Lai Po Heen at Mandarin Oriental Welcomes Chef Thomas Fong from Doha
April 24th, 2024
No Longer in Operation.
One of December’s most delightful discoveries, this Damansara Utama cafe shoots straight to the top of the class with a back-to-school vibe that’s colorfully charming and whimsically evocative.
The owners of Ecole P have done their homework, flooding this space with detail-crammed chalkboards, tables and stools that might remind many Malaysians of their primary school years.
Ecole P marks a collaboration by Steven Heng and Ilrene Tee, both alumni of Taylor’s University’s hospitality courses who’ve sought to create a cafe where the carefree innocence and imagination of childhood spring stirringly back to life.
The counter here is chock-full of snacks, sweets and assorted junk food, equipped exactly like the best school cafeteria, while the shelves are well-stocked with writing utensils, revision booklets and even tiny trophies (highest achievement in mathematics?).
A salad comes served with savory-sugary haw flakes, plus a Spongebob backpack and a case that opens to reveal cutlery instead of color pencils.
Ecole P’s soft-launch menu remains limited, but top marks must be handed to the fried rice with salted egg yolk crumble, green peas and deliciously juicy chicken chop. Prices are fair; the salad and rice constitute a set lunch that costs RM18.80 nett.
Love the presentation for the beverages; this peanut butter smoothie, mixed with ice cream and tiramisu lady fingers for a textural grit, proves worth its many calories.
Penang’s Lighthouse Coffee forms the foundation for Ecole P’s lattes.
Our report card for Ecole P (‘Ecole’ is French for school; the ‘P’ stands for primary): A distinctive effort with thoughtfully prepared food. Keep up the very nice work.
Ecole P
First Floor, 19, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Open 11am-10pm, except Thursdays.
Tel: 03-7732-9711
Find Ecole P’s directory listing here.