At an indoor garden cafe-cum-florist in Johor Baru, Peggy Loh is charmed
FOR a long time, Wong Hong Hai, better known as Sea Wong, longed to have a business that combined his passion for furniture, food and beverage, gardening, art and music.
His ventures, which started some 10 years ago, had their share of ups and downs but Wong remained true to himself. Despite temporary setbacks, he kept moving forward until he turned his dreams into reality. Behind Wong’s laid-back attitude is a steely determination to succeed.
“I’m attracted to simple things that most people overlook. I hope you like them too” is the thought he shares with diners at Flowers In The Window. I’d heard so much about this indoor garden cafe that I had to experience it for myself.
I head for the city’s heritage quarter and, as I hold that spade designed into a door handle to open the cafe door, I discover that its gray facade belies the charming garden within.
A LONG WAY
This young Johor entrepreneur has come a long way since he took the brave step to open Roost Juice Bar, a retro-themed cafe at Jalan Dhoby in Johor Baru’s heritage quarter, in 2005. Besides light meals, cold-pressed juices and chilled fruity yoghurt drinks, Roost became popular for his mother’s recipe Hainanese beef noodles.
Wong recreated Roost’s laid-back attitude in Roost Repurposed & Recycled Salad Bar, his next outlet at the corner of Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Trus. As its name suggested, the furnishing here was handmade from recycled materials by Wong.
From lampshades, shelves, tables and chairs to benches, each item was creatively repurposed into attractive and useful furnishings This was a popular chill-out destination and for art and craft events but space was limited.
Then Wong found a bungalow with a garden in Jalan Skudai to showcase his interesting furniture and to host bigger art events. He named this Sea & Saw, a destination with a garden setting. He later brought this garden concept to Roost Juice Bar and rebranded it, Flowers In The Window.
FOOD AND FLOWERS
“I’m in love with green,” says Wong when I ask him about the garden concept for the cafe. Ferns, greenery and dried flowers are strewn about, hanging aloft, adorning the walls and in pots and enamel jars.
With a clientele made up mostly of young adults, Wong aims to educate them about a sustainable lifestyle and to show them how cool it is to dine in a space surrounded by greenery.
He hopes to send the message that it’s cool to enjoy plants. Flowers In The Window is also a florist where bouquets or decorative wreaths are made to order or customers may pick from a choice of pretty posies and wreaths of ferns and flowers arranged by Wong.
I can sense the vibe in this cool indoor garden cafe where furniture is eclectic and handmade, and the food, creatively combined into freshly-made, light healthy meals, are served on enamel plates. While Wong is the master juicer who makes the fresh juices and daily signature tangy lemonade, he has some help from Holly Tan to design weekly specials.
ENGLISH TOUCH
I’m pleasantly surprised to meet Tan, who’s obviously English; Wong quickly explains that she’s the wife of his good friend. Tan brings with her a culinary experience garnered from helping her mother in their restaurant and delicatessen near Stamford, UK. She also learnt a great deal about Mediterranean food from an aunt who’s Greek.
Every morning, when Wong goes to the fresh market to shop for ingredients, he will call Tan to tell her what’s available and then discuss about the dishes they can create with such ingredients. Diners can expect five to six new and interesting items in the specials menu.
Every day, Tan bakes artisanal bread and English cakes which are sold by the slice. She uses edible flowers and herbs in the cakes and drinks. Diners with dietary requirements can inform Tan and she will prepare for them something special on-the-spot, depending on availability of ingredients and time.
LIGHT HEALTHY MEALS
Besides the printed menu of breakfast, brunch and beverage items, a separate menu — handwritten or typed on a vintage manual typewriter — lists weekly specials of light meals, drinks and English cakes.
On a sweltering day, the lemonade (RM12.90) is delicious and thirst-quenching. It certainly whets my appetite for my order of Vegetarian Breakfast (RM16), a light dish of poached eggs, cherry tomato and mushrooms on a bed of zucchini and potato rosti.
I notice lots of orders for Beef Noodles (RM14) coming out from the kitchen; this has been popular with diners since it was first introduced at Roost.
Tan’s cakes are tempting. I finally decide on a slice of Orange & Rosemary Cake (RM13), garnished with an edible flower. The texture and flavour remind me of England. As I sip my hot Latte (RM9) and nibble the yummy cake, I’m totally charmed by my experience in Flowers In The Window.
Flowers In The Window Cafe
(pork-free)
WHERE: 9 Jalan Dhoby, Johor Baru, Johor
Tel: 07-222 7489
OPENING HOURS: 10am to 9pm; closed on Tuesday
GETTING THERE: Walking distance from JB Sentral. Jalan Dhoby is off Jalan Trus in the heritage quarter
WHAT’S COOKING: Homemade light, healthy meals
MUST TRY: Creatively combined meals, English cakes and herb infused drinks
ATMOSPHERE: Charming indoor garden cafe
THE LOO: Modern toilet in prewar building
SERVICE: English-speaking staff
OVERALL VERDICT: Go give it a try