CoffeeLicious (Lunch Options) @ Pandan Indah

CoffeeLicious @ Pandan Indah has been a regular haunt of mine (since discovering its existence months back) for a good western breakfast and a cup of coffee in the mornings to kickstart my day right (and I'm there on a regular basis).

I enjoy the tranquility of a quiet morning while sipping on my cup of coffee.  But CoffeeLicious isn't just about breakfasts, they have lunch options too.

And seeing how much I did enjoy their breakfast items, I came with a friend for lunch one day.  She chose the Spaghetti Carbonara Lunch Set @ RM25 inclusive of a drink.

The moment the spaghetti arrived, we were bowled over by just how large the portion was.  It came generously filled with chicken ham and fresh shiitake mushrooms (button mushrooms would have been better, of course) topped with cheese and a sprinkling of dried parsley served with a piece of crunchy sourdough toast with garlic spread.

I had the Spaghette Bolognese Lunch Set @ RM23 (which also includes a free drink) and served with the same garlic-infused sourdough toast as above.  You can again see how plentiful the meat sauce was...and they were not kedekut (stingy) with the minced chicken either.

I found myself enjoying this bolognese more than I thought I would as the tomato sauce was just nicely balanced, not too acidic like many I've had before.  Of course, I told them to hold the cheese in my spaghetti.  Again, it was a very big portion and you'll definitely come away feeling full.

Our drink of choice was of course Iced Latte....which is my friend's favourite choice of coffee and mine too, a firm favourite when I'm here.

Besides these pastas set, they've also introduced a couple of new sandwiches that are heartier (and probably more suitable for lunch though they can also be for breakfast if you're extra hungry or have a bigger appetite) and they include the Chicky Chick Sandwich, Avo Prawn Sandwich and AvoWhole Sandwich.

As you can see, many of their dishes are avocado-focussed, so if you're fan of avocado you know where you can get your fix....and I'm a fan! ;)  So I started with this Egg & Avocado Toast @ RM20 comprising of scrambled eggs and avocado over a piece of sourdough toast (with coffee, of course, a Hot Long Black @ RM9).

The scrambled eggs are as per usual, nice and fluffy, with slices of fresh, creamy avocado.  If you're a fan of avocado, you'd know that avocado and eggs is a perfect combo! ;)

Although I love eggs and avocado together, I would have liked it better if the avocado was mashed for that creamier texture instead of just sliced.  I made a special request the next time I had this and was happy they obliged and agreed to make it into an avocado mash for me...yumzzz! ^o^

On one of my visits here, I tried something from their new sandwich menu, the Avo Prawn Sandwich @ RM28 paired with an Iced Latte @ RM12.  I was a bit taken aback when the dish arrived as it looked nothing like the pic in the menu...it was served more like a Japanese-style sando sandwich.

Releasing the sandwich from its packaging, I could see that it was filled wth prawns, scrambled eggs, mashed avocado and cherry tomatoes.  I'm afraid I didn't like the prawns as they were those frozen, translucent-looking prawns with an overly crunchy texture.

Needless to say, this was the least favourite thing I ate from here.  I would have preferred if it was served exactly like the one shown in their menu or, even better, an open-faced sandwich coz wrapping it up made the sourdough soft (like those soft, fluffy milk bread used in a sando sandwich)...but I want that nicely toasted, crisp, crusty texture of sourdough as it's supposed to be.

My Personal Opinion

A convenient and pleasant stop for me in the mornings to get my fix of coffee, breakfast and (sometimes) lunch on days when I'm hankering for a western meal.

If you're a lover of avocado (like I am), they have quite a few options on their menu for you to sink your teeth into like the Mushroom Egg & Cheese Bagel + Avocado and Avocado Beet Hummus Toast besides the two newly launched sourdough sandwiches...but their Egg & Avocado Toast is still my favourite (and I make a special request for the avocado to be mashed). ^.^

CoffeeLicious

3G Jalan Pandan Indah 4/33

Pandan Indah

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-4288 3387

Kenny Hills Bistro @ Shoppes at Four Seasons Place

I've been to Kenny Hills Bakers and absolutely love their food (especially the desserts) and coffees there...but this time we decided to try out one of their sister restaurants, Kenny Hills Bistro @ Shoppes at Four Seasons Place.

While Kenny Hills Bakers is more known for its artisan breads and pastries, Kenny Hills Bistro offers a slightly different dining experience, focusing on casual fine dining European cuisine, although some similarities can be found in some of their dishes and desserts.

I had totally forgotten to take photos of the restaurant and its interior as I was fully engrossed in conversation with my friend/dining companion.  We were there for a late brunch and since I miss eating a good western breakfast lately, we started off with an order of the Bistro Big Breakfast @ RM45 (and yes, it's a little pricier than usual but know that it's compensated with quality, fresh, inhouse made ingredients).

But first things first, we must have our coffee fix to start...and that would be two Iced Lattes @ RM14 each, me and my friend's favourite coffee drink.

Back to the big breakfast, it features two eggs done your way (we went with scrambled), an option of beef bacon or smoked salmon (we chose beef), chicken sausage, homemade baked beans, grilled button mushrooms, homemade hashbrown and a tomato compote served with toasted organic white country bread and butter.  That's what a hearty, big breakfast platter should look like...filled with lots of ingredients and mostly housemade.

Everything on the plate was done right, the eggs were fluffy, the mushrooms juicy, the quality beef bacon (and they were quite generous with it too, there were 4-5 good slices) savoury and delicious and so were the sausage and baked beans.  I particularly enjoyed the thick homemade hashbrown with its crispy edges (nothing like those frozen crap) and a tomato compote with the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes coming through.  This is one big breakfast I would gladly have again. ^.^

Our other breakfast dish was The Lafayatte @ RM32 with two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, smoked salmon and wilted spinach on a croissant served with homemade fries and a side salad.

The poached eggs were perfectly cooked to a runny consistency sitting on a bed of wilted spinach that was sauteed in some cream sauce.  I especially liked the crisp, thick-cut fries...but between this dish and the big breakfast, it's quite obvious which one I preferred.

Did I mention the coffees were really good?  We enjoyed it so much that we just had to have another glass...and more so when we know we were going to need it to pair with our dessert.

Our dessert of choice was this Yuzu Citrus Tart @ RM25 that was so elegantly presented that it was as pretty as a flower...well, quite literally! :D  We stared at it for a while not wanting to violate something so pretty. It has a buttery vanilla crisp crust filled with yuzu curd, almond cream, cream chantilly and topped with yuzu jelly, grated lime zest and a hint of luxury, a bit of edible gold leaf.

The yuzu curd had such a prominent floral aroma and bright flavours while the yuzu jelly had an intense tartness to it but yet so refreshing and tangy against the sweetness of the curd and cream.  The yuzu jelly on its own is highly acidic, so cut just a tiny piece and eat it together with the rest of the tart and it offers a sweet and tangy bite.  It was a zesty symphony of flavours and one that was absolutely delightful.  When I ordered this, the server informed me (proudly) that this yuzu citrus tart is a Kenny Hills Bistro exclusive (meaning you can't get this at Kenny Hills Bakers!)...and for this very reason it's a tart you must order here coz it's unbelievably good! ^o^

My Personal Opinion

Kenny Hills Bistro, like Kenny Hills Bakers, is yet another winner!  I'd call it a slightly more "atas" version of Kenny Hills Bakers...but serving the same good food.

Their Bistro Big Breakfast though I've to admit is priced slightly higher than most cafes offering such a dish but the portion is substantial and it comes with more quality and housemade ingredients that sets it apart from the norm.  This big breakfast is guaranteed to kickstart your day right.

As for the Bistro's exclusive Yuzu Citrus Tart, you have to so get this if you're a fan of all things sour, this dessert gives you that intense, fragrant flavour with bright acidity that you'll completely adore.  Certainly one of the best desserts I've had this year.

Although I've only tried a limited no. of dishes, I'm already confident that the food here is good from just a small sampling of 3 dishes...and would certainly like to return to try more...perhaps for dinner the next time round! ^_~

Kenny Hills Bistro

G-07 Ground Floor

Shoppes at Four Seasons Place

145 Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-8953 8985

Pizza Duo @ Bamboo Hills

Co-existing and sharing the same space with Tap Room (along with PaperKite beer and cocktail bar Tap Tap) is Pizza Duo @ Bamboo Hills.  We enjoyed the ambience, experience and food at Tap Room very much during our first visit and vowed to return to try the pizzas.

Moreover, a friend of mine was interested to return at night to feel the ambience after seeing the beautiful and serene surroundings when we were here for lunch before (it was indeed pretty as a picture as night fell). The atmosphere seems even more lively at night.  Luckily we made prior reservations as the place was brimming with waiting patrons.

Pizza Duo specialises in Neapolitan pizzas, an authentic Italian pizza originating from Naples, known for its thin, soft crust with simple toppings cooked under high heat in a wood-fired oven.  That impressive-looking oven is apparently called a Stefano Ferrara oven...and apparently it's also currently the largest Stefano Ferrara oven in Malaysia.

And, for this visit, we came specifically for that! ;)  But, before we get to the pizzas, let's start with a couple of starters and bites...beginning with something that's part of their signature menu, the Chilli Lava Crab @ RM48.80 which unquestionably did not disappoint.  It knocked it out of the park! ^.^

Featuring crab meat in a spicy chili/sweet & sour crab sauce, this dish is distinctively Malaysian, a highly sought-after dish in Chinese seafood restaurants, except this one you don't have to get your hands messy and dirty to get at the crab meat.  It's already done for you...what better way to eat crab than to have all the meat picked out for you, right?  I would say yessss to that! ;D

The crab meat was super fresh and the sauce well balanced with a spicy kick.  Served with golden mantou and crispy youtiao which were the perfect vehicles to soak up all that awesome sauce.  We used it (and wished we had more) to mop up every single last drop of that rich, flavourful sauce.  We couldn't get enough...it was beyond what I expected (and my friends loved it too).

Up next was a dish we did not get to sample on our last visit here, the Grilled Padron Peppers @ RM25.80 as it wasn't available then.  Padron peppers, a Spanish tapas staple, are typically mild and slightly sweet although occasionally you'll get one that packs a spicy punch.  The unpredictable spice level of each pepper adds that element of surprise and fun to eating them (no wonder I got one that was really spicy)! >_<

Blistered and charred to perfection and tossed in shrimp floss, they're best eaten dipped in the accompanying creamy shrimp paste sauce that tasted somewhat like a spicy Thousand Island sauce.  This was something different that we tried...and it was another winning dish.

We remember liking the simple, refreshing take on this dish the last time we were here, so we just had to order the Watermelon Meze @ RM13.80 again with chuka wakame and crushed peanuts tossed in Thai dressing.

Now, onto the main event, the very reason we made this return trip for...especially after seeing their impressive wood-fired oven that's touted to produce the best-tasting pizzas due to the high temperatures and unique flavour imparted by the wood which produces a smoky, rich flavour that's hard to replicate in other types of ovens.

We started with one of its most popular pizzas, a speciality of theirs, the Shroomami Pizza @ RM72 (which also happens to be the most expensive pizza on their menu) with Parmigiana fondue, truffle salsa, fior di latte (fresh cheese), portobellini mushrooms, ricotta and truffle oil.  Hands-down, this has to go down as the best pizza I've eaten thus far.  Being a non-fan of cheese (as many of my readers already know)...but this one I super enjoyed.  Apparently I enjoy cheese if it's good Italian cheese like Parmigiana Regianno (especially), Fior di Latte and Riccota...hehe! ^_~

The intense heat and flames cooks the pizza quickly (like maybe in just 90 secs depending on the pizza's thickness and oven temperature).  And because the pizza cooks so quickly, the crust is still moist with a slightly chewy interior...and not dry, hardened or overly crispy like many others that I've eaten before.  I used to leave the crust behind for those that fell short but this one...I wanted more! ^o^

Just look at the super puffed up and perfectly charred crust with its super light and airy texture and its umami filling of portobellini mushrooms and truffle...so, so good!  I once heard a Top Chef contestant say "that puffed up, charred crust can only be achieved if you use a wood-fired oven" (and he's right, of course).  

After tasting our first pizza, we immediately ordered a second.  This time we placed an order for a simple, classic Pizza Margherita 2.0 @ RM44 filled with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, parmigiano reggiano, semi-dried cherry tomatoes and basil oil.

Again, the slightly charred, soft, thin crust gives it a distinct smoky flavour that makes it absolutely out of this world.  A good pizza doesn't need to go overboard with all its many toppings...just a good crust and simple, fresh, high-quality ingredients for Neapolitan perfection!

After stuffing ourselves silly with two awesome pizzas, we still had room for dessert...and we kicked off with the Molten PB Choco @ RM26.80 which featured a chocolate and peanut butter lava cake served with vanilla ice cream, granola, fresh strawberries and blueberries.

The chocolate and peanut butter lava cake did live up to its name....the molten chocolate centre, with its intense chocolate flavour, flowed out when cut into (sorry, forgot to take a photo of the gooey, flowing lava). This is certainly a delight for chocolate lovers.

Our second plated dessert was something similar to the Orange Souffle Waffle we had on our earlier visit. Since we enjoyed it the last time round, we ordered the Lemon Souffle Waffle @ RM19.80 this time.

The only difference was that it was served with earl grey (instead of vanilla) ice cream and a lemon (instead of orange) reduction.  I particularly liked the intense lemon-flavoured reduction with the souffle and waffle.

Finally, to wash all that good food down, you need good beer...and we ordered the PaperKite Flight @ RM58 featuring 4 types of (mini-sized) craft beer...Pale Ale, Copper Ale, Oatmeal Stout and IPA for sharing.

I also had a Iced Caffe Latte @ RM16.  A friend also had a cocktail, Day & Night (Sake/Peach/Yuzu/Lemon) @ RM30.

My Personal Opinion

If you're a lover of pizza or haven't had a good one thus far, make sure you have a go at this one...made with the finest ingredients like fior di latte, San Marzano tomatoes and Italian flour, it's no wonder that this was by far the best tasting pizza experience I've had in a long while.  I've a new found love of pizza (and cheese) if it's this good...and the Shroomami comes highly recommended as your first choice.  Just the mere thought of it at the time of writing makes me yearn for it with such great desire! ;)

Not only that but the fact that Pizza Duo shares a space with Tap Room makes eating here a double joy as you can cross order from both fabulous menus.  So far Tap Room's starters and light bites have not disappointed one bit and this visit's choices of Chili Lava Crab and Grilled Padron Peppers added two more to that fantastic list.

Tap Room's menu is rather extensive and together with Pizza Duo's many other pizza options as well, there are still lots more to try here...and we look forward eagerly to yet another visit. ^.^

Pizza Duo @ Tap Room

Lot P10 Bamboo Hills

Taman Bukit Bambu

Off Lebuhraya Duta-Ulu Kelang (DUKE)

51200 Kuala Lumpur

De' Parlour (Set Lunch) @ Pandan Indah

I recently returned to De' Parlour @ Pandan Indah with a friend for a lunch appointment, so I thought I'd give their set lunch promotion (which seemed pretty good value to me) a try.

Actually, I've not returned since my first visit here some time in 2023 and that was because the food didn't quite hit the mark that I was hoping for based on the prices they were charging comparatively (it's fine if the quality and taste matches the steeper prices).

Their Gourmet Business Lunch promotion starts from RM35 nett and you have a selection of 4 choices to choose from...and they're Grilled Chicken Chop, Fried Dory Fish, Chicken Maryland (+RM4) and Grilled Lamb Shoulder (+RM10).

Each choice of main dish comes with a free Creamy Mushroom Soup and a complimentary choice of beverage.  The mushroom soup was served in a rather big dish-type bowl garnished with a few slices of button mushrooms and some crispy croutons.

The mushroom soup was done right....nicely thick and creamy and I found myself enjoying it very much.  Not a bad mushroom soup at all.

For the main dish, we chose two (for sharing between us) and we went with the Grilled Chicken Chop @ RM35 served with a side of aglio-de-olio pasta (other pasta choices include carbonara & pomodoro).  There are also other sides selections like fries & side salad, Caesar salad or rice & sunny side-up egg.

We chose black pepper sauce for the grilled chicken and it was cooked right just like any black pepper sauce.  Other options for sauces include mushroom, BBQ, citrus tartar, salted egg and buttermilk.

The next main dish we selected was the Fried Dory Fish also @ RM35 featuring three generous, good-sized pieces of fried dory fish but before you dis this dory fish (like many would, me included), this one was of decent quality.  I've eaten my fair share of fishy tasting dory fish but this one tasted far better.

For the dory, it's a no-brainer that the choice of sauce would be citrus tartar for a nicely creamy, lightly tangy accompaniment to the fried fish.  It was served with thick-cut fries and a side salad.

For beverage alternatives, you have a choice of hot drinks like coffee (Americano), English tea (English Breakfast/Earl Grey/Chamomile), green tea (Jasmine/Sencha/Spring), Oolong rose tea and Peppermint tea or cold beverages like homemade iced lemon tea, natural honey green tea and carbonated drinks.  We chose Iced Latte which we had to pay an additional RM4 but it was worth it as the coffee was satisfying.  The other coffees which you have to pay extra RM4 for are Cappuccino and Flat White.

My Personal Opinion

Even though my first visit didn't turn out as pleasant as I had hoped, their set lunch promotions on my second visit has certainly changed my initial impression of their food.  These I thought were not only good value but decent tasting as well.  I guess they're more capable in executing these simpler dishes than perhaps their higher end menu.

Paying RM35 for a set meal that comes complete with a soup, main dish and drink (or a little bit extra at RM39 with a satisfactory glass of latte) and getting to enjoy it in comfortable settings is something I can certainly see myself returning for.  It seems like an ideal place for a meet-up with friends (to chit-chat), a working lunch with colleagues or a business lunch with clients.

De' Parlour

2G Jalan Pandan Indah 4/33

Pandan Indah

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 013-391 1316