Eat Drink KL: Bookmark Coffee, PJ Midtown

Monday, December 9, 2019

Bookmark Coffee, PJ Midtown

Bookmark Coffee's new chapter in PJ Midtown could be a cafe that customers will enjoy returning to over time, like their favourite poem or novel.

This is the second outpost of Bookmark Coffee, which first opened in Cheras five years ago; co-founder Kai and his team serve fusion fare with distinctive Malaysian and East Asian elements, as well as coffee with intricately skilled latte art, in a spacious and soothing setting with tall windows overlooking the street.

It's easy to imagine spending an entire afternoon here; while Bookmark Coffee in Cheras sells a selection of Chinese-language literature, this PJ Midtown outpost is also a sanctuary for readers, with a range of magazines that customers can browse.

Bookmark Coffee strives to imbue a sense of playful originality into its menu - for example, its rice bowls showcase a base of beautifully fragrant and flavoursome pandan-laced rice, a recipe of Kai's mom, which makes for a memorable change from plain steamed rice in typical bowls.

The pandan rice is partnered with plenty of protein, such as succulent smoked duck (RM19) or luscious salmon (RM34), completed with perfectly runny fried eggs and vegetables matched to the choice of poultry or fish, rounded out with optional house-made sambal (mom's special creation too). We respect how every component in these bowls is lovingly prepared - we polished everything clean, savouring the fresh, vibrant flavours and harmonious, tender textures.

If you prefer pasta, Bookmark Coffee has a solid variety, spanning salted egg bacon to mushroom pesto to locally inspired nasi lemak pasta with fried chicken and more.

Our recommendation is the Sze Schuan Mala Pasta, a fiery concoction with the unmistakable taste of tongue-numbing Sichuan peppers, tossed with peanuts, broccoli and lotus roots - the ideal order if you need to add spice to your day, capably bringing together Sicily and Sichuan (RM22).

Cool down with dessert and drinks - highlights include waffles like the Black Dog, well worth a woof with a hearty scoop of sultry Guinness Stout ice cream (RM24; other ice cream possibilities for these thick, crisp waffles include Bailey's coffee ice cream and Gula Melaka ice cream), and the elegantly creamy Bonsai Matcha, made mellow with milk, balanced by the sharp potency of green tea, showered with crushed Oreos for the young at heart.

Bookmark Coffee has also cultivated a reputation for elaborate coffee art - its baristas have earned honours in competitions like the Master of Latte Art at Road to FHM 2019 and Champion of Latte Art Throw Down at the Genting Coffee Festival 2018.

Customers are welcome to make requests for their desired latte art while ordering - over the years, the baristas here have illustrated everything from Marvel superheroes to marriage surprise proposals!

Since it's now Frozen season, our rose latte, banana-flavoured monkey mocha and hojicha latte emerged delightfully adorned with grinning portraits of Elsa, Anna and Olaf, painstakingly captured, this batch representing Kai's marvellous, meticulous efforts.

Note that PJ Midtown currently has hundreds of complimentary car park spots for visitors, so visiting Bookmark Coffee should be a breeze compared to most of Petaling Jaya.

Plus, Bookmark Coffee is a participating venue in Eat Drink KL's coffee pass subscription, so you can enjoy espresso-based coffee at a discounted rate here.

Many thanks to Bookmark Coffee for having us here.