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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Dough! Bakery & Cafe

Happy Mansion is a familiar name to cafe-hoppers. Sometimes, I wonder if it is because of the cafes that bring happiness to the place or it is because the place is a happy place that attracted the cafes there.

From when the first cafe opened there, Happy Mansion progressively had more cafes popped up. One of them is Dough! Bakery and Cafe, which is known for its croissants and sourdough bread.

I visited on a Sunday with my usual makan kakis. We ordered a croissant and a waffle to share. The chocolate croissant that we tried lived up to its crispy and flaky name. Dark chocolate was in every bite, which left us feeling satisfied. We also appreciated the plate that it was served on.

Although the chocolate waffle looked really rich, it was not overwhelmingly so. We enjoyed it to its last drip of chocolate.

Despite it being late arvo, we still had a good amount of natural lighting. They had a few potted plants around, too, which added to its cosiness.

With the fragrance of good coffee and freshly-baked pastry, we quickly made plans to visit together again to try their main meals.

It gets really crowded on the weekends. We drove round the block four times before we found a parking spot. Be prepared. Also, as there are still people living in the low-cost flats above these trendy cafes, be respectful and not park in places where you ought not to.

Dough! Bakery & Cafe

B-G-7, Happy Mansion Block B, Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

M: +6016-647 2775; E: doughbakery01@gmail.com

Daily 10:00am to 5:00pm

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Suagu @1502A

Finally, there is a rooftop bar in SK! I remember I used to lament how we SKians have to travel to get to a decent bar but no longer, there is now one in our hood! With a catchy name like Suagu or rather, country bumpkin, it was easy to remember. 

Their entrance is located on the back lane of the complex of shops. When they first started, you could waltz straight through but now, you would need to make an appointment with them to secure your spot and for them to give you the pass code to the security door. I suppose it is a sensible security and safety measure for a place that is open till midnight and along a really quiet stretch, at that.

Be prepare to climb a really steep flight of spiral staircase. As they are a rooftop bar, you would need to climb pass three floors (hint: you definitely need that can of beer post-climb).

They offer a variety of craft beer from across the world and also drinks that are non-alcoholic.

I know the glass looks normal but I like the shape of the "bottom" (what are they called?). I find it to be a cute shape. Gotta get myself my own set of drink ware, as each home should have one set, ey, since there are 9.9 sales coming up...

They also offer skewers that are freshly grilled and other snacks, which you could enjoy with your drinks in their cosy open-air environment. 

They biggest selling point is the mesmerising sunset and nightscape over the new village of SK.

The only thing I have an issue with is that it is located along the main road of SK, where traffic is one-way. Therefore, if you could not find a spot to park the first time around, you would need to turn a big round and try again the next time.

Suagu @ 1502A

1502A Jalan Besar, Kampung Baru Seri Kembangan, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia

T: +6012-549 2018

Tuesday to Sunday 6:30pm to midnight

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Bukku Cafe

We got wind of a rather "young" book cafe in the royal town of Klang, which got me interested. But Klang is erm, considered far from where we normally hang out.

I got the impression that they were Japan-inspired as their name had Japanese characters. Was not sure what I was expecting from the decor and menu but I left feeling unsure of which aspects of the place was Japanese. Not that I am an expert on Japan but...

It was a weekend when we visited and it was when the government had just relaxed the SOPs on the MCO. Therefore, there was a queue when we arrived because there were fewer seats compared to before to adhere to physical distancing requirement.

Immediately after we placed our orders, I started to look for the "book cafe" aspect of the place. I found shelves against a whole wall. But that was it. Not sure what I was expecting to find but perhaps it did not help that it was a weekend after the MCO and therefore, many people were out to catch up with people they have not seen for 2.5 months, so books would not be top on their priority list.

Not sure if I was expecting more books but perhaps, I was let down by how no one in the cafe (at the time I was there) was reading a book. People were either talking to each other or fiddling with their electronic devices.

Otherwise, I thought it felt rather cosy (note to self: do not visit on a weekend in future).

Okay, now to the noms.

Not sure what transpired at the time but we decided to order chocolate instead of coffee. Rare, right? I know.

Very satisfying, I tell you. We tried their finest Belgian chocolate (RM12) because we think that not many cafes choose to use Belgian chocolate - had one Milk 34% and one Dark 54%. Two thumbs up!

Jenny had coffee, which came in a bigger copper mug. So fancy.

Jenny also ordered a Big Breakfast (RM23), which consisted two gourmet sausages, two sunny-side up eggs,  sourdough bread, grilled tomato, baked sweet potato and fruit salad:

 

Just before we left, we tried their popular Salted Egg Yolk Croissant (RM7.50):

Verdict: They would do well with a branch on this side of the state, so that we do not need to cross districts 😉

Note: Always check their social media sites for updates on opening hours due to the ever-changing (x)MCOs.

Bukku Cafe

1 Jalan Singgahsana 4A/KU2, Bandar Bukit Raja, 41050 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

M: +60 12 567 7392; E: bukku.cafe@gmail.com

Daily 9:00am to 7:00pm

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World of Phalaenopsis

I found out about World of Phalaenopsis through TianChad's IG a few years ago. As soon as I saw the photos, I told myself that I must bring Mum there because she is an orchid fanatic.

The first time I visited was with Mum, Dad, the teachers and the volunteers of our concert and graduation a few years back. Alicia tagged along, too.

When I saw for myself the rows and rows of colourful orchids in different sizes that I saw in TianChad's photos, I could not contain my excitement. I did not give my camera a break.

There were small pots and there were big pots. There were those in elaborate arrangements and there were those that were for replanting.

There were those with stripes and those with spots. There were those that look like butterflies and those that looked like a star.

As the orchids were arranged according to colour, the place was visually pleasing and gave a sense of grandeur.

There were also orchids that looked like they had more than one colour, something like ombre.

I noticed that some pots were hung outdoors, without the air-conditioning, too.

There was a part of the farm that was reserved for cultivation, so there were no stems of flowers, only green leaves.

Obviously, Mum could not leave without getting anything. Our first visit's haul:

My second visit was more recent and was thanks to one of the Melbourne cousins. We were thinking of where to bring her that would make a good day trip and Dad agreed when I suggested to bring her here.

This trip saw a new addition to the farm - a cafe. A very nicely-done one at that.

Ingenious use of strainers

Not limited to just coffee and cake, the cafe also serves hot meals like nasi lemak and fried noodles.

While we did not buy a whole box worth of orchids like Mum did the last time, we did purchase a pot or two. As Dad was paying, I noticed that there was a small section next to the payment counter that had succulents:

I highly recommend this place for a relaxing day trip. Nothing like having a cuppa surrounded by pretty flowers and there is not need to go far, as Ulu Yam is just before the Selangor-Pahang border.

World of Phalaenopsis

Ulu Yam Farm: Lot 1017, Kampung Sungai Kamin, Ulu Yam Baru, 44300 Batang Kali, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. 

Genting Farm: Lot 100, Gohtong Jaya, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia. 

T: +60 3 6075 1133

Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm

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