Eat Drink KL

Enviably photogenic, The Library Coffee Bar has finally opened at Avenue K, looking to lure the city's legion of caffeine-lovers.

Come on weeknights, perhaps at 7pm; that's when The Library seems to be at its calmest, free of crowds. As the sun sets, this place is transformed into the sort of urban sanctuary that's not often found in shopping malls, surprisingly soothing & spacious.

To eat: Waffles, warm & savoury ones with beef pastrami, egg, horseradish sauce & onion rings (RM17.50 before taxes) ...

... or sweet ones with blueberries & whipped cream (RM13.50), made to order so they taste fresh enough to satisfy.

To drink: Coffee cocktails (hurray!). There's an espresso martini spiked with vodka & kahlua (RM18), a mocha ice-blended with baileys (RM21.50) & our favourite, the creamy-dreamy espresso shake with kahlua (RM21.50).

The Library Coffee Bar is expected to open its second outlet next month at Nexus Bangsar South. The folks here say they use 100 percent organic, fair-trade certified coffee beans for their beverages.

The Library Coffee Bar

Ground Floor, Avenue K, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Daily, 10am-10pm. Next to Johnny Rockets

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As a separate initiative, the latest edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites for January-March 2014 is now online, featuring 100 pretty nice eateries, including more than 20 new entries for this quarter. This eBook of restaurant recommendations is available for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones at this link: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Jan-March-2014 (This link expires March 31, 2014; see blog entries after that date for new link).

Visiting two no-frills, no-fuss venues for protein-packed meals, starting with Anya Kitchen at the Southgate commercial centre.

Rosemary-tinged marinated chicken burger with thigh meat, fried egg, cheese, tomatoes & cucumbers (RM12.90). The bun's a bit too mass-market, but this works well enough to satisfy a simple (read: non-hipster) burger craving.

Roast pork with noodles & egg (RM10.90). Soul food that might hit the spot for certain customers on stress-filled afternoons.

Egg emerges again for the final course, conspiring with pork bacon, basil & capsicum to create a satisfactory pizza for RM15.

Next up, The Grizzly Bear at Taman Paramount, which serves a mean range of meaty specialities spanning lamb chops to chicken chops.

The big breakfast is basic but it isn't bad; there's a plump sausage, plus a substantial omelette (more egg! it's all about the albumin for this entry) stuffed with cheese & more sausage meat, partnered with baked beans, fries, toast & a salad. RM18.

Could this feed a hungry bear? It sure left us feeling ready to head into hibernation.

Mixed juices are among the highlights here. Combine, say, lime with celery. RM8.

Anya Lifestyle Kitchen

Southgate Commercial Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm, Sat, 10am-6pm. Tel: 03-9226-1375

The Grizzly Bear,

5, Jalan 20/14, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya

Mon-Sat, 11am-11pm

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Waffles are becoming a hot food trend this year; one of the most budget-friendly new choices is Favourites Waffle, which specialises in Liège waffles enriched with fresh milk, eggs & pearl sugar.

A small serving topped with melted Belgian chocolate & marshmallows costs a mere RM5.90. Freshly prepared to order, it's respectable enough _ certainly worth the price. Other sweet options come with toppings like Nutella, bananas, strawberries, mangoes, peaches, kiwi fruit & ice cream.

There's one savoury choice, topped with cheese & mayo (RM6.90). Simple but satisfactory, thanks to a base that's successfully crisp & pleasantly dense. Would be better with more striking toppings, but this is fine for a budget-conscious cafe.

Favourites Waffle

78, First Floor, Jalan SS15/4D, Subang Jaya

Daily, 10am-9pm

Bonus stop for desserts: The Dessert Parlour, which offers soft-serve ice cream & milkshakes at Oasis Ara Damansara.

We usually like soft-serve ice cream, but the vanilla one here proved powdery, with an artificial-tasting flavour that was off-putting.

The Dessert Parlour,
Oasis Square, Ara Damansara,

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Perched on the rooftop of Life Centre, the newly launched Barbecue Garden is a leafy outdoor oasis where customers can feast on grilled meat & seafood in the shadow of the Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Arrestingly atmospheric, the alfresco area is among the city's most unique dining venues, ideal for chilling out on breezy nights.

Here's the drill for the grill: It's a DIY barbecue with an a la carte menu that supplies a sweeping selection at reasonable prices.

The best bets: Lemongrass-marinated wild boar (RM14+) & five-spice venison (RM18+), both packing plenty of flavour.

Cinnamon-grilled chicken wings (RM6+ for three), finger-lickin' very-good.

Succulent skewers: Beef-wrapped sugarcane (RM17+ for six) & peanut pork satay (RM5+).

Squid with peanut sauce & lemon leaf chicken. What makes Barbecue Garden extra-worthwhile is that its food is not only unique but undeniably tasty, beautifully marinated with lovely nuances.

Spice-rubbed pork ribs & Vietnamese-style braised eggplant, the latter a nod to the roots of the Barbecue Garden franchise, which has multiple branches in Ho Chi Minh City.

Painstaking to cook though; we could have used some wine & cocktails to help ease the effort (intoxication makes time fly), but those will only be available later this month. Thankfully though, service is fairly friendly here.

Finish on the nicest note: Barbecue Garden's grilled bananas (RM4+) are pleasurably caramel-sweet, soft but not mushy.

Barbecue Garden Malaysia

Level 3 Rooftop, Life Centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

Daily, 11am-2pm, 5pm-midnight. Tel: 03-2181-8226

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Plush stylishness permeates every corner of this contemporary Thai restaurant that launched this past month at PJ's Plaza 33, a buzz-worthy 21st-century reincarnation of the venerable Barn Thai that previously was a pioneering name at the 1 Utama mall.

Barn Thai currently opens only in the evenings, dishing out Thai tapas that the after-work crowd will be chuffed to share, from basil chicken wraps (RM12 before taxes) ...

... to corn fritters (RM12) ...

... & cups of sweet-&-sour crunchy vermicelli (RM12), all served pretty promptly by Barn Thai's friendly team.

Heartier fare range from khao soi (RM19), Chiang Mai's crispy noodles in a creamy curry with chicken & soft noodles at the base of the bowl for further textural contrast ...

... & the needs-no-introduction 'pad thai' (RM19), a nicely executed rendition here.

Come for the cocktails too: Barn Thai is set to surprise with 'molecular cuisine' cocktails that comprise components like popcorn & peanuts. For a start, this "Hot & Cold" (RM48), served in a smoke-clouded container, is a super-tasty concoction with vodka, absinthe, grapefruit, lemon juice & rosemary.

Vodka shooters in tubes stuffed with real watermelon, with the fruit soaking up the liquor.

Beer Mojito with Heineken is available, as is wine by both the bottle & the glass.

Even Barn Thai's restrooms are worth visiting; they're beautifully lush, not a typical description for a restaurant's loo.

Follow the gleaming stallion; it'll lead you to Barn Thai's entrance.

Barn Thai Restaurant & Bar

Ground Floor, Plaza 33, Jalan Kemajuan, Petaling Jaya. Beside the Jaya 33 mall.

Daily, 5pm-1am or even later. Kitchen closes really late. Tel: 03-7932-2233

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Ready to turn over a new leaf? Healthy eating in the city can now be easier, thanks to the wholesome nutrition at Salad Atelier.

This cheerfully colourful cafe caters for customisation: Patrons can choose a base that comprises the likes of fresh lettuce, radicchio & oak leaves, then pile on toppings that range from cucumber to carrots, Parmesan to Swiss cheese, beef salami to smoked salmon, mint yoghurt to sauteed garlic dressing. The selection is sweeping.

Our creation combined spinach with mussels, pumpkin, poached chicken, grapefruit, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, beetroot, couscous, feta cheese, blue cheese & wasabi avocado dressing.

It's a big bowl that's perfect for a meal that's filling but not TOO filling. Ours cost RM22.90, but salads with fewer components can start from as low as RM13.90. Everything inside tastes satisfactory.

Also worth trying: Delicious smoothies, creamy & flavoursome. We like the avocado (RM10.90); others might opt for orange, strawberry or kiwi fruit.

Salad Atelier's inspiration came partly from one of its founders' time spent in Singapore, where he saw salad bars flourish near offices. Salad Atelier is striving to fill that gap for KL; here's hoping we'll see this name show up in several more malls this year.

Salad Atelier

Ground Floor, The Weld, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur

Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm, Sat 8am-2pm

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In Colonial strives to rekindle a sense of old-world charm amid the modern bustle of The Intermark commercial tower; it's a soothing space, tucked in a hidden corner, with a friendly team that serves Malaysian-Chinese food with a few fun flourishes.

The best bets: Grilled squid soaked in savoury satay sauce (RM22 before taxes) ...

... prawns wrapped in sheets of bean curd, smothered in creamy butter sauce (RM48) ...

... & the "chicken in blankets" (RM18) _ chicken sausages coated in strips of chicken wing meat. The rest of the menu ranges from fresh oysters cooked with ginger in clay pots to fish steamed in lotus leaves & rib eye of beef with crispy mint leaves. Tempting, though budget-conscious customers might want to aim for In Colonial's lunch deals instead of its a la carte selection.

Have a gin & tonic or a glass of crisp Chardonnay; wine by the glass starts at RM22.

In Colonial Restaurant

Ground Floor, The Intermark, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur

Daily, 10am-11pm. Tel: 03-2856-9033

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Nyonya specialities steal the spotlight at this newbie on Asian Heritage Row, but before we examine the menu, let's explore the mystery: Is Limapulo linked to Mesui's Limablas? It's possible that a split involving the founders of Limablas sparked Limapulo's creation, but there's more to the tale than what the folks here were willing to say to us.

Limapulo's menu shares certain similarities with Lima Blas' (after all, no Nyonya restaurant should forgo staples like cincalok, ayam pongteh & sotong petai), but the disadvantage here is that Limapulo isn't as colourfully atmospheric, lacking the nostalgic intricacy that has helped make Lima Blas a hit.

Still, there are some interesting creations here worth trying at reasonable prices, ranging from mangga patchree (a sweet-sour poached mango curry with turmeric, RM2 per piece) ...

... to a hearty platter of sambal telur (RM12) with bean curd, cucumber & tempeh.

With tamarind chicken (RM14), sambal timun with chicken liver & gizzard, rojak nyonya, ikan masak kuah lada, chap chye, pai tee, kangkung masak keledek & bendi kukus rounding out the rest of Limapulo's competently prepared selection, there's enough to order for a complete lunch or dinner.

Dessert? Sago Gula Melaka, cendol, peanut cream, ABC & pulut hitam with longan are on the menu, though some items might sometimes be unavailable.

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook

26, Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur

Lunch & dinner, Mon-Sat. Tel: 03-2689-3268

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Many of Melbourne's cafes carry their own fascinating backstories and concepts. One of the best belongs to STREAT, a not-for-profit initiative that has provided more than 100 homeless young people with skills to thrive in the food and hospitality industry.

STREAT, which won the Australian government’s 2013 national award for Social Enterprise Innovation, employs disadvantaged youngsters between the ages of 16 and 25 who learn how to prepare food and serve customers with the brand's own-roasted coffee.

“We’re not trying to turn these kids into the next Paul Bocuse,” says STREAT’s marketing manager, Ian Johnson, referring to the renowned French chef. “It’s more about equipping them with confidence and capabilities for their first entry-level jobs. Many of these youths have had no role models in their lives, but here, they can leave their problems at the door, learn from professionals and have the satisfaction of a full day’s work at a warm, interesting cafe.”

STREAT

5, McKillop Street, Melbourne

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Folks who dare to walk deeper into Plaza Mont Kiara & scour the basement at the back of this complex will be rewarded with meals at a couple of no-frills, pork-loving Asian eateries: Thai specialist Bowl & Thai, alongside Korean outlet Lemon Terrace.

First up, Bowl & Thai, which serves simple fare at satisfactory prices.

Tender, meaty stewed pork with egg & rice (RM9). Soul food, comfort food.

Kerabu sotong (RM7), piquant enough to please. Other offerings include mango salads, tom yum goong & pineapple fried rice.

Also possibly worth inspecting here: the Korean-run Lemon Terrace.

Lemon Terrace's interpretation of 'manduguk' (RM15), reasonably juicy pork dumplings in a savoury, steaming-hot broth.

The serving comes with three 'banchan' side dishes. Lemon Terrace's menu is fairly wide, ranging from ginseng chicken soup (RM22) to 'sujebi' hand-torn noodle broth (RM13).

Bowl & Thai Cafe & Lemon Terrace

Plaza Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

Bowl & Thai opens 830am-6pm, except Sundays

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KL's most buzz-worthy new Japanese restaurant so far this year has surfaced at Taman Tun, destined to become an after-work favourite for crowds seeking above-average fare served by a team that could scarcely be friendlier or more efficient.

Start getting acquainted here with the inventiveness of a kitchen crew helmed by Chef Nizam, who spent more than a decade polishing his trade at Ozeki Tokyo. For Torii, these culinary craftsmen have hatched a steamed duck egg custard crowned with foie gras, shrimp & salmon roe, making for a memorable chawanmushi (RM15 before taxes).

Shrimp tempura topped with sea urchin & plum sea salt (RM28), with the uni adding a creamy-sweet brininess that makes this recipe deliciously distinctive.

Torii's triumphant triumvirate: Temptingly warm, achingly luscious layers of unagi, omelette & foie gras (RM28). As good as Japanese dim sum might get.

Speaking of threes, there are trio of reasons for Torii's name: the first two refer to the word's literal meaning (it's a Japanese gate) & as an abbreviation for yakitori _ Torii excels in a sweeping selection of grilled skewered specialities, ranging from chicken liver coated with BBQ sauce & sansho pepper (RM5) ...

... to try-this-now garlic cloves irresistibly wrapped in crispy-fatty chicken skin with sea salt (RM5).

Wagyu sirloin (RM16), packed with commandingly savoury juiciness, alongside ox tongue with black pepper (RM15).

Beef tripe with tangy-thick salsa (RM6).

King crab leg (RM28); Torii will steadily roll out recipes on its no-pork menu. Amid these uncertain times, there are still some guarantees: Expect to hear more about Torii as folks flock here in the months ahead.

Even the complimentary edamame here deserves a shout-out, served warm & fresh with a salty crunch.

Torii has teamed up with Forty Licks Ice Cream to create exclusive flavours here, including a dark chocolate sorbet (RM10) that's terrifically textured & tantalisingly tasty.

Let's finish on what might be the best note for some customers: The third explanation for Torii's name is a nod to Japanese whisky icon Shinjiro Torii. This place is fanatical about its whisky.

Try the refreshing whisky cocktails: Yamazaki Umeshu (Yamazaki 12, soda, honey umeshu) ...

... & Hibiki Vanilla (Hibiki 12, soda, vanilla essence & orange bitters), RM32 each.

Torii Yakitori & Whisky Bar TTDI

18, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Same row as Vin's& Thursdvys

Open 5pm through late, except Sundays. Tel: 03-7733-9309

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The hidden bungalow restaurant of Muugu opened this month near Bukit Bintang, promising crowd-pleasing classics in a spacious sanctuary of calm amid the clamour of the city.

If the leafy venue feels strangely familiar, that's because this was Max At iHaus less than five years ago; now, it's run by two Singaporeans & their Malaysian partner, expertly backed by a kitchen crew & service team that comprise polished professionals in their respective fields. It's a friendly place where guests will feel welcome & put at ease.

Many thanks to Leonard at Muugu for hosting this meal, which kicked off with warm olive rolls, fresh, fluffy & flavoursome, fabulous for whetting the appetite.

Muugu specialises in seafood & steaks; these pan-seared scallops crowned with quail eggs & partnered with sweet corn cream & beetroot mousse (RM23) might deservedly prove a favourite for customers.

Mussels, succulent in a savoury, heart-warming white wine broth. At RM19, it illustrates how prices here are pretty fair for Western fare in such a nice venue in downtown KL. Plus, parking's complimentary.

Battered button & oyster mushrooms (RM12), very juicy, served with Muugu's house-made chilli sauce, a richly smooth, pleasantly sweet concoction that's a tasty change from mass-produced sauces.

Moving on to mains: Interesting items include the pesto risotto, fragrantly herbal, topped with a fleshy slab of snapper (RM27).

Capellini aglio olio, gratifyingly garlicky (RM17). Carbonara, bolognese, alfredo & amatriciana are all available too.

Chicken roulade stuffed with ricotta cheese & spinach (RM23), accompanied by lovely mashed potatoes that steal the show.

Aussie air-flown tenderloin (RM55 for 8oz), cooked on a volcanic stone grill.

Tender, meaty beef, well-prepared & well-partnered with luscious ratatouille & creamy mushroom & red wine sauces.

Try the truffle-scented fries too (RM8), also addictive, cut from russet potatoes.

Desserts here are reassuring rather than surprising: Again, everything's capably executed, from the irresistible melt-in-the-mouth tiramisu (RM12) ...

... to the chilled pick-me-up of this strawberry granita (RM9) ...

... to the chocolate lava cake that's creamy but not cloying (RM12). Throughout Muugu's opening month, head here & say "Muugu is sweet!" to receive a free aperitif & dessert.

House-pouring wine clocks in at RM15 per glass. Would be better chilled though.

Ask Ed at Muugu to whip up an ice-cold cocktail (the Metropolitan Martini is worthwhile at RM18) or lattes that come at comfortingly warm temperatures instead of scalding.

All in all, Muugu's a pleasant, fuss-free retreat. Good enough for a leisurely lunch or a relaxed dinner.

Muugu Garden Bistro

32, Jalan Jati, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Lunch & dinner, daily. Tel: 03-2110-3603

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Bangsar's latest bakery-cafe is a soothing space tucked on Lorong Kurau, blessedly removed from the bustle of Telawi.

This place might look more recognisable than expected: Cultura replaced Poco Homemade this month. It's now helmed by a very friendly two-person team that welcomes customers with temptations that range from almond strudels to chocolate palmiers.

Escape the noise outside & linger inside Cultura over freshly baked slices of creamy-soft cheesecakes (RM13) topped with macadamia nuts & salted caramel ...

... & piping-hot toasties (RM7) prepared to order, thickly spread with rich, top-flight peanut butter.

Plenty of pastries are available for takeaway on Cultura's shelves.

White chocolate rose mousse cakes (RM13), a holdover from Poco Homemade, still offered for now at Cultura. Blueberry cheese tarts, strawberry bavarian cream cakes, matcha mousse cakes & black sesame mousse cakes can also be sometimes found at the counter.

Degayo Sumatran coffee & Twinings tea will likely keep caffeine-lovers happy.

Cultura Bakery

1 Lorong Kurau, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

Tues-Sat, 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-3pm

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Taman Desa's newest hotspot is an outdoor venue that serves Hakka yong tau foo uniquely smoked over charcoal grills; it also features a mural of its founder's father that's destined to become the focus of a thousand Instagram snapshots.

Old Tricycle has its origins in Pudu's five-decade-old Choon Kee Hakka noodle stall, a business handed down through generations of the Siow clan. Enterprising family members have now embarked on this Taman Desa business as a possible spin-off franchise.

The selection comprises slices of fish paste with bacon, brinjal, bitter gourd, okra & more, coated in hickory barbecue sauce. Most cost RM1.30 each, with only one hitting the RM2.50 mark.

All cooked at the customer's table; it's a nice novelty, though Old Tricycle seems to have teething troubles with its staff that makes patience a recommended virtue.

Flavour-wise, everything's tasty enough; we'd happily wolf down as many of these as possible.

Also addictive: Slippery chee cheong fun, served with the likes of fried pork skin, curry & sambal (RM2.90). Other variations with assam sauce & more are available.

Old Tricycle's location is easy to find: It's a neighbour of this neighbourhood's Gerai Makanan Japanese BBQ.

Old Tricycle Charcoal Barbecue Yong Tau Foo

Faber Plaza, Jalan Desa Jaya, Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur

Open 6pm-midnight

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Returning to Taman Tun's Torii for more grilling & dramming. Earlier entry on Torii: March 16.

Start with a salad: Torii's combo of mixed seaweed with freshly ripe, sweetly juicy mangoes, mesclun, strawberries & croutons (RM22 before taxes) should work well to perk up the palate.

Foie's a favourite in Torii's kitchen: Folks will fall lustily in love with the signature Torii 'burger,' comprising house-made Wagyu mini-patties crowned with liver, spinach & caramelised onions, a melt-in-the-mouth stuffing in a sliced scone (RM36 for two).

Also worthwhile: Fried rice with morsels of foie gras, garlic chips & herbs (RM26).

Torii's take on devils on horseback is called 'Arabian Nights' (RM20), comprising Arabian dates wrapped in beef bacon. Succulent, sweet-savoury stuff, absolutely addictive.

Avocado De La Mer: Baked seafood in a hot, mushy mess with avocados, mushrooms, piquant miso & cheese (RM18).

Can't leave Torii without tasting some skewers; with nearly 40 to choose from, come hungry to try, say, the short ribs (RM12) ...

... or the bouncy-chewy squid tentacles with tangy salsa (RM6).

Desserts are not run-of-the-mill at Torii: The best bets are the lemon curd pavlova with mixed berries, kiwi fruit & strawberry compote with Forty Licks' exclusive whiskey raisin ice cream (RM20) ...

... & the raw lime cheese cake layered with apricot ice cream & honey crumble (RM22).

More whiskey cocktails: The signature Torii (Yamazaki 12, soda, yuzu juice, gomme) ...

... & Hakushu Rosewater (Hakushu 12, soda, rosewater, orange peels).

Or enjoy a glass of the Nikka Miyagikyo 12 Years for RM27.

Sake & wine are available too, by the carafe & glass/bottle respectively.

Torii Japanese Yakitori & Whisky Bar

18 Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

Open 5pm-late, except Sundays. Tel: 03-7733-9309

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Avenue K's newly revamped top floor still has plenty for hungry visitors to explore; some might start at Black Bull, a spacious restaurant & bar with a few fun facilities ...

... including pool tables & a bull-themed bowling alley (!) that explains this eatery's name.

The tapas selection includes calamari with harissa & garlic aioli sauce (RM25), a recipe that kinda sounded better than it looked & tasted. Perhaps several of the other items might fare better: there's everything from Tex-Mex burgers with jalapeno peppers & tomato salsa to seared duck breast with red wine reduction.

The cocktails could be more potent: Amaretto Espresso Martini (amaretto, kahlua, smirnoff vodka, espresso) ...

... & Toblerone (creme de cacao, frangelico, bailey's irish).

Also now on this level at Avenue K: The latest branch of the Ayers Rock steak chain.

Plenty of meat available; unfortunately, wine isn't served at Ayers Rock.

Still, the steak's satisfying, a quality cut that's flavourful & juicy, prepared competently ...

... & partnered heartily with potatoes & a fresh-tasting salad.

The final stop for now: Whisky Tango Foxtrot, a whisky & cigar lounge that's accessible through this phone-booth entrance inside Samba Brazilian Steakhouse.

And yep, it's also a branch, this one of the original WTF at Medan Damansara.

Black Bull

Level 3, Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2166-6666

Ayers Rock

Level 3, Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur

Whisky Tango Foxtrot

Level 3, Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur

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South Korean coffeehouse chain Caffebene unveiled its first two branches in Malaysia this year, bringing its people-pleasing selection to Sunway Pyramid & Solaris Mont Kiara's SohoKL, with plans for the next outlet in Penang.

Solaris Mont Kiara is really crowded with caffeine bars now, but the new kid on block looks like it'll prove capable of luring Friday's extended-lunch crowd with its cheerful sweet treats for weeks to come.

Liege waffles _ an increasingly familiar sight on KL's cafe menus _ are among the specialities here. This version crowned with 'tteok' rice cake & nuts (RM13) makes for a uniquely Belgian-Korean collaboration, with the crusty base & the glutinous topping supplying a dense chew.

'Patbingsu,' the Korean shaved-ice dessert with red bean paste is available in various forms here; the one with Caffebene's own-made coffee gelato (RM10.80) makes the most sense to try here. Other options include strawberry bingsu or cookies & cream.

The gelato's not bad; satisfyingly smooth & pleasantly understated in flavour. Everything at Caffebene, from the service to the setting to the offerings, reflects a tried-&-tested, non-threatening proficiency that feels like the hallmark of massive franchises (Caffebene has hundreds of outlets in Korea & abroad).

Even an affogato (RM8) that might seem boldly experimental with cream-cheese-flavoured gelato turns out to taste safely conventional, since nothing here is strikingly robust, for better or worse.

Unfortunately, that characteristic makes Caffebene's Kenyan single-origin hand-drip coffee (RM8) border on blandly sterile.

The silver lining is that the beverages here won't taste too sweet: the misugaru non-coffee 'latte' (RM12) is pretty enjoyable, a creamy, shake-like blend of toasted grains.

Juices, yoghurt smoothies & assorted teas are offered too; all in all, there's no reason why Caffebene shouldn't be a success in a nation where Starbucks & Korean pop culture enjoy widespread appeal.

Caffe Bene

Ground Floor, SohoKL, Solaris Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Near Cold Storage.

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Jibby & Co opened outside Empire Shopping Gallery this past week, instantly becoming one of Subang's most ravishing restaurants. But this venue hopes to succeed on more than superficial charm, with a menu that's more ambitious than many might anticipate.

Watch this two-storey space register strongly on the F&B Richter scale for suburban cafe-watchers; it looks like the result of an earth-shaking budget, with every square metre blanketed in a stylish sheen.

The restaurant's name will raise eyebrows too, though its explanation is far from scandalous: 'Jibby' is the nickname of this outlet's co-founder Najib Abdul Rahman, who is also the executive chef for the Serai chain of eateries.

Sabah-born Najib spent a decade working in Melbourne; the melting-pot culinary influence of the Australian city is showcased in Jibby & Co brunch offerings like baked eggs (some might prefer them runnier) with house-made chicken sausages, lemon zest, Neapolitan tomato sauce & North African ras el hanout spices (RM28 before taxes).

Our best bet: Sunny-side-up eggs with creamy yolks over corned beef, potatoes, confit cherry tomatoes, strained yoghurt & thick toast (RM27). Pretty addictive, with the labneh providing pleasantly tangy nuances.

Jibby's poached eggs show a tell-tale reliance on vinegar in their preparation, but that's fair enough for a busy kitchen. They're partnered with hash browns, salmon roe, smoked salmon, corn, zucchini & hollandaise sauce (RM25); it sounds like a recipe that could be elaborately enjoyable, but it proved not as memorably punchy as expected (the corn was more effective than the salmon roe in boosting both taste & texture).

The brunch menu is available 8:30am-4pm daily, so even late risers can make it in time for a densely filling French toast, topped with creme patisserie, berries, crushed pistachios & maple glaze (RM22).

Greek yoghurt with raspberry coulis & crispy honey cornflakes (RM24). Jibby's prices are evidence of inescapable inflation.

Sumatran single-origin coffee can be ordered (RM12, aeropress or pour-over). Not bad; no complaints about how this tastes.

We like the Banoffee Pie shake; it's creamy without being too thick, flavoursome but not cloying, smooth & not harshly icy.

Come during off-peak hours to snatch a seat on one of the two couches, the most comfortable & coveted section here.

We'll explore the lunch & dinner selection in a future entry; there are both hits & misses here, so there's space for fine-tuning, but ultimately, Jibby & Co has real potential. There will be buzz.

Jibby & Co is open daily through midnight, with the kitchen closing at 10:30pm. It's at the outdoor parking lot near CIMB Bank, on the Tangs end of the mall's frontage.

Jibby & Co

GK11, Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang Jaya

Tel: 03-5613-7070

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The newest restaurant on Medan Damansara's Kasah row seeks to stand out with a menu of elaborate recipes that showcase admirable ambition, even if the food isn't complemented by the bar-like setting with less than comfortably high tables & chairs.

We have to offer a measure of support for any kitchen that tries to tackle a complicated concoction like ginger-cured hiramasa kingfish sashimi with prawn remoulade, kaffir lime & wonton chips (RM32 before taxes).

Seared sea scallops with cauliflower puree, Chinese sausage crumbs, Asian coleslaw & yakitori sauce (RM36). The Point's menu nicely balances Western & Eastern flavours in thoughtfully textured preparations.

Even the pub grub displays a degree of difficulty that's appreciably high, evidenced by The Point's signature Scotch eggs (RM10), fresh & runny _ not cold & thoroughly boiled _ wrapped in pork mince & bacon, served with chilli-caramel sauce.

The tapas selection is diverse; this skilfully executed soft-shell crab mini-burger with Sriracha mayo (RM12) could prove popular.

Chicken isn't mundane at The Point: Sous-vide fowl meat with celery ribbons, confit cherry tomatoes, house-made bacon jam & lemongrass sauce (RM40). The chicken could be even juicier, but the sum of these components still works effectively enough.

Twice-cooked duck leg with mixed mushrooms & braised onions & carrots in soy broth (RM38). All in all, The Point is a welcome entry to KL's F&B scene, mainly because we do like the direction toward which its chef seems to be striving.

The Point Bar & Dining Room
First & Second Floor, No. 122, Jalan Kasah, Damansara Heights, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2011-8008

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Visiting a couple of cafes with a few interesting ideas, starting with Amaze K, a handsomely outfitted outlet that opened this month in an unlikely location: A remote street in Kota Damansara that mainly houses auto workshops & machinery wholesalers.

With no other restaurants on this row, far removed from this neighbourhood's busier vicinities, Amaze K might prove both a sight for sore eyes & salvation for starving tummies, thanks to a wide-ranging menu that includes poached eggs on an English muffin with potato rosti, smoked salmon & hollandaise sauce (RM9.90 before taxes).

Grilled lamb short loin with potatoes & veggies. The food tastes fairly reasonable for what it costs. One bowl of mushroom soup at Amaze K clocks in at RM5, a nine-inch teriyaki chicken pizza is priced at RM18, with nothing on the menu exceeding RM30.

Amaze K serves coffee supplied by EspressoLab; all in all, a decent destination for folks living or working in Kota Damansara. Parking was a breeze on this street on a recent weekday afternoon.

Next up, Ttp.my, billed as Malaysia's first 'print cafe,' run by a band of local designers in Solaris Dutamas.

Visitors can purchase or place orders here for everything from business cards & rubber stamps to poster prints & button badges.

The food selection is neither expansive nor too expensive: A basic burger comprising a 90-gram minced chicken patty in a wholemeal bun with cheese, a sunny-side-up & fries costs RM15.90.

Beef burger with a black sesame bun; could be better in terms of freshness & flavour. The fries are addictive though, hot & fluffy.

Garlic wraps stuffed with fried chicken (RM8). Edible but kinda unexceptional.

The coffee is OK; Ttp.my is one of Solaris Dutamas' more peaceful cafes, extremely hidden on a block behind the main Publika complex, so it could work as a refuge for folks seeking a calm escape for lunchtime.

Amaze K
23, Jalan PJU 3/44, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm

TTP.MY Print Cafe
D5-G4-03 Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur
Mon-Sun, 9am-8pm

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The Library Coffee Bar @ Avenue K

Anya Kitchen @ Southgate & The Grizzly Bear @ Paramount Garden

Favourites Waffle @ SS15 Subang

Barbecue Garden @ Life Centre

Barn Thai @ Plaza 33, Petaling Jaya

Salad Atelier @ The Weld, Raja Chulan

In Colonial @ The Intermark

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook @ Doraisamy

STREAT @ Melbourne

Bowl Thai & Lemon Terrace @ Plaza Mont Kiara

Torii @ Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Muugu Garden Bistro, Off Bukit Bintang

Cultura Bakery Cafe @ Lorong Kurau, Bangsar

Old Tricycle Charcoal BBQ Yong Tau Foo @ Taman Desa

Torii @ TTDI

Black Bull, Ayers Rock & Whisky Tango Foxtrot @ Avenue K

Caffe Bene @ Solaris Mont Kiara

Jibby & Co @ Empire Subang

The Point @ Kasah, Medan Damansara

Amaze K @ Kota Damansara & Ttp.my Print Cafe @ Solaris Dutamas