Bangsar South is fast becoming a hub for food and coffee, given the recent opening of restaurants and cafés including the renowned Forty Hands Coffee from Singapore. Jien has been eyeing this place since we caught wind of its opening some time in February this year and finally got down to checking them out last month.
Interior
The place gets pretty packed on weekends so it’s best to go early (think brunch) or be prepared to wait a little for a table to free up. I like the service here – fairly attentive and the folks are helpful, especially if you need some help with recommendations. Since it’s Forty Hands Coffee we’re talking about, I have high expectations when it comes to their coffee as they get their beans from their sister café; .
Hot mocha
Skip their juices
I had a hot mocha on my first visit and found it pleasant enough – brownie points for the barista on duty that afternoon, for making me a different coffee art (sorry I thought it was a donkey when you intended for it to be a camel!).
40 Hands Cubanos
Hearty stuff
40 Hands Cubanos (RM28) is worth trying if you’re looking for something more substantial at Forty Hands Coffee. You get a hearty sandwich of mojo pork, honey-smoked ham, mayonnaise, mustard and jalapenos between a crusty baguette with Parmesan cheese. I liked the combination as there’s plenty of flavour from the ham and a good kick from the pickled jalapenos.
Salmon Hash
Mediocre at best
On our second visit, I went for one of their popular items – Salmon Hash (RM26). Not so good, as I found this rather bland and one-dimensional. The creamy potato mustard sauce didn’t do much to accentuate the salmon, and I found it a bit cloying after a while because of the lack of character.
Big Boy Breakfast
Not-so-runny poached egg
Jien’s Big Boy Breakfast (RM30) was better but still pretty average if you asked me. The breakfast comes with pork sausage, grilled tomato, mushroom ragout, pork bacon and flat bread, with your choice of eggs. He opted for the poached egg, which turned out poorly made. It was overdone and there wasn’t much liquid-factor in the yolk.
Perhaps it was our unlucky day for we were there at 11am and their head chef apparently comes in around noon. Or so I was told by an acquaintance who frequents Forty Hands. Skip the Homemade Granola (RM15) as it wasn’t much to shout about – I got to try a spoonful from a friend we bumped into during our first visit.
Truffle Fries
I do like their Truffle Fries (RM12) thought it’s just basic fries with truffle oil. It’s a great sharing item and one I cannot resist ordering when I see it on the menu. The one at Forty Hands Coffee isn’t fantastic but it’s good (and reasonable) enough to nibble on.
Lattee
The latte we had during our second visit was particularly disappointing and definitely off-tune from what I’d expect from the beans of Common Man Coffee Roasters. It tasted bitter; and the burnt-bitter kind rather than the aromatic, smooth coffee I was expecting.
Overall, we like the ambience at Forty Hands Coffee but note that the seats by the windows get pretty warm mid-afternoon. Food is average at best but I’d come back for their Cubanos. I reckon there might be a consistency issue with their coffee as it was pretty foul on my second visit. Will have to go back again for a coffee fix when I’m in the area to see if it’s just a teething issue.
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Ambience: 6.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Order the 40 Hands Cubanos if you want a bite with your coffee.
Forty Hands Coffee
Unit G-6, The Sphere
No.8 Jalan Kerinchi
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2732 0855
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