ATMOSPHERE 4.5/5 Cosy, nicely spaced out with lovely touches of greens which I really appreciate.
There is a small space for young children to busy themselves with books and toys. Don't expect much of rhe toys which are mostly broken. As with all things, this isn't an indoor playground, it is a restaurant. Just know there is a space to let young kids hang out least they get restless.
FOOD 4/5 Aussie Beef Kabab The beef was nicely marinated and tender, though I wish the cous cous that came with it could be lightly flavoured with some herbs or a lie touch of citrus maybe? A little bland. Overall it was still good as it wasn't heavily seasoned and a lovely dish that didn't taste too heavy.
Mushroom Pasta 5/5 Love how it tastes really nice, rich and creamy. Even when it cooled down, it wasn't salty. A fairly generous amount of chunky mushrooms.
Hawaiian Pizza 2/5 I don't think their pizza is that great. Thin and crisp it is and generously loaded with cheese. I'd think everyone has a differing opinion of how a good pizza ought to be. For me it was just too thin and crisp. It would have been nicer if had a little chew to it as well in the dough. If you really like a thin crisp pizza, maybe this is for you.
Paprika Chicken with chickpea 3/5 Love the chickpea salad thaat came with the paprika chicken. Unfortunately, the chicken was too dry. Been better if it was jucier and it would have also brought out the lovely aroma from the paprika which was lacking, since it is supposed to be the star of the dish.
MUSHROOM SOUP 4/5 If you love a heavy rich bowl of soup. This is for you. I personally love rich creamy texture, so this was really wonderful and not heavily seasoned.
PICCOLO LATTE 5/5 Absolutely love the coffee. The milk was steamed to a perfect cozy temperature. Foam was creamy and have lovely soft peaks with a fine texture. That's what makes a great cup of cappuccino/latte. The FOAM was heavenly. The espresso shot tasted fresh and wasn't over extracted nor under extracted. It had a nice full bodied texture to it, leaving a smooth aftertaste that lingered. Am one for straight black most times cause it is hard to get a good cup of latte/cappuccino that's well rounded.
SERVICE 5/5 A shoutout to Lucas who truly epitomized SERVICE with a heart. Very attentive and made everyone absolutely at ease from the time before we even stepped into the restaurant till the end of our meal.
Also to the other servers on shift that day. They too were amazing.
The waiting time for the food did seem a tad long but the play area helped keep kids busy. Unsure if the wait time will be longer if they are busier. To be fair, once the first few dishes were served, others followed shortly.
Though not every dish was awesome but overall it was well worth the visit and the food sparked joy. Comparing the other places we have visited, comparing cost, service and quality. This is place worth checking out.
Looking forward to visit again and try out...
   Read moreDuring a recent relaxing visit to the Starbucks in Mid-Valley Southkey, I noticed Antipodean, a New Zealander, non-halal restaurant, and decided to give it a try. I wasn't disappointed.
Arriving just before 11:30 am, slightly ahead of the lunch rush, I found the restaurant approximately one-quarter full. The diverse age range of the diners was encouraging, suggesting a broad appeal. Even a group of Japanese ladies were present â a particularly positive sign, given their reputation for discerning palates.
The service was exceptionally friendly and enthusiastic. Having expressed a desire for something beyond the ordinary, the waiting staff recommended the Big Breakfast and Iced Mochachino. Both totalled to RM58 with service and tax.
Contrary to some Google reviews mentioning slow service and surly staff, my experience was entirely positive. My food and drink arrived within 10 minutes, served with exceptional politeness and friendliness.
The Iced Mochachino arrived in a delicate glass cup, its rich, dark brown hue promising a delightful experience. Atop the frothy milk sat a charming, miniature teddy bear ice cube, melting slowly, adding a touch of whimsy to the presentation. The first sip revealed a masterful blend; the coffee's subtle acidity danced on the tongue, balanced perfectly by a deep, bittersweet chocolate undertone, and finished with a gentle sweetness that lingered pleasantly.
The Big Breakfast was a feast for the eyes and the palate. Plump, sun-ripened tomatoes glistened alongside perfectly cooked pork sausage, it's crispy outer case yielding to a succulent interior. The handmade sausage, bursting with well-seasoned savory meat flavour, were clearly made with high-quality ingredients. Fluffy and flavourful golden-brown homemade hash brown provided a satisfying textural contrast, while the scrambled eggs, cooked to a perfect buttery-smooth texture. Every element was fresh and vibrant, a testament to the restaurant's commitment to utmost quality.
The restaurant's summer garden theme created a bright, lively and vibrant atmosphere. The abundant greenery was extremely pleasing to the eye. The only drawback was the traffic noise from the nearby highway, which unfortunately introduced a persistent, irritating hum and drone. It was a shame, as it detracted somewhat from the otherwise pleasant ambience.
I wholeheartedly recommend Antipodean to anyone seeking a refreshing alternative to typical Malaysian and East Asian cuisines, or Western fast food options offered at Mid-Valley Southkey Mall. It's a delightful Kiwi culinary...
   Read moreFirst time visiting, I can't believe it, this restaurant in Johor has some of the best coffee and western food I have ever had in Malaysia, superb!
First things first, in order to reach this restaurant you'd have to walk past the Coach store towards the outside, it will just look like an unassuming restaurant on the left.
I must say, although I have known their coffee to be quite good, I didn't think it to be THIS good, what stands out to me is how surprisingly it is. It didn't smell aromatic like most coffees do, maybe it's due to the outside winds or the air conditioning but it's a miracle that you can't really smell it. However, once you get a taste of the coffee, you'd realize how thick and delicious it is.
As someone who prefers tea over coffee, it made me consider switching đ. What's even more impressive is I have noticed that the latte art doesn't go away even when you drink it more than halfway, superb artisanship!
Alright, now you may be asking, if the coffee is so good what about the food? I can safely say the food is superb as well!
The spinach mushroom carbonara was super creamy, thick and the Orecchiette pasta was also a unique but nice touch making it addicting! I only wished it had a bigger portion! đ
The bagel with salmon avocado was great as well. Although it was a big tough to cut, it's crispy and super soft on the inside, the fresh raw salmon with avocado is pretty standard, the good kind.
Their signature Hawaii pizza was also a huge standout, they used fresh pineapples instead of canned ones, their cheese is fantastic and the pizza is pretty thin and crispy!
Moving on, we had amazing service from the staff from start to finish. We were pleasantly surprised to receive a door gift gingerbread man cake to thank us for our patronage, what a gesture! They also served our food rather quickly and were proactive in giving us sharing plates and water refills etc.
However, these gestures won't affect my review stance, not that Antipodean needs to worry about that for my experience in this visit.
Finally, the pricing is about expected for a place like this being on the above average side, but it's well worth it! I also really like their huge written menu on the chalkboard, brings a sort of feeling that you get overseas.
Overall, a fantastic experience and will definitely come again if I'm ever in Johor Bahru.
Thank you for reading...
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