Florescene Cafe @ World of Phalaenopsis, Hulu Yam Baru

Side blurb: it's lockdown again and I know we won't be able to visit here anytime soon, but it's good to build up our....post-MCO bucket list now and visit them when MCO is lifted, or find ways we can support businesses during this trying time :) 

World of Phalaenopsis is one of the largest orchid growers/supplier in Malaysia. They have been around since 2006, and you might have walked past their shops, Orchid Culture at Bangsar Shopping Centre and The Gardens Mall :D. 

Their farm in Hulu Yam is open for all to visit and there's even a little cafe there! I've been intending to blog about this place since my first visit in 2019 (& subsequent visit in 2020), but somehow I've successfully procrastinated till 2021. Oh well better late than never. The part in which I procrastinate is selecting and uploading photos of this place because during every single visit, I'd have taken one too many photos at this place :p You'd have understood why as you read along! 

I made my third visit to World of Phalaenopsis in April. Again, really? I enjoy visiting this place - it is a lovely place to have a cup of coffee and feast my eyes on the lush plants and myriad flowers. Different plants on are put on display during every visit, which makes every visit refreshing :) 

Located about an hour's drive from KL, World of Phalaenopsis is tucked in Hulu Yam. Chances are you probably think you're on the wrong track while navigating to World of Phalaenopsis, as you'll turn into a sort of residential area, but fret not, keep going on and you'll eventually reach World of Phalaenopsis! Parking is available, albeit limited, and it is shaded! 

Upon entering, you'll be greeted by overhanging ferns that forms an arc-like shape.

There's a cute little cafe, Florescene Cafe, tucked in the middle of World of Phalaenopsis. The cafe is located on the right side from the entrance, you'd see the red/fuchsia coloured circles leading your way into the cafe.

The cafe - I'll just let the pictures do the talking :) 

Beautiful isn't it :) You'd be spoilt for choices choosing where to seat too, as every seat provides a different view/backdrop :p 

I went there on a Monday morning and it was empty-ish. However, on weekends, be prepared to have people photobombing your photoshoots :P

The cafe operates on self-service basis, head to the counter to place your orders once you're ready. They serve the usual cafe staples like English breakfast and a selection of desserts, as well as some local dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Yam Cake etc. Prices are surprisingly quite okay given the environment you're in! 

Long Black RM9

Served with a Roti Kok

Apple Crumble RM12

Served with a scoop of ice cream. 

Yes, you may purchase orchids there too :D Their orchid comes in a range of prices, from as low as RM10, all the way to triple-digit, depending on the type of orchid and the maturity level (I believe). There are a few orchid conservatories there too but photographs are not allowed there. 

 Besides orchid, they also sell other common houseplants at their farm :) 

Can't wait to visit them again when lockdown is lifted :) Do prepare to spend at least an hour, or more if you're someone who really appreciates plants :) 

Do pay attention to their social media page as they offer plants for sale occasionally, and sometimes they'd throw in some offers too :D 

World of Phalaenopsis

1017, Jalan Batang Kali - Hulu Yam Bharu, 

Kampung Sungai Kamin, 

44300 Batang Kali, Selangor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldofphalaenopsis/

Instagram: @worldofphalaenopsis

Planter Chin x Taman Hati. Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar

Taman Hati has a special place in my heart (pun intended!), as I bought my very first houseplant there - a Fittonia, back in February 2020 in their old space along Lorong Maarof. And since then, my love for houseplants just started sprawling.  

Fast forward to today, Taman Hati has moved to a new location @ Jalan Kemuja, which is not too far from their old location. and has collaborated with Planter Chin to set up a cafe in the same space. I have been wanting to visit this space, but have been putting off any attempt to visit this place due to its location, which is notoriously known for limited parking spots especially on weekdays.

Was really excited to finally pay the new spot a visit on a Sunday afternoon! Was also able to find a carpark, albeit quite a bit of walking distance away, around that area :) 

Search for the little pink Sakura plant and the number 6a for the entrance (refer to picture above).

Upon going out the stairs, you'll be greeted by the lovely sight of plants sprawling all over and sunshine trickling in through the ceiling.

It was rather packed on a Sunday afternoon, even though it was Ramadan month during my time of visit. - it was nearly a full house. I'll let the picture do the talking. 

I love the use of different furniture in the space - some of the potting benches is seemingly made out of chest of drawers, mounted with a countertop! 

There is long corridor at the back of the space that leads to the toilet, with different plants (predominantly cactuses) lined up on the ledge. Such a cute sight! 

You may order coffee & some cakes from Planter Chin while taking in the lovely ambiance at Taman Hati. :) They serve black & white coffee as well as some selection of cakes at a decent price. 

Black Coffee RM10

Definitely, this is a lovely space for coffee, and to feast your eyes with plants. This place is like my #housegoals - I aspire to have such a beautiful space with this much natural daylight streaming in for my plants :) 

If you're seeking to get some houseplants but don't know where to start, I do recommend dropping by Taman Hati! Jan is a very knowledgeable lady about houseplants so this is definitely a great place to start if you want to get into houseplants, as she'd be able to give recommendation on what type of houseplants you should get.

Planter Chin x Taman Hati

6a, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 

59000 Kuala Lumpur, 

Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Business Hours:

10am-5pm, Tuesdays-Sundays

Closed on Mondays

Instagram: @tamanhatijz

Damai Studio & Cafe, Jalan Damai KL - a Yoga Studio x Cafe x Event Space

Note: writing about my experience at the cafe, not the yoga studio!

Damai Studio & Cafe is nestled in a bungalow lot, along the residential area of Jalan Damai (hence the name!), which is just a stone throw away from the Jalan Tun Razak. You may be more familiar with RGB Cafe - which is located on the same row. 

I was stopped by a guard while navigating to Damai Studio & Cafe, as there was seemingly something (a party/gathering (?)) going on at the end of Jalan Damai which required drivers to make a three-point turn out of the road as it was blocked. The guard asked where I was headed and he told me that there are no cafse at the end of the road - only a "joget joget" studio and the only cafe on Jalan Damai is RGB. I became a little unsure myself but insisted that there is a cafe, and yes, let me assure you. there is a cafe within the "joget joget" studio.

Despite its close proximity to the busy Jalan Tun Razak, the surrounding of Damai Studio & Cafe was quaint & serene. Upon stepping into the compound, you can definitely feel as though you've been transported elsewhere, away from the hustle & bustle of the city, with the lush of different edibles & ornamental plants, trees & creepers surrounding you. 

However, do note that there is no canopy/shade for the outdoor seatings, hence it might not be too ideal to be sitting out in the sun in the afternoon.

First thing first - please take off your shoes when entering the indoor seating area. Yours truly did not realise this rule and walked in with her shoes. 

Their indoor seating area is bright and spacious, thanks to the clean white walls, high ceiling & ceiling-to-floor windows. The interior too is donned with plants and some bold splash of colours & prints here and there.

Most of the patrons here seemed to be those students of their yoga classes or regulars - everyone seemed to know each other and I felt like an outsider :p 

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage at Damai Cafe is meat-free. Gluten-free & vegan food is also available. You may refer to Damai Cafe's full menu on their website. 

Americano RM8

I got this cup of Joe for only RM5, which was apparently a promo they had in the whole month of March. Didn't manage to try out their food though, simply because, well, I'm sort of a carnivore. 

If you're looking for a quiet cafe to unwind, this might be a place that you'd want to check out :) Or perhaps if you're looking to attend yoga classes around KL area, Damai Studio offers different yoga classes from Tuesdays-Sundays. According to the website, each class is priced at RM55/one class pass, and you may refer to their Instagram page for the schedule. 

This is definitely a place I wouldn't mind coming again to sip on some coffee while reading a book, or to catch up on some work, or simply to catch up with a friend if I'm nearby. 

Damai Studio & Cafe 

23, Jalan Damai, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Instagram: @damaimy

Website: https://damaistudiocafe.com/ 

Business hours:

8:30am - 6:00pm Tuesdays - Sundays

Closed on Mondays 

Pages Book Cafe, Ara Damansara

Bookshops. I love them. I love the smell of books. They have this nice....earthy smell (not the best adjective - but how do one describe the smell of books?). Especially second-hand bookstores! I love the surprise element of not knowing what sort of treasure you can find in a second-hand bookstore. 

Cafe. I love them. I love the aroma of freshly grounded coffee. I love the calm music usually played in a cafe.

And when you combine both of them together - that's my happy space.

And I'm so glad to have found this happy space - Pages Book Cafe. 

I found Pages Book Cafe by chance when I was casually playing around on Google Maps (do people actually do this or just me? To randomly check out what's there in a particular area for fun). The reviews were stellar - a 4.7 star! and it is located not too far from where I stay so I decided to pay them a visit. 

Pages Book Cafe is located at Taipan Damansara - a commercial area in Ara Damansara, just right opposite of Lotus (Formerly known as TESCO, if this name is much more familiar to you). 

Special must-mention: Parking there was a breeze, even on a weekday - there were many street parking available. So that's a A+++ bonus, especially when living in the Klang Valley, parking is scarce and/or expensive. 

Once you step into Pages, Book Cafe you'll be greeted warmly by the staffs, followed by the whiff of books-ish smell & the aroma of coffee (mmmmhmmm) and the sights of books, books. and more books! 

There are books of different genres - children books, fictions, classics, cook books, travel books, arts & craft, non-Fiction....etc. etc. There seems to be a mixture of second-hand books and brand new books, and the prices are as low as RM5! I had fun browsing through the shelves! Always interesting to see what you can find :D You may stalk their Instagram account (@pagesbookcafe) or Shopee online shop to see what books are available! 

A cosy corner at the back of the cafe.

Food & Drinks

I only had drinks during my visit there, but Pages Book Cafe do serve some pre-packed/Grab & GO food such as Nasi Lemak, pasta and pie which is heated up upon ordering. They also have some desserts such as butter cake and banana cake! 

Prices are very affordable. I like :D 

Chamomile Bloom RM9

Americano RM6

(Yes I know - RM6?) 

Besides affordable pricing, a quiet & calm ambience, lots of parking spaces around, the service was great - the reviews I've read on Google Maps were true to its words - the staffs offered me drinking water, and offered to refill my tea even before I thought of asking them. 

Certainly a place I don't mind coming again to either have some me-time, to do some work, or to catch up with a friend :) 

Pages Book Cafe

F-G-43, Taipan Damansara 2, 

Jalan PJU 1a/3, Ara Damansara,

47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Contact Number: 03-7832 6118

Instagram: @pagesbookcafe

Shopee: Pages Book Cafe

Delivery of F&Bavailable via Foodpanda

Business Hours:

9:30am - 8:00pm, Mondays to Saturdays

Closed on Sundays

CrafRoaster, KLPAC, Sentul

A cup of joe by a lake, surrounded by green & the sweet sound of birds chirping and the rustling of the wind. A place I don't mind coming time and again, if the weather is fine! 

CrafRoaster is an event space/cafe located inside KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Art Centers). It's on your right once you enter the main building of KLPAC. 

There are greens in every corner of this space - albeit some looks like they are in need of some water :p 

Some really thirsty Monstera... :p

CrafRoaster offers both indoors & outdoors seating space, and they have plenty of long communal table, which makes it great for large group gathering (whilst complying to the social distancing SOP please!). I definitely preferred the outdoor seating, albeit it can get rather hot and toasty in the afternoon. The team behind craf was thoughtful enough to place a standing fan outdoors and put the tables & chairs under shady trees though. 

The indoor seating space feels spacious & airy - thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. One will have to place their order & pay at the counter upon ordering.

The Food & Drinks

CrafRoasters serves Western, Local & fusion delights.  Food menu here.Sunday roast is available on Sundays. Was there on a Sunday and I noticed quite a few tables having the Sunday roast which looks rather appetising.  

The Shazz / Melbourne Ice Coffee RM16.90

Espresso & milk, topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream & caramel sauce. 

Sinful, but a wonderful respite from the heat on a hot sunny day. 

Long Black RM930 

After your meal/drink at craf, do have a stroll around the vicinity :)

This is definitely a place where I wouldn't mind going time and again for coffee :) Parking is free at KLPAC so that's a huge bonus factor :p

CrafRoaster

KLPAC,

Jalan Strachan, Sentul West, 

51100 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours:

Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am - 7pm

Closed on Mondays 

Instagram: @crafroasters

Facebook: CrafRoaster