Pastea Cafe — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Disclaimer. I'm a big fan of the Habanna grillhouse, and I'd assume that this is a spinoff cafe from the same owners. I got to know them better and would like to support them more.

I cannot review this straight forwardly because the meal that I was served was off-menu, special order specifically for us. It was a really nostalgic Baba nyonya cuisine prepared with a delicate personalized touch. It was something that I didn't think that I would have eaten again after my grandmother had passed away 20 years ago.

I was told about how the owners and chef prepares their food as well as their recipes, so I can attest to their quality of ingredients and care put into the other items and snacks on the menu.

This cafe is by no means trendy, nor Instagramable. It's just a neat and clean space that is comfortable for business meetings, afternoon tea and snacks, and really good quality honest food.

On the offset that you're not into cafe food, you can order from the Habanna grillhouse menu and they'll deliver it to the restaurant as it's a couple of doors down.

With all the crowded and messy super trendy and overpriced cafes and restaurants in the Klang valley, a place like this and Habanna is kinda like a hidden gem for people who are extremely finicky and critical about...

We dropped by Pastea for late lunch and tried a mix of local and Western dishes. Our review of the food and the place. Sambal Petai Nasi Lemak: Fragrant coconut rice with a generous serving of sambal petai. The sambal packed a good spicy kick without being overwhelming, and the petai (stink beans) added that classic earthy bite. Anchovies and peanuts were crispy, and the sambal portion was just right. A satisfying traditional choice for spice lovers. Bacon Olio Spaghetti: Nicely done with a garlicky aroma and al dente pasta. The bacon added a smoky touch. Ice Guava Assam Boi Drink: Super refreshing! Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and salty from the asam boi. Great palate cleanser between bites of spicy food. Hot Cappuccino: Smooth and well-frothed milk, decent coffee aroma, a pleasant way to end the meal. Service was friendly, and prices were fair for the portion sizes. Overall, a good spot if you’re craving a mix of local flavours and Western comfort food. Would definitely return to try more of their...

This unusual restaurant crosses borders in their menu. They serve Nyonya dishes, some Hainanese Western styled meals like chicken and pork chops and some Pasta dishes like Aglio Olio also. They also have salads and fish and chips. I was here to try their Pork Buah Keluak (RM 38.00). We also ordered their Claypot Assam Siakap (RM 60.00) and also their Kangkong Belacan (RM 18.00).The owner also recommend we try their Tuak (a fermented palm alcohol) (RM 10.00). The Pork Buah Keluak was a good portion and very traditional and tasty. The Kangkong was up to par but we all felt that the Assam Siakap was very watery but can improve if more ingredients were used to bolster up the sauce. Our bill for 4 came to just over RM 110.00 Would I recommend it? The place is clean and the owner is warm and friendly. As I have not tried his other offerings like the chops and pasta, I believe the owner must have confidence in his cooking to offer such a varied menu. I forgot to take any photos this...