Good crispy murtabek over priced mee
The simple, Arabesque-inspired decor at this Desa Pandan cafe makes it feel much like a warm family home, with the aroma of food wafting in from the open kitchen. Expect soulful, comfort fare done with elegance, which will go over well when trying to ease your parents into cafe visits. Racking up points for both refined presentation and sublime flavours is the Cup of Nations (RM23), beef scotch eggs sitting on sweet purple mash, cream leek sauce and sambal drizzle. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Dutch-inspired Den Haag (RM18), an open fish sandwich paired with incredibly creamy scrambled eggs and crunchy pea sprouts — the toast is especially impressive for its clean, crisp execution. If you need a caffeine hit, coffee is decently done with Artisan Roastery beans. Do note that while the cafe opens early at 8am, most hot food items are only available 11am onwards.
Avg Price: RM30 per person
*Muslim-owned
Powered by the team behind La Juiceria, the relatively new Super Saigon offers a halal-friendly version of the now-trending Vietnamese pho. Instantly popular, they've already opened a second outlet in Sri Hartamas sporting the same swanky vibes of its flagship in TTDI. File this away for an all-girls' affair or as a jazzier option for family meals! Featuring a mix of rare beef slices, tripe and beef balls in warm, hearty broth, we think their Special Beef Combination Pho (RM19.90) is the way to go. When having this, take heed of the instructions for adding satay sauce — a subtle twist to spice up the traditional favourite. In place of pork, the cafe uses chicken in their Mixed Chicken Cold Cuts Banh Mi (RM12.90), which hits the zesty-meets-savoury flavour mark. The menu also sees Vietnamese variety for when you feel like trying something new, like the sticky, aromatic Broken Rice (from RM16.90) or the gravy-laden Stir-Fry Kuey Teow Noodles (from RM16.90).
Avg Price: RM30 per person
*Halal-certified
Their affordably priced barbecued briskets put these meat maestros on the grid this year and we can see why. At this rustic kitchen, you can get a meal of Beef Brisket with four sides (potato bun, baked beans, mash and coleslaw) and a bottle of locally produced Pop Soda for just RM26. Making beef brisket is a tall order in itself, so we are suitably impressed by how these guys have perfected the fall-off-the-bone tenderness and punchy flavours all the way through the pulled meat. The Beef Short Ribs (from RM24 per 100g for grass-fed; RM30 for grain-fed) is a handsome hunk of meat sporting a dark-to-pink gradient that tells of its excellent cook — go for the grain-fed for a juicier bite. The ribs also usually comes in larger cuts of 300g or more, which means a single portion (approx. RM90) is fit for sharing with a friend. They've got meats to meet every need, whether it's the gargantuan Triple Threat Platter (RM125) with three meats and four sides or the quick Brimmie Sandwich (RM15), which is essentially a brisket-stuffed croissant.
Avg Price: RM30 per person
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Tiffany Ng
