Although eye-catching from the outside, you’ll soon discover the stark contrast between the exterior and the interior upon entering Mary Jane. The restaurant’s décor is not in fact minimalist, as the shop front suggests.
Mary Jane has been on the radar of café hoppers for quite some time now, and with good reason – the opulent pink café makes for an amazing backdrop to some truly Instagrammable shots that will surely attract a whole lot of ‘likes’ for you.
But truth be told, it can be a lot to take in with ‘pink on pink’ as far as the eye can see from the walls to the décor and even the plates and teapots.
The burst of florals only heightens the saccharine sweet atmosphere of the restaurant and it’s understandable if the guys fear stepping in. But if you’re on a date, just be a sport and make it special for her.
The first appetiser on the extensive menu is the prawn papadum tacos with ‘jantung pisang’.
True to its description, the flavours of banana blossoms, sambal aioli, and tomato salsa dominate with the first bite. The tempura prawns meanwhile provide the perfect balance to this truly unique dish that reinterprets the Mexican taco.
One of the more popular dishes at Mary Jane is the salmon doused in beurre blanc sauce. With mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach on the side, this is a rather hearty meal considering the slab of salmon you are served.
For pasta lovers, a must-try is the spicy ‘masak lemak’ seafood spaghetti that features a delicious seafood-infused broth, rich in coconut milk and turmeric – a truly Malaysian take on a traditional Italian favourite.
Another gratifying dish is Mary Jane’s short ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender. Beware small eaters as the portion is rather generous, so sharing is highly recommended.
If you’re like most Malaysians, you’ll ditch the cutlery and go at it with your fingers.
Tea lovers will relish the idea of consuming their favourite brew in style at Mary Jane.
Highly recommended is the Grand Wedding tea, served in a porcelain teapot designed with the seductive curves of a woman in Renaissance-era garb. Matching teacups can be requested for at no additional charge.
There is no shortage of iced blended beverages for those eager to chase the Malaysian heat away. The three bestsellers here are Chocolate Indulgence, Unicorn, and Cookies and Cream.
Served in Pinot Noir glasses, these chilled refreshments go wonderfully well with any savoury meal.
Each sinful serving comes with its own toppings: Chocolate Indulgence features a Kit Kat wafer, Unicorn comes with a cotton candy marshmallow, while cookies and cream are completed with a mini-Oreo.
For dessert, try the chewy mochi pandan waffles. Paired with tau foo fa ice cream, roasted coconut flakes, an assortment of sliced fruits, and a side of gula melaka, the waffles are available from 12pm to 2.30pm.
Here you have it – all the wonderful gastronomic reasons to pop by at Mary Jane… but don’t forget to dress-up as you’ll find yourself itching to capture your experience on camera too.
Mary Jane (pork-free)
106, Jalan Petaling
City Centre
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 12pm to 10am (closed on Mondays)
Reservations: Call or WhatsApp 018 2160968.