Update: This business has ceased its operations.
Fei Brew Cafe (啡) is a new café at Bayan Point, situated directly behind the former premises of Alora Hotel. The small eatery is under the same management as Xiang Yun Vegetarian House several doors away.
Occupying the first floor of the building, Fei Brew Cafe presents a relaxing atmosphere through the use of live plants and warm lamps. Besides proper dining tables, there are also a cozy couch and a counter next to the window. Overall, the café is a great place to hang out with friends while enjoying a cup of joe.
Coffee is the focal point of this café. My meal kicks off with Mocha (RM13.00), which comprises of espresso, milk and chocolate syrup. At Fei Brew Cafe, espresso coffee is extracted from a blend of Costa Rica beans.
Fei Brew Cafe offers filtered coffee too. Customers can choose between hand-dripped and siphon brewing techniques. Two vessels are used for siphon brewing: the upper vessel contains ground coffee, while the lower one contains water. As water boils, vapor pressure forces it up to the upper vessel. Once extraction is complete, heat is removed so that brewed coffee is pulled back to the lower vessel.
Single-origin coffee is generally preferred for filtered coffee. Popular choices are Ethiopia Washed Yirgacheffe and Sumatra Gayo Full Natural; I opted for the former. The light bodied coffee carries berry undertones amid fragrant aroma reminiscent of flowers.
Besides coffee, the café also has non-caffeinated beverages like fruit juices, smoothies and floral teas. For instance, Pink Perfection (RM12.00) is concocted from watermelon, orange, strawberries and blueberries. Blended from actual fruits, the pink-colored juice does a great job in quenching thirst.
As for food, Fei Brew Cafe serves a handful of vegetarian dishes too. Soup With Puff Pastry (RM9.00) is the perfect starter. Prepared from vegetables and hericium mushrooms, the soup has a creamy and mushy consistency. Croissant-like puff pastry on top helps to keep the soup warm.
If you prefer something more filling, Authentic Peranakan Ulam Rice (RM14.00) is highly recommended. This rice dish combines basmati rice with shredded herbs like wild betel leaves, basil, torch ginger, kaffir lime leaves and mint. Side items are acar awak (pickled cucumber and carrots), vegetarian anchovies, hard-boiled eggs and chili paste.
Sambal Petai Mini Burgers (RM14.00) come in three pieces per set. The sambal petai “patty” strikes a balance between sweet and spicy flavors. Vegetarian meat imitates the texture and savory taste of dried shrimps. The burgers also contain romaine lettuce and hard-boiled eggs.
Moving on to desserts, Mango Grapefruit Sago (RM10.00) is essentially mango-flavored yogurt with chunks of mango, grapefruit and translucent sago pearls. The gentle sweetness of this chilled dessert is punctuated by the grapefruit’s piquant taste.
Fei Brew Cafe offers homemade cakes like Lemon Poppyseed Cake (RM12.00). I enjoy the refreshing scent of lemons as the cake makes its way to my mouth. The cake’s crumbly texture makes every morsel scrumptious indeed.
Combining great taste with reasonable prices, Fei Brew Cafe is a great eatery for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The food menu is somewhat limited as the café is barely open for 2 months. However, more dishes will be introduced in due time.
Name: Fei Brew Cafe (啡)
Address: 17-1-29, Medan Kampung Relau, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-496-8085
Business hours: 11:00am-9:30pm, closed on Tuesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FeiBrewCafe
Coordinates: 5.33317 N, 100.29434 E
Directions: From Jalan Kampung Relau, drive along the front of Alora Hotel, then turn around to the next row immediately behind the hotel. Fei Brew Cafe is located on the left side of this road. Private parking spaces are available along both sides of the road.