The Front Door @ Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur

Since decades ago, it is a common sight to see Jalan Sultan, the heritage lane of Chinatown, bursting with local street food vendors, Chinese tea houses, and patrons who look like they are from years gone by. As trend changes, this culturally rich town has been given a facelift and is now a popular place among young cafe hoppers for a good cup of coffee.

Some may enjoy sunbathing during a pleasant afternoon, but I prefer having a chilling midday over cups of coffee with some friends at The Front Door Cafe which is tucked in a magnificent neo-classical three-storey building built since 1931. 

The cafe is a brainchild of 4 young friends whose one of the father is the owner of Grocer's Inn, the famous backpacker hostel located above this eatery. 

The Front Door oozes with heritage charm as the atmosphere evokes an old era that has remained timeless. Young, technology-savvy patrons can rejoice as the minimalist decor and monotonous graffiti wall make the place very Instagram-worthy.

Love the idea of having exposed, raw brick walls and recycled items as some of the furniture there!

Here you can get your coffee fix from the hot and cold varieties which are pegged at a price as low as RM3 each. And pair it with a heavenly slice of cake made freshly by a friend of the owner, especially the house special Apple Crumble Cake! 

COFFEE

Complimentary sky juice and cutlery are hung on the wall, for the sake of saving space and allowing more convenience to the customers. 

Latte @ RM9

  Mocha @ RM10

Honestly, coffee here is nothing to shout about. If I were to revisit this cafe, I'd definitely opt for the premium Dilmah tea selection that comes in unique flavours such as Rose in French Vanilla or Lively Lime and Orange.

SAVOURY

The Front Door Signature Toasts

(1 slice at RM6, 3 slices at RM18, 5 slices at RM25)

Taking the centre stage of the menu are the signature toasts which the young owner have racked their brains to come up with 10 types of open-faced sandwiches with savoury and sweet toppings, such as the meatless sandwich (Cream Cheese, Asparagus, Sautéed Mushroom, Hard-Boiled Egg) and the crowd's favourite Beef Bacon, Lettuce, Cheddar and Cherry Tomato.

If you're not a bread person, fret not because the cafe offers an array of pasta (Pesto, aglio olio, carbonara) as well as hearty breakfast platter for those who need a boost of energy during the day. 

Honey, Cheddar, Beef Bacon, Strawberry
Simultaneously sweet and savoury!

Cream Cheese, Cucumber Ribbon, Smoked Salmon, Capers
This one tastes so fresh and light!

Pesto, Grilled Chicken, Caramelized Orange

If you love the basil aroma of pesto, the toast will have you hooked the minute you get a whiff of the dish's robust aroma before it tantalizes your taste buds with a refreshing touch of orange. 

Pizza Sauce, Mozzarella, Beef Pepperoni, Fresh Basil

Fancy pizza? Here's a healthier version of it!

Cream Cheese, Sliced Avocado, Fried Egg

For the savoury toasts, each slice of fluffy rye bread is sauced up and piled high with unique combinations of meat, vegetables, fruits and more. Whether you love beef, chicken, salmon or egg, surely there is one type of toast that suits your liking!

SWEET

Mozzarella, Green Apple, Almonds, Salted Caramel

Cheddar, Jam, Strawberry

Peanut Butter, Caramelized Banana

Sweet toppings are also commonly used in this comfort food creation by the creative minds behind The Front Door. You'll be surprised by the heightened level of taste and texture by having fresh fruits such as green apple, strawberry and caramelized banana! Be sure to enjoy it while hot before it turns soggy.

DESSERT

Tiramisu @ RM12

Our meal does not end quite well as the cake is slightly disappointing. Frankly I'm a true fan of tiramisu. And wherever I go, I would definitely try out the tiramisu cake. However, this Italian classic served here is lacking of strong coffee aroma and too sweet for my liking. I'd appreciate it if the cake can be softer and creamier.


Verdict:
1. A very interesting concept of open-faced sandwiches! And I love them because I can eat toasty bread and the roof of my mouth doesn't suffer :)
2. Portion wise, it is satisfying with generous application of toppings. 3 to 4 slices of the signature toast is sufficient to make us stuffed to the brim!
3. If you have a taste for the old charm and modern interpretation of toasted sandwiches, The Front Door is the right place to visit. 

The Front Door
Grocer's Inn
78, Jalan Sultan,
50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 6012-788 6844
Email: thefrontdoorcafe@gmail.com
Facebook: fb.com/pages/The-Front-Door/1444754155788829
Instagram: @thefrontdoorkl
Business Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 10am - 6pm
Fri - Sun: 10am – 9.30pm