CHASING FOOD DREAMS: March 2019

Keep Calm and Drink Jamaica Blue Coffee

When it comes to coffee, the coffee masters of Jamaica Blue Fine Coffee go all out to search for the very best beans to be pair with their café menu. Named after the Blue Mountain in Jamaica, the successful Caribbean themed café chain has been serving their award-winning Jamaica Signature Blend and Blue Mountain coffees in several strategic locations in our country.

We paid a visit to Jamaica Blue in Setia Alam City Mall for a brunch and was certainly pleased with our experience. The café was spacious and designed with a natural theme of earthy colours contrasted with blocks of black. Splashes of colours are subtly injected through banquette seats as well as small hanging lighting.

A huge bar is designed with open concept to allow customers to catch preparations of coffees and other beverages along with a baked goods counter. Chalkboards are placed behind the bar as informative as well as decorative touches to the café.

The café has a wonderful laid-back vibe, which is perfect for those seeking solace in a good cup of joe with some relaxation time. The ambiance is also in theme with its brand identity where one evokes the spirit of coffee while reflecting the essence of the easy-going vibe at the Caribbean. Customers are sure to experience the café’s values of rich, warm, vibrant, relaxed, authentic and even a little exotic.

With 8 outlets spread all over Malaysia, each outlet offers main master menu with some tweaks based on its geographical location and its produce. The menu has the typical café list of just as much food as there is on the beverage list. Besides coffee, there are plenty of non-caffeine drinks, juices, smoothies and even tea. The menu consists of all-day breakfast bites, pasta, pies, burgers and sandwiches.

Coffee lovers should try both their award-winning signature coffee beans. The Jamaica Blue Mountain Cappuccino (RM23.40) and Jamaica Blue Signature Blend Cappuccino (RM11.70), both have respective aroma and flavours with one more pronounced than the other.

For a cheeky note, Jamaica Blue has featured a monthly special of Blue Latte (RM11.00). The caffeine-free beverage has blue Curacao syrup to give it that pretty pastel blue. The white chocolate and milk concoction has a pretty tree art latte as a finishing. The Pomegranate Soda (RM14.20) is also a refreshing drink to quench that thirst.

More drinks to check out, Nuts Over Caramel Frappe (RM14.50), Mango Gone Banana Smoothie (RM14.50) and Chocolate Banana Frappe (RM14.50)

The all-day breakfast menu of Eggs Florentine with Smoked Salmon (RM26.50) is executed with perfection. Perfectly poached eggs on a bed of wilted spinach with toast, crowned with luscious smoked salmon and finished with buttery thick hollandaise sauce. The combination befits the breakfast of champions!

The Warm Forest Mushroom, Feta & Spinach Bowl (RM20.00) is another healthy and delicious option that borders on between breakfast and lunch. The vegetarian option consists of a quinoa and almond porridge topped with sautéed warm mushrooms, chickpeas, wilted spinach. Finished with poached egg, whipped feta, sprinkling of sunflower and pumpkin seeds and a spice mix of dukkah, the dish has so much flavours and textures that is very easy to enjoy.

For more familiar classics, there’s burgers and sandwiches for lunch. The Vintage Ground Beef Burger (RM28.90) is a solid dish served with a side of salad. Thick beef patty with beef strips, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and the usual condiments, the burger made a substantial meal on its own. The only thing I am missing is the fries on this dish.

There’s also the Classic Steak Sandwich (RM28.60). Grilled scotch fillet and beef strips with caramelized onions, aioli, gherkin and veggies on ciabatta roll sounded and tasted yummy.

If you do not take beef, the Jerk Spiced Chicken, Avocado & Mozzarella Roll (RM20) is a healthy option with lean chicken breast nicely dressed in a spiced up creamy dressing with avocado and cucumber on ciabatta bread.

Then there is pasta. Jamaica Blue’s pasta selection may not be a lot but what they serve are pretty good in my books. We were assured that their Traditional Pasta Carbonara (RM22.90) is authentic as it gets. Though it may not be drenched in the usual thick cream sauce that most places serve, this one is simply tossed in lots of olive oil with garlic, parmesan cheese, egg and turkey strips. Not too bad as it doesn’t leave one heavy after savoring it and yet the pasta is full of tasty flavours.

For an unusual note, try the Chicken Laksa Pasta (RM20.90). This dish was a surprising one as it taste so much better than it sounds. The balanced amount of spices hit all the right notes along with the much creamy coconut milk. This is bound to be a local favorite for its distinctive laksa flavour.

Jamaica Blue has quite a few options for desserts like the Dark Chocolate & Walnut Brownie (RM12.00) and Sticky Date Pudding (RM14.00). Both decadent and great for a sweet note, especially to go with coffee.