One such spot is Kantata. The place is not really a typical café although it has the cosiness one has come to expect of such a joint. It does serve light snacks, but there are also heartier meals on the menu.
“It’s a community-driven space here where everyone, regardless of who you are, can come together and mingle,” co-owner Chai Suekmei told FMT Lifestyle.
Chai and her business partner, Adrian Kent, met some years ago. They said they clicked immediately and soon opened an interior design company together.
Since many of their clients were café owners, they felt, after a while, that they should open one themselves.
“At first, we thought it would be easy, but it was not,” Chai said. “There were lots of hiccups and roadblocks along the way, but we slowly learned the tricks of the trade.”
They did however, enjoy the freedom to take full reign and to design as they pleased, but it was hard to make decisions in the beginning.
“In the end, we decided to look at what we had done for our clients and incorporate those ideas into a space we could call our own,” Kent said.
Their eye for design is evident from the exterior décor and wall decorations down to minute details like a small painting and the fabric on the chairs that the two owners hoped conveyed their free and fun-loving spirit.
“We’ve even kept the disco balls from a previous Halloween party and it’s magical when the sunlight hits it during the day,” said Chai.
So, what’s good on the menu?
As a starter, even non-salad lovers will adore “Green With Envy”, which is a mixture of local herbs such as ulam raja, daun salam, thai basil, mint and bunga kantan, all marinated in a tamarind vinaigrette. The fried tempeh gives a nice crunch and elevates the dish’s texture.
Another good appetiser option is “Hey Dumpling”. The filling of chicken, black fungus, ginger and scallion offers a satisfying and juicy bite. Dip it in the hot and sour sauce and it’s the perfect blend of savoury and spicy. Yum.
For something more filling, opt for “Live in the Mooment”. The stir-fried beef tenderloin will definitely satiate your meat cravings. Nestled on a warm bed of white rice and topped with fried shallots and crispy garlic, it’s the very definition of an enjoyable lunch. The side of ulam drizzled in vinaigrette is a scene stealer.
A surprise hit is the vegetarian option “Bean There Done That”. In this dish, different components like sugar snap peas, four-angled beans, tempeh, fried tofu and king oyster mushroom all come together to serenade the base of ulam butter rice. On paper, it might not sound like your typical rice bowl selection, but you won’t regret giving this refreshing and flavourful dish a try.
In the drinks section, the Orange Espresso is for those who want to try something unconventional. A shot of espresso is finished with orange juice, and the result is a delightful bitter-sweet taste. Tip: it’s an acquired taste; so keep an open mind.
Of course, the café also offers classic selections like black coffee, hazelnut latte, hot chocolate and a variety of teas and freshly squeezed juices.
Where does the name Kantata come from? Well, it’s the couple’s stylised spelling of the Italian “cantata”, a musical composition to be sung.
“It represents our spirit in wanting to bring everyone together through music and, occasionally, karaoke,” Kent said. “When everyone comes together, it’s a symphony.”
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Kantata Café
Back Door, 90, Jalan Tuba,
Kampung Attap,
50460 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 10am-6pm (closed on Mondays)