At Big Bro 2 in Johor Baru, two brothers use meat cuts in their menu, writes Peggy Loh
AFTER years of pursuing their individual culinary careers, brothers Brian and Sam Soon recently joined forces by pooling their skills and experience to present diners with the culinary creations of two chefs instead of one at Big Bro 2.
NO-FRILLS CONCEPT
Opened in a commercial square of a city suburb, the family-friendly cafe has a no-frills approach reflected in its furnishings. The long wooden tables for convivial dining were created from disused wooden pallets and varnished into a smooth sheen.
Big Bro 2 aims to revive the kopitiam concept where regulars, familiar with the routine of self-service, can help themselves to the drinks before putting the items on the bill.
As diners select from canned and bottled soft drinks and beer or homebrewed herbal tea chilled in an open ice trough, I’m reminded of a bygone era of how regulars used to do likewise from our friendly, neighbourhood provision shop!
In those days, a bottle-opener may be hung from a convenient spot for customers to pop open their fizzy bottled drinks and pick up a straw to sip their beverages.
Brian points to rows of stainless steel mugs, hung on a rack, and shows me how diners should help themselves to ice-cubes from the freezer box and straws.
At the back of the dining hall, menus are written on two broad chalkboards in two languages — English and Chinese — for easy reference but if you must read from a hand-held menu, just ask and the waitresses will produce the menus from their wide pockets.
A glance at the menu tells me that besides the two chefs’ reputation for good food, their competitive prices must be yet another attractive reason for dining at Big Bro 2.
FAIR PRICES
I start with an appetiser of grilled mushrooms (RM12) but before it is served, the waitress places a small bowl of mushroom soup in front of me, saying it comes complimentary with main course orders.
I’m not only pleasantly surprised but very pleased with its contents and flavour as I taste thin slices of mushrooms in every spoonful.
Meanwhile, I’m keeping an eagle eye on the items coming out of the kitchen and watch as other diners are served main courses ranging from Angus Ribeye (RM68) and Grilled Lamb Rack (RM50) to Chicken Cordon Bleu (RM21).
“Spinach is one of my favourite vegetables and we decided to use these fresh greens to complement our meat dishes,” said Brian, who prefers to use local produce in the menu.He also assures me that their own-made sausages in a range of flavours, are created from his own recipe which favours more meat than other ingredients. You may opt for lighter meals like Fish & Chips (RM17), Chicken Ala Picatta (RM17), Pork Chop (RM18) and pasta in Carbonara (RM15) or Aglio Olio (RM13) sauces.
The brothers often introduce new items as specials and I’m happy to sample Brian’s favourite duck dish, crispy Ubud-style Babek (duck) served with a side of perfectly steamed ladies fingers and spicy sambal terasi dip.
As I chew the crispy bits, boldly crunching bone along with meat, he tells me the serving is only half a duck and it’s so new that he has yet to price this item and place it on the menu!
I like to end my tasty meal sweetly and Brian offers dessert choices like his signature Chocolate Lava (RM6) and Creme Brule (RM6), topped by pretty marshmallows and dusted with sprinkles of icing sugar.
I lick my lips at the end of the meal and consider how their fair prices for the reasonable portions of delectable meals must be drawing diners back again and again.
BIG BRO 2 CAFE
(Non-Halal)
28 Jalan Seri Austin 1/1, Taman Seri Austin, Johor Baru, Johor
Tel: 016-7550868
HOURS: Open daily 5pm to 10.30pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, open from noon
FOOD: Western specialties with an Asian twist
PICK: Beef Steak and Lamb Rack
PAY: No GST but corkage charges apply
MOOD: No-frills contemporary cafe
SERVICE: Efficient English-speaking staff
I SAY...: Go give it a try