The first impression when stepping into Passionfood Café and Bakery was the bright and cheery decor that automatically made me feel relaxed and happy. We were then greeted by the cheerful staff - a welcome that felt warm and sincere, certainly unlike the cold, robotic greetings we sometimes get in other places.
Our first time here, Chi Ling one of the owners invited us to try Passion Food's Forest Mushroom Soup, Caesar Salad, Eggs Benedict, Escargot, Le Mushroom Burger, and Smoked Duck Pasta.
Smoked duck pasta with broccoli RM20.90
The Smoked Duck Pasta got the three of us lip smacking right away :)
That juicy tender slice of smoked duck was loaded with savoury and subtly gamey flavour. It was beautiful, beautiful - the kind of dish that we stumble upon only once in a long, long while, and never forget it. Truly memorable moment, that first bite into that aromatic slice of smoked duck and the pleasure to our taste buds as I chewed slowly to savour it.
The el dente spaghetti tossed in that creamy, smooth sauce was superb. Henny, one of the owners, shared with us that melted fat from the smoked duck was added in the sauce.... no wonder this spaghetti was so irresistible to all three of us. Passionfood's Smoked Duck Pasta is definitely a Must Try.
The Forest Mushroom Soup had lots of itsy bits of chopped soft bouncy fresh mushrooms in the thick creamy broth.
Forest mushroom soup RM7.90
Mushroom soup made with fresh ingredients is always such a nice way to start a meal :)
Escargot in garlic butter herb RM15.90 per half dozen
We shared half a dozen escargot which is pretty much an acquired taste.
Prepared by Henny and served in stylish authentic French fashion.
The snails' flesh were removed and sauteed in garlic and butter sauce, and then stuffed back into the shell for serving. Escargot is a Must Try, if nothing else, to get to know this quintessentially French dish done the same way the French does it.
Caesar salad RM12.90
Nice and simple Caesar Salad. Fresh lettuce and cherry tomatoes garnished with cheese, creamy salad dressing, and sprinkled with crunchy croutons.
Le Mushroom burger RM20.90
The crispy French fries that came with the Le Mushroom burger were lovely.
Eggs Benedict RM13.90
Passionfood's Eggs Benedict was another of our favourites. The poached eggs were done perfectly. I just love to watch those syrupy egg yolks ozz and glide much like the way molten lava flows down a hill slope.
Chewing the fougasse bread, turkey ham and poached egg together with the buttery sauce created a mouthful of smoky, eggy blend that all three of us raved about.
To wash the whole lot down, I had this tall lychee drink which is the most popular drink on Passionfood's beverage list. Likeable and pleasant though I am not quite sure how to describe the flavour except that it's a blend of sweet and tangy. Give it a try, if you want to know :)
Besides French cuisine, Passionfood Café and Bakery is equally famous for their cakes and pastries. We were completely stuffed and had another appointment to go to - this just means that we must come back to try those enticing colourful cakes that I was eyeing in the chilled displays.
My friends who knew about Passionfood long before me, asked me, "What took you so long to discover this gem in JB?" Well, it's never too late :) Shall make up for that by returning more often :)
The distinctive white and pink PASSIONFOOD signboard
Restaurant name: Passionfood Café and Bakery
Address: 14, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/SS9N3
GPS: 1.481626,103.773679
Hours: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Monday to Thursday); 11:00am to 11:00pm (Friday); 10:00am to 11:00pm (Saturday); 10:00am to 10:00pm (Sunday) Closed on Tuesday
Non Halal (no pork, no lard)
Date visited: 16 Nov 2012, 12 Jun 2013
I also enjoy the food which are recommended. I did hear that a jealous business owner in an unrelated food industry slammed their food on Trip Advisor.. What gives? I think it's a sign that they don't like other Cafes to get their 15 min of fame although their own restaurant has been around for more than 20 years.
ReplyDelete[clap, clap, clap]...yup u said it all. I hv been there few times n tried all those u mentioned except d 'snail' stuff, or Escargot, as its called in d menu...wait when I got d guts maybe will try it...!!! :p
ReplyDeleteI particularly love d soup n ceasars salad...enough for a light meal n d bread...oooo yumi-yumi. Hv make it my only food cafe whenever I'm in town.
not really authentic french food but still pretty good. you might wanna try chez papa near pelangi plaza. i found it pretty good.
ReplyDeleteOK I shall try Chez Papa soon. Been wanting to eat there for some time already :)
Deleteerrr... other than the escargot... the others not very french leh ;p
ReplyDeleteNothing to shout about. Really. Very very average. Had chicken bijon and the chicken is far too dry. Onion soup is normal too. Salmon is normal.. Really nothing to shout about or to impress except the escargot.
ReplyDeleteawefully overpriced. not worth the money. stay away
ReplyDelete