Featuring Colombian coffee in uncommon preparations & an imaginative menu created by chef Nathalie Arbefeuille, this Colombian coffeehouse chain has opened its first Malaysian branch at The Intermark. This one could be a big, buzzy hit.The menu here is uniquely designed for this Malaysian branch, comprising European & South American elements. The lovably luscious salmon blini works wonderfully as a refreshing snack; certainly not cheap for RM10 per piece (especially when each piece can be finished in one mouthful), but this is top-notch. Pretty soon, Juan Valdez Cafe will also feature other tapas such as foie gras cremeaux on ginger bread & cod fish brandade tartine.We really like this salad, generously laden with luscious avocado slices, plus a runny mollet egg, artichokes, marinated salmon gravlax, mesclun, chives & parmesan, as well as excellent bread rolls (RM28).Juan Valdez's interpretation of the croque-monsieur looks simple but tastes stellar, featuring crafted toast bread with fresh, warm & buttery pastry-like layers (excellent) that conceal emmental cheese & turkey ham, topped with the perfect sunny-side-up. Sure, it's costly for RM20, but it's absolutely delicious, with a type of toast (dare we say 'artisanal toast') that's not often seen.Customers can also try waffles with coconut praline, chocolate sauce & cream (RM20)For something that's meant to be quintessentially Colombian though and more affordable, there's tinto (basically black coffee, RM8.50 for 9oz) with panela (whole cane sugar) for a light sweetness. Might provoke contentious debate; some might like this, some certainly won't.

Jibby & Co opened outside Empire Shopping Gallery this past week, instantly becoming one of Subang's most ravishing restaurants. But this venue hopes to succeed on more than superficial charm, with a menu that's more ambitious than many might anticipate.Sabah-born Najib spent a decade working in Melbourne; the melting-pot culinary influence of the Australian city is showcased in Jibby & Co brunch offerings like baked eggs (some might prefer them runnier) with house-made chicken sausages, lemon zest, Neapolitan tomato sauce & North African ras el hanout spices (RM28 before taxes).Our best bet: Sunny-side-up eggs with creamy yolks over corned beef, potatoes, confit cherry tomatoes, strained yoghurt & thick toast (RM27). Pretty addictive, with the labneh providing pleasantly tangy nuances.Jibby's poached eggs show a tell-tale reliance on vinegar in their preparation, but that's fair enough for a busy kitchen. They're partnered with hash browns, salmon roe, smoked salmon, corn, zucchini & hollandaise sauce (RM25); it sounds like a recipe that could be elaborately enjoyable, but it proved not as memorably punchy as expected (the corn was more effective than the salmon roe in boosting both taste & texture).Greek yoghurt with raspberry coulis & crispy honey cornflakes (RM24). Jibby's prices are evidence of inescapable inflation.The brunch menu is available 8:30am-4pm daily, so even late risers can make it in time for a densely filling French toast, topped with creme patisserie, berries, crushed pistachios & maple glaze (RM22).Sumatran single-origin coffee can be ordered (RM12, aeropress or pour-over). Not bad; no complaints about how this tastes.

Bangsar's latest bakery-cafe is a soothing space tucked on Lorong Kurau, blessedly removed from the bustle of Telawi.Escape the noise outside & linger inside Cultura over freshly baked slices of creamy-soft cheesecakes (RM13) topped with macadamia nuts & salted caramel ...Plenty of pastries are available for takeaway on Cultura's shelves.piping-hot toasties (RM7) prepared to order, thickly spread with rich, top-flight peanut butter.Degayo Sumatran coffee & Twinings tea will likely keep caffeine-lovers happy.

Enviably photogenic, The Library Coffee Bar has finally opened at Avenue K, looking to lure the city's legion of caffeine-lovers.To eat: Waffles, warm & savoury ones with beef pastrami, egg, horseradish sauce & onion rings (RM17.50 before taxes) ...... or sweet ones with blueberries & whipped cream (RM13.50), made to order so they taste fresh enough to satisfy.To drink: Coffee cocktails (hurray!). There's an espresso martini spiked with vodka & kahlua (RM18), a mocha ice-blended with baileys (RM21.50) & our favourite, the creamy-dreamy espresso shake with kahlua (RM21.50).

This vividly colourful cafe is poised to become a pretty big hit, celebrating a well-curated selection of crowd-pleasing local fare in a fun & friendly suburban setting.Rice-lovers will likely be heartened by Chuup's nicely executed nasi lemak (RM14.90), tastily complemented with pork rendang, tender-crisp kangkung & nearly all the other necessities (except for a hard-boiled egg, strangely) ...... as well as Hainanese chicken rice with super-smooth fowl & kitchen-made chili dip (RM12.90). No surprises here, but familiarity can breed righteous comfort. Chuup shows respect for why these recipes are so beloved.For folks who fear carbs, pork's a pleasure; can't fault "Grandma's pork chuup" (RM18.90) _ shallow fried, marinated loins with spinach & potato carrot ragout. Pure protein & fine fibre at fair prices.Also a success: Popiah stuffed with prawns & dried shrimp in Chuup's own-made popiah skin (RM4.90). The food feels fresh; nothing seems like it was left on the shelves for too long. That's a testament to the hard work & thoughtfulness of Chuup's team, which claims to be newbies to the F&B business.Chuup serves Puro fairtrade coffee; for a tropical-fruit twist, have it as a coconut latte (RM9).