Sydneysiding KLite: The Founders Cafe

Sunday, May 26, 2024

The Founders Cafe

Scribbled by Chrys at 8:37 pm

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?).