Espressolab - Gardens

Another place worth noting back in Kuala Lumpur:

So there's this place (which debuted in Solaris Dutamas, but it ain't the one I went to!) at the Gardens, Kuala Lumpur that serves some mean dessert and coffee. 

Actually, I'm not too sure at all if it's at the Gardens, or at MidValley Megamall for this one reason - it's somewhat on the interlinking bridge between the two malls. But then again, the easiest way to find it is to head to level 1. It's right outside the TGIF. 

Again, the coffee surprised me. I'm used to having some pretty sub-standard quality coffee when I return to KL for my breaks, but this sure ain't sub-standard. It's really good (though not as good as RaW!) and really rich. The milk is frothed well and the coffee art (which is really important) looks great! I didn't really manage to get a picture here. I didn't bring my phone, nor did I bring a camera of any sort.

The dessert here? Simply to die for!

While it's really good on those fronts, I must say that I wouldn't really feel like coming back here again because of the atmosphere and the layout. 

The benches for dine in customers are really limited. I would say that they could serve about 10 customers at most, for the tables and chairs are situated just below the escalators that go up to the second floor of Gardens. Besides that, there is the constant human traffic passing by you at such close proximity, you'd kind of feel like your personal space is being invaded - not to mention that you'd also feel like your belongings will get stolen any second. KL is quite prone to petty theft. 

But even if that doesn't bother you, you'd have to (and I invoke my inner chinese Malaysian slang) ask the 'aunties and uncles' to please move (because they didn't buy anything and are just sitting there) so that you can sit down with your coffee and cake. It's pretty ridiculous, holding your coffee and cake in your hands, wanting to sit down to eat, for grumpy people who didn't even buy anything so give you a face when you want to sit at the tables provided for customers. Aunties and uncles can be really difficult sometimes. 

Unless Espressolab has a real store somewhere, instead of a simple coffee stand by a busy link bridge, I don't think I'll be coming back to this place. It's too much of a hassle, and I feel quite suffocated. Nevermind that a cup of coffee costs me RM12. I'd rather go to my regular 'kopitiam' for some 'Kopi ping' at RM2something than to completely hate my surroundings. 

Ok, scratch that. I'd come back if I want good coffee - but I'll only have it for take-away. 

Crema Cafe

Introducing: A little place in Harvard Square where I go to to have my daily fix. I found this place by chance actually, mainly because the chain that I had been going to, Peet's, was closed for renovation. Peet's was quite good, wayyyyy better than Starbucks, but it wasn't just quite right. So although it caused me quite a bit of inconvenience to close for renovation, it helped me find Crema.

Crema is a delightful little place. It sells some cakes and other treats like muffins and cookies. It also has some quiches too. The ambience is a little dark, definitely not that conducive for people who came by to read, but it's good for chit-chat. A sign hung up on the second floor reminds customers to be polite enough to leave after an hour so that other customers will have seats to sit on when they come in.

The coffee is great, that much I would say. It is just the right strength (for me at least. Like I have mentioned before, I like it pretty strong). The only problem I would have is that it is pretty inconsistent in a peculiar way:

If you have your coffee in-house, it would come out great. And... If you didn't, and ordered take-away instead, it comes out pretty bad. My cafe latte comes out tasting like just hot milk. Strange, how it's supposed to have two shots of espresso. 

My conclusion?

Why, sit down and have a cup of coffee in the cafe of course!

And perhaps you'll get to meet some interesting characters too. I had a great conversation with this old man the other day about South East Asia and China. 

How about that for another great coffee place?

Wild and Wood

And so I decided to take a study break and get myself some coffee and a light bite for lunch. There are times when you just can't be bothered to deal with your work anymore. Or at least, I couldn't. Decided to go to Wild and Wood down at New Oxford Street, which is not a very far walk from Holborn. It's in the same area really. This is still my favourite coffee place in London, and in my opinion, the best cafe that I know of as of yet! Their coffee is brilliant and they have this really nice, old touch to the overall ambience.

I really like the food that they serve here. Light bites they are, but enough to keep you a smile on your face. I particularly like the Gruyere cheese, bacon Quiche. Their carrot cakes are really good too! The only thing about it is that it is a gamble as to what you'd get. They change the cakes on display every now and again. 

I think it's run by a couple, but I'm really not sure. I haven't actually asked them, but I would one day. I've quite a bit of time in this country to strike up a proper conversation with them. 

They really know how to decorate the place as well. Cute little postcards and pictures line the walls, and they have some good music playing too. I like how old school it is. CD's and a small boom box.

They have a little corner at the side (I didn't manage to take a picture of that) which looks as if it was made for people who would just like to come to a cafe alone to read. Might be nice if you'd like to read undisturbed. It's called 'the nook'. lol.

That's their selection of coffee. I personally think that they have the best Flat White that I have ever tasted. Their latte's are not too bad, it's really quite good, but I'm just a flat white person. haha.

I heard that there was a cafe down Soho called 'Flat White', and as their name implies, they're supposed to have one of the best in London. Well, when I finally make my way down there I'll definitely see if Wild and Wood would still top the charts, or if Flat White would remain supreme.

My friend says that Wild and Wood's Cappuccino is really good too. I'll take her word on that. I don't particularly like that style of coffee.

But all in all, Wild and Wood, definitely the place to go.

Patisserie Deux Amis

And so we went on a trip to the cafe down the road! When our friend first told us about this place, I kind of assumed that it was somewhere far, far away. It was actually, to my surprise, just 5 minutes away. Literally.

It is a quaint little place. The ambiance there is simply lovely. It has a good feel to it, with part of the counter designed to look like a french oven. The chair I was sitting on was a tad shaky, but really, who cares about these sort of things?

The counter

We ordered baguettes for our lunch, and some coffees and tea. If you're coming to this place looking for a heavy meal, you might be slightly disappointed. The only filling things were these baguettes. However, if you're looking for a light meal, or perhaps a nice breakfast, then this would be a great place. It's quiet, and very.. English. Haha.

I suppose that the only thing you might want to prepare beforehand is a little bit of patience. This shop is run by just two people, and it can get pretty busy. Imagine a game of Diner Dash. Yup. That's how it is. Just two people cleaning, washing, cooking, serving... gosh. It's a wonder that these two can make it without looking like they broke a sweat at all! They're really nice, and very jolly, these two. Service is brilliant if you're willing to wait for about 20 minutes to get your baguette (note, we came in at peak lunch hour time).

On our way out, I ordered take-away. I got a lemon tart, and the chocolate hazelnut cake. There are no pictures simply because I forgot to take my iPhone out.  But anyway, it was the best lemon tart that I have ever tasted in a long time! The chocolate hazelnut is very unique. It's not as heavy as you would imagine. It's somewhat like a honeycomb (yes, you can taste the honey), and it's somewhat like a macaroon. Light, with a layer of chocolate on the top. I can't wait to come back another day to check out the other kinds of cakes and pastries they serve in this cafe.

You can find this place at 63 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9QT. And I quote, from the postcard that I picked up from this place, it is "for Continental bread and pastries, light snacks, excellent cappuccino and fine teas to have in the cafe or take away".

The coffee was quite good actually.

It's just that it was overshadowed by the cakes and the food.