Two thoughtfully crafted new cafes have burst into the suburban spotlight this weekend, both worth hunting out on a leisurely Sunday afternoon: Doors, the handiwork of Joavnne & Cody at Overseas Union Garden ...
... & Map's, helmed by Mark & Pris at Bandar Sunway (if Mark, not pictured here, looks familiar to visitors, we'll explain why).
First up: Doors, which marks the maiden sighting of a contemporary coffee bar in the OUG neighbourhood (expect another, a new branch of Butter + Beans, to follow nearby within weeks). Doors Kuala Lumpur is linked (through family ties) to Doors Music + Tapas in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, though this outpost will focus on coffee, art & music.
The coffee factor's self-explanatory (Doors' house blend, the result of weeks of experimentation, currently comprises El Salvador & Colombian beans; filter coffee will be available later). The art might allude to murals conceived by local talents, while music by Malaysian indie acts can eventually be enjoyed at a 'headphone' counter that'll be set up here.
Doors is still a work in progress; the kitchen will only start serving hot food next month, so most customers will have to settle for beverages such as this sticky-toffee smoothie for now (refreshing enough for a scorching Saturday). But it's a hideout with plenty of promise & positive vibes (Joavnne is very friendly).
Home-baked cakes are nonetheless available; we recommend the matcha azuki cheesecake (RM10), a creamy slice with finely balanced flavours of green tea & red bean.
Next up: Map's, where the main man is Mark Chong, formerly of That Latte Place, which had to leave its Persiaran Ritchie venue in Ampang this year (tenancy issues). Mark's team has resettled at Map's (a company name) on a Sunway shop-house street & plans to reopen That Latte Place at Cheras' Ikon Connaught later this year.
Map's is a cosy, cheerful place run by a welcoming crew, serving good food at fair prices. Pork enthusiasts will be especially ecstatic here: The menu is practically devoted to porcine pleasures, from a savoury, slow-braised pulled pork sandwich (Grandma's recipe, reputedly) with lightly fried peanuts, fluffy house-made bread, cheese & lovely, rustic roast potatoes (RM18) ...
... to pancakes layered with pork bacon strips, more roasted potatoes & a sunny-side-up, paired with maple syrup (RM15). Comfort cooking; it lifted our spirits a little, & we're thankful enough for that.
Only one cake available here this weekend, but it's a memorably distinctive one, made in-house: Japanese cotton cheesecake, textured with dessicated coconut, topped with gula melaka (but not saccharine).
Even the affogato rises above the run-of-the-mill, thanks to Map's own-made vanilla bean ice cream, more flavoursome than expected. Map's takes the extra effort to make a lot of ingredients in its own kitchen, including pork burger patties, meatballs & brioche buns.
Coffee, a distinctive Guatemalan-Brazilian blend. Ultimately this place deserves a spot on our increasingly crowded cafe map.
Check out the board that dominates one of Map's walls; the owners here have a warmly inspiring passion & sense of humour.
Doors Cafe
51, Jalan Hujan, Overseas Union Garden, Kuala Lumpur.
Currently 10am-10pm daily, but will determine a day to close each week eventually
Butter + Beans At OUG
53, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3, Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur
Opening next month, maybe
Map's Cook Bake Froth
9, Jalan PJS 11/2, Bandar Sunway, Subang, Petaling Jaya (whichever. same street as Sunway Pyramid; pass the mall & make a left turn less than 100 metres later into a shop-house row)
Open weekdays, 10am-5pm, weekends 9am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays
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