Classique Cuisine
Quaint French restaurant Café Café’s fare remains a constant amid a sea of eateries vying to outdo one another, writes Tien Chew
Located at an unassuming corner in the heart of a bustling KL intersection, lays an unobtrusive restaurant with a black and gold painted facade that hides behind a fence of greenery. Pass by unknowingly and it would be easy to miss it, but, if you stop to sate your curiosity, and venture in, you will discover a restaurant that manages to capture the charm of an old-world Parisian cafe. Aptly named Café Café, the establishment was opened in 2002 by two Malaysians who after years of living abroad, had the intention to introduce classic and delicious French fare locally. Only open for dinner, the restaurant channels its Parisian roots to great effect when the sun goes down, with its art deco interior working well in tune with its eclectic furnishings to simulate a romantic scene straight out of a noir film. Warm lighting and an intimate ambience make the restaurant an ideal destination for small parties or couples seeking to dine at a location outside of KL’S buzzing areas. Sit down, peruse the wine list and order a nice bottle to accompany the meal and opt for either the foie gras or the crispy Brie with crushed hazelnuts to get the fire in the oven raring. The escalope of foie gras comes well seared with grilled baby pears, apple compote and a satisfyingly tangy apple vinaigrette, resulting in a balanced dish that surprisingly wasn’t too heavy, despite being well-known as a rich offering. The contrasting waves of goose liver mixes with the acidic, salty, smoky pear and vinaigrette in my mouth and made for an absolutely delectable dish.