Brunch Out In JB

BRUNCHING ROOT & BRANCH @ TAMAN PELANGI


Faking a European Brunch in Our Little Dempsey Hill - Precious!

One of the few things that make us miss relocating from Singapore is the copious number of brunch options on the weekends in the city state.  When we first moved to Malaysia, I must say our weekend brunches were mostly composed of home-made pancakes, scrambled eggs and cereals.  Then we started getting adventurous and ventured out for a taste of local breakfast delights - before long we were tucking in for brunch on the likes of roti prata, wonton noodles and nasi lemak. 

We chanced upon the Pelangi area several years back - and now this is the only area we go when we feel like going root and branch for a great drawn-out brunch.  It is our little Dempsey Hill if you will - not quite as lush and posh as the Singaporean go-to for laid back weekend brunches, but certainly a piece of that in good old Johor Bahru.  The best thing is that the entire family loves it and we do not have to vote on it when it comes to "Little Dempsey" in JB. 

After plying our  “Little Dempsey” for the past years, we find that we almost always ended up at the following three brunch cafes when we go in seek of late morning grub, and we have never spent over MR120 or S$40+ for four of us on each seating of brunch!

Lavender - "Luxe" Flagship



L.Patisserie Mouth Watering Treats

We have been fans of Lavender from years back when we used to visit their café-restaurant at Molek and Bukit Indah.  It has always kept up its quality of food and bakes.  Its owner also strives to be always ahead of the F&B competition in terms of menu offering and store concept.  You can imagine my family's absolute joy when she opened her flagship store at Pelangi last year.

Take A Break at L.Cafe or L.Bistro

L.Table Presents A Lofty Dining Experience

So last year on our wedding anniversary, we celebrated an anniversary brunch there with the kids on a Sunday – spending a lazy afternoon just lounging at its cozy L.Table, then saunter down to its opulent L.Patisserie which boasts a wide selection and almost French-cafe-esque presentation of breads, pastries and desserts that would wow even a non-sweet tooth person.  If you do not wish to brunch, you can just get your coffee and bakery items and enjoy them outback at L.Cafe section.  

Or fancy a chill out? Then hangout at L.Bistro.  The entire place is so huge that my partner and I could relax and read upstairs at L.Table while the kids run down to choose their favorite bakery items, chow them down at their own table at L.Cafe, surf on their cellphones - all in the comfort of the bakery-cafe-restaurant without disturbing our couple time.  Life cannot be more perfect than this!

Foodie Wedding - Haute Cafe 

Our Usual Favorite European Breakfast

At Foodie Wedding - owner Gucci Wong - presents great food in what my daughter calls a Fashionista setting, replete with wedding photos and wedding gowns on mannequins.  This should come as no surprise as Wong is a photographer by profession who now turns to his other passion - FOOD.  When you first enter the cafe, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee immediately accosts you and immediately puts you in the mood for its delectable brunch spread. The plates come in pretty big servings, so you may want to share if you eat like a bird.  Even though the serving portions are huge, we will always end our brunch with drinks to go with their delicious maple berries waffle and warm lava chocolate desserts. What is a brunch if there's no sweet endings?

Poppy Seed Bagels, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Rocket Salad, YUM!

And the good news is that they serve breakfast all day or at least until items sold out!



Three Lattes & One Smoothie For The Family

Chef's Table - Breakfast Beneath Crystals

Brunch & Dine With Chandeliers

Along the same street as Foodie Wedding cafe (and just across from Lavender "Luxe") sits the Chef's Table restaurant in a non-descript building.  In fact the entire stretch of Taman Perling is lined by old bungalows and shophouses that have seen better days.  In recent years, enterprising business owners are starting to take over the buildings and renovating them into trendy hangouts.  Chef's Table from the exterior may be spartan, but when you enter the premises, you will be taken by its eclectic mix of Baroque decor and Scandinavian wood furnishings.  The chandeliers and the moulin-rouge-esque ambience surely aim to transport you far away from the hot and balmy Johor Bahru.

At Chef's Table, we will order different items on the menu (as their portions are generous), just so that our family of four could have sample bites of various dishes.  Their delectable french toast comes with myriad fruit bits coated with caramel syrup and whipped cream - which is why this scrumptious menu item is my daughters' top pick even until today.

Daughter's Big Breakfast For Tiny Tummy

Perfectly Poached Egg Over Sausage & Roasted Fungi

You can see the breakfast plate above is a healthy serving of brunch delights that will surely keep your tummy satisfied until early dinner time.  And just look at the variety of menu items below and you would understand why we come back time and again for brunch.  If you forget yourself amidst the epicurean ecstasy at Chef's Table - you just may think the presentation of your platter is from a Venetian cafe or some snooty eatery in Le Gai Paris?

Gourmet Menu - What's There Not To Like

TOP FAVORITE BRUNCH CAFES IN OUR LITTLE DEMPSEY HILL IN JB

Lavender Luxe

 68, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor.  Tel:  +607 335 9966

       

Foodie Wedding

43, Jalan Serampang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor.  Tel: +607 333 3223

Chef's Table 

 33, Jalan Serampang Taman Sri Tebrau 80050 Johor Bahru District.  Tel: +607 331 8162