Attention all social media junkies, VCR Cafe is a place you have to go to.
Attention all caffeine junkies, VCR Cafe is a place you have to go to.
Attention all cake junkies, VCR Cafe is a place you have to go to.
That being said, parking is a bitch here.
Located just behind the Swiss Garden Hotel (yes, the aged building opposite Berjaya Times Square and the old Pudu Jail), this cafe looks like a converted double-storey house
Hipster wannabes' hangout? Something like that, but don't be surprised to see families and backpackers lounging around too. There is something about the clean interior in black paint highlighted with woody finishes that adds charm to the cafe.
Honest opinion: I don't think I would be too comfy sitting on these for too long!
VCR prides itself on offering quality coffee, both Artisan and Coffex. Apart from the usual coffee suspects on the menu, they also have filter coffee (aeropress, Harlo V60, Chemex, Harlo Syphon, etc). The up and coming Tapping Tapir sodas are also available here.
Upon placing your order at the counter, you won't miss this hulking beauty. Sleek with a matte black finish, this Synesso fits in perfectly with the building interior and exterior. It invokes class and professionalism in the eyes of the beholder.
Dim lighting fixtures are complemented by the flood of natural lighting via large windows.
The second storey has an outdoor area with some faux greenery should you wish to enjoy some sunshine. There is also a large table on this floor, great for large groups or sharing with other people.
The lattes we enjoyed were silky smooth, with a dense foam sitting on top of the magic liquid. We hear that the VCR baristas (professional and all-knowing as they are) use Coffex beans for dairy-based caffeine and Artisan beans for the non-dairies. Now, such ability to distinct quality base for coffee is highly appreciated, especially since most cafes these days only harp on cost and stick to one bean to avoid over-oxidation of the other. The hot chocolate came as a surprise as we have been disappointed one too many times by hot chocolate with no art. The expertise with which the barista poured the milk to create the art only served to highlight how well they understand the physics of their liquids.
The King: Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Cake
VCR gets their cakes from Frost & Flourish, which is essentially a one-woman show run by Sophia Foo. This piece of royalty sits majestically atop the cake counter and is ever-so popular among customers. It maintains a wonderful balance between savoury and sweet. Nuances of fluffy banana cake interspersed with a layer of banana and melted chocolate, coated with a frosting of creamy peanut butter make mouths water and it is common to see only one or two slices left on the counter top, but those are quickly snapped up too.
Black Velvet
When asked to recommend something apart from The King, the cash registrar suggested the quiche. However, we just had had lunch and wanted something to satisfy our sweet tooth so we went with the next recommendation: Black Velvet. Very much a Red Velvet, we suppose that the only difference is that unlike some bakers, Frost & Flourish does not
a) dump red colouring into the cocoa batter
b) use vinegar which will react with the cocoa & baking soda to create a red tint
The cake itself is lovely, soft and fluffy. We do prefer the cream cheese frosting a tiny bit cheesier for that additional bite to tea time. Nevertheless, the Black Velvet deserves praise for both its taste and dramatic aesthetic appeal.
Superb lighting, delicious cakes and coffee handled with care = kau tim lah!
(Don't say we didn't share!)
VCR Coffee & Cakes
Address
- 2, Jalan Galloway
- 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Business Hours
08:30 a.m. - 23:00 p.m.
Tel
+60 3-2110 2330
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