Checking out two new coffee bars with appealingly artistic bents to complement their caffeine: Wood & Steel at Kota Damansara ...
... & 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.
March 2014 update: Breakfast is currently available 9am-5pm, while lunch items such as pastas & stuffed chicken are served noon through 1030pm. Wood & Steel now also has open mic sessions every Friday night; the cafe has also expanded to include a cosy first-floor level.
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.
Wood & Steel Cafe & Gallery
33G, Jalan PJU 5/20E, The Strand, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Open 9am-11pm, Tues-Sun; 3pm-11pm on Fridays, closed Mondays. Kitchen opens 9am-1030pm
This restaurant is available for bookings under TABLEAPP, which enables customers to make instant reservations at Malaysia's top restaurants, while saving time and money in the process. Reserve your table at this restaurant by clicking here.
Coffee Amo
First Floor, 54, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur. Park in basement of building across the road
Daily, 1030am-7pm
The Oct.-Dec. edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favorites is now available in an eBook for free, convenient reading on computers, tablets & smartphones. It comprises reviews of 100 eateries that span various locations, cuisines & budgets: http://eatdrinkkl.publ.com/Eat-Drink-KL-100-Favorites-Oct-Dec-2013 (link expires Dec. 31, 2013; see blog entries after that date for new link).
