Gloria Jean's Coffees @ Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur

When it comes to cafe's, most of the time I would be heading to Starbucks or Coffee Bean and though I have come across Gloria Jean's a number of times, I have never set foot into any one of their cafe's. Having been here at Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) this morning, I was looking for a place to have breakfast and since I have tried all the other outlets in the cafeteria, I decided on giving this place a try instead. This outlet is located  at the Lobby Area, old wing. Impossible to miss the place as it is very close to the main entrance to the hospital. 

Entrance To The Cafe

Simple and Nice

Pastries and Bun's Were Available Too

It isn't that big a place actually. At most, they can accommodate roughly 30 pax at any one time. I guess this is more than enough for them as most people would prefer to head over to the cafeteria as the food there is much cheaper. However, for people like me who would need to do some work on their laptop's while having breakfast or even perhaps a conducive place for discussions, then this would be an ideal choice. Their WiFi connection is very good. Perhaps better than what we get at Starbucks.

Prices Displayed At The Entrance

Breakfast Sets

Drinks Selection

Cold Drinks

Choices were okay, very much similar to their other competitors. They had a selection of buns & pastries along with some breakfast sets that comes with a drink. I choose their Glorious Breakfast Set and this was priced at RM 15.90 . Since that came with a Coffee, there was no need for me to get an additional drink. Having paid for the items, I returned to my table.

Caffe Americano

Caffe Americano

It was a mild bodied coffee, perhaps slightly milder to the brew that we get at their competitor's. Nevertheless, it was nice and I enjoyed it. And yes, the drink was sent over in around 10 minutes. I believe they were a little shorthanded, Since I was busy with my stuffs, I wasn't too bothered with the turnaround time. Taste wise, I would rate this at 8/10 .

Breakfast Set

Breakfast Set

The set came with two thick slices of bread, some eggs, baked beans and two chicken sausages. For the price, the portion was decent. 

Bread

The bread was just okay for me. Perhaps a little dry and too thick a cut. I am not sure if that is how it should be but based on my taste buds, it could have been better. This kind of bread goes best with soups and not these kind of sides. I would rate this bread at 6/10 .

Baked Beans & Sausages

The Baked Beans was just okay, not the best of quality. Probably some local brand. I would rate this at 6/10. The Chicken Sausages was not bad, but once again a little too dry. This I would rate at 6/10 too. 

Eggs

The Eggs however were great! Absolutely loved them. Shows the skill of the chef. In the whole set, this is undoubtedly the winner and I would rate these at 8.5/10 . Loved them! 

Overall, a decent breakfast it was. Not sure how their other items would be tasting and it seems like there's quite a bit of complains on their Facebook page, both on the food as well as the staffs. For me, based on today's visit, the staff were great. They were quick and polite. No complaints as far as that was concerned. Food however could have been better for sure. 

Address: Lobby Area, Institut Jantung Negara, No. 145, Jalan Tun Razak,

                50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: 0700 - 2200 Daily

Telephone: +603 2691 1060 

Upper East Side Cafe @ Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Unlike my usual posts which is about visits to restaurants, this is a unique one as it is about my recent visit to a Culinary University. Located on the 14th Floor of Times Square, student's of Berjaya University College of Hospitality (School of Culinary Arts) can experience what it is like to work in a live restaurant. Here at this university, there are three restaurants that are open to public and students' can practice their skills based on the agreed format with their lecturers. Of course, this would be done under the supervision of the lecturers and seniors. This afternoon, they were having a Deepavali Luncheon concept and the theme was South Indian Food. 

Upper East Side Cafe At Level 14

Lovely Environment

Their Menu

Contact Information

Menu For The Day

Everything Was Set According To The Books

The place was beautifully decorated for Deepavali and the ambiance was amazing. Seriously, I wouldn't mind bringing clients here for discussions over a meal as the place was so cool and professional. Of course, you get those serious looking students who were in stress as their lecturers were watching them closely and correcting them when necessary. It was fun to observe. Everything had to go by the books and a single mistake, they would be called aside and given a small lecture. As mentioned earlier, the theme for the day was South Indian food and this set that you see here was priced at RM 25.00 . I know that they had printed RM 35.00 in the menu but the price had been altered for the day. Right from the moment we walked in, everything happened by the books and these kids were trying their best to get everything right. That was evident. 

Chapati with Chana (Chick Pea) Masala

Water To Wash My Hands

As the appetiser, they served us Chapati with Chana Masala (Chick Pea and Potato). The presentation was perfect. Of course, cutlery of various sizes and shapes were neatly arranged but being an Indian, I could not resist using my hands and the moment they saw that, one of them brought a bowl with sliced lemon and mint leaves for me to dip my fingers later. I just loved that. Coming back to the Chapati, it was good and I was impressed. It was soft, tasty and the texture was just right. The Chana Masala too was perfect. Just the right quantity for the Chapati. I would rate their Chapati at 9/10 and Chana Masala at 9.5/10 . Loved it!

Thali Meal Set

Thali Meal Set

Next to arrive was the Thali Meal Set. This came with Rice, Sambar, Curd, Rasam, Cucumber in Raita, Beetroot, Spinach, Papadam, Fried Bitter Gourd, Pickled Chili and some Mango Pickles. A great selection of vegetables and sides!

Cucumber Raita

Spinach with Potatoes

Beetroot

Unlike the common cabbage etc., they had given us some quality vegetables. The preparation was lovely. The Raitha was thick and creamy, the spinach was delicious and the beet root was good. I would rate the beet root at 9/10 and the rest at 9.5/10 .

Sambar

Curd

Rasam

Once again, these too were lovely. The flavours of the Sambar, the improvisations done with the Curd and the simple yet tasty Rasam, all were good. I would rate the Sambar at 8.5/10, the Rasam at 8/10 and the Curd at 9/10. 

Fried Bitter Gourd and Papadam

Pickled Chili and Mango Pickle

The sides were also amazing and they were very fresh. Surely not one of those foldable Papadams. And their presence of mind was great. They had given us a little of each, increased the variety and made a simple meal look great. Who needs quantity when there is a certain limit as to what one can eat at any point in time. Great planning!

Chicken Chettinad Perattal, Semolina Fried Fish and Mutton Perattal

A Closer Look At The Mutton Perattal

Fried Fish Was Coated With Semolina

Another excellent thing to do was to include Chicken, Fish and Mutton as part of the complete set. A little of each, but they were good. The Chicken Chettinad Perattal was lovely. Not too spicy and it had the perfect coat of spices. I would rate this at 8.5/10 . The Semolina Fried Fish wasn't up to my expectations. The fish was fresh and fried to perfection. Nevertheless, the unnecessary coating killed the dish. It would have been better if it was simply coated with masala and deep fried. This I would rate at 3/10 . The Mutton Perattal was again lovely. Small bits of mutton were cooked in a pressure cooker first (to soften the meat) and then added to the masala and it turned out to be lovely. This I would rate at 9/10 . 

Rava Payasam

Rava Payasam

This was a twist from the usual Payasam that we get and it was a winner. Almost like Kesari, but it was still in semi liquid form and was cooked with lots of milk and a dash of cashew nuts. Served hot, it was so addictive and heavenly. I would rate this nothing less than a perfect 10/10. Excellent!

Masala Tea

This was cute and yes.... that was all that we got. But the Masala Tea was excellent! A great way to end a hearty meal. I would rate this at 10/10 .

In conclusion, I am very happy with the meal today. The food was good, service excellent and the ambiance was cosy. I am now thinking of coming more often and explore what they have to offer on other days. Definitely worth paying them a visit!

Address: Level 14 East, Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi,

                55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: 1200 - 1500 Daily

Mamu Burger @ Tanjung Malim, Perak

A friend of mine recently started this burger stall and invited me over to give it a try and write a review about his place. In fact, I was quite skeptical initially as I did not want to hurt him with my reviews, nevertheless finally said okay but warned him before hand that I would not give in for any reasons whatsoever and he gladly accepted it. 

The Stall Along Jalan Ketoyong, Tanjung Malim

Located opposite SKTM

Clean and Lovely Stall

Very Organised Too

This place is located along Jalan Ketoyong in Tanjung Malim. Almost close to Kampung Ketoyong and is right opposite Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Malim. It isn't just another ordinary burger stall. It's a concept stall which he had built in front of his house and comprises of one Satay stall, his burger stall and not to forget the famous Jenun Char Kuey Teow... all under one roof. He has surely spent some serious money in doing up the place. Everything was new and the design was splendid. Business starts at 6 pm and goes on till around 2 am, Sunday to Friday. 

Menu

Drinks Menu

Teh O Ais @ RM 1.30

The above menu covers items from his burger stall and the drinks stall, both of which belong to him. Prices seemed reasonable as he has included some set meals concept to the common orders. Service is somehow lacking. I believe he is a little understaffed at the moment and kinda get's jittery when the crowd picks up. Something that he needs to work on. The drinks were fast and I got them in less than 5 minutes. The dishes however took more time than they should. The Teh O Ais was good and cheap I felt. This I would rate at 9/10 .

Cream Of Mushroom Soup @ RM 2.50

A bad preparation this was. After all, it was those standard sachet's and all he had to do was to add some hot water and stir them well in which he had clearly failed. They were lumpy and I had to do his job for him. And for this I had to wait close to 40 minutes. Taste wise there's nothing much to comment as this is an off the shelf product but preparation wise, I would only give this 2/10 . Regretted ordering this!

Chicken Burger Set @ RM 6.00

Chicken Burger Set @ RM 6.00

Fries

For RM 6.00 , this set came with a Chicken Burger, some fries and salad on the sides. The Burger was good, in fact really good. Salad was just so so and the fries decent. I would rate his Chicken Burger at 9/10 , the Fries at 7/10 and Salad at 6/10 . If I were to return, I would skip the Combo and stick with the burger alone. That is surely recommended!

Hot Dog @ RM 2.50

The moment this was served, I was staring at the dish for a while trying to figure out what in the world he had just served me. Hot Dog should look like Hot Dog and not like a dog split open. One can try to be creative in the kitchen but not kill the dish. This was horrible and was flooded in a mixture of sauces. The bun was too dry and the frankfurters weren't great either. A disaster this was and I would rate this at 1/10 . Not recommended!

Chicken Sandwich Combo @ RM 7.00

Chicken Sandwich Combo @ RM 7.00

This was way better than the last dish yet it still failed to impress me. The bread were too thinly sliced and toasted a tad over. The chicken ham slices didn't stand out either as there had been too many unnecessary ingredients in the sandwich. Another improvisation gone wrong and I would rate this at 5/10 .Not recommended too!

In summary, the only good one here from the dishes that I tried was the plain Chicken Burger. The rest were average to horrible. Would I return? Surely as this guy is my schoolmate nevertheless I would keep it strictly to the burger only. Not willing to be tormented by the rest again. I had also conveyed my review to him in person and he mentioned that he would try to improve. Hopefully he does!

Address: Along Jalan Ketoyong, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.

Opening Hours: 1800 - 0200 Sunday's to Friday's

                             Closed on Saturday's