The Loaf

Ever since they opened their second branch at Pavilion, the Loaf has been packed at all hours. Throngs of people are curious about the bakery cum bistro owned by our former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahatir Mohamad and Jiro Suzuki. You’ll see locals, foreign tourists especially the Japanese visiting the bakery. The place is split into a few floors at the side of the mall – one level is the restaurant dining, another is the bakery and the last level faces the street level of Jalan Bukit Bintang where the pastries are found. Helmed by a famous Japanese baker, Yukici Matsubara, the pastries here uses Japanese techniques.

Located at the fourth floor of the mall, the bistro is quieter as the crowd is located at the third floor where the pastries are on sale. Most patrons who buy the pastries will sit within the third floor level within the mall or outside in the open area under shady umbrellas. At the bistro, you can dine for breakfast until 11am. Breakfast has a selection of American, Continental choices and even Tun Dr Mahatir’s favourite – spicy lamb or beef curry served with soft boiled eggs and toast. The menu is pretty extensive with a selection of soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches and burgers and main courses to cater for dinner.

Start with their Broccoli Cream and Asparagus (RM22) which is served in a small Gorgonzola Bread Bowl. The light but creamy soup is only a few mouthfuls but what fills you up is the delicious bread encasing it. You’ll end up scraping every crumb of the bread bowl with its crusty exterior. For a lighter alternative, try the Blue Tuna Carpaccio (RM28) – wafer thin slices of fresh tuna mixed with mango salsa served on top of a bed of lettuce leaves. Even though the menu states a balsamic dressing with the salad, there’s not much trace of the dressing which would have drowned the delicate taste of the tuna and mango salsa.

Although their Tuna Melt (RM20) came highly recommended, it felt pretty ordinary with the slightly cold tuna mayonnaise and melted cheese topping. What was good about it was the chunk of crusty fresh bread it was served with which was quite filling. A must-try is their Cajun Lobster Pasta (RM44) - spaghetti tossed in a cajun spiced tomato sauce of marinated bell peppers, sun dried tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes with fresh lobster meat and roe. A light hand is used for the Cajun spice which does not overpower the sweet taste of the marinated bell peppers and tomatoes.

Even though prices here are slightly higher than other bistros, there is no compromise on the quality of ingredients used. If you’re seeking privacy though, this may not be the best place to dine as tables are placed quite near to each other. Service is impeccable especially since they just opened for a few weeks with well trained staff who are knowledgable of the each item on the menu.

Address Lot 3.13.00 & 4.12.02, Level 3 and 4, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur Train Bukit Bintang (Monorail) Tel 03–2145 3036 Open 10am to 10pm Cuisine Type Western (Halal) Price Range RM50 to RM70 Credit Cards Mastercard, Visa Smoking Yes Food 3/5 Service 4/5 Order this Blue Tuna Carpaccio, Cajun Lobster Pasta Skip This N/A

TEXT & PHOTOS KY LEE