Whenever I am in the mood for Coffee and good food and I want to find a nice place to chill out over dinner, the first place that comes to mind is somewhere that is not crowded and easy parking. Situated at 18 Lorong Maarof Bangsar Park, this charming enclave serves as the ideal location for diners to enjoy their meals peacefully. 


Ambience
We went down on a Saturday night at around 6.30 pm and surprisingly it wasn’t difficult to find a parking lot. In fact, there were quite a few empty lots near the restaurant. After stepping through the classy glass doors, we were immediately greeted by a tempting array of coffee choices, along with a row of classic-looking interiors. The restaurant is flanked by a large glass wall on one side. Alfresco dining is available as well if you wish to smoke after meals. The soft music and beautiful interiors gives the restaurant a unique rustic feel, while still providing a relaxing and air-conditioned environment for patrons to dine comfortably.


Food
I was enjoying the ambience of the restaurant so much that the waiter had to remind me to order food. Since we went in a large group, My friends and I were able to sample a larger variety of food.

Spaghetti Prawn Aglio E Olio RM 31

Several of the items on the food menu were listed with a green leaf on the side, and I assumed these were the chef’s recommendations. I ordered the Prawn Aglio Olio as it sounded the most appetizing to me (how can anyone not be tempted by Prawn, pasta with Italian Herbs) After taking my first mouthful, my first reaction was to turn with wide eyes and exclaim: “Wow they serve pretty good food too!”.  Not only was the ambience great, the food was nice as well. This other pasta dishes offers you an interesting and rich mix of delicious ingredients  served in creamy tomato sauce. No wonder it was highlighted in the menu. I enjoyed this dish but towards the end I found it a tad too rich. But I guess this was by virtue of it being a pasta meal and pastas tend to be a little heavy/rich.

Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Au Jus
Grilled Australian Lamb served on a bed of Green pea Puree, asparagus spears, avocado salsa and jus. 

Other than the Prawn Aglio Olio, I managed to sample this dish as well: Grilled Lamb. This simple two-syllable name belies the savoury taste of the lamb. Luckily, the description does it some justice: the succulent and juicy grilled lamb is covered in a thick layer of flavours. The meat is wonderfully tender and moist, and goes nicely with the sauce. I guess you just can’t go wrong with the Grilled Lamb.

The coffee is served only in its purest form — espresso, espresso with milk, brewed coffee or the latest fad in coffee everywhere it seems, smooth, slinky brew. The open lay-out allows you to watch the expert baristas at work, and the making of the daily brew (RM5) involves scales and thermometers to ensure the right ratio and water temperature. A sip confirms there is no need for flavoured syrups or whipped toppings, as the coffee is richly flavoured with no bitter aftertaste — try it and you may never go back to other version.

Conclusion: Wonderful Ambience and Nice Food. Great place to chill out!
This was the perfect place to celebrate my little niece’s birthday. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was captivated by its ambience. The soft lighting, relaxing music and rustic décor make this the perfect place for hanging out with friends and loved ones. The restaurant also serves nice food. The next time you are thinking of the ideal place for a romantic date or friends’ gathering, be sure to keep Cafe Barbera.