Checking out two cool new concept cafes that opened in PJ this month: Salt 'n Koffie Gallery at Jaya One ...
... & KARE Cafe at 1 Utama, an F&B spin-off from the Munich-origin furniture brand.
First up, Salt 'n Koffie, a colourfully cheerful space whose friendly creators clearly love potted plants & fascinating furniture.
The 'salt' in this cafe's name could be a reference to 'salt water' - Salt 'n Koffie is reputedly run by diving enthusiasts who sell a plethora of paraphernalia here linked to their primary passion.
'Koffie' seems self-explanatory, but Salt 'n Koffie serves something special that'll likely be a major magnet for dessert aficionados: 'The Accidental Affogato' (RM12), with a scoop of Sangkaya's increasingly renowned coconut ice cream partially submerged in a shot of single-origin espresso.
The other signature coffee beverage is called 'The Salty Koffie' (RM13), with iced coffee, Gula Melaka & some salt combining to taste like something out of a cendol bowl. Deliciously well-balanced in its sweet-salty dimensions, ideal for a hot afternoon.
Desserts in jars are another highlight here; we like this one with yoghurt, mango & muesli mix - it tastes fresher than expected, with luscious slices of fruit partnered with smooth, creamy yoghurt.
Home-made cakes are available too - the recommendation's the salted caramel chocolate, with a very moist, steamed texture.
All in all, we like Salt 'n Koffie; it has lots of positive energy & a fun vibe. We think it'll do deservedly well; kudos to its owners.
Next up, moving on to KARE Cafe, an absolute riot of colours at 1 Utama's old wing.
The cafe is part of this mall's KARE furniture store, so customers can have fun perusing the pieces sold here.
Knick-knacks galore; sure, some might call this kitschy clutter, but it has its charms.
KARE Cafe seems like a nifty spot for families & friends to rest their feet amid all their shopping.
Coconut again? Well worth it though; KARE's 'Young Coconut' cake (RM12.80) is a very pleasant surprise, with delicate sponge layered with tender coconut slices & crowned mightily with coconut flakes.
Bruschetta topped with egg & ebiko; the toast is ultra-crispy. Not bad, especially for the not-exorbitant RM9.80 price tag.
Harney & Sons tea is sold in flavours such as pomegranate oolong, dragon pearl jasmine & hot cinnamon spice (RM9.80).
Salt 'n Koffie Gallery
E-83-G.3, Palm Square, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya
KARE Cafe
G117-G119, 1 Utama Shopping Mall (Old Wing, near AEON), Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.
Check out the latest edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favourites, featuring 100 recommended restaurants for October-December 2014, including more than 30 new entries for this quarter.
This eBook is available to read or download at this link: http://eatdrinkkl.cld.bz/2014D
This link expires Dec. 31, 2014. Please check the newest blog entries after that for fresh links.
Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings (even before they're featured on this blog), F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits.
Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link:
Note to subscribers on Gmail: The newsletter will be in the Promotions folder of your inbox.
Sausages to sambal. Muffins to marshmallows. Peanut butter to mango chutney. Cornflake ice cream to honey aloe yogurt. Lavender-laced lemonades to lychee-&-guava juices.
Eat Drink KL: Small Businesses, Huge Flavours is the first eBook to help customers navigate the diversity of independent F&B entrepreneurs who bake & boil in their own kitchens, offering some of Malaysia's finest, most fascinating food products.
This resource will be continuously updated with new listings: www.eatdrinkkl.publ.com/businesses