Tuesday 31 December 2013

LOKL Coffee @ Jalan Tun H.S Lee


Car park space within a walking distance from the cafe, charged by the hour

I have been wanting to visit LOKL Coffee for quite some time now and one fine day, hubby managed to bring me here for breakfast. 

The exterior


It was a Saturday morning so the roads were clear.

You could actually see the cafe from the parking lot. 

As you stand at the entrance, take the door on your left to enter the cafe, the one on your right leads you to the reception area of Backhome.



See the guy there? I believe he's the owner of the cafe :)

You'll be greeted with friendly baristas and they'll help you in every way possible! 

The cafe was already full with patrons having their breakfast but we managed to find a table for ourselves, with the assistance of the kind baristas. :)




I ordered their breakfast set above which comes with coffee and juice. 

It was delish, with the exception of their mushrooms which weren't sauteed with any seasonings so you'd probably need to add your own salt and pepper. 

You can request for additional milk from them and you can help yourself to the small counter to obtain your sugar / creamer etc.

The good thing is, they have already prepared glasses and bottled water on each and every table, how convenient and thoughtful is that?


The table setting




I was just browsing the cakes selection at the counter and one barista came over to share with me details of their best selling cakes, etc. 

All of their cakes are sourced from FOOD FOUNDRY and replenished every 2 days to ensure freshness. 

That's PLUS POINTS from me considering that they put emphasis on the quality of their food and cakes.




Our experience only got better! 

As we had our toddler along, one of the baristas brought over some biscuit sticks (as per picture above), on the house! 

AND ... even ensured that it was re-filled when it was finished! 

Talk about being super duper thoughtful and attentive! 

I'm a super happy mom! :D











Hubby and I both LOVE the thought-process that the owners had put in to decorate the cafe ... running away from the normal IKEA furniture. 

Yes, you could even find a vintage sewing machine right at the door-step!

It was a GREAT experience overall and positive that LOKL Coffee is here to stay! 

It's those small things that matter, often overlooked by cafes ... but LOKL Coffee has it! 


Address: 30 Jalan Tun H.S Lee, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: 03-2072 1188
Email: eat@loklcoffee.com


Friday 27 December 2013

Baby Changing Room @ Citta Mall, Ara Damansara PJ



The baby changing room at Citta Mall, Ara Damansara, is probably one of the cleanest ones I've encountered in a mall. 

The mall itself isn't too congested, ample parking space (free of charge, for now) and an abundance of space for families with strollers.

They've even dedicated parking lots for families right in front of the mall's doorstep.

As I entered the baby changing room, I'm pleased that they've maintained its cleanliness really well in addition to the room being brightly lit. 

If you have potty trained toddlers, they've dedicated a child-friendly bathroom complete with a stool by the sink.

What you'll see once you step through the automatic door (you won't need to worry about your kid(s) running out of the room as you'll need to press the exit button which is at an adult's height) : 


At the entrance 

Opposite this play area is the bathroom for toddlers, which also has an automatic sliding door. 


The drawing on the wall

As you walk further into the room, you'll find this brightly-lit spacious section with changing tables and a sink.





Nursing rooms available:






This baby changing room is located on the 1st floor of Citta Mall. 



Address: No. 1, Jalan PJU 1A/48, PJU 1A, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya

Saturday 21 December 2013

Whisk, Outpost @ 1Utama




Under NORMAL circumstances, we wouldn't even dream of going to 1Utama on a weekend afternoon!

Parking IS a hassle, no doubt cheap (hubby ended up sending the car for a wash and polish) and the place was buzzing with people doing last-minute Christmas shopping and Chinese New Year too!


However, since our friends were already at 1 Utama, we braved our way there.


We'd prefer The Curve in comparison to 1Utama, though. 



Anyway, after catching a movie, hubby whisked us to the Whisk, Outpost cafe.  :)


Located at the Old Wing and just next to Starbucks, it looks like a quaint little shop on its own.


On second thought, it looks like a peculiar shop selling vintage products.



Judging from the exterior (above), I wouldn't have probably taken a second look at the cafe (windows are tainted with words and drawings) as I didn't expect it to sell coffee. :)

I would have walked straight to Starbucks.


Love the flooring, reminds me of Chinoz on the Park (KLCC) prior to its renovation in 2013 (if I'm not mistaken)
If it weren't for hubby who advised that he'd heard about Whisk and the great review they've gotten, I would have persuaded him otherwise.


As he ushered us into the cafe, you can't help but look down, not just because of the logo at the entrance (picture above) but you'd also need to be careful when you step in as there was another step you'd need to take before reaching the counter.


I felt that the shop had too many things going on, not to mention that there was a pillar right between the entrance and the counter which houses sugar and plain water.


You can't help but feel that the pillar just obstructs the view inside the cafe and pathway for patrons too.


The baristas look busy so they're just interested to take your orders, although there were no other customers in line behind us. 


Service was just ok and only after my friend enquired what was their best cake, the baristas showed interest in serving us.


The red velvet cake was recommended but we felt that it was too mainstream already.


Seeing that it was nearing 6pm and it would be dinner time soon, I ordered hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake (yeah, so much for wanting to save space in the tummy for dinner!). 


Whatever's left at 6pm on a weekend ... cakes are flying off the shelves!

Hubby's Raspberry drink and my chocolate cake in the background
My chocolate cake was dry, I didn't finish it off ... as how I'd normally do. 


My hot chocolate ... :( ... Didn't taste chocolatey ... Yes, I sipped the drink BEFORE eating the chocolate cake so I can confirm that my hot chocolate was quite bland. 

Maybe I should have gone for the coffee instead, eh?


Looking at the cafe, I think it's a cool place for you to snap pics and update a blog ... just like moi!


You don't fancy coffee? No worries, there's juices too!

The Menu

Would probably order this the next time I ever decide to visit this joint again


Ex-baristas of Starbucks would definitely remember this brand ...

Fully utilizing the corner

The warning sign: "Try sipping your coffee BEFORE adding any sugar!"




My experience at Whisk, Outpost, was a disappointing one. 


Maybe because I ordered hot chocolate instead of coffee? 
I don't know ... but they should have gotten the hot chocolate right, at least, in my humble opinion.

Guess I should've just gone to Starbucks, which is just next door to Whisk, Outpost.



Address: 1Utama (old wing), G 139, Ground Floor, Center Court
(located next to Starbucks, near open air carpark)
Phone: 03-7722 1020
Hours: Mon-Thu (10am-10pm), Fri-Sat (10am-10.30pm), Sun (10am-10pm)

Thursday 19 December 2013

Podgy & The Banker @ Sri Hartamas


We reached the cafe bright and early in the morning, only one or two tables were occupied.

Heard good reviews about this cafe, hence, we paid a visit one fine weekend traveling from KL all the way to Sri Hartamas ... just to have breakfast.

Hubby and I are both foodies so we'll make that trip :)






Open from 0900 - 2330hrs daily except on Tuesdays.

The selection of cakes
I guess it is easier to manage a cafe nowadays if customers themselves place orders at the counter and pay first before sitting down at a table. 




The Bromance snapped in this picture is PURELY coincidental ... we were aiming to capture the cakes!
The crowd started streaming in from 10am onwards



French Toast & Banana Slices

Poached Eggs on Toast
Right: Avocado & Chicken Sandwich
Hot Chocolate
The hot chocolate was a bit too bland.

Latte


We noticed that because we didn't receive numbers for our orders placed, the baristas / servers often end up sending the wrong food at our table, 3 times! 

They had to ask us what we ordered.

Anyway, I loved my poached eggs, probably coz I have been craving for 'em for quite some time. 

Unfortunately, the portion was a wee-bit small for me.

As for my latte ... it was not enough for me ... I think I finished gulping the drink within a few sips.

Hubby said that I drink my coffee "like a fish"

Hish ... does that mean I look like a fish each time he sees me drink coffee ??? 

Bahahaha ... I know, I admit that sometimes I wish that when I frequent a cafe, they'd give me options, you know ... Tall or Grande or Venti ... 

Aih ... definitely spoilt by Starbucks!

We didn't manage to snap a photo of what our friend had, if I'm not mistaken Smoked Salmon Sandwich. 

It was unfortunate for him as his sandwich tasted SUPER salty ... the salmon was topped with mayo coupled with onions and salad chucked between two slices of bread. 

Needless to say, our friend didn't enjoy his sandwich so he dived into his partner's Poached Eggs on Toast. 

My honest opinion? 

:( 

I regret that I won't be coming back here.

Was still hungry even after we left the cafe ... 

However, I respect the fact that they opened up this cafe and are making attempts to provide good food and coffee. 

Give it time, perhaps?