast on reinterpretations of 10 best-selling dishes which have been served over the years with the 10-course Founder’s menu.
We begin with pan-seared Foie Gras, “posh” creamy Black Truffle scented scrambled eggs in an eggshell, and an edible garden of seasonal vegetables on a bed of feta cream to nibble on. There are, of course, hokkaido scallops, wagyu beef, lobster, and house-made pasta, as well as more Black Truffles in between. Seared cod fish and marbled Japanese wagyu sirloin are the main courses.
Dessert is equally delectable, with a pre-dessert of yoghurt gelato and lime granita resting atop a soft almond sponge that comes with an edible QR code of the dessert description, followed by a chocolate sphere containing a delightful Truffle Tiramisu with edible gold leaf and a selection of Truffles. The Founder’s Menu will be available beginning October 1, 2022, and will run through the end of the year.
I have made it a point to promote Italy in my life and my work because it is a part of me. I believe that food is love and my love for food has led me to where I am today.
Cav. Modesto
Viva Marini Guest Bartender Series
Cocktail fans should keep an eye out for the Viva Marini Guest Bartender Series, which begins on 10 October 2022 at Marini’s on 57 Bar. Rizal Junior Joe Utto, Bastien Michaud, and Symphony Loo are among the guest bartenders lined up.
Utto was the pioneer team’s head bartender at Marini’s on 57, and the Sabahan returns to his old stomping ground on 10 October to work his mixology magic for one night only.
Michaud is Pernod Ricard’s brand ambassador for Martell, Mumm and Perrier-Jouet. Catch him in action on 17 October as he displays his bartending skills – honed from working in trendy cocktail bars in Paris – to create delicious concoctions for the evening.
Loo is the Campari Group’s Regional Brand Ambassador for Southeast Asia and the On Premise Channel Manager for South East Asia and India. She will be showcasing her skills on 20 October at the Marini’s on 57 Anniversary Party.
Viva Marini Bartending Competition – Up to RM18,000 cash prize to be won!
Marini’s on 57 is also looking to shake and stir things up in October with the Viva Marini Bartending Competition at the Marini’s on 57 Lounge. The top bartender will receive a RM10,000 cash prize, while second and third place will receive RM5,000 and RM3,000, respectively.
For the preliminary round, participants will need to send in an original cocktail recipe and a video of themselves making an open format cocktail of their choice. The videos may be submitted from 3 to 30 October 2022.
Ten finalists will be shortlisted and the winner crowned at the final event in November.
The selected bartenders will have to present three original cocktails – two themed ones using certain spirits, and one open format cocktail – in a live event at the Marini’s on 57 Lounge on 14 November. A panel of judges will taste and vote to decide the winner of the Viva Marini Bartending Competition.
Those interested in participating in the Viva Marini Bartending Competition, visit www.marinisgroup.com or follow Marini’s on 57 on Instagram for updates.
Viva Marini 10th Anniversary Party
Marini’s on 57’s anniversary parties are traditionally held in October, and this year’s event is expected to be a big one. On October 20, the Marini’s on 57 Viva Marini 10th Anniversary Party will feature guest deejay and Grammy Award nominee Timo Maas. The German deejay and producer will take over the decks at Marini’s on 57 Bar for the night, spinning his brand of electronic dance music.
The Marini’s on 57 Viva Marini 10 th Anniversary Party with Timo Maas will start at 8.00pm. Guests are encouraged to make reservations for the party.
About Marini’s on 57
Marini’s on 57 encompasses three unique spaces, each with their own ecosystem – a first class bar with acclaimed architectural design, complemented by a prestigious lounge and exquisite Italian contemporary fine dining restaurant. This iconic rooftop destination, located 876 feet (267 metres) above sea level in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, provides the closest view of the Petronas Twin Towers as well as panoramic views of the city. #VivaMarini #MarinisOn57
Location: Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas.
For reservations, contact +603 2386 6030 or email
Visit www.marinis57.com for more details or follow them on Instagram
Images credit: Marini’s on 57
