The saying goes that “one man’s loss is another man’s gain“. It’s a fitting description of how N and I found ourselves at Antipodean Cafe at Mid Valley, because even though we had not planned on dining here, the rigid rules of a neighbouring resto meant we ended up giving our business to this place instead.

We had initially planned on trying the premium nasi lemak shop Nale, since we’ve heard many good things about the food.Walked in around 11-ish and the shop was empty, so I asked if we could sit at a table for four, as I was hefting a large laptop bag around. Seats at the shop are packed tightly, so it would have been difficult for me to dine with the laptop on the floor without blocking the pathway.

“Sorry miss, this is our policy even if the store is empty. Boss will be upset if I do so,” said staff. Now, I understand that the staff could have just been doing their job and following directives, but the fact that they were so inflexible, and that they did not even TRY to suggest an alternative solution (like maybe pull up another chair so I can place my belongings?) is rather telling of their customer service.

No biggie – because if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have gotten to try Antipodean, located just a few stores away. Difference between their service? Night and day! We were greeted with a warm smile, asked if we’d like to dine al fresco / indoors, then taken to our table. Since the layout here is much more spacious, I was able to secure my laptop properly even though it was a table for two.

Antipodean has several branches in Malaysia, including in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor, and is popular among the local expat community. The brand also has a presence in Indonesia and the Philippines. Coffee is a big thing at Antipodean, and they have their own roastery in KL and Jakarta, with beans primarily sourced from Indonesia. Among third wave coffee shops here, I think Antipodean is one of the earliest to open (around 2010), before the boom of Melburnian-style specialty coffee shops in KL.

The menu here offers a good selection of all-day breakfast / brunch items, Western, Asian, and Mediterranean dishes. Aside from bagels, pancakes, and eggs done a variety of ways (benedict, with smoked salmon, etc.), they also have salads, pizzas, burgers, and pastas. Beverages include coffee, healthy juices, and alcoholic drinks.

I got the Turkish Eggs (RM29), which are poached eggs on garlic and dill yoghurt with Aleppo chilli butter. The texture was nice and creamy, but as it was my first time trying it, I was not used to the yoghurt’s sourness. I think those who like this flavour profile would really enjoy this dish, though.

N was in the mood for something alcoholic – so the Chorizo Vodka Pasta (RM36) it is! At first glance: beautifully presented in a generous portion, and garnished with shredded cheese. The pasta was cooked al dente and studded with bits of salty chorizo. The rum, meanwhile, imparted a layer of smokiness to the noodles which lingered on the tongue after each bite. Tasty as far as alcohol-infused pasta dishes go.

Our bill came up to just under RM100. Considering the type of establishment / the location, I think it’s fairly standard – and you get good service too. *Cough*

ANTIPODEAN

 GE-011(A), Grd Floor, Mid Valley Megamall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 8am – 10pm (Mon-Thurs), 7.30am – 10pm (Fri-Sun)

Phone: +603-22023411

Website: antipodeancoffee.com

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PS2: All expenses are out of my own pocket unless otherwise stated. Views here are my own and are based on my personal experience. They are not meant to endorse or disparage businesses/ establishments in any way.