Principle Cafe by T.A.M Jalan Trus — Restaurant in Johor

Coffee after lunch (in JB) seems to be a ritual, and this time... Our search brought us to Principle Cafe by T. A. M. With a 4.7 rating and 1.5k reviews (at the time of writing), the coffee joint is located in a quiet street, beside a B&B. There's ample parking nearby.

My first impression when I first stepped into Principle is the HEAT. It was missing a cold blast of air that greets you when you step into an air conditioned cafe.

We chose a picturesque alcove near the entrance that spotted two arm chairs and a coffee table. It was the nicest spot in the quiet cafe on a Wednesday afternoon. There were less than 5 customers, including ourselves.

Getting down to "business", we ordered the usual latte and cappuccino, and in the meanwhile, the waiter served us water, and delivered a menu to us. I have to say, this was better service than most cafes that make you walk up to the counter to order your food/drink.

My latte was just the way I like my coffee - lovely at first sip. It was rich and creamy, with a dark chocolate finish. The cappuccino (less milk) left a slightly bitter after taste, and was a little acidic. The Latte finished off nicely, with the acidity slightly diluted by the milk.

I spoke with the batista, who confirmed the beans are a blend from Brazil & Colombia, Medium Roast. They use fresh milk, although I didn't see the carton brand.

I enjoyed my cuppa at this cafe but the environment was sadly a little stressful for me due to the heat. One of the air-conditioners was broken and it happened to be the one nearest to where I was seated. The fan above me was not strong enough to dissipate the heat from the armchair corner.

In less than half an hour, my hair was plastered against my forehead and neck, and there was beaded sweat on my upper lips. It was quite an uncomfortable experience, even if I did enjoy the coffee.

Eventually, I moved to a table just under the sole working air-conditioner and the temperature became more tolerable.

Still, Principle isn't the most comfortable café I've been to, although the interior decor is pleasant and spa like. Hopefully, the air conditioning gets fixed, because the sad and overworked lonely aircon couldn't work hard and fast enough to cool it's surroundings and I was soon perspiring again, even though the aircon was right above me. The fan was circulating warm air, so it wasn't a comfortable place to...

A resounding 10 star experience! The food here is simply amazing and so delicious, loved the vibes when I first walked in, the place was artfully decorated and designed and all the staff were so so polite, friendly and attentive. It didn't feel like a cafe at all - in terms of food, attention to detail and service. It felt more like a very high class restaurant instead.

Let's start with the service - the staff were so polite and greeted us with a big smile when we walked in. They led us to our table and made sure we were comfortable, were patient when taking orders and answered all our questions nicely. They constantly checked on us if we had enough water, and different staff would come to our table to refill our cups and make sure we were always hydrated and never kept us wanting more water. They provided us small plates for our pizza without us asking and were genuinely providing top service for the entire hour plus we were at the restaurant. Super thumbs up to the whole crew and team!

And then to the food - the food was right of the table amazing. We ordered 4 mains and none of them were misses. For instance, we had the Mala chicken donburi - you could smell the Mala before eating it and the rice was garlic infused. So yummy and smelt heavenly. We had two pastas - the smoked duck pasta and beef brisket pasta and both were absolutely delightful, smoky, well cooked to al dente and generous with ingredients. The sea bass with truffle mashed potato which came last was the absolute star of the show for me though. Have never had such yummy, thick, tender yet chewy / sea bass with bite in my life. Even the drink we ordered looked like they put a lot of effort into making.

We were so well taken care of and enjoyed our food so much we eventually ordered the Gochujang pizza with Bonito flakes to cap off our meal. The pizza was gorgeous and tasted just as good with the thick and chewy crust. Felt like they rolled it from scratch when we ordered.

Overall, this is an amazing cafe with the best cafe experience I have had. 10 stars if I could. We were so welcomed and so well taken care of by everyone that we all left the cafe with nothing but compliments and beaming smiles. One of the best meals I had in JB, simply amazing. Kudos to...

Nestled just a 5 to 10-minute drive from City Square Mall, Principal Cafe is a hidden gem that outshines amidst the bustling town’s myriad of dining options. Each dish and drink I tried was deserving of a full five-star rating, making this quaint corner spot a must-visit.

Mains: Pulled Duck on Brioche (27 Ringgit) - This dish is nothing short of perfection. The savory pulled duck is sandwiched between soft brioche toast and generously topped with what seemed to be a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. It's crowned with a luscious poached egg whose creamy yolk elevates the entire experience. The accompanying greens add a refreshing crunch. Absolutely divine!

Mushroom and Smoked Duck Pasta (36 Ringgit) - A delightful ensemble of linguine pasta, mingled with two types of mushrooms and an abundant serving of smoked duck. The smokiness is perfectly balanced, enhancing every bite. The smoked duck portion given is REALLY generous, which is plentiful enough to enjoy till the very last forkful.

Dessert:

Hojicha Terrine Tart (15 Ringgit) - A heavenly creation that could easily win over any hojicha lover. The tart base is just right, thick yet not overpowering, loaded with a lavish layer of hojicha paste and topped with hojicha cream cheese. A sublime tart that is both rich and satisfying. Lemon Meringue Tart (15 Ringgit) - An absolute masterpiece in both appearance and taste. This tart sets the standard for how a lemon meringue should be - zesty, sweet, and with a perfect texture contrast.

Drinks: Iced Butterfly Pea Lemonade (14 Ringgit) - A refreshing choice for those who love a tart kick, especially on a hot day. It’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. Lychee Aloe Vera Oolong (15 Ringgit) - The perfect blend of refreshing, sweet, and healthy. Its mild sweetness and gasiness make it an ideal beverage to cool off from the sweltering weather.

Visiting Principal Cafe was an absolute treat. Every dish was meticulously prepared and every drink was a refreshing complement to the meal. If you're looking for top-notch flavors and a delightful dining experience near City Square, look no further than...