“It is that time of the day again.” A common statement that we will hear someone say. Though every time of the day is “that time”, we usually link “that time of the day” to something specifically happening.
For me, as I look outside while putting this essay together, I am referring “that time of the day” to “it’s about to rain “cats and dogs” (not literally), as the weather has turned gloomy. I stepped outside to look at the sky, dark rain clouds are hanging low. This means another very wet afternoon here, in Subang Jaya.
After the lasting impression of the delicious scones with strawberries in the strawberry jam that came with it (note that no butter was served) at Contour. (remember the “.” on the sign in front of the café?) Café, P.J. Old town, I thought it was in the running for the best scones in town. It is in a crust-to-crust, strawberry jam-to-strawberry jam challenge for the coveted title.
Which meant that I had to go back to Good Ground Bakery (G.G.B.) to taste their scones again and make that decision. My taste buds would have the final taste..er, say.
Jeannie was on leave today and we decided to go to G.G.B. in the afternoon. It would be Jeannie’s first visit there.
As we walked in the door of G.G.B., the pastry counter looked like it was re-stocked with pastries, just out of the oven. Lots to choose from. The bottom shelf was lined with colourful boxes of the special teas they sell.
The little placard / price card /tag with the words “Cranberry scones” on it first caught my eye. That wasn’t too difficult a choice of pastries to make, was it now? I had a hot Americano coffee to accompany the scone.
Jeannie ordered the “Cheddar and Scallion” scone and a latte to go with it.
G.G.B. was full capacity with customers. G.G.B. is a very popular bakery in the SS 17, Subang Jaya neighbourhood. There was a little table for two inside, just after the counter. It was very noisy as everyone seemed to have been talking at the same time, and all kept raising the volume of their voices so that they could hear what the people at their table was saying.
As soon as there was a table that was free in front, Jeannie and I moved.
Our orders came quite fast. When I first looked at my scone, I was a bit puzzled as it did not look like the one I had the last time I was here. The first thing I noticed that it did not seem to be that “perfect, scone shape” that I have been seeing all along. The strawberry jam was a very dark red, sort of blended jam, which was o.k. with me. Convinced me that the jam was made in house, I think.
I cut into the scone. The crust was unusually hard, and the inside of it did not look like a scone I was familiar with. When I ate a piece, I straight away felt that this was not the same scone as the one I had the last time I was here.
I asked the employee about it and she said it was the same all along. I disagreed with her. There was nothing wrong with this scone. It was just different. Maybe, the employee was right when she said it was the same usual scone. Maybe, they used some different ingredients which did not quite add up to it being the standard scone. It was nice, though the previous time’s one was over-the-limit nice.
So, for now, the scones at Contour. Café takes the title of having the “best scones around town”.
Jeannie’s Cheddar and Scallion (spelt with a “c”, not “t”) scone looked interesting. It came with sambal! Not strawberry jam. Since it came with sambal, I think it was more savoury than sweet.
The Americano and the latte coffees were the usual – good. I decided on the hot instead of cold version because of the heavy downpour of rain outside that had cooled the afternoon.
G.G.B. is doing very well even though there are 5 cafes competing with it, I think; around the same area. G.G.B.’ strength is in its bakery, and as a cafe, too; judging by it being full house every time I come by. A great place to come by for a change of scenery, to do some work on your computer, or simply to read a book while having coffee or tea to go with some pastries.
http://leatherpotato.com/2023/09/22/scones-anyone/
http://leatherpotato.com/2023/10/28/coffee-experience-in-p-j-old-town/
