#36 Brew & Bread

So, the end of May is nigh as we know it. Bumpy and hectic, the fifth month of the year has been a sort of turning point in my life. No, I won't elaborate much on that. Thank you.

A checklist of what I've done includes watching and reviewing summer blockbusters, getting together with Sunshine, cafe-hopping, reiterating crucial industrial skills in managing chemical apparatuses, materials and instruments, book-shopping, EDM-playlist update and of course, a Sunday brunch date with friends.

The idea of a gleeful brunch gathering brought us to the distant part of the city - Kota Kemuning. 'Brew & Bread' was the appointed destination, and boy did some of us early risers waited impatiently for each others (since it's a long drive from the KL...) to arrive at the scene.

Feeling peckish and restless, all of us helped ourselves with the orders at once.

Caffe Latte (RM 7.00), Piccolo Latte (RM 7.00), Caramel Latte (RM 8.00), Flat White (RM 7.00)

Iced-Mint-Choc (RM 9.00)

For obvious reason, I was still reeling from the effect induced by overconsumption of caffeinated beverages. Therefore, no espresso-based drinks but plain water for me throughout my meal.

Eggs Waldorf (RM 18)

Adeline's choice was a rectangular plate of fruits and two poached eggs drenched in hollandaise sauce, each served with wild mushrooms on ciabatta bread.

Eggs Benedict (RM 18)

Janice's choice was Waldorf's evil twin brother Benedict, with a slight tweak of substituting the mushrooms with ham instead.

More runny yolk goodness.

From left: Mush Eggs (RM 6), Prosciutto (Pro) Eggs (RM 6)

Christina and Winston's albumin-charged omelette dishes squared off in yet another ham vs. mushroom manner.

Chicken Roulade (RM 18)

Another order meant to be shared, the Chicken Roulade fared well as chicken thigh rolled with stuffing, coated with black and white sesame, brown sauce, pumpkin mash, olive oil infused basil and parsley dip. A slight Kenny Roger's/Ayamas throwback there...

Far left: Jamaican Chicken (RM 8.00)
Far right: Truffle Mushroom (RM 9.00)

For me and Stef, piping hot sandwiches were our pick. While Stef's selection has chicken, fresh fruit, cheese, lettuce, blended fresh tomato paste all stuffed between fluffy ciabatta toast, mine has shitaake, swiss brown, white button, caramelized onion, corals on ciabatta.

We ended up exchanging one of the toasts for fun.

March of Soldiers (M.O.S.)

Yeast paste, herbs and dippy egg on crispy ciabatta. Tasty finger food.

Brew & Bread
10, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla M 31/M, Kota Kemuning.
40460 Shah Alam, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-51315201

Business hours:

Monday - Wednesday: 8.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Friday - Sunday: 8.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.

Closed on Thursday

#35 Coffee Stain By Joseph

As our cafe-hopping journey continues along the long stretch of shophouse at Solaris Dutamas, we eventually set foot in this coffee joint for a quick caffeine fix.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino for Him.

Iced Chocolate

Iced Chocolate for Her.

At the end of the day, a happy chat was all that we needed. Heck I didn't even care 'bout neither what kinda blend they put in my cuppa coffee nor the part they forgot to provide us the receipt (hence no price tags listed for this post..). All I ever care was the moment...and us.

Therefore, this is not a cafe review. It's something...more than that.

Coffee Stain By Joseph
D4-G3-01, Solaris Dutamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-62112022

Business hours:

Monday: 9.30 a.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 9.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Friday - Sunday: 9.30 a.m. - 12.00 a.m.

#34 CoffeeSociété

My last visit to Garage 51 by CoffeeSociété was a rather mocha-licious affair. Served in a basic plastic cup, the mocha was a pleasant beverage that was well-balanced in terms of its cocoa and espresso taste.

Flash forward a month later, we decided to go for CoffeeSociété's 'Coffee In The Dark', which is a free flow coffee session that runs from 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. For a damage of RM 15, caffeine junkies and coffee aficionados would rejoice over bottomless sampling of the entire range of espresso-based beverages (Though an additional charge of RM 1 is required for Mocha and Flavoured Lattes or Cappuccinos..).

Since it was a Friday night, the place eventually got crowded an hour later.

For one single night, we have consumed a total 16 cups of coffee.

From left: Doppio/Short Black (RM 6.50), Ristretto (RM 6.50), Latte (RM 8.90), Macchiato (RM 7)

We started our caffeine-pumped Friday evening with mini cups of espresso and of course, latte. Their house blend, a.k.a. The Société Blend is made up of 100% Arabic beans, which in turn provides a certain balanced degree of sweetness and medium-bodied smoothness (Ps. Me no coffee connoisseur though...).

From left: Latte (RM 8.90), Macchiato (RM 7)

More gorgeous latte arts...

Piccolo Latte (RM 7.90)

Flat White (RM 8.90)

The Piccolo and Flat White were definitely the highlights of the night.

Cappuccino (RM 8.90)

Cups of cappuccino with a variety of art forms.

Société Red Velvet (RM 12)

CoffeeSociété

• Publika, Block D4, Level G3, Unit 3A, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas,
• 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia
• Tel: 03-62115523
• Business hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 10.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

#33 The Bee (Publika)

Few weeks back, Sunshine was here for a short weekend excursion. We eventually decided to have a lunch date around Publika shopping gallery, which was a great choice to avoid weekend crowd around major shopping malls. Since parking really wasn't a hassle here, we got there around noon on a smooth traffic journey. However, we were wrong about one thing: most of the eateries were packed with diners. People were queueing up at the entrance to the chocolate salon, tables were filled for most of the restaurants. All except one: The Bee.

Indie playlist on the loop, hipster vibe detected.

Situated at one end of Publika's long stretch, the dimly-lit restaurant was in a state of desolation, an impression that'll leave you wondering whether the food or the service is bad here. Luckily, both aspects were satisfactorily managed here. There were plenty of tables around when we got in. Oh, there's a stage too that caters to occasional indie productions and performances.

We were famished, and burger seems to be the most appropriate remedy to our physical lethargy.

Avocado Chicken Burger (RM 24)

Sunshine's pick consists of a juicy, oven-baked Cajun chicken patty served with guacamole and melted cheese, all sandwiched in a wholemeal burger bun. The combination of the guacamole and melted cheese was pretty good.

The Bee Burger (RM 25)

The Bee's signature burger was my ultimate choice. The medium cooked housemade beef patty was neither moist nor juicy enough for my palate. However, the cheddar cheese and turkey bacon atop the patty were great compensation.

Nevertheless, the portion was generous (so was the price too!).

Sides: Spicy Potato Wedges and Sweet Potato Fries

The latter was pretty awesome.

Lemonade (RM 8) and Half + Half (RM 8)

The Last Polka Premium Flavours : Guinness and Nutella (Each at RM 9.20)

Truth be told, the real reason we were here: The Last Polka ice-cream!

The Bee (Publika)
36B, Level G2, Publika,
Solaris Dutamas,
Jln Dutamas 1,
50480, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-62018577

Business hours:

Monday - Friday: 11.00 a.m. - Late

Saturday - Sunday: 10.00 a.m. - Late

#32 Lids & Finch Cafe

For a weekday-only cafe, Lids & Finch Cafe's contemporary interior designs are definitely a pull factor here. With the usual chalk-drawn wall menu and lifestyle knick-knacks here and there, the dining environment is a cheerful one that'll sure to kick your Monday blues away by putting a smile on your face.

Tables are abundant upstairs. Feeling a bit too melancholic, I picked a spot with a proper vantage point eyeing both the cafe seating and the barista kitchen downstairs.

Mocha (RM 12)

L&F's Meatballs & Spaghetti in a hearty homemade Tomato Sauce (RM 22)

The mocha here was decent, but the meatballs and spaghetti were underwhelming. The portion was generous, but the supposed homemade tomato sauce was way too diluted, thus rendering the dish to taste bland and watery.

Aside from that, the cafe also serves a selection of pastry and cakes.

Lids & Finch Cafe
Menara I&P 2, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia
Tel: 03-20118600
Business hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.