Offering a new venue for local and international diners that elevates Kota Kinabalu's palate to an international level, the city's latest addition of culinary and gastronomic affair- the Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill opens its doors in the city centre, introducing an innovative menu, stunning design and hip waiters.

Designed to evoke a sense of casual luxury with the natural feel of being at a beach, the interior is accentuated with earthy colours of light brown, sea green and azure blue, complemented by the furnishings of imported marble table and bar countertops, elegant glassware, modern cutlery, and porcelain tableware that adds to the luxury feel of the restaurant.

It's worth pausing at the bar to sample a drink from the most creative cocktail list in town or enjoy a pre-dinner drink al fresco at the poolside terrace with a glass of Paul Goerg Brut while enjoying the orange or pinkish rays of Borneo's setting sun. The personable waiters are well informed and fashionably dressed in deep sky blue aprons and white shirts.

Complementing the cuisine is the beverage list that includes an extensive selection of liquors and wine list from the new and old world such as Marques de Murrieta Pazo Barrantes Albarino from Spain, Chateau Villa Bel-Air Blanc from France and Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay from Australia for whites while the reds include M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Deschants from France, Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir from New Zealand and Rupert & Rothschild Classique from South Africa, to name a few.

Most of the fare in the menu are cooked in a custom designed wood-fired oven made specifically for Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill. The oven consists of three sections; a standard oven, a pizza oven and a griller that also works as a rotisserie. One of a kind in Kota Kinabalu, this technological marvel can reach up to 700 degrees Celcius and is capable of preparing a 1-KG steak within 10 minutes and just 3 minutes for a pizza. Giving the cuisine its fully inviting woody aroma and smoky taste is the specially prepared wood used to fire up the oven.

For something light and easy but packed with flavours, the restaurant's selections of thin crust pizzas are the perfect choice for a relaxing afternoon or as a conversation starter while dining with family and friends.

The main dishes for the restaurant include the wood-fired grilled Black Angus selections of 350gm tenderloin, striploin, cube roll and the 1-KG tomahawk, each served with vegetables or seasonings including choices of sauces and add-ons that reflect the chef's creativity. ‘Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill is truly a unique addition to Kota Kinabalu's dining scene. We are here to render a cultural fusion of foods and flavours with ingredients sourced locally and abroad to suit the different taste and needs of our patrons' said Hilton Kota Kinabalu General Manager, Linda Peceraro.

‘Grilling has always played a part in Sabah's culture, it was a way of life back in the olden days and we are taking it to a new level today' Linda added.

With a capacity to accommodate up to 100 diners at a time, the Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill is the place to be for group or family dining, or simply a romantic dinner for two.

Swimming Pool Adjacent to the restaurant is the hotel's outdoor rooftop 25-meter long swimming pool. With a deck area of 842 square meters that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 persons at a time, it is so far the largest outdoor rooftop pool area in Sabah with nightly entertainment by a resident DJ from 6.30pm to 11.00pm.

Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when dining at the Rooftop Poolside Bar & Grill and spend RM250 or more! The restaurant is open from 12.00noon until 10.30pm daily. For further enquiries or reservations, please call 088 356 000, email kotakinabalu_fnb@hilton.com. Or visit kotakinabalu.hilton.com.