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Monday 25 September 2017

Kofix Cafe @ Pandan Indah

I wasn't even aware that Question Mark Cafe was no more (and I live in Pandan Indah!) and in its place Kofix Cafe @ Pandan Indah has taken over since the middle of the year (my visit was in July).

If you've been to Question Mark Cafe before, you'd realise that the interior of the cafe is exactly the same. The only thing that has changed is the name.  I mentioned that to the server manning the counter and was told that it's under a different management but the team is the same.  That meant the kitchen team is the same and that sounded alarm bells in my head!  And that's because I wasn't crazy about their food before and questioned their ability to be sustainable in the long run (with the prices and taste of their food).

I see some differences in the menu of this one compared to the previous defunct one but the cafe was almost deserted on a weekday dinner (when I was there) which didn't bode well for them.  In fact, we were the only table there (besides another gentleman who was enjoying a cup of coffee) and we were still the only table when we left! O_o

So, I was already not expecting much when I got down to ordering.  I went with one of their recommended dishes, Hot Chicken Waffles @ RM18.90 which consisted of fried chicken (I can't remember but I think it was breast) and Belgian waffles served with sunny side up egg, apple pickle and honey.

Although the crumb was crispy, the batter was oily (look at the sheen on the batter) and the chicken dry. Perhaps a runny yolk would have offered a solution to the dryness of the chicken somewhat but the yolk was overcooked and the whites rubbery.  The Belgian waffles were crisp too but (again) I couldn't get over the dryness of the whole dish.  I did drizzle some of the honey over the waffles but (unfortunately) even the taste of their choice of honey (brand) was off.  The only thing I enjoyed was the apple slaw that offered a bit of freshness to the whole dish.  As I kept eating, I couldn't help but feel that the overall dish was just too dry! :(

Our other dish was the Fish N' Chippery @ RM20.90 featuring tempura fish with fries and tartar sauce. Though the menu mentioned tempura, the batter was far from the light tempura batter I've come to know.

The shiny surface of the fried fish also tells me that the oil held on to the fish.  This could only mean the frying temperature wasn't optimum when the fish was fried (just like the fried chicken).  The micro greens also looked past its prime.  I certainly expected better since they only had one table to serve and should be more focussed on cooking it right.

The Iced Cafe Latte @ RM10.70 tasted familiar...it tasted like before....I still didn't care for them.

I also decided to try one of their signature lattes, Black Sesame Latte @ RM11.70, just because I love black sesame...but somehow not quite in a latte!  To be fair, I've not had a black sesame latte before (and I'm not sure if it was supposed to taste like that) which turned out to be horrible tasting and totally undrinkable (for me).

It may look picture-perfect but it only took two sips before I abandoned the drink altogether. >_<

My Personal Opinion

Though the menu is a bit more creative compared to the last place, they still need to nail the cooking and the combination of flavours but (sadly) the food has not changed my perception of the taste, so I doubt I'll be returning to try more.  Only saving grace is at least prices seem to be a fraction lower than what Question Mark Cafe used to charge.

Just two dishes (and two coffees) later, I can't get past the fact that it's the same kitchen team running the show...albeit with a different name.  I just don't have enough faith in their cooking nor their coffees.

It goes without saying that some things still need fixing at Kofix! :(

Kofix Cafe
No 1-G Jalan Perubatan 2
Pandan Indah 
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-4285 4285

10 comments:

  1. Oh dear, same kitchen team and if you did not like the cooking before, it looks like you still don't like it now. I think it will be hard for them to survive if customers do not like the food.

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    Replies
    1. Luckily, their prices are a little lower than their predecessor, so (hopefully) they can survive.

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  2. Eeks ... sounds like the kitchen team needs more exposure and experience to take it to the next level. Maybe they can take some ideas and inspiration from other outlets in KL with a similar menu :)

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    Replies
    1. Well, at least their menu is a bit more innovative than their predecessor. Hopefully they'll tweak their recipes a bit and nail the cooking.

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  3. Oh no, greasy fried food really can put me off! I'll give up the breaded coating and eat only the meat >_<

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they need to invest in a deep-fry thermometer...kekeke! ;D

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  4. I got a little bit excited when I first saw a new coffee place not too far away, but after reading your story... what a shame. :-(

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    Replies
    1. Knowing what great food and coffees you're accustomed to, this certainly won't cut it for you. :(

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  5. We should ask them to read this blog post in order to improve so that you will return. This is sad to see many good cafes closing down really fast when they could not break even. This is happening in my area too and shocked many residents.

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    Replies
    1. Ya, even some good ones I know have closed down (which I don't understand why)...so it's going to be even tougher for the not-so-good ones! :'(

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