#scones

GOOD AFTERNOON FOR A  COFFEE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

If you are not wet because of the rain, you probably will get wet because of the humidity. Malaysia, and countries around the region share a similar tropical climate. Whether it is hot or wet weather; there is humidity. Our humid weather causes us to perspire. That is not great. An example is when you have showered / had a bath and is getting ready for an official engagement. However, before you can even leave your house, you are perspiring. Your clothes may be drenched in your perspiration. Looking your best is no longer the preferred option.

The year started off with very hot days, the sun scorching, sparing nothing in its way. Though we, here in Malaysia; are accustomed to hot weather; long lengths of hot weather has become a concern as temperatures hit 38 deg Celsius.

Now, as we get closer to the middle of the year, we have been experiencing heavy rain… like nobody’s business. (1) There I said it – I wanted to use that idiom- an old one, not heard too often these days. Cities and towns are facing flash floods. Subang Jaya, a lightning city, is putting on one of its best lightning performances. We are fortunate not to be in an area commonly affected by floods.

This afternoon, the weather was fine, though rain clouds could be seen forming and gathering together in the distance, to create a big downpour. I managed to swing by to Good Ground Bakery for coffee, before heading off to pick Jeannie and Laura up from work.

As I walked in the door, I got the usual cheerful greeting from Monique, “Hi, Welcome!” Monique is the PR (Public Relations) person for the bakery. A waitress cum cashier, she’s perfect for the role of PR. “Would you like to try our latest pastry offering?” She promotes their pastries with pride. “Thank you, come again”, you can hear her voice as a customer leaves the bakery / cafe.

I ordered an americano hot, from Joanne, the up and coming barista. She takes great pride in making sure that each and every drink that she makes is the best. She is always striving to make them better.

The bakery / cafe was near seating capacity full, as usual. I managed to get a table at the corner in front, next to the door. I was in here yesterday, with my wife, Jeannie; for a short while. Jeannie and I love Joanne’s Calamansi Cooler drink. Monique had suggested we try their latest – pineapple scones. We said we will definitely try it the next time, we come.

The next time is today. The tray of pineapple scones on the shelf in the pastry cabinet looked so good. I had to have one, at least one. I asked Monique for a pineapple scone.

My americano coffee. Not just any americano. Americano crafted by Joanne.

I like Good Ground because I can work and I can relax and chill at the same time. I can get much done here. I see other people come here and work, too. Or simply, to read a book. I think it is because it offers a very pleasant experience. Nice.

The pineapple scone.

The evenly, golden-brown pastry encrusting the pineapple within.
The pineapple jam is freshly made. You can see the fibres from the pineapple jam.

My afternoon delight.

It is amazingly delicious!

The buttery scone – simply divine.

Absolutely delicious, to the last crumb!

The pineapple scone with Joanne’s crafted americano.

Sarah, the baker-in chief and owner of Good Ground Bakery, has done it again. Her cranberry scones put Good Ground Bakery as the place for the best scones in the city. The scone on its own, is fabulous. You have a choice of butter or jam or both, to add to the scones, if you like.

Now, the pineapple scones, definitely reaffirms that Good Ground Bakery, as always, is The place for scones, including the rest of the pastries they have and great beverages, both hot and cold.

It was soon time for me to be on my way to pick Jeannie and Laura up. I will be back again, soon, bringing Jeannie to try the pineapple scones and for me to have it again. 😋

It was a good afternoon for coffee.

NOTES:
1. idiom. informal. : very well or quickly or in very large amounts. She can design computer programs like nobody’s business. It’s been raining like nobody’s business.

EXPERIENCING THE EXPERIENCE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Thursday, noon. The second day of Hari Raya (1) holidays here in Malaysia. Things were fairly quiet in Subang Jaya(S.J.) old town. Here when I talk about the old town, it is fair to say that SS15 is the “old town” and Taipan or USJ10 is S.J.’s new town. Taipan came about a decade after SS15. Both “towns” have run out of space to build. SS15 has resorted to tearing down older buildings (the oldest is less than or nearly 50 years old).

So, I got to SS15 for my tattoo touch up just before the scheduled appointment. Traffic was light. The touch up was done in a few minutes.

However, my appointment took a bit longer. I had another tattoo done. My  third. I am proud of it.

After it was done, I suggested to Jeannie that we go to Good Ground Bakery for coffee. Their delicious, literally out-of-this-world scones was drawing me to their Bakery.

I picked (quite careful not to use that often used by many people, but wrong word, “fetched”) Jeannie up from home and headed to Good Ground. It was as expected – crowded. It did not really need a holiday to be so as it is almost always crowded. A good testimony to its always great cakes, pastries, coffee and other drinks and its dynamic group of employees. From what we see and know of Sarah, Good Ground Bakery’s owner; she is an exemplary person.

On the way to the cafe, Jeannie said that she was going to order their calamansi cooler. It is such a refreshing drink for the hot weather spell we have been experiencing over the past few months. So, we both had out taste buds set.

Jeannie, with her calamansi cooler drink.

Joanne took our order. Jeannie had the calamansi cooler; I, an iced americano; and a cranberry scone.

Monique delivered our order to us, soon after. We managed to get a table next to the counter. The calamansi cooler was superb as usual. It had that nice blend of lemon, lime, cucumbers and tonic water with a big cube of ice – the combination of the right quantity of each item to make this perfect drink.

My americano iced was the same, usual, standard, as can be expected – great. Lots of establishments offer americano iced on their menus. However, the right coffee from the beans and the right temperature (In this case, it was iced); puts it above all others.

And I am campaigning the idea that the temperature must be constant from the time you receive it, to the last drop, drank. The small ice cubes that many other cafes serve with their drinks, soon melts and dilutes the drink. The temperature of the drink becomes warmer, too. The large ice cube allows you to drink your drink at a slower pace, at your pace; and still maintain the temperature of the drink to the last drop.

The scone was simply, outrageously delicious; delicious enough to eat on its own, even though it came with butter and strawberry jam on the side. The texture of this pastry, the cranberries – Good Ground is the place where you can get the best, yes, the best; scones in Subang Jaya and P.J..

The scone did not stand a chance. There was no time to have a picture taken before it was eaten. It was amazing. The americano iced provided for the back drop on the left.

Jeannie and I enjoyed experiencing “the experience” of being here, away from our usual work and hurry burry. People come here to experience “that experience”, too. They can go back refreshed and recharged to carry on their life’s activities. For many of us, coming here often is testimony that this is the place to be, to relax and chill.

We left after an hour to carry on the rest of our day’s activities.

http://leatherpotato.com/2024/04/11/a-rose-is-but-a-rose-unless-its-tattoo-ed/

NOTES:
1. Known as Eid al-Fitr (holiday of breaking of fast) internationally. Celebrated by Muslims. wikipedia

And The Best Scones in Town Winner is

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

“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.

The strawberry jam and butter.

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 singing for her supper…tea?

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 unusual Cheddar and Scallion scone and sambal

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/

SCONES ANYONE?

/ Alan Atkinson / 1 Comment

It was another day in the sun, though not as hot like the past few days. There was a fairly cool light breeze blowing off and on during the endurance of my  1 hour and 53 minute walk. As I reached back home, after completing the 11.05km walk; the sky opened with an unexpected heavy downpour of rain. The rain was welcomed as it helped bring the weather temperature down a notch or two.

Just as I sat at my workstation to get some work done, I got a call from my cousin, Christopher. “Are you free for coffee at 2.00pm? I will come and pick you up. We will go to someplace different as Jings is closed for today”, he said. Jings is our favourite nearby go-to place for coffee these days.

I straight away said, “yes”; though I was about to get behind the screen or screens ( 2 computers, 2 smartphones and a 24 inch monitor). I am a strong advocate that the next moment that is I front of us, that has not passed us by yet; is the future. The future is adventure like in the TV series, “Star Trek”.

Chris said he will swing by to pick me up in front of New Apollos restaurant.

“Chris, where are you taking me to this time? Surprise me”, I  said. He smiled and drove towards SS15, Subang Jaya. As we made a right turn at the bend, going under the short tunnel, heading towards the SS15 town centre; he flicked the car turn indicator to the left, intending to make a left turn towards SS17. I heard that there were several cafes in that area, all of which I had not been to, yet.

He stopped and parked his car in front of “Good Ground Bakery”. I was not expecting anything much from here because this area is generally very quiet. As we got in, we were greeted with a very bright, well-lit place. There was a wide display counter which took up about 70% of the width of the shop. In this counter, many different cakes were displayed. In fact the counter is “L”-shaped, with more of their cakes and other pastries displayed there.

The seating area for about 40 people were a few tables at the entrance of the bakery, and the rest of the tables lined against the wall, right to the back of the shop. Now, this is a bakery, not a cafe. Their primary business is to cater to the needs of “order, collect and go” customers. However, almost all the tables, but for one; were taken. So, lucky us for that one table left.

We ordered our usual, where Chris had a green tea, and I, an Americano, hot. It had been raining the whole afternoon and the weather was kind of chilly. The air-conditioning in the bakery was quite strongly adding to the coldness, too.

Chris then ordered a scone. When it came, he said it was for me. I thought he ordered it for himself. By this time, we had moved to the table at the front of the bakery. It offered a bit more all round space.

Having “pindah” (Bahasa Malaysia for “shift”) table, we now have more space around us.

The scone was served with strawberry jam and butter. First of all, this is one of the largest scones served when compared to any other bakery or café. It had a nice, evenly, light brown crust top. The sides were evenly baked. Some of the raisins could be seen at the top of the scone.

I cut through the scone for a bite-size piece. The piece stayed firm, crumbled only a little bit. When I put some of the strawberry jam and butter on the piece, it still held firm. The taste…

The taste… When I ate that piece… Now, this is truly a scone. It was simply delicious. The rich taste of the scone. I could sense all the ingredients coming together, blending; to create this wonderful taste of the scone. When I added a little butter and strawberry jam to it, it was ooo-la-la!

Each cut piece with the butter and strawberry jam, was as good as the last piece before it. The taste was evenly spread out. I had a couple of pieces without the butter and strawberry – it was simply great. Towards the end of the scone, it had already more or less cooled down to room temperature, the taste or perhaps the value if I could put a number to it; still was a delight to eat.

The price for this scone? RM9 or US$1.92.

The reflection of “Good Ground” in the coffee.

The Americano, I guess was ok. It is another was of saying coffee, black; or the well-known term at local coffee shops and kopitiams: “kopi-o”. This place is not primarily a cafe. However, according to Chris, they sell some expensive blends of teas in what look like 6 inch x 6 inch boxes that you can buy for home consumption. Chris likes the tea here.

Notice the tea boxes (in various colours) in the lower shelf.

The beverage menu.

Chris’ little glass teapot with a teabag in it.

Chris is a regular at Good Ground Bakery. Being an avid reader, he comes here to read a book and at the same time, enjoy drinking tea. The ambience and quiet this bakery has to offer, makes it conducive for readers like Chris. I noticed a few people reading books here, while others managed to get some work (I presume it is work) done. I think I will visit here more often when I feel the need of different ambience and scenery to be inspired while working.

An idea of their decor. Towards the left of the lady sitting down, are a few rows of books and magazines which I believe customers can pick out something for their reading pleasure.

Against their main wall are shelves with items of decorations, items for sale, and, books and magazines. Real books and magazines, ones where you can flip through pages, with printed words and pictures. I think this is a great encouragement to take time off the screen, be it the computer or smartphone, and enjoy the turning of the next page, or the sound of pages flipping, reading some cute captions, or just enjoy looking at the colour photos in them.

If you are in the neighbourhood of SS17, and want a good coffee or tea and a scone to go with it; with a nice ambience and some quiet, drop by at Good Ground Bakery. Who knows? We may meet and you can have a chat with me, perhaps give me ideas for the book that I am writing.