... & Coffee Amo at Chinatown's Jalan Sultan. Exceptionally different geographical locations, but both outlets are drop-dead gorgeous.
First up, Wood & Steel, a combo of a cafe & a store that sells art & furniture, including some supplied to Sri Hartamas' Podgy & The Banker.
Great Motown classics play on the speakers, ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The staff members are fairly friendly; there's a very casual, chilled-out vibe here.
The coffee? Definitely drinkable.
Cheesecake, enjoyably edible. Wood & Steel should also be serving brunches by now; we were here during the recent extended weekend, but when we asked a barista what hot food would be available, she was only willing to say, scrambled eggs.
Next: Coffee Amo, a nice nook on the first floor of what seems like a history-laden row of shops.
Sure, the cafe looks crowded in these photos, but that's because this was a soft-launch event, with a spillover turnout from a ceremony at the Petaling Street Art House that seems to share this floor with the cafe. Cafe Amo might normally be an oasis of calm.
Cafe Amo is run by a team that _ based on first impression _ appear pretty genuine about wanting to make customers happy; there's a sense of respect here that's palpable, including respect for the city's heritage & for the art of making satisfying coffee.
Patrons can savor single-origin Panama Geisha or Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee (RM23-RM32 for those specialty options, hand-drip & siphon) or brave the equally enticing Ocean 11 & Rose Garden coffee concoctions, one fragrant with tangerine & the other with rose (RM12-RM14).
Soft-launch snacks; Cafe Amo will serve desserts that range from Oreo mille crepes & Baileys chocolate mousse cakes to durian mochi & durian creme brulee.
P.S. Sean's away Nov. 7-14 in a mystery location 8,765 kilometers from KL where Maxis charges an unconscionable RM48 for 20MB of data roaming. Daily blog entries have been scheduled in advance & will be automatically posted, but apologies as comments can only be replied far later.
Coffee Amo
First Floor, 54, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur. Park in basement of building across the road
Daily, 1030am-7pm