Fuel Coffee, Damansara Uptown

Damansara Uptown. An area in which its culture I have yet to explore although I can strongly vouch for the fact that the availability of parking spots depends on your luck like most congested places.

Thanks to a fellow blogger friend, Carmen, who discovered and was so keen on visiting this cafe, we managed to schedule a meet up this Saturday afternoon - to which was our second time meeting in real life since the Cosans bloggers event (read about it here).

Setting

Recently opened about four months ago by a guy from Beijing, this place looks pretty hip from the outside I must say. Spot the old-school post box.

I personally thought this is clever.

Much of its decoration comprise antique subjects and mostly household items in which may seem odd in terms of its placing but somehow suit the cafe's environment. 

Matchstick pens.

Nope, not my journal. Their menu looks like this and the charm is very Vintage 1988.

 What went into our tummies

What this place is known for: Bonsai Coffee [RM10.90]. As a coffee lover, it's not a superb cuppa but I was particularly amazed at its conceptualization of a bonsai plant - the warm coffee insulated by cool whipped cream sprinkled with Oreo crumbs and topped with mint leaves. 

A tip on how to consume this: don't eat all the whipped cream at once (I know, it's Oreo but control yourselves). Instead, drink it to a point where you can taste both the whipped cream and coffee. That's where it gets interesting.

Iced cappuccino [RM10.90] and Carmen's lil bro.

Hot Mocha [RM10.90] which was different from the usual where you can distinctly taste both coffee and chocolate. This one had a nice balance but was really mild.

Old Beijing Noodles with Chicken Chop [RM10.90]. Mind you, mix thoroughly before consuming to ensure the flavour of the excellently marinated minced pork is coated on each strand of the noodles! It is served with chili which looks like the chili pan mee's chili drenched in oil.

We also ordered Leek Pork Dumplings [RM10.90 - I just noticed every thing we ordered costs the same price respectively]. In all honesty, we spent a bit too long shooting pictures of our orders so this became a little cold when we ate them, unfortunately. However, it was still pretty tasty on the inside! I personally expected a bit more filling to it.

So where's the best seat in the house? 

It definitely has to be by the window! Excellent lighting for photoshoots for you Instgrammers and photographers out there.

Before signing off, presenting the fellow blogger:

Thanks for recommending the place and for your great company. Also thanks to Benny and Carmen's little brother for being great company too as well as extra tummies!

Click on Carmen to visit her blog (:

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Address: 111G, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Contact number: +60377336895

Email: fuelcoffee.my@gmail.com

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!

Coffee Etc @ Oasis Square, Ara Damansara

Oh my, just look at the overwhelming number of new coffee places popping up these couple of days. 

Here's one at Oasis Square. My family and I were meant to head to Mr. & Ms. Cafe this morning but they were still in the midst of opening at 9.30 a.m. Perhaps another time.

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Setting

Brick walls. Love.

Nothing particularly fascinating except for their peculiar interest in monkeys. Aside from wanting you to "swing" by, I do wonder why monkeys.

This is perhaps an appropriate location for meetings and what not as it is relatively quiet and can accommodate big parties.

Menu

They have an all-day breakfast menu available till dinner time at 7.00 p.m.

What went into our tummies

Egg Benedict [RM6.90]

The Big Three with a Jumbo Chicken Sausage & Omelette with Cheese [RM21.90]

Croissant Sandwich with Chicken Ham & Egg [RM17.80]

The Egg Benedict is of average quality and RM6.90 for that serving seems decent. However, the croissant and big breakfast are not worth their respective prices. Nothing to hype about, really.

Cappuccino [RM10.90] 

Without much expectation put into this, just like the food, it is just an average cuppa.

Apparently, their Belgian waffles are must-tries and they claim to use an original Belgian recipe but I am personally more of a "let's go for A&W waffles and root beer floats" kind of person.


Coffee Etc is a great place to chill and hang out at but don't put your hopes up on their F&B.

Information

Address: EG-08, Block E, Oasis Square, 2A, Jalan PJU 1A/7A, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya.

Operating days: Mondays - Saturdays

WiFi: Available (password printed at the end of your receipt)

| Foursquare |

p.s. I apologize for that really fine, white line in most of my pictures. Don't worry, my camera lens is perfectly fine. The protector got scratched somehow and I really gotta fix that soon.

The Good Batch @ Damansara Uptown

Out of obligation as a lover of brunches, I checked out this place today. Yes, Damansara Uptown on a weekend and yes, during the lunch hour. The things we foodies would do for food can be viewed as simply insane in the eyes of society - but we still do it anyway in the name of food.

Setting

My two good friends and I reached the restaurant only to be greeted by a small crowd of people by the door eagerly waiting to be seated. We then joined in the waiting list of 5 names before ours.

The waiting area. This was taken after our meal which explains the absence of people.

The first thing you might want do if there is a crowd outside upon your arrival is to scribble your name down on the waiting list. During your period of wait, you can browse through their menu and decide on what you wish to order. However, if you're really hungry and are easily intrigued by food in the form of words like I am, I suggest you pass that option. 

Tables are seated according to the number of people you have with you so if your party is big, you'll most likely have to wait longer. My party of three waited half an hour just so you know. 

Decent setting which could fit quite a number of people.

I quite like this deco by the door. It adds a touch of home to the place.

And they have a proper bar with bar stools!

Wall deco of gears adding some modernity to the setting I feel.

What went into our tummies

Cappuccino [RM8.50]

Not the best I've had (in Malaysia, that is - before you start judging). It has something to do with the coffee and milk in terms of balance in flavour, nothing with regards to its presentation or the way it turned out as a cappuccino.

They say you need not have a hangover to consume this beauty:

Hangover Mess [RM20.90]

"Messy. Absolutely messy." Those were the first few words that came to mind the moment two plates of these were set on the table. 

Of corned beef mixed with pan-fried potatoes and diced capsicums topped with two sunny side-ups messily drizzled with herb-infused hollandaise sauce served with lightly toasted bread, there was much talk about this particular dish especially on Foursquare. I really love the beef and capsicums but thought the potatoes could've been a bit more fried. The hollandaise sauce made the dish look messy which definitely fits its name. I was not full up to the brim as the portion was just nice for me (I'm quite a big eater if you must know).

I do recommend giving this a shot if you're a fan of corned beef and pan-fried potatoes. 


If you're really simple or if you're feeling ordinary...

The "Ang Moh" [RM25.90]

... try this. Brilliant name for a big brekkie! There's your usual scrambled eggs, streaky beef bacon, grilled chicken sausage, ripened cherry tomatoes, a baked portobello mushroom, pan-fried potatoes and baked beans served with lightly toasted bread. Nothing out of the ordinary hence making this dish turning out to be just okay - according to my friend who had it.

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You probably can tell from the opening paragraph that parking is horrid on weekends but feel free to try your luck like I did. I was already prepared to make a couple of rounds of bore but managed to find a lot within the first rounding (:

Information

Address: 53, Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Upton, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Operating hours: 11.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. (Tuesdays - Thursdays), 11.00a.m. - 1.00a.m. (Fridays - Saturdays), 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (Sundays & Public Holidays)

Contact no.: +60377332303

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