There's every reason to be thankful for a space in the city centre where we can flee the ruthless multitudes, find a few friendly smiles, & be nourished in both body & spirit. Ra.Ft's Italian founders Andrea Rossi & Filippo Tomelleri (the first letters of their names form Ra.Ft) can be credited for creating this happy place, tucked on a lane that's a minute's walk from Menara Citibank.
The headliners of Ra.Ft's menu seem to be wholesome, balanced recipes, bearing lots of leaves & no lack of fresh produce. If vegetables are your obsession, The Botanist (RM22+) could leave an impression, its bumper crop of broccoli, crunchy kale, pea sprouts, poached egg & mashed peas heaped on multi-grain, gluten-free bread - a maximum-fibre, minimal-remorse meal. Also clamouring for consideration: toasts topped with hummus & olives (RM14+) or richly pureed avocado with egg (RM18+).
The pork burger is pretty satisfactory, thanks to a patty that's thick, tender & tastily seasoned (RM33+; add RM5+ for bacon); for something lighter, have a bagel stuffed with egg mayo & baby spinach (RM18+). The menu's main curiosity lurks at the end - the Ra.Ft Bird Nest turns out to be a churros-tart hybrid, served warm, dense & crisp, rounded out with ice cream (RM12+).
For fans of cafes that roast their own coffee beans, Ra.Ft's flat white (RM9+), macchiato (RM6+) & cold brew (RM8+) may merit investigation. But the sugar high of a chocolate milkshake enhanced with honeycomb bits & mocha ice cream (RM16+) or well-rounded pleasure of an Italian Corvina-Merlot blend (RM25+ by the glass) might be more irresistible for some of us.
Ra.Ft Cafe/Bistro
Binjai 8, Lorong Binjai, Off Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. Daily, 730am-10pm. Tel: 03-2181-1091
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