F.I.Q. Gastronomy, Subang Jaya

Gastronomy - the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine.

Setting

The concept is simple: let's pair black-tie-event food along with a casual, rustic environment.

If you may notice, all the chairs and tables are wooden (quite coarse wood so there may discomfort when you dine in) with back and butt cushions, thankfully. 

Wall art - something to admire if you're seated outside.

What went into our tummies

RM8.00 cappuccino. A little hard to get quite decent ones under RM10.00 nowadays. This one isn't the best I've had but it's not too bad. 

Beans used: Digayo

Roasted Carrot Soup with bits of bacon which was already so filling for RM12.00. Can't entirely judge on the taste because it was my first time having carrot soup (didn't event know of its existence, to be honest). Guess mushroom soup is too mainstream?

FIQ's Club Sandwich of chicken breast, beef bacon and sunny side up. Massive portion for RM15.00! They make their bread from scratch, by the way.

Turkey Ham Sandwich for RM20.00.

I must say their fries are amazing despite them being quite oily (eat first, think later). It's not the most appetizing at first sight but you can tell it isn't mass-produced fries. I'm personally really into salty food so this was perfect. 

My order: Hand Made Ravioli [RM25.00]. I actually expected more filling than what was served. Not recommended for big-eaters unless you intend to have dessert. I personally wouldn't order this again though. 

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This is overall a great place to chill if you're looking for one that isn't crowded with people parking themselves at a table all day with a drink and a laptop. I'd certainly return to give it a go at their desserts!

Address: 34, Jalan SS19/1D, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Closed on: Monday

Operating hours: 12.00 noon - 11.30 p.m.

Facebook page: Click here!

Caffeinated March

- On Thursdays, the grumpy cyclist consumes butter and beans with his flat white as he tries to rekindle his interest in the recent upstanding theory on brew and bread. -

Spot the names of 7 coffee places!

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Hi everyone! Apologies for being MIA. It's been a hectic month of so many events. I'm just thankful I can finally sit down and write.

Just to update you guys, check out my lists on Foursquare if any of you are interested in places I'd like to visit / have visited. I'm not the most updated with new and upcoming places but I hope the coffee list will make your caffeinated lives easier (:

Lately, I've been checking out these places:


1. Rekindle, SS2

There's something so humble about this cafe that makes me not hesitate to return. Its rustic ambiance and decorations may perhaps be the main contributing factors; sewing machine tables, bean bags, brick walls, etc.

Cappuccino. I've had it twice and the house blend (beans from Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia & Australia) isn't as sour as most types you'd typically experience. The second try being too hot for immediate consumption but other than that, I'd have this cuppa any other day. 

Chai latte. It was an impressive glass with the right balance of cinnamon flavour to the milk, none significantly overpowering another - and this is coming from a person who rarely has chai latte.

Soy cappuccino. Thought I'd give it a shot but it seems as thought they're catering to the way Malaysians would expect a cup of soy coffee to be. The market here seems to picture this as having soy-flavoured coffee which is odd to me. 

Hot mocha in which I enjoyed. Truth be told, I prefer the iced version. Even mom loves it!

I love how the chocolate part isn't sweet or taste evidently like sweet chocolate milk. They use cocoa in which its bitterness when mixed with the coffee blend makes a perfect marriage. I personally do not drink mocha often because of how rare a few places would get the balance to my preference. If you're the type who loves a super sweet cup of mocha, I recommend you skip this one. 

Hats off to my good friend who made the cappuccino, chai latte and mocha for me!

p.s. Their cakes are to die for - red velvet, Nutella hazelnut, banana pecan, peanut butter chocolate and apple & cranberry. Do not ask me to choose.

Address: 25, Jalan SS2/64, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Closed on: Mondays 

Operating hours: 12.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m. (Tuesdays - Thursdays & Sundays), 12.00 p.m. - 1.00 a.m. (Fridays & Saturdays)

2. Standing Theory, SS2

Located at one of the shop lots in the middle of SS2, the area wasn't very well lit and couldn't spot the place at first sight especially at night.

Their menu as well as their blend of the day.

Their signature round table which gave the impression of a medieval meeting area somewhat.

Their cappuccino which came with a piece of chocolate chip cookie rather the usual biscotti. Not my most favourite blend because it was extremely lemony and sour but not bad for a capp.

Address: 26, Jalan SS2/103, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Closed on: Mondays

Operating Hours: 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

3. Butter and Beans at Seventeen, Seksyen 17

First coffee place I've visited that closes its kitchen at around 8.00 p.m. - earlier than the typical night coffee hour.

I believe this was a rhubarb & strawberry sort of pie.

Did someone steal that cuppa?

I absolutely love the mural on the wall! Apparently it was done by the artist responsible for the murals in Penang, or so I've been told by one of the workers.

Address: BG-1, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 8.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. (every day)


4. Brew & Bread, Kota Kemuning

Drove to Kota Kemuning for the first time to meet a few friends, particularly one of my good friends who was heading back to Australia in a couple of days at that time.

I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were for some of the dishes. Fancy ones aside, the varieties of food & coffee I've tried here are all below RM10 each.

Jo Lyn's cuppa.

... as well as her omelette wrap which turned out to be an omelette but not a wrap. 

My cappuccino. Yeah, the art is cute but the coffee was just average to me.

RM6.00 french toasts which considerably cheap!

I made a second trip there with my high school girls and opted for sandwiches instead.

The ciabattas were absolutely warm and they look so cozy in the little baskets. It was no disappointing experience. 

What are sandwiches without coffee? Their cappuccino is still average to me the second round.

I also discovered their second branch in which recently opened at One City. Check them out when you can!

Address: 10, Jalan Anggerik Aranda M 31/M, Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor
Closed on: Thursdays
Operating Hours: 8.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.


5. The Grumpy Cyclist, TTDI

An impromptu trip this one. Dad and I decided to head here after visiting Standing Theory because one dose of caffeine wasn't enough for the both of us.

This, and only this, was what I ordered. You should know what it is by now. Once again, being picky me, the blend isn't to my liking. On the side note, their long black is relatively cheaper than most coffee places in TTDI.

This was hanging on the wall literally above my head while dad and I were sipping our cuppas away.

Address: 36, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Closed on: Tuesdays


6. Flat White Cafe, SS15

I've been visiting this place ever so often to get my weekly coffee fix due to distance. This is probably the best you can get within SS15 methinks.

I was quite excited when I saw this display. Spot the coffee beans from Melbourne!

I only ever recommend this: Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake, their best seller.

They have other interesting drinks in which I have yet to try because I always go there for their cappuccino. Recently, mom tried their Espresso Bomb (no image) - a variation of the jagerbomb shot. At first, I couldn't match "fizzy" and "coffee" but after trying it, it was different but a legitimate drink and not something horrid. The fizzy part of the drink comprised sparkling water, vanilla flavouring and non-alcoholic Kahlua and you must drop in the espresso shot before consumption. Another popular choice is their Nutella cappuccino. 

Address: 73-1, Jalan SS15/8A, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 12.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m. (Mondays - Thursdays & Sundays), 12.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. (Fridays & Saturdays)


7. Thursdvys, TTDI

As usual, I save the best for last. Thursdvys is the latest addition to the TTDI coffee culture. My parents and I visited this place after our trip to Quar/tet a couple of weeks ago.

Their concept is extraordinary. Their standard coffee is of one part ristretto (a short version of a shot of espresso) and one part milk. You may have your cuppa black if you please but I do recommend their standard.

The "v" in Thursdvys is simply for branding purposes. Thursday happens to be an important day to the founder for many significant events in his life fall on that particular day. To some it may seem ironic but I suppose in honour those events, this place closes on Thursdays.

It's interesting how there's this one orange section that stands out of the cafe. Made me ponder for some reason.

They started serving food on the 22nd March. The lamb pasta seems to be missing something in terms of flavour. Also, I expected strips of lamb rather diced pieces. 

I browse through that coffee guide every single time I visit this place because I miss Melbourne so much. Not once their coffee had put me in disappointment.

Their signature dessert: Banoffee Pie in which I absolutely love and highly recommend. I blame one of the barristers for introducing me to this. 

Address: 22, Lorong Dato Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Closed on: Thursdays
Operating Hours: 9.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.

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Happy cafe hunting! Till then, cheers.

Coffee-ful Penang

Last year, it was a must for tourists to walk/cycle/drive around town (some with paper maps) hunting for murals as the narrow roads constantly get blocked by people holding cameras of all sorts.

     This year, after doing some research, I managed to prepare a list of about 20 coffee places to visit, seeing how so many have suddenly appeared in the last few years. As a lover of good coffee, it was an obligation to drag my family members along for a coffee spree. My goal was to cover at least 8 places in a span of 4 days. Unfortunately, it is unsaid that there are sacrifices to be made for every dream - in which mine was not having enough time allocated to stand in line for a plate of nasi kandar. Yes, I know, it is a sin not doing it and has been regretted.

     Due to much debate and countless failure attempts to do a countdown style, the first five coffee places mentioned will be in no particular order of favour, followed by my top three recommendations. 

Second Visit to COSANS Coffee (Bloggers Night)

If you were wondering what that "private event" at COSANS Coffee was, herein lies your answer.

Last Saturday, I attended my first ever bloggers event at COSANS Coffee, making this trip my second. Yes, we were the reason you couldn't have your coffee between 6.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. that one fine day. Feeling over the moon after receiving a personal invitation from Matthew, the CEO himself, I decided to put all my fears aside and attended the event by myself. Initially, I was allowed to bring a friend along but coffee enthusiasts rarely exist in my social circles for some reason and what more to look for one who is free and willing to be in a sea of bloggers.

To those who are particularly particular, I am aware of the super fine, annoying white line in nearly every picture. That major scratch somehow got onto my lens protector. I don't use Photoshop and I'm not the type who's patient enough (yet) to sit down and learn the ropes of it so please bear with me.

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The first and most inviting thing I saw upon arrival was their display of food simply because I was hungry.

I noticed the arranged order- (from the top) salads for entrée, sandwiches for the main and the ever-so-sinful cakes for dessert. 

Sandwiches, salads and soups are on the board!

The cafe was still fairly empty at 7-ish so I had some time to go around and snap pictures of the setting.

And finally, the thing that attracts Malaysians of all ages, genders and races...

... a bag of freebies each which comprised the following:

• A huge handful of one of the two house blends (I got my preferred blend - Carreau!)
• Two packets of artisan tea from Gryphon - Hanami (blend #152) which is Japanese sencha with cherry blossoms and lemon ginger mint (blend #212)
• Two packets of Dammann Fréres tea - Chamomile and black tea
• A name card with a number on it for the lucky draw

Also not to mention the strong, compelling aroma of coffee every time you were to open the bag.

Cappuccino made with the Carreau House Blend

My first cappuccino at COSANS Coffee was made with the Equarre House Blend which was rather bitter for me despite having a strong body. This time round, I tried it with the Carreau House Blend as recommended by Matthew. It was slightly fruitier, sweeter and definitely less bitter compared to the first blend. Being a satisfied coffee lover, I gave my compliments to the barista while I was halfway through my drink.

Oreo Milkshake which lacked a fair bit of Oreos. Milkshakes aren't my cup of tea but this is pretty good for one.

Ice Blended Chocolate Frappe

My table was served two types of sandwiches for tasting:

Asianese Roasted Chicken Sandwich

I quite like it for its oriental flavour because of the coriander. They use chicken thigh which explains why the meat is so tender. 

Smoked Duckling Sandwich

I love duck. Absolutely love duck! My only disappointment in this sandwich is the lack of the smoked duckling as the other ingredients i.e. the greens overpower its taste. The bread is particularly dry for this sandwich because it doesn't have much sauce in it compared to the former. If it weren't for those concerns, this would've been an excellent sandwich.

A coffee showcase was then held for us bloggers to get to know more about coffee making. 

Each stage of coffee-making determines how good or bad your coffee turns out to be. Even from the part where you grind the beans.

Little cups were passed around as we smell the coffee to get a gist of what a nutty and fruity coffee smell like.

Another end product: iced black coffee

Well, I couldn't resist arranging them.

I was really fascinated by this drip!

After the showcase, we settled for more varieties of drinks and went with their signature tea - jasmine tea scented with rose oil giving off the sensual aroma of a rose bouquet. Highly recommended not only for tea lovers but also those who need a drink for relaxation.

On top of all the food and beverages I have shared here, we bloggers could order anything on the menu on the house just for that evening.

A few of the many bloggers I had the privilege to meet.
This is the only decent picture I dare post up for now. Shall probably wait for others to be shared soon!

And then there's me...

Click HERE to read about my first trip to COSANS Coffee.

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If you're a blogger and would like to collaborate with me, don't be afraid to drop me an email so that we can work something out. 

Looking forward to meeting more coffee enthusiasts and brunch lovers this year!

"I don't consume coffee. Coffee consumes me."