Review: Mesa on 51
February 12th, 2025
The Lake Fields neighbourhood might seem a bit off the beaten track, but it’s barely a 10-minute drive from Bukit Jalil, making Bites Cafe convenient enough to visit, especially in the evening & on weekends, when parking should be easier in this enclave that’s crowded with commercial outlets.
Bites is blessed with a bright, cheerful charm; its founders have infused some cool personal touches into the setting – from the walls to the floors, plenty of care has clearly been taken in crafting this cafe, selecting everything from the chairs to the tables & furnishing each cosy corner. It’s lovely work that makes for a pleasant place.
Grab a seat by the portraits & posters hanging all along one side of Bites – we like the Back To The Future trilogy of pieces.
Keep it down – the bears are snoozing. These furry critters have been popping up in a couple of KL’s cafes this year.
Bites is all about the brunch, with 15 all-day-breakfast dishes on the opening page of the menu, including a breakfast pizza topped beautifully with a sunny-side-up, beef bacon, baked beans, baby spinach, mushrooms & cheese (the crust could be thinner, but we like how the serving’s substantial enough to share, especially since it costs only RM13.90).
Savoury waffles with another temptingly runny egg, grilled chicken, melted cheese, mushroom sauce, fries & a side salad (pretty hearty comfort food; the sauce is a little one-dimensional in flavour, but this feels reasonably priced at RM15.90).
Another creamy creation, the Japanese chicken curry (RM14.90) – thick with carrots & potatoes – with steamed rice (would be even more satisfying if it were Japanese rice, but that might elevate the price too much) & egg (choose poached or fried). Breakfast burritos, French toast, frittatas & rosti are all available too.
Bites serves a generously filled wrap that’s our favourite option here, plump with fresh veggies (including chunks of avocado), plus an optional add-on of smoked salmon, drizzled with a kitchen-prepared gooseberry-&-orange sauce. Definitely enjoyable.
Also, a unique affogato with an artisan flourish: The Last Polka’s pandan kaya ice cream. A worthy bargain for RM9.90.
Coffee lovers need not fear – there’s no lack of caffeine here. Many thanks to Robin & his team for hosting this likeable lunch.
Bites Cafe
72 Jalan Tasik Utama 7, Lake Fields, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 9055 4438
Open daily, 9am-10pm (till 11pm on Fridays & Saturdays)
Find: Bites Cafe directory page here.