This was not a planned visit. If you are familiar with PJ Palms Sports Centre, you would know that besides swimming and other recreational activities, this sport centre is also home to several hidden gems like Jam & Kaya cafe and Out of Africa, a South African restaurant. My purpose of visiting this time, was to check out their recent addition, Pah the Baker … which sadly did not happen.
Why? Their operational hours changed and while they updated their social media, they failed to do so on their Google page. So, I ended up at their doorstep, looking forward to having some sandwiches and pancakes only to realize they do not open for lunch on weekdays. Haiyaaaaaa.
Change of plans. Since it has been years since we last visited Jam & Kaya Cafe, we decided to have lunch there instead.
(To those of you who do not know where PJ Palms Sport Centre is – it is within walking distance from Amcorp Mall and nestled within the same row shops as the iconic, PJ’s Oldest A&W drive thru outlet).
Yup, the ambiance and vibe this eatery oozes still is the same despite years having passed. Its quaint appearance, resembling a cottage, adds a touch of uniqueness within the sports complex. Upon entering, one is pleasantly surprised by the bustling crowd, a testament to its enduring popularity. I immediately feel at ease here – it is comfortable and calm.
Menu
Lunch Set : Kimchi Fried Rice + Ice Lemon Tea + Mini Brownie with Ice Cream = RM 23
On top of their regular Lunch Set items, they also occasionally offer additional dishes. On the day of my visit, they had Kimchi Fried Rice as one of the featured dishes. Although the dish was satisfying and somewhat flavorful, the kimchi taste was milder than expected, which was disappointing. However, apart from that, there were no other complaints. The fried rice was served on a bed of egg and accompanied by three pieces of chicken gyoza, which were delicious. The gyoza had a generous amount of meat and a pleasant flavor.
The brownie was delectable, particularly when paired with the ice cream. Soft and decadent it was, pleasantly sweet. It exceeded my expectations, especially in terms of size. The brownie we enjoyed was a miniature version, resembling a full-sized brownie served at other cafes. It leaves me wondering what their regular-sized brownie would be like.
Pesto Chicken Spaghetti, RM 22.70
This pasta dish was truly delightful. If you have a preference for a moist and creamy pasta with a delectable hint of pesto, this pesto pasta will certainly cater to your taste buds, as it did for me. Besides the pasta, the dish also included a generous portion of boneless chicken, chicken ham, and mushrooms. A likeable dish indeed.
As we finished our meal, we couldn’t help but appreciate the overall ambiance and service of the restaurant. Despite the slight blunder with the fried rice, the attentive staff and other dishes made our dining experience enjoyable.
Address: PJ Palms Sports Centre, 1, Lorong Sultan, PJ New Town, PJ.
Opening hours: Tue – Fri, 10 am – 6 pm. Weekends, 9 am – 6 pm. Mondays Closed.
Signing out now, Ciao.
