PRODUCT REVIEW

NESTLE KIT KAT
CAFE LATTE FLAVOUR - LIMITED EDITION
CKS HYPERMART
RM 5.00
RATING 6/10

If you like Kit Kat, you'd probably like this, because it's Kit Kat.. but the faint coffee taste in it doesn't justify the price as compared to the ordinary version.

COFFEE IN MY COCOA

Recently back again from labuan, as I have posted before, the land of cheap booze, cigarettes, textiles and of course chocolates. Surprisingly this time round, there were very little selections with coffee flavour, as compared to the last time when I could easily spend RM50 worth of chocolate with coffee in it. Anyway, since I am still in the mood for writing about it, I'll do a little introduction of each from my goodie bag:

SCHOGETTEN CAPPUCCINO
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM 3.90

RATING 8/10

One of the good ones that really has the coffee aroma in it.

VILLARS LAIT CAFE
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM6.90
RATING 7.8/10

GOLDEN BORONIA NOUGAT: CAPPUCCINO CRUNCHY
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM 0.80
RATING 4/10

I've never been a fan of Nougat, and the faint taste of coffee in it isn't really great.

CAFE BOHEME
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM60.00
RATING 8.5/10

This isn't exactly chocolate. Kahlua and Bailey's has long dominated the coffee and cream liquer selection but come this Christmas, we had something else to try out, and by general consensus, the family agreed that Cafe Boheme tastes better than Bailey's on the rock. It is actually coffee and cream in French vodka, and its well-balanced creaminess and light sweetness makes it perfect as dessert. Try pouring some over chocolate ice-cream.

COFFEE STORY @ MALACCA

the pond along the length of the coffee house

Recently I was in Malacca for an official field-trip and I had some free time at night to go strolling around the town. Unluckily or maybe luckily, it rained a heavy down-pour when I was out and I had to run for shelter to some shop-lots. Wet, stranded, tired and in a terrible mood from the sudden change of weather, one unexpected consolation was to find this place: The Coffee Story - Concept Coffee Shop.

Located at the fringe of town, sandwiched by old shops left and right, this great place is easily overlooked.

Walking in to the restaurant almost felt like walking in my dream place - Cafe Philosoffee as I meant it to be.. well, almost. But the concept in this set-up falls nothing short of superb.

the sound of trickling water calms the tired nerves

One most glaring attraction is a rectangular pond with flowing water running across the length of the coffee house. There are 2 water fountains at each ends of the pond and gold fish swimming freely in the water.

fusion of simplistic modern design with Oriental deco

The seaters are comfortable, clusters of sofas and dining tables loosely placed in and outside the main enterance. Chinese House and CantoPop plays in the back-ground - an acquired taste, of course. Alternatively, bring your own jazz CD and get them to put it on, I'm sure they'd be happy to entertain requests.

Another intriguing character of this place is in the menu. They named their food and drinks with catchy names like Coffee Story Toast, Old School, Brand New Day and drinks like Superman Milo and Coffeeman.

Being happily stranded in this cool place, it is unlucky to have forgotten my camera. And without any decent books in hand for that matter. They do have a few selections of Chinese Mags and tabloids though, but... never mind...

In the time-frame of about 1 hour, I had the opportunity to try 2 drinks and 3 dishes - talk about greed. But the portions were pleasantly appropriate for me to try out more than just one.

First I had the Coffee Story Toast - toasted bread and cheese with cherry tomato on top - and Coffeeman which is a vanilla+coffee milk shake.

Coffeeman and Coffee Story Toast - ideal finger food for the small eater

Then I went for the heavier dishes - Mayonnaise Chicken and Sweet+Sour Chicken without the rice. Downed with a very interesting drink, the dream of every child: Superman Milo which is actually iced-Milo topped with a hill of Milo powder. Messy, but which child will eat cleanly?

Pricing
I spent about RM16.00 for all the mentioned above. This, as opposed to a Frap Venti(R) drink for the same price - extremely worth every cents spent.

Recommendations
I strongly recommend this place for a night out catching up with friends or just to run away from routine life and sink your nose in a good book. The centre-piece pond and its catchy ornaments scaterred around the coffee house serves as conversational starters making this place a good port for first date too. If you don't already have a date, lug your laptop along and start chatting up a company for this place is equipped with WiFi connection.

And if for nothing else, I'd come back just because the waitress (?owner) was extremely hospitable and welcoming - making my short patronage a pleasant experience.

Coffee Story Concept Coffee House is located at:

328, Jalan Melaka Raya 1
Taman Melaka Raya
75000 Malacca
(same row as Maybank, right opposite HQ Bookstore)

Business: 0800 - midnight (Mon - Sat)

BREAKFAST @ THE CRUISE

If for nothing else, I would come back to this place for its retro-strips and retro-squares sofas..

Today I went for a cheap breakfast with my cousin in Tanjung Aru at a place called "the Cruise".

Of the three items on offer, I decided to ditch my diet for the day and try out all of them.

The first was Kon-lo Noodle with Minced Chicken, served with coffee or tea. Of course I asked for coffee, but it never intended this entry to be coffee-trashing, so I'll skip on the comments.
The noodle was fine, a generous serving for its price. Tastes okay, nothing to shout about.

Chicken Kon-lo Noodle
Taste 6/10
Value 8/10

The second helping I had was Chicken Porridge. Came in a huge bowl, but only filled up half-way. The porridge was prepared with fine strips of ginger which made it fragrant and appetizing. Though the consistency was a tad bit too fluid for my liking, they were generous with their bits of chicken so at the end it is still okay. Could do better with a dash of sesame oil though.

Chicken Porridge

Taste 6/10
Value 7/10

At the end of the second dish I was too full to continue, so I decided to stop there, and probably come another day for the last offer on the menu, Chicken soup with choice noodle.

Pricing
The price for each dish is RM2.00 plus 15% tax.

Recommendations
Come hungry or don't. Order the kon-lo noodle and don't expect too much from the coffee.