Bonjour Garden Intermark, KL

Bonjour- and i'm in Paris!

Well... i'm not actually in France but it surely felt like it. The soothing ambiance, the scent of croissant in the air and the mellow music playing in the background tricked me into believing that i was at 'La Ville-Lumiere' The City of Light, or The City of Love!

Bonjour Garden first opened its doors to customers in Kota Damansara two years ago and the outlet in Intermark marks the fifth of its kind. Helmed by the charismatic Grand Chef Yukichi Matsubara, this lifestyle-garden concept bakery and cafe offers the masterful combination of fine Japanese skills and ingredients with popular French bakery. 'Healthy', 'Creativity' and 'Japanese chefs' are the three vital elements the menu is based on- and spot the five signature bakery items known as the 5Cs in this blog post. The rustic yet refreshing look, with simple but pretty adornments, makes for a relaxing dining venue in the bustling city of KL

The outlet in Intermark.

One definitely will be spoilt for choice, given the wide array of breads and pastries on the shelves.

Caramel Cheese Raisin is one of my favourites at the bakery. The caramel cheese in its core was delicious. The raisins added sweetness to this delight. Pizza-cut and arranged on a wooden pan, i just stood and ate like a finger food.

Ciabatta (hard bread), Campagne and Cranberry Cheese (levain bread).

Who doesn't love Croissants? A chef told me that the French makes their croissants very buttery- inside, out with rich aroma of butter, while the Japanese makes layered and crispy surface. The best of both worlds are fused, making this croissant here butter-rich with crispy surface. A bite into it and you can also see the spaces in the bread.

I was actually at Paris Bonjour Garden for its launch. Unlike other events, this was the first event where i was also invited to a baking demonstration. Meet Grand Chef Matsubara here in action. His personable self made the Ciabatta demonstration fun and lively. 'If it's not perfectly baked, it's not leaving the kitchen'- one of his philosophies that guarantees only the best is served. He also mentioned that he never compromises on using quality ingredients such as flour from the region of Kyushu, Japan and in-house natural yeast made from imported raisins, one of his secrets to making good bread.

Volunteers from the crowd assisted him. Kneading the dough looks easier seen than done. He also taught us to smell the bread- a somewhat different method of measuring goodness, so don't look at me differently if i smell your food next time.

Later, Chef Shigeru Hashizume, pastry chef, demonstrated the completion of a cake. This shy chef, whose passion for culinary grew from watching the popular TV show 'Iron Chef', backpacked across Asia region: Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and India in 2011, that became part of his inspiration.

Holding this are Chef Darren Chin, chef and manager at Intermark outlet, Grand Chef Matsubara and Chef Hashizume.

Bon appetit!

Clockwise from left: 

1. Oriental Pizza (RM 24)- cute, little pizza that packs a punch. It's smoked duck breast and golden lily mango. One of my favourites!

2. The Pacific (RM18)- i enjoyed the zesty flavour mixed with the freshness of Norwegian smoked salmon and arugula. The walnut surely adds a crunch!

3. Drink.

4. Chicken Crisp (RM15)- was mouth watering. The whole-chicken patty was well marinated and the bun was unique.

I did not take photograph of the Mushroom Soup but i'd recommend it too. Tasty at every spoon- it's light and airy.

Desserts on display- before being devoured. Ain't them pretty and all dainty for Christmas. Yes, they have promotion for cake orders.

Photogenic. And edible.

Chef Matsubara and i at the end of the launch. Some interesting bio of Chef: He is originally from Kobe, Japan. Honed his skills at the famous Boulangerie au 140, Paris. Authored 'Latest Style of Boulanger Desserts' and won a gold medal in the California Raisin Culinary Challenge Contest in 2004.

Now i know where to look for delicious French breads- or a cafe to go to to give me that French escape.

What? Caramel Cheese Raisin, Croissant, Oriental Pizza, Chicken Crisp

Where? Bonjour Garden Intermark. Lot LC01-08, Intermark Mall, No 348 Jalan Tun Razak, KL.

When? Daily, 8am to 10pm.

Contact number? 03-21811822
Facebook? Bonjour Garden Bakery Cafe 

* special thanks to the organizers of this event