Prayin’ for A Sweet Start (The Brownies @ De Garden)
November 14, 2011 | 4,240 views
A Gift from the Heart?
Tomorrow’s my first day at work. Slight jitters? Nah …. this is not the first time I am experiencing a change in working environment, but still, the thought of adapting to everything from scratch does bear its hovering cloud of uncertainties.
Lending a substantially more gloomy atmosphere to the situation, the rainy spell continues in the Klang Valley (and I am sure elsewhere too); to a point where good old Subang was hit by a freak hailstorm yesterday evening. It felt as though the sky’s tearing up and not relenting for even a single day.
As I am writing this post, I am gleefully chomping on delicious pineapple puffs from a small town less than 100km away from KL. I wanted to share that recent excursion with you, but probably on another day. Just too many photos to sort out from the pile of excessive/obsessive/compulsive shots. Pardon the amateur abilities, for I’m still familiarizing myself with the DSLR camera.
Are you craving for a sweet start to the working week as well? If you are, then this post is meant for you.
The Brownies opened its doors to dessert lovers back in late 2010. Situated at De Garden near to Jusco Kinta City, the cafe serves only desserts. And damn they’re good at delighting those with a sweet tooth.
From brownies (duh, as if you could not see that coming!) of several varieties (chocolate, cheese chocolate and even apple chocolate), to cakes (tiramisu, Belgian cheesecake, lemon/carrot/pumpkin cheesecake and even layered cakes), as well as ice-cream (previously Haagen-Dazs, now Baskin Robbins after the opening of a dedicated Haagen-Dazs outlet downstairs).
The brownies are priced from about RM2.00-2.50 (about USD0.80) onwards, and each squared-slice measuring a good 2.5″ or so. Fudgy and nutty with a moist chocolate centre, the brownies make great snacks and you don’t feel the guilt after downing a piece or two, since they’re almost bite-sized.
Unless you decided to tuck in on the spot, and be overwhelmed with the option of adding a scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream of your choice for only RM7.50 (USD2.50). Yup, even cheaper than a regular scoop at the REAL outlet eh?
They had about 8 flavours to choose from; the Jamoca Almond Fudge, Very Berry Strawberry and Cookies N’ Cream being regular sold-outs. But I adamantly vouched for the Pralines N’ Cream to go along with my serving of chocolate brownie.
The combination proved to be slightly too sweet for my liking, it’s therefore advisable to take up the other options (even a lime sherbet flavour that you can request for them to make into an ice-blended delight).
Per scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream, they charge only RM7.50. On a temporary promotional basis, if you go on a Wednesday (or Baskin Robbins’ Pink Day) you get a Buy 1 Free 1 Scoop Offer.
The cakes at The Brownies were all baked freshly. A plus point? Nothing was above RM8.00/USD2.50 per slice. The Pumpkin Cheesecake (RM6.80/USD2.20) was a little too creamy/dense than what I expected, though not necessarily a bad thing. Not too cloying considering the amount of cheese used in the mix, but a supposedly healthier option since it’s made of fresh pumpkins, after all.
The Pear Cake (RM4.80/USD1.50) was heated prior to serving, and was a safe choice for all. Especially the adults, since this was without any icing, and a low in sugar slice of goodness. The bits of chopped walnut plus the distinctive fruity essence of the pears made a great ensemble; complemented well by the fluffy butter body.
The owner (Ms Corrine) bakes from home, and the outlet is taken care of by a sweet young girl named Yee Lim. She welcomed us with much enthusiasm albeit the forlorn state of the cafe that weekend afternoon. She catered to our incessant/ridiculous queries (do you tremble in fear now … oh potential restaurateurs?) without skipping a beat in her works.
The coffee was regrettably mediocre, but that’s not the main purpose of visiting The Brownies now, isn’t it? She recommended a few items to us; the brownies special package of 6 pieces for only RM11.00/USD3.50, and the combination of cookies in a pack for RM5.00/USD1.60 of which you MUST try since you get to sample all the biscuits they have in their repertoire; from Almond biscuits (Hup Toh Sou) to butter shortbread cookies.
How I loved the rays of natural sunlight streaming in through the massive glass panel facing the main road of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.
Most outlets have ceased operations on the upper floor of De Garden. Lite Desire is sadly no more, together with several boutiques and retail shops. Even Oval the watering hole has either closed down or moved. Only Daorae Korean BBQ is doing brisk business come rain or shine, but that’s partly thanks to the not-so-stiff competition in the Korean dining scene in Ipoh. And the fact that Daorae’s a reasonably big name all over the country.
The Brownies is located directly adjacent to Daorae. Would be a fine option for desserts, had you crave for a quieter place than the rambunctious atmosphere downstairs. They of course, cater to special requests for cakes, and even cupcakes with beautiful, intricate frosting and sugar artworks.
THE BROWNIES
L1-R-15, First Floor,
De Garden,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
*De Garden houses various retail outlets and eateries, situated opposite of Jusco Kinta City in Ipoh Garden. For more reviews of food at De Garden, browse through this list – De Garden @ Ipoh. Though be warned that some of the outlets have since closed or changed their name.
gosh, all your photos are looking VERY deeeelicious.
ahh, just not a good time to read food blog. am now unable to differentiate between hungry, gastric or indigestion in me.
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good luck with the new job! here’s hoping you get a nice boss, warm colleagues & a comfy cubicle in a minimal-traffic location! heheh
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Haha .. thanks Sean. Unfortunately, this is about 3 km further than the last, and about 15 mins or so further away.
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Best of luck in the new job! You should treat yourself to many, many, many yummy cakes/ food/ brownies/ whatever you feel like eating as a celebration!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Haha .. then ended up heavier by a few kg’s before the year ends?
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A sweet post….indeed
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good luck with the new job – you’re gonna do just great:) xoxo
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Thanks ciki …. will be asking for your guidance soon enough ….
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you come you didn’t write, praying for a sweet start, and a happy ending.
hahaha
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
I sure hope it won’t end that fast!
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You should try their durian cake.Best in the world!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Oh, they ran out of durian cake. Sadly. Will drop by again to try that.
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I love their chocolate honey cupcake. Can really taste the honey. By the way, the ice cream is not cheap as the scoop is just a small scoop.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 17th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Hmm .. but the scoop for my brownie was more than a mere small scoop though …. or maybe, she saw my camera…?!
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Mandy Reply:
November 18th, 2011 at 6:52 am
Small scoop? I don’t think so. I have taken Baskin Robbins in Jusco. The scoop is so much smaller compared to this place.
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Look at those brownies! I’m a sucker for brownies with ice-cream *duh* Sad to hear about the outlets in De Garden closing down though.. I thought that would be quite a prime location for business? Hopefully this would maintain!
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I just love their layered cakes(cranberry and plain).Before this I buy them from a house in Anson Rd Penang. I feel the layered cakes at the Brownies is far more superior.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I see … so that’s another compliment from another customer then. My aim was for the durian cake, actually. Should go earlier ….
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Boy..what a lovely post ! I can say that the Brownies make the best cakes I’ve ever tasted in Ipoh.
All premium cakes and I come to understand that they use the best ingredients..best butter, high grade eggs etc.Chocolate moist is my favourite.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Great. Will try the others the next time I am back. Just hope that they get things going smoothly and not succumb to the slumps in business on the upper floor. Except Daorae’s, maybe.
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I remember visiting this place in March this year. Tasted their pineapple tarts and layered cake.
I would say that they are fantastic. The layered cake is definitely better than the one in Bengawan Solo in Singapore. Surely will drop in in December when I’m back in Ipoh.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:07 am
They have this cranberry layered cakes, that looked tasty and priced rather reasonably too.
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It’s a pity that most of the shops on the 1st Floor De Garden have closed.Downstairs we have Tong Sui Kai, Fruitland which have already packed up. It’s a pity that Lite Desire have closed too. The food here is much better than Wong Kok or Papa Mia. Maybe it’s the name which draws the crowd.Let’s hope that this cakeshop survives so that we have more choices rather than just Secret Recipe , Indulgence, Beacon Point.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 19th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Yup, well said Chris. Lite Desire has potential, and SHOULD be left standing amongst the rest. Tong Sui Gai …. erm, no comments since the first experience was terrible.
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Hi, is it still there??
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Hi yen nee, not sure though. I have not been back to de Garden for some time.
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