The Cave Couple Cafe, SS2

February 12, 2009 at 2:30 pm · Filed under Eating Out, Food, halal, wi-fi!

Note: This place is no longer in operation.

This is a really backdated review (note the X’mas decor) but I only remembered it when I saw it being suggested as a V Day restaurant on kampungboycitygal’s. Despite reading not-so-good reviews about this place, thought the novelty of this concept could still win my heart so proceeded there with 3 other makan kakis. So word has it that the owner fell in love with the unique fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, Turkey and seeked to reproduce his own.

The sleek, mysterious facade of the restaurant does not reveal the stark difference in texture and material until one enters though there’s this rather ugly and phallic looking arch (from the side lah) on the walkway outside which greets all patrons. But ugly arch aside, the transformation of the inside area is truly spectacular as everything from the ceiling to the floor was as per a cave’s. Spotted a bar on the ground floor but was brought to the 3rd floor where the bigger dining hall was. We were told that the first and second floor is reserved for couples as the seating were partitioned booths, or “caves” good enough for 2, and some for 3. 76 caves in total!

But after having a good look at the couples’ cave, was quite glad we weren’t seated at one of them. Apart from the rather tight and claustrophobic side by side seating, there’s only a thin gauze curtain guarding the entrance and in some instances, instead of gazing lovingly at your beloved, you get furtive glances from the couple sitting on the opposite side. Sure, there’s the separating curtain, but it’s sheer and doesn’t hide much. And I rather be sitting face to face with my other half if I was on a date. Oh well, some people prefer cuddling or holding hands while eating, I suppose. But I reckon playing footsie is more fun. Lol. 😛

We were however on the open dining hall on the 3rd floor which has its own bar and live band corner. One thing about being in a “cave” though, acoustics or sound control can be quite an issue and we found the noise levels a tad loud for comfortable chatting.

Taking inspiration from the Turkish influence, they also server some middle Eastern starters such as Lamb Kofta, Hummus, Tahini etc. And I decided to go for the kofta which is served with mint yoghurt. The minced lamb is mixed with chopped onions, garlic, cashew nuts and presumably, spices. Can’t recall what the coleslaw looking pile under the meatballs were anymore but I reckon it’s something raita-ish. I quite like it but the meatball had quite a strong lamb taste towards the end.

But that’s where the Middle Eastern influences end as the majority of the menu consisted of Western and Chinese cuisine. I can understand the western dishes but serving Chinese here seems a bit strange. But still, we decided to try one of everything.

Shared a smoked salmon angel hair pasta and it was mediocre at best. And the salmon tasted strange, as if it has gone off, but is that possible of smoked salmon? Still, we scraped it off and concentrated on the angel hair only. Frankly, I won’t recommend this dish.

We ordered a seafood noodle dish and a stir fried “4 heavenly kings” (四大天王). The seafood noodle dish was forgettable, until I even forgot to snap a shot of it. Would do better to try “Wat Dan Hor” in any dai chow around the area. As for the vegetable dish, instead of the usual combination of lady fingers (okra), winged beans, snake beans and brinjal, they used lady fingers, winged beans, french beans and petai. But I think so long as they are 4 types of vegetables esp. legumes used in this dish, whatever combination works. This was alright even though it was much oilier than I preferred, probably one of the better dishes we had that night.

So the verdict is that novelty can only bring one so far as food is mediocre at best. And considering the prices they charge, I would rather be at some neighboring dai chow scoffing down the same but better tasting, cheaper dishes. For the 4 of us, dinner came up to about RM160 for 3 mains and one starter.

The Cave Couple cafe & Restaurant
16 & 18, Jalan SS2/61,
47300 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7873 9888/9698
Open: Mon-Thurs, Sun 11am-1am ; Fri & Sat 11am-2am

other reviews;
– pinkparisian
– life of the food lovers
– eat first think later
– thestar writeup

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