Monday, July 21, 2008

Ochacha @ The Gardens

It has been scientifically proven that this energy (in form of light, with wavelengths between 520 to 570 nanometers) provides a calming effect. Perhaps this is the reason why we are advised to take some time off to absorb in the sights of greenery surrounding us after spending the millionth minute in front of our computers.

Let’s see this from a wider perspective. If the above paragraph is true, then Ochacha must be striking all the right chords with its desserts. Theoretically.

Why?
Simple.
It’s green and it’s sweet.
The essential sedates.

Green is also the colour of a promise. That a revisit in KL is a must after a not so optimistic experience at the Raffles City branch in Singapore. And a revisit turned revisits, by chance.

On the first visit, the U Call This Tiramisu (RM8.00) didn’t taste as interesting as the name. A cuppa mildly sweet and rich cream dusted with a thin layer of matcha powder, you really call this a tiramisu?? The subsequent visit, however, did offer a sweeter version, with a denser matcha layer to boost. An idealistic dessert that will trigger salivation, if done well.

With bits of nuts, the moist Topsy Curvy Brownie (RM7.00) was nice in terms of texture. As for the taste, it was sweet. Nothing more, nothing less. The supposedly cheese/matcha cream topping was rather bland and that really lowered the matchaistic integrity of this dessert. The bright side being the ever-attentive/informative staff that asked for the patrons’ opinions on the desserts. Hopefully, the taste has improved since.

Having missed the Matcha Azuki (RM9.00) in Singapore, it was only right to try out this signature cake on the revisits. The ensemble of the matcha sponge, cream and azuki paste layers was a smart and pretty sight. While the slight crumbly texture was appreciated, the cake was just plain sweet. The taste of matcha was rather faint, albeit the beautiful, lush green.

Like how the Joker and Harvey Dent overshadowed the Dark Knight, the beverages (they call it Thirstier) definitely surpassed the cakes in terms of taste, or specifically, machaism. A sip of the Ochacha Latte (RM10.50) revealed a subtly bitter, aromatic matcha flavour, embodied by a cup of warm milk. With a touch of sweetness, it was bliss. A personal favourite, definitely. A chilled version would have been good as well.

If tranquility is the green of the mind and trees are nowhere to be found through your window, the matcha latte may come in handy.

Ochacha
T237A, The Gardens
Mid Valley
Kuala Lumpur.

19 comments:

wmw said...

Yet to try...usually too stuffed from having my main meals from the restaurants there :o)

Ciki said...

do you have green fingers? then you cld plant some green tea... oooo, i am green w envy!

go green :D

J2Kfm said...

I'm seeing green after viewing your post. :)
but the shots made the food looks tempting enough. does the green powder stain your teeth/tongue?>

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

so the kl 1 better then the sg 1?

the only complaint is the tea aint hot enough for some reason..

Kenny Mah said...

Tried this after The Double Birthday celebration last month and I thought while it was so-so, it was a fun, relaxing experience. Esp. when it's near closing time and there weren't anyone else around.

Did you take a Polaroid of yourself to pin on their FunWall? I actually saw a pic of someone I dated once there. Small world... LOL

Lyrical Lemongrass said...

Actually, there are some gems in Ochacha. Sadly the absence of patrons is noticeable. It is even more obvious in the Pavilion outlet.

ling239 said...

Ochacha Latte would be my choice too ~ ^_^

fatboybakes said...

wow, cant match that range of matcha.
i was just thinking, as i was making green tea chiffon on saturday, that green tea cake, for example, is oridi so distinct, that it probably needs pairing with something more insipid... or it'll be like clash of the titans.

Big Boys Oven said...

Sounds good, taste good . . .looks good too, . . . so green and so wanting!

choi yen said...

I think I can getting fat by just looking at all ur sweet photos ~.~
(3 posts liao~~~)

Live2Talk said...

Did you also wear green to match the theme? A green thongs will suit your sweet mood :p

Christine said...

i had their green tea rocky with soya..awesome..but their matcha azuki in pavillion is just oversweeten for me..agreed with lyrical the absence of patron..

ai wei said...

azuki didn't get my vote either as i prefer the strawberry matcha cake which tastes sourish~

i do love this place in green. looks simple but comfy~

Jason said...

Me yet to try too but yes, the Pavilion outlet is a bit sad.

HairyBerry said...

wmw, haha, true! then again, do check it out cos the matcha latte's kinda nice. kinda like a dessert lar...hehe...

cumi & ciki, green fingers. definitely not! LOL! i will be happy if i can keep a cactus alive for more than a month..haha! yes, we all should go green! ;)

j2kfm, haha, i didnt realise how green the post was until i read your comment! haha! stain? hmmm, didnt really notice but i guess no, cos if it does, my friend would have told me, i guess...hehe

joe, errr, well, i ordered different things at both locations but i guess the matcha freeze was good in city hall and the matcha latte's good at the gardens.

the tea not hot enough? hmmm....

kenny, yupe, the cakes were just so-so, i thought. but the drinks were good! dontcha just lurve those comfy chairs? hehe...

oh, i din know about the polaroid thingy! FunWall? as in the FB one? or the real one? haha! so nice to see a pic of someone you dated before! i'm green with envy! ;)

lyrical lemongrass, yupe, like that almost tiramisy thingy...but the drinks are still the best lar, for me. and i agree on the absence of patrons. the ambiance is nice and kinda calm as compared to some coffee chains.

ling239, yupe, yupe! mine as well! the latte really complemented the bitterness of the matcha well. slightly bitter, nice! ;)

HairyBerry said...

fatboybakes, oh!!!! that reminds me of that gorgeous matcha roll you made last time! well, like your previous masterpiece, just put on a slab of fresh cream and azuki bean! it'll taste fabulous...oh, how about some mango/strawberry pieces? that'll be great as well!

big boys oven, yupe, the desserts do look good, dont they? if they add your matcha macaroons into the menu, it'll be perfect! wah, salivating d...hehehe...

mimi, aiyoh, like that ar? hehe...you must be prepared cos i still have a lot more desserts to post. in fact, i'm going to post only desserts this july...hehe...btw, i'm getting fat as well...hehehe...

live2talk, haha! din think of that...well, i forgot what i wore but definitely not green. hmmm, why does incredible hulk comes to mind? haha!

christine, ohhh, the rocky's good? will check it out the next time i'm around. thanks for the tip! ;)yupe, i thought the cakes were just so-so. even the pavilion's branch is sorta empty...haiz....

ai wei, oh, i've not tried the strawberry version. seems like you like it, eh? tried the black sesame version?

and yest, it was definitely comfy! the power of the green..hehe

jason, i think the one at the gardens should be the same as well. do check it out! my recommendation (haha, me thinks it's pretty obvious already)...the matcha latte! let us know what you think, ok? ;)

His Food Blog said...

I have to say you photos are really getting very good. Keep it up!!!

Unknown said...

nice! some of the desserts are only available in their KL branch, and not in Singapore.

cheers
ladyironchef

HairyBerry said...

hisfoodblog, thanks for the compliment! really appreciate that! i will work harder! hehehehe...

brad, thanks for the information! i didnt know that...hehehe...i cant recall if the one at raffles city has matcha latte or not..will need to revisit to confirm.. ;)