"I DON'T put anything on the menu that I don't think is outstanding," declares Evin, owner of Lil' Bird & The Big Bear café in Taipan Business Centre, Subang Jaya.
This area is notorious for being densely packed and congested. Not only do you have to drive through the traffic jam on the narrow one-way streets of the commercial centre, but you also have to scour hard for a parking spot. And if you do find one, you may have to walk far in the hot weather to reach your shop.
However, despite the traffic and parking woes, I decide to brave the challenges for dinner one evening because I am curious to see what I can unearth from the multitude of restaurants in the crammed area.
CHOICES, CHOICES
The menu offers a spread of Italian, English and Australian food, featuring pancakes and "All-Day Brekkies", as well as various salads, tacos, fish, burgers, pizzas, soup and organic pasta. The cafe also serves "decadent signature premium cakes", with its black forest being touted as the bestseller.
I start my meal with the Mama Green's Chicken Farm Salad, which is a hearty and delicious appetiser, comprising pan-seared chicken, sweet tomatoes, red pomegranate seeds, avocados, apple slices and Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese) over a bowl of garden greens. The home-made dressing certainly makes it unique from the usual salads served at other restaurants and cafes.
For the main course, I opt for Da Vinci's Wild Basil Chicken Pesto. According to the menu, the dish comprises "pan-seared chicken in a creamy nutty sweet basil pesto..." Sounds too tempting to dismiss and I'm glad I ordered it.
The spaghetti comes with thick creamy pesto sauce, which may not appeal to everyone, but I personally love it. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of nuts and I wasn't sure about the idea of having crushed nuts sprinkled on top of my pasta. Fortunately, that didn't distract me from enjoying the dish.
WONDERFUL FISH
The final dish took some time to prepare. Although I ordered the Argentinian Fish Tacos — just for the sake of trying something different — I have to admit that fish isn't really my favourite item. In fact, the moment I sent off the order, I started having doubts on whether I'd made the wrong choice.
But guess what? I should not be worried at all. The moment I tucked into the tacos, my doubts evaporated almost instantly. The barramundi fillet strips, perfectly fried in batter, arrived neatly perched amongst fresh lettuce and tomatoes in tortilla shells drizzled with light salsa.
It's delicious, with a burst of flavour and texture in every bite. It's a bit fiddly to handle (because it keeps falling apart), but the struggle is worth it! The tangy orange sauce — touted on the menu as "special house sauce" — goes really well with the fish tacos.
Finally, as is my after-meal norm, I order a cup of hot latte. Unfortunately, the coffee is slightly on the weak side, and it isn't as strong or rich as I'd hoped it to be. Perhaps my expectations are a bit too high, but that may be a blessing in disguise as I'm sure all the caffeine would have prevented me from falling sleep at bedtime.
CONVENIENT PLACE
Given the wide selection of dishes, generous portions, and a cosy and welcoming ambience, Lil' Bird & The Big Bear will certainly delight diners. It's easy to see how it continues to attract customers to come back for more.
And, on the plus side, it also opens longer than most cafes within the vicinity, making it the preferred hangout for those who don't fancy staying home too much. A visit to the cafe's website allows you to make a reservation up to 9pm.
It's perfect for early risers looking for a hearty breakfast, and those who finish work late and want to grab a nice dinner before calling it a day. I'm definitely game for a return visit!
Lil' Bird and Big Bear Cafe
Where: 24, Jalan USJ 10/1B, Taipan Business Centre, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Operating hours: 10am to 11pm, daily.
Website: https://lilbirdbigbear.com/
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