Summation

 Like many other cafes, I first got to know about this place through an ex-student's post on social media. Any cafe with the words "new cafe in Seri Kembangan" would never fail to grab my attention.

Summation is on an unassuming upper level of a semi-industrial area of Seri Kembangan. To be exact, in one of the newer parts of Taman Bukit Serdang. Leads to the place are not exactly obvious but upon reaching their door step, it is hard to miss with its brightly lit "more espresso, less depresso" sign.

I visited with Dad on a drizzling afternoon, as we were looking for a place to have our afternoon 'kopi'. As we entered into the main cafe area, there was a counter to our right with (to the best of my knowledge) a letter-pressing looking machine.

Along one of the walls is a display of stationery from Summorie, or to be more specific, parts that would make up your unique personalised notebook.

Layout was simple and straightforward. One side for stationery, another for food.

Did I mention that there is an aromatic whiff of coffee as soon as you walk in? My vision was automatically guided by my nose and there, my brain was told to have sum er, some of those that produced that smell.

Apologies for a not-so-advanced mobile phone, but hopefully the photo shows just enough of the variety of dessert they had on display that afternoon. Rather catchy, I would say. The pink doughnut-looking was Taro Coconut, the green one next to it was Matcha Yuzu Tart, the one with a hat was Nutmeg Banana Chocolat, the one with a red centre was Petit Grapefruit Cheesecake and the right-most swirly one was Citron Tart.

On a normal day, I would choose the Citron Tart. But I decided to try something different, since the place is new. I opted for the Nutmeg Banana Chocolat. Admittedly, my palate on the first mouthful took a tad wee of time to adjust but after that, I found the combination rather interesting.

Oh and yes, coffee was good, too.

It has been quite a while, so the place may look different now. They even have another outlet open at RexKL. Probably time for me to pay another visit.

Summation

B-2-1 Jalan 14/3, Pusat Perniagaan Bukit Serdang, Taman Bukit Serdang Seksyen 14, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia

M: +6017-985 0917; E: holasummation@gmail.com

Daily 10:00am to 6:00pm

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The Founders Cafe

 My first trip to Johor Bahru (JB) was 27 years ago. My recollection of the place is the high school I went to for a choir camp - faces the Straits of Johor. This particular trip therefore felt like a first trip, even though it was my second.

As soon as we checked into the hotel and freshened up, we booked a Grab and headed out for cafe-hopping. The two guys I was with were really eager to try out the local JB cafe scene, so they had a list of to-go places ready.

Our Grab driver took us to what seemed like an industrial area. One corner along one of the roads had particularly more cars parked in its compound and along its fence, so we guessed this must be the place. We were a little confused because we were dropped off at the side gate and did not see its signage. Perhaps if we were dropped off at the main entrance, we would be able to better tell that it was a cafe. Nevertheless, we were welcomed by bright red and green neon lights that reminded us that we would be "feeling' good" here.

We managed to be seated even though there was a weekend crowd. I suppose being an industrial lot, it has an industrial look. There are fresh potted plants around to soften the texture of the place. There were also creative pieces on the walls. 

Perhaps there is too many things going on at the same time, too many things to focus on and not one focal point, I felt a little distracted. We also had a speak slightly louder than usual, perhaps due to the crowd. Maybe placing more soft materials around could help absorb some of the noise bouncing off all the hard surfaces.

There is a glass window with photos of celebrities who have visited, and also postcards. It had notes, too, perhaps an attempt to make the place a little more personalised.

Food-wise, almost everything had an interesting name and sounded tasty. As bagel is one of their specialties, we ordered one with smoked salmon, green onion cream cheese, capers and tomato (RM18.50). Felt like we were eating healthy stuff.

As was highly recommended by the waitstaff, we ordered a Quesadilla (RM29.90). From the picture on the menu, it looked like some sort of pancake. When it was served, we totally understood why it was recommended. It has a unique taste, as the fluffy scrambled eggs had a tomyum flavour, and chicken ham pieces and tomato slices mixed with Alexa's Sriracah aioli and cheddar cheese, sandwiched between tortilla sheets generously covered with coriander, grated parmesan, pomegranate and drizzles of pesto oil.

Okay, all the healthiness was usurped by the dessert we ordered. Browsing such a colourful dessert counter really is the worst temptation (or is it?).

Look at all the sinful rolls looking back at me... gawddd

Honestly, we ordered more than we could handle because we just could not help ourselves. 

Not forgetting, the must-have cuppa of caffeine...

The Founders Cafe

Tiong Nam Tebrau, 45 Jalan Tiong Nam Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

T: +607 360 9101; M: +6018-900 4572; E: the founderscafe.co@gmail.com

Daily 9:00am to 10:00pm (Day menu from 9:00am to 6:00pm [last order at 5:00pm], night menu from 6:00pm to 10:00pm [last order at 9:00pm])

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