Vanilla Bean Coffee & Patisserie. Senibong Cove. Johor Bahru JB

Corinne proposed that we meet at Vanilla Bean Coffee & Patisserie for the first stop of our cafe hop day in JB 😄

By Grace Sweet Treats Galaxy Dessert Johor Bahru Pelangi

Here's a little secret for Singapore day trippers on food and shopping trails in JB - you can cool your heels, get WiFi and enjoy this gorgeous dessert for around RM80 for 3 to 4 persons at By Grace Sweet Treats in Taman Pelangi.

The Glasshouse Tearoom in JP Perdana Johor Bahru, Bandar Jaya Putra CLOSED

Just opened, Glasshouse Tearoom is a one of a kind elegant chill out place, unique in Johor and Singapore.

Moonlight Cake House in Johor Bahru is More than Good Cakes

Boon Lin, Manager at Moonlight Cake House invited me to try out their new food menu.

I jio (invited) the Ma Cherie group of JB bloggers to join me.

Cakes and Desserts at Lemon Tree Restaurant in Johor Bahru

Jeffrey, the boss of Lemon Tree restaurant, invited me to try their new cakes and dessert menu.



Kevin is Jeffrey's partner running the cakes and desserts side of Lemon Tree.

Kevin and Jeffrey go back a long way - they were school mates :D 

After school, Kevin went to work with Lavender Bakery (a big, established chain in Johor), Angel Cakes and in Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore where Kevin worked on Japanese desserts.



Lemon Tree's chocolate Volcano Lava Cake (RM15.90) served with a scoop of ice cream.

I love Kevin's artistic flare that went into the beautiful plating and presentation of all his cakes and desserts.



Rich with 81% chocolate, the thick warm molten dark indulgence inside doesn't ooze and flow like liquid lava but it sure made our saliva gush when the luscious bitter-sweetness hit our taste buds.



Lemon Tree's Mousse Au Chocolat (RM14.90).

Rich, dense, creamy chocolate mousse on an airy, crumbly, buttery biscuit served with nutty crushed walnuts and a scoop of ice cream.

Exquisite, fine classic French dessert becomes an affordable luxury at Lemon Tree everyone can enjoy, everyday :D



Lemon Tree's Matcha Tiramisu (RM13.90).



The Matcha Tiramisu reflected the Japanese side of Kevin's journey in cakes and desserts.

Fragrant matcha green tea and creamy mascarpone cheese enveloping spongy lady fingers infused with Japanese sweet liquor. 

An interesting, delightful Japanese twist to the classic Italian dessert.

Remember to ask for the cakes and dessert menu when you are at Lemon Tree restaurant.

Disclaimer: Johor Kaki is not responsible for any weight gain from Lemon Tree cakes and desserts. 

For that, you can look for Jeffery and Kevin :D



Restaurant name: Lemon Tree Restaurant
Address: 18, Jalan Bedara, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/XvJ25
GPS: 1.491372,103.761965
Hours: 12:00 noon to 11:00pm (Closed on Monday)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert, alcohol served

Date visited: 26 Feb 2014, 14 May 2014

Return to Johor Kaki home page.

gCafe in Johor Bahru, Mount Austin

Cheryl, the boss of gCafe invited me to visit her newly opened cafe in Mount Austin.

gCafe is located at the new shop houses off Jalan Mutiara Emas Utama, a few doors away from 8 Days Hotel in Mount Austin.

(Look out for the large green, number 8 roof level sign as you drive along Jalan Mutiara Emas Utama, in the direction of Sunway College. If you see MacDonalds on your left, you passed gCafe.)



Cheryl started her working life as a young waitress at Shangri-La, Singapore before moving on to the corporate world. But, she had a dream back from her Shangri-La days to own her own restaurant. 

gCafe is the fulfilment of Cheryl's life long dream.

I've been to gCafe twice and I can feel Cheryl's passion for F & B and service. That spark and fire still glow from her Shangri-La days.

Cheryl puts her heart and soul into her restaurant which is like her home, and the customers are like her house guests.



Inside gCafe, the decor is simple yet elegant with groups of luxurious inviting arm chairs.



Upstairs, there are also clusters of heavy plush sofas and stylish chairs.



I feel like stretching out and sinking into this one.



This long table is just perfect for get togethers.



The mural on the wall has bears in different coats.

Cheryl said bears don't need to be just black, white, brown or pokka dots (panda).

Cheryl said the mural signifies creativity and that we can be anything we imagine.

If we can imagine it, we can be it.

gCafe is the proof.



Map of the world of bears at the alcova area on the upper floor overlooking the street below.

gCafe offers a wide variety of foods like salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers, cakes as well as coffee, tea, and juices.

Cheryl let me try gCafe's popular signature Soft Shell Crab Pasta.



The pasta was cooked between el dente and soft (which is the local preference) and bathed in a creamy Thai inspired gravy which was sweet, savoury and slightly spicy from the chili flakes. The curry leaves added a pleasant touch of aromatics.



The feathery soft shell crab wrapped and fried in a light batter can be eaten whole. Slightly sweet and savoury with interesting texture.

Something different from the usual types of pastas.



Fresh fruit tea (RM15) made with cubes of apple, oranges, passion fruit and pineapples in a English tea blend with raw honey. 

Refreshing, citrusy with sweet notes and loads of crunchy fibre. 

This cool fruity tea is a hot choice, especially among ladies.



What are these icy hearts?



They are actually frozen double ristretto espresso :D



Add in cold fresh milk, swirl in style, breathe in the Arabica and milk aromas, sip and be intoxicated by the caffeine!

Icy hearts warmed.

Hearts melt.



Coffee Ice Cube (RM14). Savour the entire glass slowly. Each heady sip is different :D



The Banana Crepe (RM15) was freshly made, soft French crepe wrapping slices of caramelised sweet banana.



Soft, sweet with eggy notes, and bits of crunchy almond chips for variety.



Add vanilla sauce, if you have a sweet tooth.

I did! :D



I am not good at resisting sweet desserts.



Resistance is futile. 

There is no reward. Only regrets.

81% chocolate lava cake. Warm, luscious bitter sweet lava.

Order this early as each chocolate lava cake (RM15++) is freshly baked on order. 

I've got a few more sensual shots of this sinful indulgence, but I won't be cruel :P

Go and get your own, at gCafe.



Cheryl wanted me to try this Creme Brulee (RM10++). 

Rich vanilla custard topped with caramel and garnished with a large chocolate coated fresh strawberry.

But, there was simply no more room at all in my stomach.



My usual flat white. 

Ends our coffee session with a smooth, nice Arabica blend.



Ah, life.....



Restaurant name: gCafe
Address: 147, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/64N0B
GPS: 1.555897,103.782756
Hours: Mon - Thu: 12:00 noon - 12:00 midnight | Fri - Sat: 12:00 noon - 1:00am | Sun: 12:00 noon - 12:00 midnight
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 1 Apr 2014, 5 May 2014

Return to Johor Kaki homepage.

Dessert and Tea at Moshi Moshi in Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

Elaine, one of the owners at Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea invited me to try out their new menu items. I am a regular here at Moshi Moshi, bringing friends here to try their hand made ice creams which I feel are the best in JB, at the moment. So far, everyone I brought here had nothing but praise for Moshi Moshi's ice creams and specialty ice teas.

Customers coming in to enjoy Moshi Moshi's ice creams and teas have often also asked Elaine for something with more bite, something closer to a light meal. After months of research, experimentation and also study trips to Taiwan, Moshi Moshi launched their series of snacks/ light meals on 23 Dec 2013.

Again, like their ice creams and teas, the same signature creativity and dedication went into making Moshi Moshi's snacks/ light meals.


Sesame Q-Rice Ball RM6.90



Fried sesame seed and glutinous rice ball with gula Melaka filling inside. The skin has a thin crispy layer while the inside is moist and chewy soft. Deep fried but there was not a trace of oil at all. I can eat many of these in one sitting.


Peanut Mochi Cake RM8.90



Mochi (glutinous rice cake) waffle with peanut butter spread, honey and dairy butter. I like this simple snack/ light meal. The mochi waffle is crispy outside, chewy inside. The topping is a blend of savoury nuttiness, honey sweetness and buttery smoothness.


Smoked Chicken Koshi Cake RM11.90



If you like something more filling, you can opt for koshi waffle with smoked chicken, cheese and mayonnaise topping.


Black Pepper Sausage Koshi Cake RM10.90



Koshi waffle with black pepper sausage, mildly spicy Thai style sauce, mayonnaise and cheese. Quite interesting mix of flavours and textures.


Coffee Ice Cream and Guava Bum Ice RM15.90

Two types of ice creams with cut fresh fruits with freshly whipped cream and chocolate dip. Ideal for two persons to share.



Made with ground coffee beans and fresh milk, I am sure the robust coffee aroma of the coffee ice cream will be a hit with coffee lovers.


Coconut Ice Cream Parfait RM15.90

This coconut ice cream is another example of the extra mile Moshi Moshi goes to, to make a good product. This ice cream is made with both young and old coconuts. The juice comes from young coconuts as young juice is sweeter and more fragrant. The coconut flesh is from old coconuts because old flesh is nuttier and has more bite. So Moshi Moshi's coconut ice cream has the best of young and old coconuts :D

Beneath the coconut ice cream is a mix of cut fresh fruits smothered in freshly whipped cream.



Moshi Moshi is a good place to chill out with friends. Quality freshly hand made ice creams, teas, and snacks. Friendly staff, clean and neat environment. Plentiful free parking. And, of course, free wifi.

Restaurant name: Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea
Address: 19, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qIHvc
GPS: 1.551693,103.785181
Hours: 11:30am to 11:30pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 26 Mar 2013, 29 Mar 2013, 21 May 2013, 14 Jun 2013, 23 Dec 2013

Return to home page.

CLOSED Cakes in Johor Bahru at Niniq Bistro and Bakery

Rachel from Niniq Bistro and Bakery invited me to visit their outlet at Taman Setia Tropika. (Niniq's first outlet is at Taman Pelangi which opened in 2002.)



Inside Niniq Bistro and Bakery at Setia Tropika, the décor is simple yet elegant. The wood and marble furniture are heavy and of classic design - the type seen in well appointed Indonesian homes. The comfortable environment is very clean and air conditioned.

Niniq's owner Angela's mum is from Surabaya, Indonesia and hence we can see many Indonesian touches in the bistro.

The name Niniq comes from the word ninik, the endearing Indonesian term for "little girl".

As Christmas Day was around the corner, Christmas trees and Yuletide decorations were up in Niniq along with heart warming Christmas songs about winter and snow playing softly in the background.



This is the café at the ground floor level. There is a second level which is for private parties hosted at Niniq. 



At Niniq, they pay attention to even the small details like the menu cover. The custom hand carved wood inlays on the menu cover is a nice, elegant touch.

In this post, we shall focus on Niniq's popular cakes. We had just tasted Niniq's Christmas turkey in the morning, so we only had stomach space for cakes and coffee. Which was great because we enjoyed chatting with Angela for over 2 hours :D (Niniq also serves Indonesian dishes which I look forward to coming back for).


Chocolate Decadence RM6.20

This is Niniq's top selling cake, their unique CCTV. Niniq actually named it Chocolate Decadence but customers called it CCTV because of the way it looked, and the name stuck. Deep rich chocolate mousse on a spongy base to indulge the decadent in you :P


Durian Strudel RM6.40

This is a Must Try - Niniq's durian strudel using Angela's mum's recipe. Made with fresh D24 durians with no preservatives.



Creamy chilled fresh D24 durian between fluffy flaky crispy crust sprinkled with fine sugar crystals. Just RM6.40 for a little bit of durian and strudel heaven. 


L'opera RM5.80

I love this L'opera because I like foods with a mix of flavours and textures. Niniq's L'opera is a blend of sweet-bitter flavour with interesting mouth feel of fluffy sponge, creamy chocolate and nutty almond bits.  


American Apple Pie RM6.80

My friends know how much I love apple pies, especially freshly baked ones with buttery crust and chunky cut apples :D


Matcha Indulgence RM6.80

For matcha (Japanese green tea) lovers.

The following are other almost too-beautiful-to-eat cakes at Niniq :D It's always a struggle admiring how lovely the cakes look and chomping down on them to enjoy the inviting taste.









Niniq's famous tiramisu which I didn't taste because I have no more stomach space. Will come back for this.



Smile inducing cupcakes - just looking at these cupcakes makes me happy :D

Niniq has a good range of coffees, teas and juices to complement their cakes.



My usual order of cappuccino.



This is the interesting tasting Niniq Earl Grey Tea Latte (RM8.80). Earl Grey Tea lovers, give this aromatic latte a try :D

Niniq Bistro and Bakery is a nice place to enjoy excellent cakes, good coffee and tea at reasonable prices. Niniq also serves Indonesian dishes which I must come back for :D 



Restaurant name: Niniq (Taman Setia Tropika)
Address: 52, Jalan Setia Tropika 1/24. Taman Setia Tropika, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/YQ7Il
GPS: 1.545787,103.713547
Hours: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Closed on Sunday)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Restaurant name: Niniq (Taman Pelangi)
Address: 65, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/zv6a0
GPS: 1.482152,103.774914
Hours: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Closed on Sunday)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 25 Nov 2013