It's been nearly 18 months since we first visited Seven Cups in October 2013, back when Empire Damansara was empty, before this complex became a bustling building of cafes & boat noodles. Seven Cups itself has changed somewhat since then (Margaret Keane would now feel at home here), but it remains an inspiringly restorative haven with an authentic appeal.
Seven Cups maintains a clear-eyed commitment to coffee - you'll find a carefully curated selection of beans sourced from time to time from roasters such as The Coffee Collective of Copenhagen & Monk Bodhi Dharma of Melbourne, though the mainstay is Singapore's Nylon Coffee Roasters, carving out a compelling exploration of the bright & bold world of coffee.
If you're seeking spirited beverages to beat the heat, Seven Cups' aged cold brew (RM12) & iced lime black brew (RM13) both hit some lively notes that may strike a chord with coffee enthusiasts who prefer their caffeine challengingly vibrant & untamed.
A similar sense of vitality & vivaciousness buoys Seven Cups' recently introduced waffle selection, which partners the ubiquitous dessert with rich complements like Belgian semi-sweet choc mousse & strawberries macerated in balsamic vinegar (RM17), house-made lavender-infused blueberry compote (RM15), bananas with toasted almond flakes & fresh-ground coffee (RM16), or Ceylon cinnamon-infused sugar glaze with salted caramel ice cream (RM14).
We like the texture of these waffles - relatively fluffy, crisp but not crunchy, as natural-tasting as a waffle gets. In the months ahead, Seven Cups also plans to launch an intriguing customisable affogato menu, partnering coffee & Inside Scoop ice cream (in flavours like chocolate cookie dough & strawberry cheesecake, now all available here) with choices of sprinklings.
We're really happy to have Sevencups as a featured outlet on the Eat Drink KL mobile app. Customers can use the app to enjoy a 6 percent discount off their receipt at Sevencups, everyday, all day long. For every transaction made through the app, EDKL will channel 20 sen contributed by Sevencups to a charity of the month (the Dignity For Children foundation in March).
Also worth a second stop this year, The Owls Cafe, which we previously explored in October 2014. Since then, this has become a cheerful neighbourhood favourite, thanks to its welcoming setting & even more welcoming crew.
The Owls Cafe recently introduced a brunch menu that includes interesting items like this eye-catching fluffy egg white omelette, made flavoursome with hollandaise sauce & earthy with mushrooms & roasted sesame dressing (RM18) ...
... & a sliced muffin with smoked salmon, mascarpone cream cheese, tomato salsa, dragonfruit puree & balsamic reduction ...
... plus cinnamon toast coated with cheese & maple syrup, served with fruit compote (RM12) & a croissant stuffed with beef cold cuts & smothered with cheddar sauce & mayo (RM18). Acceptable execution, considering how swamped the kitchen gets.
The Owls' claim to photographic fame is its waffles - Milo Dinosaur (RM15) comes with dark choc ice cream, marshmallows & coco crunch; the Queen (RM21) with macarons & ice cream; David (RM18) with bananas, peanut butter & chocolate; & so on.
Order the coffee: from flat whites to filters to pretzel-adorned affogatos (RM10), The Owl does give a hoot about its caffeine.
Seven Cups
G-25, Empire Damansara, Damansara Perdana. Mon & Wed-Sat, 11am-11pm. Sun, 11am-8pm
The Owls Cafe
12-1, First Floor, Block 5, Jalil Link, Jalan Jalil Jaya 6, Bukit Jalil. Sun & Tues-Thurs, 10am-7pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-7pm
The Eat Drink KL mobile app is now available, connecting restaurants & customers to promote a positive spirit of community.
Every restaurant on this app rewards users with a 6 percent discount, instantly & conveniently, everyday, all day long.
In return, users share photos of their experiences at these eateries, creating a new community of restaurant lovers.
For every transaction, RM0.20 will be channelled to a different charity every month.
Check out the latest edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favourites, featuring 100 recommended restaurants for January-March 2015. This eBook is available to read or download at this link: http://eatdrinkkl.cld.bz/2015
This link expires March 31, 2015. Please check the newest blog entries after that for fresh links.
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