The Replacement @ Jalan Dhoby, JB

Finally, it's the weekends!

Been down with a cranky stomach lately thanks to my ABC porridge. I realised that these days my stomach can't take too much of fiber or else it will start churning real badly and I'll be visiting the loo like it's my best friend. Good thing my stomach isn't acting up as bad as it did when I had green bean soup.

Since my stomach is feeling unwell, I got the chance to stay at home and rest. And get bored. Hence, blog. I met up with Wawa and Simren a week ago I think when I was back in JB and we decided to catch up at any random cafe. The Replacement was new so we decided to give it a shot

The Replacement

33- 34 Jalan Dhobby, JB

Facebook

This is how The Replacement looks from the outside. 

It's a plain white building. It's a lodge too, that explains why their kitchen i.e. cafe isn't very spacious. Actually I thought the space was very limited- almost like a large bedroom size. While there are other cafes that have limited space, I have to say that The Replacement really do not know how to maximize the tiny space that they have. 

Now, I'm telling you the layout of the cafe so you would be prepared. Either you get lucky and get that two seaters by the side of the wall (I think there were 4- 5 two seaters) or you get unlucky and have no choice but to share one huge ass table.

The huge ass Knights of Camelot kinda table

This is the huge ass table I was talking about. I think that this would fit 10 people at least, great for big families you know like those that dine with their grandparents all the way to their grandkids? Yup. 

But a far as what I have seen during my trip to The Replacement, those big ass family doesn't seem to be the primary market. Everyone that came in were young people in pairs or at most in groups of fives. When we arrive, we were seated rather quickly. That's a good thing. The bad thing was that we were seated right in the middle of the huge ass table, sandwiched between groups of unknowns seating at both ends:O

Oh, hi unknowns :S

This made us feel really awkward. We couldn't even talk at our normal volume because it really felt like our private space was violated. Thank God the girls on our right soon finished so we quickly scooch to that end of the table. 

So there we were in the huge ass table, only both poles of the table occupied because NO ONE was willing to take the middle seating like duh! So you see, lots of space wasted. They have this bar seating facing the window but the space is really squeezy so maybe if you want a quick drink that would be okay, if not I'd probably exit. 

They do have pretty lamps hanging over our heads at the Knights table though

The Replacement practised half self service. So you have to get the menu, order and pay at the cashier then be seated and wait for your order to arrive. 

The menu. 

Ordering was also a bit awkward for me because we don't get to seated to decide what to have. Instead everything was done in a hurry in front of the cashier area. They have a few chairs for you there but it was still so weird because I felt like I had to quickly get it over and done with and not hog the tiny area =.=

I wasn't that hungry and most of the menu was bread. You know brunch kind of menu? I had enough bread in KL so I decided to have cake instead. 

Five selection of cakes on display

The best looking on that look worthy to be ordered turns out to be yam cake. Since I was sharing the cake and neither of us fancy yam cake, I decided to order Strawberry Shortcake. It looks like a bad idea but the others weren't far off better so I just settled for the Strawberry cake hoping my prejudice towards their cake was wrong.

Caramel Latte, RM11

Simren's Caramel Latte came pretty quickly. I'm not a big fan of coffee but I did have a sip. Well, al I can say that it tasted almost like the Nescafe that my mum makes at home. Paying RM11, there was a higher expectation. I might as well spend it on the commercialised Starbucks instead. 

FREE water!

Water was free but you would have to go get it yourself. They have these bottles on a cart at one corner of the shop with glasses as well. So please help yourself! Not sure how many can you take but we took 2 bottles of water.

Strawberry Shortcake RM12.90

Then my cake came. As expected, it wasn't that good. Not worth my RM13. The cake tasted a little too dense for liking and it was sweet. To add on to the sweetness of the cake they had this strawberry jam,which tasted like those jar types from the hypermarket, in between the layers and also some buttercream. OH MY GOSH, that was the last straw! Even though we shared the cake, we find it really hard to finish that one tiny slice:(

Corque Madame, RM18.90

Wawa haven't had lunch so she ordered the Corque Madame which was super overpriced! This made me really angry because this dish is just a slice of bread with melted cheese, tomato sauce (I think) and egg on top. It took them 45 minutes to an hour to serve. The portion was really tiny for a RM18.90. I might as well add on RM5 and have a big breakfast in Bangsar!

People say that KL food is expensive. Well, yes no doubt a meal in cafe or restaurants in KL would cost you RM15 at least but the difference is the food is worth the price! Cafe in JB seriously pisses me off. Just because they want to imitate God knows what, they are charging such a high price on disgusting tiny portion food. 

PLUS! The ambience of The Replacement was rather bad- awkward seating, white walls etc so why the heck are you charging so much? It's understandable that all business aims for profit but this is really too much

Approximately RM43 for the tiny things we ordered :S

The Replacement should really be replaced.

But then again, I don't know why are they so many people on Facebook who actually compliment this place like it's one of the best places in JB. It's either they are easily contented people or they are really nuts. Also noticed lots of people who dress up nicely in chiffon dresses and what not, coming to The Replacement with DSLR camera with their nose stuck high up in the air.

Why ah? So glamourous meh drinking overpriced meh coffee here?

We were like, uhhh. Should have gone across the street and spend our money on three portion of chicken chops instead. Nevermind, take picture to compensate our loss LMAO

At least Simren really liked the dried flower

Selfie Coffee @ Sutera Utama, JB

Hello from Johor Bahru!

Today is a very productive day because I managed to conduct two interviews and try out the new Selfie Coffee!!! It has been here for quite a while already I think, maybe a month or two but I haven't got the chance to try it til today. Thanks to Simren who suggested a quick coffee date before I zoom off for another interview.

I was looking forward to this coffee but I wasn't like crazy excited la. From the pictures that people posted, I wasn't sure if the your selfie picture will be printed on the coffee foam or just a normal plastic. I was thinking if it's just printed on plastic cover then for what go right? So prolly that's why I wan't that excited till I actually step foot there.

Selfie Coffee

Jalan Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama

Facebook

I usually don't post pictures of myself on my blog because I don't think I look appetizing LOL But this is after all a Selfie cafe and since I have an awesome selfie phone so have to!

The cafe's entrance

Interior of cafe

They have this fake grass area for you outside also. I think people who puff would appreciate this setting.

Outside itself they have instructions on how your coffee will be made! 

I'll show you how mine is being made below! But before that, have a look at my cake! I seriously didn't thought of trying out their cake because I was all hyped up for my selfie coffee!!! I told you that I was didn't feel the hype earlier right? But when I arrived and found out that they will actually print your face on FOAM I was ecstatic! Simren and Reb might have to tie me down if I didn't control myself hahaha

Their cakes are reasonably priced and they look alright too except for the rainbow cake that looks like a sad rainbow LOL Anyway, we chose Green Tea Mascarpone!

Green Tea Mascarpone RM9.90

The cake was alright. Not the best green tea cake la but for the price I think it's acceptable. You can't really taste the macha taste but it was creamy, mascarpone duh. Initially I thought mascarpone is some sort of cream but Simren told me that it is cheese! 

But if it's really cheese than this cake is quite a failure because the green tea doesn't taste much like green tea and the cheese doesn't really taste like cheese.

Most importantly! The chocolate drizzle for the writings is just for nice and not meant for consumption because it tasted like super cheap chocolate:S

Photo booth

Okay, now this is how you order your selfie drink!

#1 Place your order and pay at the counter. They have ice- blended drinks and normal iced drinks if you want to have your selfie printed on top of your drink. They currently don't do it for hot drinks.

#2 Be seated with the number given to you and wait for your turn to be called into the photo booth.

#3 Take your selfie in the photo booth! You can take a selfie or a wefie! I took a wefie with my sister and simren so my face appeared twice on the drinks! HEHE

#4 Your selfie printed drinks will be served to you!!!

Now, I'm going to spam this blog post with all our selfie with our selfie drink! Selfie-ception!!!

Caramel Frappe, RM13.90

The caramel frappe was super sweet!!! I'm usually have low tolerance to sweet stuffs but I was too high and excited about this selfie printing thing that I actually finish the drink! It's just like how you con kids to drink water by giving them a new and exciting bottle.

Cold Butterscotch Coffee, RM13

This one tasted like latte without the butterscotch but Simren found out that the butterscotch was actually trapped at the top layer! Of course she found out when she was finishing her drink la because we were all very careful not to distort our faces HAHAHA

I poke through the printed layer gently and slowly. A bit scared because I didn't know what to expect! But the straw sinks in the layer very softly, like sinking in quick sand!

See it's real foam! It's a very thick consistency foam. It actually tasted very buttery like some buttercream. I'm not surprised if it's really some sort of buttercream 

Simren's face starting to get distorted already as she sips up!

Finished! Now we look like some horror movie :S

Oh yes! You can also borrow their marker pens and scribble stuff on the table. We realised it only when we finished drinking our coffee so I just simply scribble nonsense just for the sake of it.

It says "The end. But, hello wrinkly face!"

I was referring to the state of our face when we finish our drinks LOLOL

If you haven't try, go try! It's so fun!! I feel like doing it all over again!!!!

I think it would be more fun if you to come with your besties or like your partner!!! It's like a very good momento! Naomi should probably do it with Char, Tim and Tom before they leave Malaysia! I think they have an outlet in Sunway too :D

Bob's Kitchen, Johor Bahru

It's been a pretty hectic week but I thought that I should have some "me time" to write down my thoughts before I forget what I was suppose to be thinking LOL

So this was when I was back in my hometown, Johor Bahru for nearly two weeks. Met up with my friends and I decided to try this new place out. Simren suggested many nice places at Sutera Utama but then I wanted to try out Bob's Kitchen because my sis said that the food was rather good and I was attracted by the deco of the place.

Bob's Kitchen 

Danga Utama Commercial Centre

More info

Bob's Kitchen entrance

See what I told ya? The entrance to the restaurant look really catchy right! Can't blame me for being attracted to this place. Love how they have their fonts in such retro style. Looks like those dressing table bulbs! 

BK

When I was there there was this Buy 1 Free 1 promo going on. According to Naomi, it's worth the buy. She got herself and her friend two types of steak for the price of one. So that's like bang for buck. However, there is a catch to this luring promo- Everyone has to have their own main course.

Which means if you and your companions are in even numbers the deal makes sense because buy 1 main course (for yourself) free 1 main course (for your companion). But when you are there with odd number companions then the deal becomes rather redundant.

For me, there were three of us (odd numbers). Note: Everyone at the table HAS TO HAVE a main course. In order for us to do that we have to buy 2 main courses to get another 2 free. Which also means that we will have one extra portion of main.

The main course ain't cheap of course, if I've not mistaken mains starts from RM20.

Dessert menu

The desserts are not very cheap either. I didn't try their dessert so I can't comment much about it but based on their food/ drinks I was relieved that I didn't order desserts:X

Naomi recommended their chocolate lava cake, she said it was good. Usually, her food reviews are rather accurate but this time I felt like I headed the wrong blog recommendation LOL

Beverages menu

Interior, ground floor

Interior, top floor

Interior 2, top floor

Stairway up to the second floor

The initial plan was for us to meet up for lunch. But I had some home cooked food before I left home and the promo deal wasn't to our best interest as well so we just snacked there. For this I kena kao kao from Simren who was expecting everyone to actually EAT and not snack LOL

Nit and I shared the expensive mushroom tacos.

Mushroom tacos, RM14.99

I was rather dissapointed with the tacos because it tasted so cheap and bland! I think there were only a few strands of mushroom and lots of lettuce. Wait, by lots I mean more lettuce than mushroom- they should have called it lettuce tacos. As you can see from the picture above, the good thing is that their tacos are the crispy type but the downfall is that the edges are mostly burned.

Guacamole was bland, sour cream tasted okay. I just wasn't getting value for the price I paid. 

So Simren was mood out by us not EATing properly, she just ordered mushroom soup which tasted slightly diluted. The good point is that it is homemade, as in they made it from a scratch using mushrooms and cream etc but I just made mushroom soup for dinner yesterday- the Campbell soup from the can and it tasted better:(

Mushroom soup, RM7.99

Strawberry milkshake RM12.99 | Chocolate milkshake RM12.99

For drinks, I was rather excited to see milkshake on the menu! I love milkshakes so I ordered Strawberry milkshake and Nit ordered the Chocolate one. It tasted not too bad, something like frozen strawberry milk with ice blended. No thick creamy ice cream taste.

While it isn't horrible, it definately shouldn't cost us RM12.99! For that quality, I say RM8 would be more than sufficient.

So Simren wanted an alcoholic drink in the mornnig (#smirks) and I agreed to share the Irish coffee with her because it ain't cheap. Simren asked me if I knew what alcohol is used in Irish Coffee. The naive me answered: Irish cream!

Simren's reaction =.="

HAHAHHAHA It make sense what! Irish cream (liquour) in Irish coffee la. Apparently not, they used whisky?!

Irish coffee, RM17.99

The waiter who brought the coffee over teased Simren of having alcohol so early in the morning LOL. But to her defense, it wasnt't thaaaaat early, it was 12pm already hehe And, according to Simren you wouldn't notice much of the alcohol till you actually finish the drink.

It was my first Irish coffee ever! I was quite excited to try it. So I took a sip, a big one and... OMFG it burns!!!

WTF it felt like I was downing concentrated hard liquor!  What happened to "supposed to notice alcohol only after you finish the drink"? 

I think the bartender got a bit too excited and poured way too much liquor in the coffee. Nit who was sitting right across the table could smell the strong alcohol smell when Simren was gulping away. Yes, GULPING! 

Okay, perhaps a few gulps only LOL

Simren 'high' after first gulp

Since I couldn't take it after three sips, and Simren couldn't stand it after a few huge gulps we just left three quarters of Irish Coffee there. Our RM17.99 burned! Seriously, it was undrinkable! Now to think of it I should have asked them to redo the coffee.

Really wasted.

Simren, a doctor who usually drinks (hehehehe) also gave up.

So for our snacking session, guess what was the damage? RM77.65!!!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

*horror face*

*super horror face*

Damage

I felt so really bad for recommending the place to Simren and Nit. I have ever ever made such a food blunder before! I really felt humiliated! The food and beverage was below average yet we were charged such a price! Could have nicely ate at some other cafes nearby.

But, I got to give it to the workers there (except the top floor waitress who was suppose to be on standby mode) for great service! The moment you stepped into Bob's Kitchen they will tend to you really nicely. The waiter was really friendly and crack jokes as well when serving.

So verdict, never returning but I love their exterior deco much!

My vege bestie

Bandung Day 1: Paris Van Java, Richeese Factory, Jco Donuts, 2Tang + Local products

I'm actually so surprised with myself for writing about my Bandung trip so quickly! Haha 

A little background of why I decided to go for a holiday was that the journey of my Honours program was really very much like living hell- You're not allowed to die, but living is just plain torture. That was how it was for the entire year. While the rest of my friends got to have their summer holiday (November 2013- February 2014), I was working my ass off collecting data for my study.

So I reached I breaking point where I thought I deserved a good long holiday without breaking my bank of course. One day I was out eating Ayam Penyet for dinner and we were talking about holiday experiences. Then it just strucked me "I have to visit Indonesia!".

First, I contacted Gaya my long 'lost' high school friend who is in her final year in Bandung. Once she told me that she could accommodate me on the dates I proposed, I immediately purchased an air flight ticket!

Air flight tics RM360, 20kg baggage to Bandung RM55, 20kg baggage back to KL RM55.

(I will tell you the kecoh baggage story later prolly on the last day in Bandung post)

My 6 days 5 night holiday to Bandung, Indonesia started off really well! I slept through the 2 hours flight which made the travel duration seem short. Reached Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, and woah! It's a small airport- with only one counter to collect your baggage and they even needed man power to go inside and get it for you.

So happy to see Gaya waiting for me at the exit of the airport!! Thank you Gaya!!

I was very fortunate because she told me she didn't had a chance to pick her mum nor her tutor from the airport when they came. Luckily, she could when it was my turn hehehe

First stop was to her place obviously. Its really close to the airport, I think it took about 20 minutes. 

Once reached, it was lunch time!!! Btw, Gaya (and her housemates) has a maid in the house! So all the cleaning, cooking, washing are done by the maid :O

Indonesian milk

One of the first question was whether Indonesia produce their own milk because I would love to try it. Gaya immediately took out her stash from the fridge and I had a try. Well, it tasted very much like our milk here in Malaysia. So I wasn't all excited and jumpy like how I was with Kave in Sydney, lol.

Indonesian milk used in Starbucks, Indonesia

This brand of milk on the other hand is used in Starbucks, Indonesia to produce their beverages. I didn't try it because I assumed it wouldn't taste much different and Gaya haven't opened this carton of milk yet.

Day 1 lunch

For lunch, I had free meal cooked by Gaya's maid. We call her 'ibu', initially it felt weird because I don't like calling people mother other than my mum because my mum is the only female on earth that I would call mum LOL I wonder what will I call my mother- in- law next time? :X

But anyway, everyone addresses an older lady by ibu and an older man by pak. So the free meal cooked by ibu was tempeh sambal (spicy fermented soybean), sayur masak lemak (vege cooked w coconut milk), terung kicap (dark soy sauce brinjal) and some steam egg kinda dish.

My favourite was the tempeh and brinjal! Yums!

Day 1 free lunch

I also met Gaya's crazy awesome friends- Suba and Darshini. They are all med students. I was very chill when I planned for this holiday even if it's in Bandung because I knew that I will be staying with a house full of doctors, right in front of Bandung's big hospital. So even if I get like diarrhea or some kinda illness I know I'm in good hands, lol. 

I suppose it was teatime for Darsh because she was making coffee, I stole a picture of her coffee and tried some too. It's also made in Indonesia:

Good Day Cappuccino

Instant Cappuccino 

It comes with an extra chocolate packet that you can sprinkle on top of your drink but I think Darsh sprinkled and stirred them in already. It tasted okay, but too sweet for me so decided to buy Tora Bika's Cappuccino back instead.

After lunch, we just hung out in the house a while talking to my new friends. Then when it was dinner time, we went to Bandung's famous mall Paris Van Jawa or commonly known as PVJ. Located at Jl. Sukajadi it was just an Angkut (cheap taxi- like) away!

Though PVJ is considered their most posh mall, it (the shops) is considered a fraction of what we have to offer here in KL. Oh, but they have Diary Queens and we don't, lol.

PVJ at night

Exterior of PVJ, morning

PVJ morning

PVJ w Gaya and Darsh (back most)

Pretty lights in PVJ

Dairy Queen

Now I remember why Dairy Queen is so familiar. I tried it in Singapore before! LOL Wanted to treat Gaya to come ice- cream or milkshake from here on the last day in Bandung because she had been so nice to me throught my stay but when that day came it was all a rush and the 4D movie ended at 11.30pm so all shops were closed:(

Before dinner, I had Jco donuts for pre- dinner snack. I know we have Jco back in Malaysia too but I'm sure we don't have the Cronut! Oh do we? lol Anyway, Jco donuts originated from Indonesia so it is a must try for me. Wanted to compare how it tasted back at the place of origin and here in Malaysia. 

Jco Donuts

Paris Van Jawa, Ground Floor

Delivery: (022) 82063698

Cronuts from Jco

Oh, and my Cronut & donut were free because Gaya bought them for me:D

Jco donuts in the making

Donut/ Cronut box

I took a picture of the donut box because I was impressed that they gave me a box even if I only bought two pieces! Back here in Malaysia, you would only get your donuts in the box if you buy at least half a dozen. If you were to buy one or two pieces then they would just give it to you in that paper holder thingy. Very hard to bring back without disfiguring your donuts.

My picks were:

• Jcronut Original, IDR16,600 (Apprx. RM5)
• Durio Dela Creme donut,  IDR6,500 (Appx. RM2)

Cinnamon Kiss was so flaky, light and yummy!

Then we proceeded to real dinner! They brought me to a fast food restaurant call Richeese Factory. Obviously by the name itself you would know they they serve food with cheeeeeese!

Richeese Factory

Paris Van Java, Sky Level

022- 82063857

Richeese counter

Say Cheese!

BBQ Chicken with cheese

This is how you do it :D

Richeese serves really good BBQ chicken! They come with cheese dips as well. The cheese dips are similar to the cheese used on KFC's cheesy wedges. Who knew that cheese would go so well with BBQ Chicken!

Also you can pick your level of spiciness for the chicken. I choose Level 1 which is the lowest on the hot scale. I was being careful because I didn't know what to expect of Indonesian's definition of spiciness. According to Darsh, the level 2 BBQ sauce for the chicken is already very spicy for her.

They also have potato wedges. Served with BBQ sauce at the bottom and cheese sauce on top of the potato. For the wedges, Gaya said you could either choose Level 1 (spicy) or non- spicy. She choose Level 1 for the wedges and Oh Gosh! It was spicy!!

Somehow the Level 1 for wedges and the Level 1 spiciness for chicken is different.

Cheesy potato wedges.

Love their wedges because it tasted like real fresh potatoes. Didn't really fancy the BBQ sauce that came together with the potato though.

By the way, if you want more cheese sauce you can request for it for FREE! No extra charge! In KFC I think you will need to pay extra RM1 for extra cheese sauce right? So eat your cheesy hearts out in Richeese!

Price list:

• Fire Wings 6 pcs BBQ      IDR 29,545 ( appx RM9.50)
• Mirinda drink                    IDR 11,364  (appx RM3.50)
• BBQ Cheesy Wedges       IDR 41,818  (appx RM12)

Dinner was free also! Thank Gaya!

After dinner, Darsh bought jasmine tea from 2Tang which was located right outside Richeese Factory. Yummy tea, not too sweet and has that right amount of jasmine hint! Not too sure about the price, but I think the picture with the banner would give you a clue to how much it will cost.

Tea tasting

Price banner

That marks the end of Day 1 in Bandung!

FYI, for those who are travelling to Indonesia I think it would be good to get a local SIM cad. I got my friend to help me buy my SIM card. I only needed data package so I got the 600mb one. I think it cost about RM11 but it made my life so convinient! I could whatsapp my love ones on a regular basis and I could also Facebook/ Instagram picture!

SimPATI- The Maxis of Indonesia

I'm ending my Day 1 post with a few snacks that I have tried during my stay in Indonesia. Obviously there is more to it because Indomaret (24 hours convinient store) was situated a few doors away from where I stayed LOL

My favourite out of the whole stash was the Sponge Crunch and the Richeese Wafer

Yes! Richeese also produces other snacks that you could buy off supermarket shelves! Very yummy Richeese cheese wafer snacks (appx RM2) I stashed some home. The Sponge Crunch (appx RM4) was very yummy too! It was so chocolatey depsite it looking like some cheap chocolate snack.  Too bad they didn't had chocolate flavour when I wanted to purchase some back home:(

Ron88 mineral water

I read blogs before and they mentioned this water. I think Darsh mentioned that this cute 250ml of mineral water cost approximately RM0.30. I tried the water but nah, don't really like it. Too sharp for tasting. Actually it tasted a bit like distilled water.

Nevertheless, I'd still buy it for the cute bottle!

Luwak White coffee, RM0.30 per sachet | ABC coffee RM0.30 per sachet

I loved the Luwak White coffee! So I bought one pack back for my dad and mum. Really good! Gaya told me its their pioneer coffee. On the other hand, do NOT go near buying that ABC coffee. It was horrible! They had coffee bits floating everywhere when you pour in hot water. 

The good thing is that you could actually buy one sachet of coffee by the roadside stalls for IDR 1,000 so you get to try them before deciding which to buy back home. 

Banana milk RM1.50 | Buavita Mix Berries Juice RM3 | Teh Gelas RM2

Banana milk didn't taste as good as the Korean banana milk but its half the price of the Korean banana milk so for that it tasted relatively okay.

Buavita juice was rather good, a bit on the sweeter side but it tasted like real juice. Teh Gelas sucks! So sweet and tasted so chemical-ish! I couldn't finish that pack of tea.

My ultimate favourite is the Teh Botol. Teh Kotak taste similar to Teh Botol but on the sweeter side.

The end, stay tune for Day 2 Bandung!