Dough! Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Have been here many many times now and the experience overall has been a bit mixed, so here are the pros and cons.

First, the positives: The chicken avocado tartine is awesome. The garlic aioli dressing is subtle yet flavorful, the grilled chicken is well seasoned and delicious, and while the crust of the sourdough bread slice that it all comes stacked on can be a bit hard and tough to chew, the slices of avocado kind of balances out the texture of the bread and is a lovely complement. It was a pretty generous portion before but like everything else in town, it has fallen victim to shrinkflation — it’s not exactly a meager portion but now it’s more a moderate size. I don’t mind the slight increase in price; I much prefer that cafes keep the quality of their offerings and raise prices a little instead of forcing the prices to stay static but then compromise on the quality of the food. I also love that it comes with fries, which provides a welcome boost of salty deliciousness.

Desserts wise, there are a lot of puff pastries but I’ve only tried the mango tart (which tasted a bit strange and artificial) and the scone, which unfortunately was rock hard and came with jam and butter instead of clotted cream and jam.

The other positive is that they’re open all day (they don’t close between lunch and dinner service) and parking is free but can be hard to get during peak hours. The ambience is pleasant enough (love that the AC is strong but not uncomfortably so) but it can get a little noisy when it gets crowded.

Now for the negatives: The service can vary wildly from attentive to downright dismissive. I’ve been kept waiting unnecessarily while it was full save for 2 women who were “women spreading” across a table for 4. The staff waffled about and tried to push each other to go get a table from the 2. All they had to do was go ASK but for whatever reason they decided not to. Another example was when I was again kept standing around while a female waitstaff told me with a black face that there were no tables, even though there was one empty one right there, because it was reserved for an hour later. Look, I understand how reservations work but I’ve also been to plenty of other restaurants where they told me ‘oh that table is reserved for a specific time later, but if you can be done by then, we can let you have that table first’. That is what I call pro-active, smart front of house management, instead of the obnoxious indifference from a waitstaff that looked like she got up on the wrong side of the bed. In the end, a guy in a chef-looking uniform told me I could have that table first, because HE understood that 1) keeping a regular customer happy was good business, and 2) either I would be done before the table was needed or 1 or more other tables would become available by the time of the reservation. If they had been paying attention they would know that I always eat and leave within half an hour, it was a weekday. I will say that lately they’ve put in more of an effort to be friendlier, although there is still the odd waiter who acts/looks like he can’t be bothered to do anything other than the absolute barest minimum.

So, if after reading this you’re willing to roll the dice and try it out, I would definitely recommend the chicken avocado tartine, but can’t vouch for...

Dough offers everything from Malaysian favorites to Western comfort food, freshly baked pastries, and a solid selection of drinks. Despite being in a row with some popular eateries, this place stands out, often packed even on weekdays, which is always a good sign!

Ambiance: The atmosphere at Dough is relaxed and welcoming, with an industrial-chic vibe. Exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and lush greenery create a cozy yet trendy feel. The large windows allow natural light to flood the space, making it bright and airy.

Service: Service at Dough is friendly and attentive. The staff were quick to assist with recommendations and made sure our experience went smoothly. Even during busy times, they checked in regularly and were more than happy to help with any questions. It’s clear that they care about providing a great experience, which always enhances the overall meal. Food: The menu at Dough is impressively varied, with a range of dishes that cater to different tastes, though some items stood out more than others.

Chicken Pepperoni Sourdough Pizza: Unfortunately, the Chicken Pepperoni Sourdough Pizza didn’t quite meet my expectations. While the sourdough crust had a slight tang, it wasn’t as crispy or flavorful as I hoped. The chicken and pepperoni toppings were decent but didn’t add much depth to the flavor. The pizza was good, but not the standout I expected from a place known for its variety.

Truffled Mushroom Fettuccine: The Truffled Mushroom Fettuccine was a total win. The portion was generous, and the creamy truffle sauce was rich but well-balanced, perfectly complementing the earthy mushrooms. The fettuccine was cooked just right—soft with a slight bite—and the overall dish felt luxurious yet comforting. This is definitely a dish I’d recommend.

Bakery Delights: Dough excels in the bakery department. Near the counter, they have an impressive selection of freshly baked goods that will make anyone with a sweet tooth weak at the knees. From Milk Loaf and Bread Loaf to indulgent Burnt Cheesecake and other tempting pastries, there’s something for every craving.

Drinks: For drinks, I ordered a Caramel Latte, which was thick, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The sweetness of the caramel was perfectly balanced with the richness of the coffee, and the texture was velvety smooth. It paired wonderfully with the meal and added a comforting touch. They also brought water right to the table, which was a thoughtful gesture.

The lively atmosphere, friendly service, and thoughtful drink offerings (like the tasty Caramel Latte) make this place a solid choice for any occasion. While the pizza was a bit underwhelming, I’d definitely return for the pasta, the bakery items, and the overall vibe. It's a great spot for satisfying a variety of cravings, whether you’re in the mood for something indulgent or...

Edited : Downgraded to one star based on the demeaning treatment we got on 8 July 2024.

For the past year, we had been constantly visiting whenever we are in Section 17 or near Happy Mansion. Have always enjoyed the cool quietness of the place.

Today we visited again after dinner, to have some drinks and desserts.

I paid the bill after we were done. Then I went back to the table to gather our stuff and left with my companions.

I had walked out first. The cashier actually stopped my relative who was a couple of steps behind, to ask him if he had paid! He said "Are you paid for?"

OH COME ON! What sort of demeaning accusation is this? You were not even full house... you had 1 table of a single lady, 2 tables with 2 ladies each, 1 table of a couple (who just came in) and us, which was a table of 3 men.

If you cannot recognise your customers, even when your place is only half full, you shouldn't be even manning the cashier counter.

Shameless!

Spoilt our evening totally! Not coming to the place ever again. NEVER AGAIN!

Original review a year ago. Nice bright cheery interior. We came in towards closing time after trying out one of their neighbours (which had dark gloomy interiors and equally gloomy staff... that's another story, haha...). The place was almost empty, which was good for us. Service was friendly and prompt. Props to the wait staff. They made things pleasant. Food was acceptable for hipster joints such as this. We liked the duck pizza. The chicken avocado salad was okay too... with its 2 slices of avocado. However the chicken wings were a major disappointment... unfortunately dry and shrivelled. And another thing about this sort of hipster Instagram joints... why can't they serve their "hot" beverages hot??? Always half-a**ed lukewarm... Would we come again? Maybe for the pastries which apparently are good according to other...