Welcome to Rimba & Rusa, a Klang Valley cafe that serves up a fusion of local and western cuisine in its eclectic, two-storey setting. Vibrant green plants and wooden accents add an earthy vibe against the soft green pastels and white-washed walls, while the floor-length windows invite plenty of fresh sunlight to bathe the space in a cheery, Sunday afternoon…
WHEN IN ROME
If there’s one thing I love about Italy (apart from cobbled streets and interesting architecture), it’s the colorful food culture that sweeps up both locals and tourists alike. During our backpacking trip across Italy two years ago, Gloria and I were stranded in Rome for two nights. We were supposed to be in Florence, but we missed…
THE CARPENTER’S DAUGHTER
Oh, the joys of discovering a wonderful neighborhood bakery that doesn’t just serve the freshest pastries in town — but delectable pastas too! The Carpenter’s Daughter greets every customer with a strong aroma of fresh bread and coffee upon entering, and continues to impress through its mouthwatering selection of artisan pastries and western delicacies. Gentle lighting…
BRUNCH AT ANTIPODEAN
With its wide range of delicacies and drinks chalked up on the big black board, Antipodean is fronting the breakfast/brunch scene throughout the Klang Valley. Its name reflects its gastronomic roots in Australia and New Zealand. For a reasonable RM 20, the Big Breakfast boasts buttery scrambled eggs, perfectly sauteed mushrooms that practically melt in your mouth, your choice of…
MYLO COFFEE CO.
As the brainchild of brothers Stephanos and Markos Mylonas, Mylo Coffee Co. is an independent coffee house that recently launched on Kavanaugh Boulevard in Little Rock, Arkansas. Brick walls meet reclaimed wood throughout the lofty space, with cute potted plants contributing to the interior’s nifty look. My friends Colleen and Mary took me there one afternoon…
GROUND CENTRAL
I visited Ground Central last year to review the midtown coffee house for Joonbug.com (read the review here) and instantly fell in love with the space. I chatted with the founder, French native Etienne Wiik about his vision for the shop and he explained that Ground Central was birthed on the premise of being a coffee…
HUDSON CAFE
Late last year, the West Village scored itself a cute new neighborhood café on the intersection of Jane and Hudson Streets: Hudson Café! It’s on the same block as Mole, the lively Mexican eatery helmed by restaurateur Nick Cervera and his wife, Chef Lupe Elizalde. The couple built the place from scratch, infusing their personal touch into the…
EL MAGUEY Y LA TUNA
El Maguey Y La Tuna continues to thrive in the Mexican food scene, catering fresh moles and authentic cuisine in its humble Lower East Side setting on East Houston Street. Appetizers consist of the delectable Flautas, where crispy rolled up tortilla shells are stuffed with chicken and served with pico de gallo and creamy guacamole….
AMAZE 82
Amaze 82 on the Upper West Side prides itself on delectable Asian fusion food and wallet-friendly prices, with a menu that bursts at the seams with cultural cuisine from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Japan. Its interior verges on elegant minimalism — black tables and chairs are backed by bare brick walls and illuminated by wall lamps….
SEL ET POIVRE
Back then, if you’d asked me about French cuisine, I wouldn’t have much insight to offer because I never received a proper introduction. And I’m pretty sure those cheesy escargots that my mother forced me to try five years ago don’t count. My first introduction to real French cooking was at Sel et Poivre several…
MARY’S PIZZA SHACK
My family and I spent a few days in San Francisco after my graduation (this was a while ago!), and we were thrilled to visit a quaint little town in the heart of the world’s third largest wine country (Sonoma/Napa Valley). We stopped in Sonoma for lunch and then continued the journey to the other…
TIPSY PARSON
What’s better than breakfast and lunch? Brunch. Well, more importantly, Sunday brunch. There’s something fresh about Sunday mornings. Last summer, Jacqui had suggested Tipsy Parson, a charming restaurant in Chelsea that served American comfort food like biscuits and gravy, pancakes, sandwiches and more. It was crowded, but we were lucky to get a table at the back…
Little Dishcoveries 