ronnycakes reviews: Basix Cafe, West Hollywood, Los Angeles

When I was doing my research for places to visit and eat before our LA trip, I came across Basix Cafe which was highly rated and calls itself a West Hollywood tradition that is a favourite with the locals. Located on a corner lot of 8333 Santa Monica Boulevard, Basix’s menu boasts a large selection of breakfast offerings, from power breakfasts to muffins and buttermilk pancakes. The lunch menu is extensive as well, with interesting sounding pizzas, sandwiches and pastas.

We arrived at the Cafe at around 12.30pm and already the inside was packed to the brim. Luckily for al fresco seating and for outdoor heaters as the chilly wind almost froze our socks off.

The Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup (US$6.50 per bowl) was a slow-simmered thick broth with ripe tomatoes, basil, rosemary croutons and a parmesan cheese crisp. Certainly tangy and refreshing.

The Chicken Tequila Pasta (US$12.50) was a hit; fettuccini with red & green peppers, red onion, cilantro and a jalapeno cream sauce. The cream wasn’t overpowering and you could really taste the tequila in the sauce.

 
For an additional US$2.50, you can add a mini Caesar salad to your meal.

Chicken & Sundried Tomato-Pesto Fettuccini (US$12.50), chicken breast & sauteed mushrooms with a tomato-pesto cream sauce.

The Turkey Club (US$11), applewood smoked bacon (yummers!), bibb lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo and house-roasted turkey on toasted sourdough. A little bit on the dry side but delicious nonetheless. Portions are seriously huge on this side of the globe.

Spaghetti and Meatballs (US$12.50), 100% certified angus beef meatballs with fresh herbs. Look at the generous heaping of cheese topping!

Basix Special Scramble (US$8.50), 3 eggs scrambled with Italian chicken sausage, mushrooms, caramelized onions & fresh spinach with toast and choice of griddled potatoes, sliced tomatoes or fresh fruit.

Perfect breakfast food with a twist; Crabcakes Benedict (US$10); two poached eggs on crabcakes with chipotle hollandaise sauce, served with griddled potatoes. Wils absolutely loved this one, being a huge fan of eggs benedict.

 
Came with a side of fresh fruits (raspberries!!).

Great food at reasonable prices, I can definitely see why Basix is described as a place with “well-made, uncomplicated Cal-Italian eats with a decent price”. Definitely a must-visit!

Address:
8333 Santa Monica Blvd,
West Hollywood
CA 90069, United States

Map *here*

ronnycakes reviews: L.table by Lavender, 1U Bandar Utama

Ever since Lavender set up shop at 1U, the bakery has been receiving an endless patronage of hungry bread-lovers. However, if you look behind the bakery which is right at the front of the shop, there is a restaurant by the name of L.table that is run by Lavender.

The interior is cosy, with a single pink daisy gracing every table.

One of the things we’ve always wanted to try at L.table was their Breakfast Skillet (RM22) because it looked too darn interesting to resist (sorry we’re suckers for fancy presentation :p). L.table’s version is somewhat different that the ones we’re used to because instead of bacon, lightly grilled pieces of chicken breast are served instead, and the chicken sausage are reminiscent of hotel buffet-type sausages. All in all, it was good but not really something to shout about. Extra points for the skillet though! :D

Sunny side up eggs.

Lightly grilled chicken breasts which were seasoned well. Still, give us bacon (even turkey bacon) any time!

 
We also had the Pappardelle and Duck Stroganoff (RM22) which was flat pieces of pasta cooked in what seemed like a sort of duck stew. The duck meat was plentiful and had a soft melt-in-your-mouth sort of quality but I thought the sauce lacked a bit of oomph. It was a tad too bland for me and ended up being a little too thick for my tastebuds. If you’re ordering this I recommend that you share this dish as it can get quite satiating after awhile.

All in all, Lavender is a good enough place to visit once in awhile and has an interesting enough menu for you to experiment with, without blowing your wallet as prices are quite reasonable. Didn’t have the chance to try the cakes though so there’s a reason to go back!

Address:
L.table by Lavender Bakery @ 1 Utama,
G213, Ground Floor, One Utama Shopping Center.

Map *here*

ronnycakes reviews: The Red Beanbag, Publika, Solaris Dutamas

Publika is the current it-place, and houses many stylish cafes in it’s various nooks and crannies. The Red Beanbag is one of these stylish cafes hidden upstairs on the farthest lot on the same row as Nathalie’s Gourmet (who I hear has great macarons but I’ve yet to try), and we would never have discovered this Australian-inspired eatery if we hadn’t noticed it in one of Wil’s friend’s Instagram feed (Instagram is great for us to discover new food :D).

The interior is bright and spacious (another one of those loft styles) with wooden tables and chairs and plenty of decorative art. Note the canvas sacks on the wall with words like play, create, truth, dream, love.
Quite a few good looking workers there as well… waiters and chefs. ;)

I was charmed by the menus, printed on recycled paper and pasted on cardboard.

 

 
A “Smooshie” blend of Green Apple, Lemongrass and Rambutan. Uniquely refreshing.

 
Good things have been said about The Red Beanbag’s Signature Breakfast (RM19.90) which is the only full works breakfast priced at that rate we’ve seen recently. Poached, fried or scrambled eggs on toast, sautéed mushrooms (thumbs up for using something other than button mushrooms), grilled tomatoes, beef/chicken sausage, beef bacon, baked beans and hash browns. Refreshingly simple!

I had the Don Scallopino (RM24.90), a super unique combination of seaweed risotto, with seared scallops and seafood. Ingredients were abundant, with two scallops, two prawns and a handful of clams. Taste-wise my only gripe would be that it was a tad bland but it wasn’t overly creamy like some risottos are, so it was easier on the palate. What’s good is that the price isn’t overboard as well; at some other place I’m sure it would cost north of RM32.

The Red Beanbag certainly did not disappoint, with good food and good prices, and friendly staff too!

They even posed for our photo haha.

 

A great place for hanging out with your friends, great ambience and I hear quite good coffee too (even though I’m not a coffee person myself). Definitely worth going again for the breakfast menu or to try the other things on the menu (pasta next!).

Address:
A4-1-08, Solaris Dutamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

Map *here*

ronnycakes reviews: Breakfast at Jarrod and Rawlins, Lorong Dungun

Once in a while our craving for good ol’ fashioned breakfast food will strike and the quest for the best continues! After going to college along Lorong Dungun for the past 3 and some years, I only recently discovered that Jarrod and Rawlins’ is  located less than 1km away from my campus.

Jarrod and Rawlins’ breakfast comes in two versions: Fried Breakfast and “The Full Works”. The difference between the two is that J&R Fried Breakfast is a slightly smaller portion compared to the full works which come with double of everything. Since we were sharing, we opted for J&R’s Special “The Full Works” (RM34).

 
Coffee or Tea, and orange juice is served. Sadly, the OJ tasted like the bland watery version that is airplane OJ so minus points for that! Best one I’ve had so far is Plan B’s breakfast whose OJ is fresh and pulpy and tastes like the sort I would squeeze myself at home.

 
The Full Works Breakfast Platter! With Heinz Baked Beans, Crispy Bacon, J&R signature sausages, Fried Mushrooms, Two Organic Sunny side up eggs, Grilled Tomatoes, Hash Browns, and Fried Bread.

Since J&R’s are a deli, you can be rest assured their sausages and meats are top-notch gourmet sausages and cuts. Everything was nicely done, hash browns were crispy, bacon was juicy and flavorful, and eggs were done just right!

Everyone’s favorite.

After polishing off everything, we were incredibly full so no worries about not being well satisfied if you share with someone. J&R’s breakfast did not disappoint and I can consider it one of the better ones I’ve personally tried with the exception of the drinks. Now I want to go back and try other stuff! :D

Address:
No. 6, Lorong Dungun
Damansara Heights
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2093 0708
Fax: 03-2095 3221

Map *here*

ronnycakes reviews: Breakfast at Sid’s Pub, TTDI

I am a strong advocator of proper greasy breakfast food and given a choice I’d have the full works every morning at home. But sadly all I get at home is just a boring glass of milk in the morning, which leaves me having to look elsewhere for my breakfast fix.

Sid’s Pub was opened by an Englishman who wanted to show KL-ites the same great pubs that they could get in the UK, and is located on the same row as Tom Dick and Harry’s and serves all day breakfast, everyday (unlike many places which just serve breakfast on weekends) which is convenient for when the craving for wholesome breakfast arises.

Décor is reminiscent of English pubs, warm and cozy with dark wooden furniture and attic style ceiling. Sid’s pub’s menu also offers an extensive range of authentic British pub grub with the likes of bangers and mash, pork vindaloo and toad-in-the-hole.

To start off with, we ordered Pigs in Blankets (RM16) for sharing. Tender pork sausages wrapped in crispy bacon with a side of mustard for dipping. This definitely looked good when it was served but tastewise, was disappointingly average. The sausages were a little bit on the dry for me and I believe that all good sausages in breakfast platters and pork patties in pork burgers (I digress) should be juicy and savory but these were too flaky. If the sausages were a bit more juicy these pigs in blankets would be delicious!

The main highlight: Greasy Caff All Day Breakfast (RM28): sausages, bacon, eggs, tomato, beans mushrooms, chips and toast.
Portion of this thing was huge, just enough to share between two. Same issue I had with the pigs in blankets, the pork sausages were on the dry side and sadly that kind of killed the whole platter for me because I look forward most to sausages and bacon in any breakfast meal.

Other reviewers have written rave reviews about the food at Sid’s Pub which leads me to think that maybe it was just on that particular visit that the food was a bit substandard.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for wholesome breakfast food at any time of the day, Sid’s Pub can definitely be on your “to-try” list.

Address
34 Lorong Rahim Kajai 14
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
03-77277437

Map *here*

Clarissane reviews: Brunch @ Tom, Dick & Harry, TTDI

I have heard all the rave about this place. Besides being a pretty happening bar at night along the quieter suburbs of Taman Tun with The Boathouse, 42East and Sid’s Bar along the same row, Tom, Dick & Harry (TDH) certainly lives up to its counterparts.

An article that appeared in NST a few weeks back (and all the rage I’ve heard from my friends) about their brunch offerings on weekends from 10am right up till 2pm certainly made me greedy want to check out that place for myself! And of course, I dragged my other two gluttons with me :)

We did not feel as gluttonous as we usually were that day (all of us were down for some reason) so we decided on two mains to share. With the portions being pretty massive, sharing in this case, is certainly caring :p But if you’re a big eater you can probably polish off one portion by yourself.

We started off with the Banana Pancakes, RM15 that came with caramelized banana (this was sooooo good!) and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and A strawberry (it would be nice if there were more generous with this!).

This dish certainly lived up to our expectations. With the glazed, caramelized bananas this dish was certainly a winner! The pancakes were soft and fluffy with hints of banana pieces in it. The texture and taste was just right, not overwhelming like those thick, tasteless pancakes you buy in stores. Eat it with the caramelized banana and the vanilla ice-cream and voila! A perfect meal.

Checkout the glaze!!! Simply ahhhh!

They do have options of savoury pancakes as well with turkey ham, bacon etc. But to me, pancakes are usually eaten sweet.. lol! Personal preference. But I’m sure their savoury pancakes would be as good too! (calls for a next visit!)

And of course, we definitely didn’t miss ordering their famous Big Breakfast, RM20!

This is what TDH is famous for. Their sunny side up (just the way I like it!) was fried to perfection with my favourite type of yolk – runny! The pork sausages were juicy and delicious with the sautéed mushrooms oozing out every hint of taste. The hash brown was crunchy and not overly-oily with generous amounts of potatoes in it.

They have an option of switching the pork bacon to crispy pork bacon for RM3. Most tables did this. Our pork bacon was the original one. It was tasty but it would nicer if it was a bit less fatty.But then again, bacon IS supposed to be fatty :p

All three of us agreed that both dishes were definite winners! We left fully satisfied with the vow of returning again when our stomachs feel gluttonous again soon to try their other offerings! With other food offerings in their usual menu such as the Pork Knuckles, Fried Mars and Snickers Bar, there’s definitely more reasons to come back.

With nett prices - what you see is what you pay (on brunch), this place is definitely worth visiting!

Another advantage is that this brunch is offered right up till 2pm. So sleep in during the weekends as much as u want, head here to eat, and then have a drink or two. Sounds like a perfect start to the weekend! ;)

Address:
Tom, Dick & Harry
18, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 - 7710 2122