LOVE LIFE, CHERISH MOMENTS

   Woohoo! Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Have you bought your new clothes, food and ticket back to your hometown? For me, yes, i've bought a few items here and there but still need a pair of heels. Anyways, i'm super excited to go back to my beloved Penang to celebrate Chinese New Year with dear friends and family. Today's post is all about my Saturday date night with my favourite cousins: Ms Caryn and Yiru!

Say hi to my pretty cousins!

   We went to Just Something Art Space, Raja Uda about a month ago to catch up after dinner. T'was a lovely night! I picked this cafe because it's so low profile, hidden in the midst of Jalan Ong Yi How's busy shop lots without a proper eye-catching sign board. I was thinking, hmm, they must be very confident of their food and service since they don't emphasise on advertising? It took us a while to locate it, which is situated on the first floor, same row as By The Sea Boutique Cafe, near MayBank.

Greeted by this gloomy and rustic corner in front of its entrance

   Since we already had dinner, we decided to order some simple desserts and drinks. I had Just Something's signature Flower Pot and a cup of Hot Cappuccino. Cousin Caryn had a slice of Cheesecake with a cup of Hot Chocolate while Cousin Yiru had a piece of Chocolate Truffle Cake with a cup of Hot Cappuccino as well.

'Prettiful' Flower Pot--RM 8 Chocolate cake topped with oreo crumble and ice-cream

Chocolate Truffle Cake--RM 8

Cheesecake topped with blueberry sauce--RM 8

2 hot cappuccino and one hot chocolate--RM 6 per cup

    I have to admit, i don't usually expect much from cafes in mainland Penang. No offence but the ones that i've tried usually disappoint me greatly and i do not want to expect anything already. However, Just Something's Flower Pot really swept me over with surprise and amazement. The creative dish tasted good, the chocolate cake was not too sweet or too bitter, just nice to go with the bitter-sweet chocolate ice cream and oreo crumble. The visualisation aspect of this dessert is interesting as well. Cousin Caryn's cheesecake was not too bad, still prefer PikNik's blueberry cheesecake, that was epic-ly delicious! Cousin's Yiru's Chocolate Truffle Cake was average, i find it too hard and dry, perhaps it's an aged cake? I felt cheated as our so-called-cappuccino were actually some instant coffee. I'm like, if you said you are offering cappuccino on the menu, please make sure you have a coffee machine. If no, just write as white coffee, people will accept what it is as it is. Pardon my ranting, don't mess with my coffee next time :/






   The plus point is, Just Something really out done themselves in terms of interior design. I really fancy the idea of putting non-related art pieces together in order to create something uniquely pleasant. For example the old bicycle at the entrance, an American flag, a bookshelves filled with all the random book collection. You can truly see the owner's interest and creative thought behind. I also love their dim lighting here, it released such a romantic and comfortable ambiance to the customers.

Meet cousin Caryn

and Cousin Yiru

ma pretty cousins!!

Hmm, the pose looks familiar right? *inside joke ;)

pardon our shameless selfie~

   Overall, this cafe fairs not bad. Pricing per person is around RM 15. I would recommend this place for those who are going for small gathering during the break or even a simple date with loved ones. I can't wait to see everyone back home! Let's celebrate this season with happiness and healthy lifestyle too. Off to shed some fats now! Happy Chinese New Year in advance and please stay tuned for more exciting updates! xoxo

Contact info~
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Something/150188858493396

Tom Yam Kung (Prawns) in Coconut Cup--200 baht

Fried shrimp cake

Green Curry Chicken--130 baht

   Well, the food was average but cheap. I still think our own Thai Thai cooks better than them. I would rate it 5/10. Anyways, after dinner, i went back to this fried ice-cream stall that caught my eyes when i first arrived. I remember i saw it from some food channel, selling this unique dessert in Thailand. I got to give it a try! I had a Chocolate Almond topped with whipped cream, Mommy had the Mixed Berries with yogurt base and Cousin Yap had a Chocolate Cornflakes with milk base.

Variety of toppings, just like frozen yogurt, you can simply choose your topping

He first pour the ice-cream mixture on a piece of large, round ice (guessing it's a dry ice kinda thing) Someone please enlighten me

After mixing them well, he spreads it over as thin as possible, and scrapped it out to form a roll like this

Mixed berries with yogurt base--89 baht

Chocolate cornflakes with milk base--89 baht

Chocolate almond topped with whipped cream

We were quite lucky as there was this international food fair going on, we got to taste plenty of other snacks

Coconut something, couldn't remember the name but it was ok

my tourist shot

personally like the decor of this shop, kinda reminds me of my Europe trip last summer

   Alright, i guess this marks the end of the post. Sorry it took me so long to produce my entry. It has been a hectic month but thanks for having faith in me! I will do better in bringing more exciting news, food reviews and travel experience to you guys! Off to CNY shopping now! xoxo

   Hello my dear readers! Welcome to 2014! I'm sure some of you already has a list of new year resolutions in mind on what to achieve in this brand new year. To those who did not, it's fine, just carry a positive attitude and it will surely bring you to greater heights this year. Well, i just got back from a short getaway from Thailand. Those of you that follow my social media might have already know. If you haven't please follow me on the left side of the page to get more updates. I hope you have already checked out my compilation on 2013 Top 10 favourite cafe, it is one of my favourite entry this year so make sure you check it out here: http://e-c-e-s.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-favourite-cafe-in-2013.html

   Well, let's start 2014 with something refreshing. Why not talk about breakfast as my first post of the year? Breakfast is the first meal of the day. It symbolizes new hope and fresh start. Hence, today i'm gonna write about 2 popular cafe in Damansara Utama/PJ Uptown that serve good breakfast/brunch menu. Enjoy~

1. Departure Lounge

   T'was a lovely morning when me and Ms Zheng went for a cafe hopping trip to Damansara Uptown, PJ. Our first stop was The Departure Lounge. I heard some good review about their good and affordable breakfast set hence, i ordered an Egg's Benedict set with coffee and Zheng ordered a self-constructed breakfast set with a cup of hot milk.

Eggs' Benny set-- RM 16.90

Absolutely failed poached egg

Zheng's 'Do it My Way' Breakfast set (3 items)--RM 8.90

Long Black coffee

Hot milk

   Overall, i don't fancy my breakfast that day. First of all, the key component of egg's benedict--the poached egg was not executed as well as i imagine. The runny yolk was not runny but was cooked all the way. The ham and spinach was okay, but the bun was pretty soggy. My long black was extremely bitter and hard to swallow as it was way too astringent. Ms Zheng also not very impressed with the her breakfast set consisting of toast, caramalised banana and scrambled egg. Although the price was affordable but the food certainly did not live up to the standard the public has given to it.



   Aside from that, i think The Departure Lounge embraces a rather creative concept on its interior design. The concept is as its name sounds, departure lounge. Hence, we could see its influence everywhere in the cafe. Froom the menu to the decor, everything smells like airport lounge, simple yet comfortable. Pricing wise, RM 18 per person. It is easily accessible but parking would be a problem. Perhaps will try out more from their regular menu next time around.

Contact info~
Address: 10, Jalan SS 21/39, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya
Phone No.: 03-77251682

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2. The Good Batch

Love this corner of the shop

   Although we were quite stuffed from our first meal, i still wanted to try out the famous Norweigian. It is basically egg's benedict, topped with smoked salmon instead of ham. Ms Zheng had The Portobello Road and i also tried out their hot mocha.

Norweigian--RM 20.90 Smoked salmon, capsicum and onion confit, wopped with a pair of perfectly poached eggs and lemon Hollandaise on lightly toased bread

They are not kidding when they said 'perfectly poached eggs'

Portobello Road--RM 19.90 Breaded Portobello mushrooms with wilted spinach and tomatoes topped with perfectly poached eggs and homemade Hollandaise on lightly toasted bread.

Lovely!

Hot Mocha--RM 9

    The Good Batch's Breakfast menu is what i want for brunch all this while. My Norweigian was perfectly executed in all means. I love my smoked salmon, the prefectly poached eggs and sour-ish Hollandaise sauce also balanced up the whole dish. The only thing i dislike was the capsicum within. I think it is unnecessary as the item already consists plenty of amazing texture and flavors. Ms Zheng was surprised by how wonderful her Portobelllo Road was. The mushrooms patties was well fried and crunchy. When paired together with the runny yolk, the duo just tasted heavenly. However, i'm a little picky about my coffee. It was not bad but i would prefer mocha to be served in a cup instead of glass. Just something about presentation and coffee rules.

Le satisfied blogger

See her wide grin? Totally happy!

   I love how this cafe works. Their staffs were efficient in taking orders and serving. The environment was very chillax and comfortable. Their food was over the top. If i have to give a suggestion, it would be the menu. Perhaps they should come out with more variety, more creative and personalised menu. As there are so many cafe similar to it blossoming everywhere in Klang Valley, The Good Batch has to constantly improves themselves in order to survive in this highly competitive commercial area like Damansara Utama.

Contact info~
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodbatchkl
Address: 53, Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya
Phone No.: 03-77332303

   Well, the winner is clear cut. The Good Batch is in my top 10 favourite cafe in 2013. Hopefully this post will give you some suggestions on where to head towards for great brunch over the weekend. To another amazing and fruitful year of 2014. Cheers! Have an amazing weekend ahead! :)