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Showing posts with label new. Show all posts

cafes of kuala lumpur, two

Did a round-up of what I think are some of KL's best cafes for CafeHopping.Sg and Burpple, both Singapore based, a short while back. I did a guide last year for Burpple and I'm honoured to be asked again this year.

Presented below are a few of my favourite spots with everything organized by the areas they are located. Read away! Opinions are my own.



Sentul


Coffee in KL is not hard to come by these days but you haven’t tasted good coffee until you’ve been to Three Little Birds. Nestled in the trendy new development – D7, Sentul East, Three Little Birds is a café like no other. Manned by head barista Joey Mah (one third of the three birds), coffee serves justice to his passion for coffee both in the making and roasting. Go behind the scenes by checking out the coffee roasting machine located by the back of the café and have another cup before you leave.

D7, Jalan Sentul, Kuala Lumpur

SS2


Unpretentious and simple, don’t be put off by its humbleness in decoration. Standing Theory is the place to be for the perfect marriage of delicious coffee and hearty food. Don’t get me started with the cakes. The range draws from Red Velvet to Lemon Poppyseed and they are the best versions of classics you can get.

Jalan SS2/103, Petaling Jaya

Bangsar


If you ever find yourself homesick, head to PULP opened by Singapore’s very own Papa Palheta. Follow the genius minds behind Chye Seng Huat and Loysel’s Toy, and fans will rejoice at the location of this invasion. Buy one coffee and go home with a free paper printing education, JACKPOT!

29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur


Damansara Kim


Bakery by day, restaurant by dusk, there is so much story and character at The Kitchen Table. This handsome nook evokes a sense of kinship from the moment one enters through the glass door. Communal tables are necessary and window seats are often quickly booked during the day. This whitewashed facade’s ever-changing menu highlights fresh and local produce, and continues to impress with their simple yet comforting food delivered with finesse.

23, Jalan SS20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya


Damansara Uptown


Fat Spoon cafe has long been Damansara’s favourite cafe for traditional comfort food. Feast on their signature dishes to the likes of ‘Nasi Goreng Ulam’ and Cempedak Spring Rolls, both with a strong cult following. While it’s open for lunch and tea, dinner is when the atmosphere is best.

73 Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur


TTDI (Taman Tun Dr Ismail)

There’s no better vantage point for a coffee trail other than starting at this neighbourhood. In a small streetfront, this hidden gem serves some of the meanest brunch options. Mukha’s extensive menu draws inspirations from the Arabian Peninsula and down under, for prices that can’t be beat. Ogle at the beautiful handwritten menu on the walls of the café and try to resist from ordering everything.

15, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, 60000


Continue down the street and you’ll find yourself dancing to the tunes of Norah Jones ‘Come Away with Me’ on the funky tiles of Quar/tet. Food and music lovers in the know are often found loitering at this young and bustling cafe. The homemade doughnuts and generous serving of side salad will please your pockets. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself reluctant to leave.

21, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 7, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur


Happy Mansion, Seksyen 17

Butter and Beans


Step in through the black painted door and be greeted by a hand-chalked bear named Rupert. Pay close attention to it as it lists out the drinks available for your ordering. Settle down for a seat by the concrete bar and order a salmon quiche when it’s available. Leave room for desserts but don’t expect a Red Velvet by the pastry case.

BG- 1a, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17, Malaysia, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

And, voila! Feel free to let me know your favourite picks!

T.

thursdvys


Good coffee is taking over Malaysia, but you won't find too many better than those at Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI). Pronounced as 'Thursdays', this tucked-away café situated along the same 'hood as Quar/tet is ironically not open on Thursdays. Totally did not see that one coming.

Stylishly hip with an industrial slant, the owner takes interior design to the next level. Caffeine addicts will croon over a delectable cup of Common Man Coffee Roasters blend at this tasteful and creatively designed café. The menu isn't long with only cakes on offer, but rumour has it that their kitchen is up to something.

Choosing a spot to sit is an effortless task. Just make sure you bring a camera along with you.

22, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail.


T.

vcr




New favourite. 

Even without food, their coffee packs a punch and that's just about that. Go in the morning, avoid the weekend crowd, shimmy and repeat. 

T.

wood and steel


Last brunch brought me to Wood and Steel, the ideal place for the design and interior obsessed. Every town needs a place like this, with an eclectic mix of furniture in a lively yet cozy ambience paired with a good cup of joe.

I like how the choice of paint on one side of the wall was inspired by the Brain Games and the idea behind the hanging fixture by the bar came from an Indonesian quarters at a random lodging site. Talk about a gem after my own heart!

T.

quar/tet



If you're wondering what my weekends look like, you're looking at most of them right now. 

It all starts with the nose.

Just kidding. It always starts with the bloggers, everyone knows that. It's just the way things go and that's exactly how I knew what my past weekend was to be.

While the coffee hasn't strike a chord with me even on my second visit, their food does. The folks sure do know how to win hearts with those poached eggs and they certainly have mine. Quar/tet is fast making into my list of go-to cafés for a perfect weekday getaway and it helps that their brunch menu is available till sunset.

T.

fuel cafe




You know what they say about not judging a book by its cover? Well, this place is not the case. I have to admit, I was immediately drawn to this cafe from its attractive type sign board and I find it hard to believe that it's almost non-existent over the internet. (Prior to this post, there had only been two reviews!)

Being the curious cat that I am, I knew I had to poke my nose in and test my instincts. True enough, Fuel Cafe is definitely one of the best deals in Damansara Uptown. This is where lines are overrated, and empty restaurants are totally underrated.

Don't be put off by the crowd, the Sze Chuan noodles at this quirky little lunch spot are delicious and it helps to know that they were all prepared by chefs from the mainland. Come to think of it again, I am glad the hype hasn't reached this gem of a place. I definitely enjoyed eating in complete solitude during my short visit.


T.

seven cups


One step into this cafe and I was totally smitten! Sitting quietly on a corner of Empire Damansara, it makes for a perfect resting nook. On my third visit now and the coffee has not disappoint. If I could, I would have gone all seven cups to last me through each day of the week.

Seven Cups

T.

cafe hopping, melaka

I think September is growing on me. I can't believe anyone would want to sleep through this month and be woken up by the end of it. I will, however, tell you why I'm standing by this month with so much passion:

I watched the entire Masterchef US Season 4 before cable tv
I committed myself to a weekly futsal session
I was interviewed by a swanky new lifestyle platform - GUMBALLmag.com
I went to Melaka

I should also tell you that Melaka's coffee scene is definitely heating up with cafés clamouring old shoplots, chockablock with antique stores and traditional pastry shops. The list is endless and I'm starting to feel like a stranger in my own country. It's not surprising Melaka offers a taste of Malaysia with a decidedly western accent, but nothing beats traditional kopi gau and charcoal grilled toast in an old kopitiam at the end of the day.


The cafés could be a hit or a miss for some but I know it won't be long till I visit these gems again.

Pictured

Halia Inc
The Baboon House
Limau-Limau Cafe
Calanthe Art Cafe

Not Pictured

Mods Cafe


T.

mr. & ms. cafe


Last week's brunch spot brought me to this bustling neighbourhood cafe that is all about the American flair. Despite its corny choice of name, the dining room is definitely a crowd-pleaser, with big windows and convivial vibe.

Specializing in All Day Breakfast and other savoury mains, my order of the 'Vegan' Brekky came as no surprise, especially when there are eggs cooked to my own preference (poached) on wholemeal toast and an ear-sized portobello mushroom to replace their yet-unavailable button mushrooms.

There is definitely room for improvement, judging by how promising the cafe seems to look. For now, the food remains mediocre but I'll definitely return for other brunch options.

T.