IN a hidden nook in a less crowded part of Bukit Damansara, Cafe Limone in Plaza Zurich is such a pretty hang-out place, ideal for a girly brunch date.
Along with tempting pastries and desserts, the European-inspired cafe also features fantastic fusion dishes.
And, as Limone essentially screams Lemon, there will be zesty and refreshing dessert options.
PASSION TO BUSINESS
Founded by a self-taught baker, Sherina Binwani started in business with a little online bakery called 'Baked by Sher' from home during the Movement Control Order selling cakes and cookies.
She expanded her business to what it is today alongside Chef Tee Jiunn Hoong, whom she met while taking baking courses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The duo clicked, and eventually became good friends.
Together, they created a cafe concept that draws inspiration from Europe, a shared passion of theirs.
Limone is Italian for lemon, and the interior design of the cafe draws inspiration from the zesty citrus fruit, with a brightly lit interior interspersed with splashes of yellow here and there.
If you choose to dine outside, you'll feel like you're being transported to a chic bistro somewhere in Europe. The huge although artificial lemon tree in the front adds a lot to the atmosphere.
PRETTY CAKES
There are desserts and pastries made fresh daily. Their bestsellers tend to sell out quickly, so it's best to arrive early to chup your desserts before the lunch-hour crowd from the nearby office buildings builds up.
My friend, Zarina, and I arrive at the cafe around 11.30am and the first thing we do is check out the dessert bar.
Its realistic-looking signature 'Limone' is a must-try. A citrusy pick for those who enjoy refreshing flavours, the lemon cake made with lemon curd and cream cheese mousse is not too sweet and overpowering.
However, my favourite is the bestselling Tokyo Garden that looks like a pretty daisy. It is basically a lemon yuzu tart made of lemon and yuzu curd and almond cream.
Zarina opts for the Cerise Noire, a black forest cake made of chocolate mousse, vanilla creme and cherry.
Other bestsellers to try are the Lotus Biscoff cheesecake and the Fromage Frais, which is a classic cheesecake topped with fresh berries.
The desserts range from RM21 to RM24 per piece.
FUSION PICKS
If you're looking for something heavy and appetising, Cafe Limone offers quite an interesting selection from pasta to poke bowls and donburi, which is an intriguing fusion dish, besides the typical brunch menu like Eggs on Toast, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Big Breakfast and variety of salad dishes and sandwiches.
Zarina and I pick two dishes for sharing, which is the Spicy Seafood Squid Ink Pasta (RM42) and Chicken Percik Poke Bowl (RM30).
These two dishes complement each other as they use the same yellow curry sauce.
Squid ink spaghetti is an extremely challenging recipe but they pull it off by mixing the Malay flavours in a unique way with the spicy creamy sauce.
For the health conscious, the poke bowl is a delicious mix of brown rice, cucumber, carrot, edamame, pea sprouts, seaweed, quinoa, tempeh and beetroot. You can then choose your protein. We recommend the ayam percik which is a simple grilled chicken with spicy yellow curry sauce that gives the dish an oomph.
For appetisers, the Sweet and Spicy Tempeh (RM16) is one of the best dishes on the menu. But if you crave for something different, try its version of Crispy Breaded Mushroom.
Feeling a little fancy? The Princess Peach mocktail (RM16) is a sweet pick for the ladies. A concoction mix of white peach puree, lychee, mint leaves and soda, it has a refreshing zest taste to it.
However, one of its signature hot drinks is the J'adore Cocoa (RM20) which uses Valrhona Hot Chocolate served with whipped cream, marshmallows and caramel sauce — and offered only for dine-in customers.
Enjoy cafe hopping with Klook Promo Code to grab additional discounts on your orders.
