RAYs Cafe – B.LAND PJ – Coffee
Words: Nichole Ong
Photos: Rich Callahan
Tucked into a cosy corner of Petaling Jaya, RAYs Cafe is the newest addition to B.land’s lifestyle hub. Surrounded by sporting facilities and shops, RAYs is a place where the community and neighbourhood flow through, greeting customers with cafe favourites and a friendly environment. The inside of the space is as bright as its name, with RAYs of sunshine filtering through the picturesque glass windows. Warmth exudes from within the cafe. Kenneth and his team maintain a good rapport with customers as they take orders from the counter rather than opt for a QR code. The menu at RAYs also brings a home-grown flair, where everything is made in-house or sourced from local artisans, allowing for quality ingredients and flavours to shine through.
Starters at RAYs B.Land PJ
From the starter menu, we had the Prawn and Chicken Dumplings (RM 18 for 6 pcs, RM 28 for 10 pcs). The dumpling skin had the perfect texture and thickness, wrapped carefully in a beautiful pleat. Inside, the prawn was well seasoned and paired perfectly with the spice from the chilli oil. Also made in-house, the chilli oil was a local classic masterfully executed, not overwhelming, but packing lots of flavour.
Salad
A truly underrated gem, the Wheat Berry Salad (RM 22) might be one of my favourite salads served at a cafe. Each component is carefully picked to produce the most harmonious and perfectly textured bite, with the wheat berry complementing the earthiness of the avocado, the freshness of the apple, and the sweet chewiness of the cranberries and raisins. The yoghurt dressing is another delight, tying the salad together with a smoky and savoury kick. This salad elevates from the basics and is worth a taste (or many).
Pasta
A staple made with care and quality, the Pesto (RM 25) at RAYs is a crowd pleaser. Using homemade pesto sauce, the herbiness and freshness of the basil shine through wonderfully, interspersed by savouriness from the cheese. The pasta itself has a nice texture and thickness, cooked al dente.
It would be a shame to see flavours of RAYs’ chilli oil confined to just one dish, so we were delighted to indulge in the Chilli Oil Gnocchi (RM 22), which truly let it shine. The gnocchi is pan-seared on the bottom to give it a nice crispiness, making it chewy and filling. The chef puts a bit of vinegar at the bottom to tie the flavour together, making a compelling and fulfilling dish.
Dons
We had the Ikura Salmon Mentaiko Don (RM 35) from the rice options, which was filling and satisfying. We were particularly impressed with the vibrant colours, beautifully cooked salmon, egg with the perfect jammy texture, edamame and cherry tomatoes. All these components tie together with the mentai mayonnaise on top of the salmon, adding creaminess to the dish and the tomatoes contributing pops of acidity. This is a perfect example of the staple food at RAYs that keeps their patrons returning for more.
All-day Menu at RAYs
The Pulled Beef Cheese Toastie (RM 32) was an utter indulgence, inspiring a consensus from all of us that it is an example of the perfect sandwich. The toastie is built upon great sourdough, which is crispy on the outside with a fluffy inside. Rich described the beef as what you would smell ‘if you captured deliciousness.’ The bite lives up to this high praise: tender and well-seasoned with the right amount of chewiness that goes wonderfully with the stretchy cheese. The toastie is served with salad with lemon and vinegar, providing just enough acidity to refresh the palate between bites.
We were also impressed with the Avocado Toast (RM 28), which emerged from the kitchen with a ripe, sliced whole avocado on top. The crunchy seeded sourdough held the weight of the ingredients and had a good chew without the need to saw through the crust for a bite (my personal pet peeve at brunch). The salad on the side is not to be overlooked either, with the pickled radishes giving just the right amount of acidity and the pomegranate seeds providing a bite of sweetness.
Another textbook classic executed wonderfully, the French Toast (RM 28) is an absolute pleasure, with thick, fluffy brioche paired with ice cream, berries and candied walnuts. The warmth of the toast synergised wonderfully with the cool vanilla ice cream, which was creamy and flavoured well with the vanilla pods still visible within. The dash of cinnamon and fresh berries were also welcome additions, adding a bit of smokiness and tartness, respectively. Lastly, the candied walnuts added a sweet, nutty crunch.
Drinks Menu
Starting with a classic, the Latte (RM 14), with an expertly foamed top, is an excellent start to any morning. Beans are sourced from local suppliers and roasteries, which are kept in seasonal rotation to keep things fresh and exciting.
Another staple, the Matcha Latte (RM 17), was attractive, with the white foam standing out vividly against the green. As my drink of choice, this matcha is a cut above the rest, balancing earthiness with the right amount of sweetness.
As a twist to a well-loved classic, the Fizzy Matcha (RM 17) is unique, yet the flavours make sense upon the first sip. The earthiness of the matcha is given levity by the sparkling factor, making it a lovely treat.
Speaking of sparkling drinks, the Espresso Tonic (RM 17) is a welcome addition to the sparkling coffee scene. The coffee’s acidity is complemented by the citrus, and the light fizz is refreshing on a warm day.
We also enjoyed the Fresh Red (RM 17), which has a milder coffee taste offset by the rooibos’ sweet nuttiness and the apple juice’s light acidity. This was a great pick-me-up and a ‘long-missing’ drink from coffee menus, thankfully revived.
For the sweet tooth, the Grapefruit Yuzu (RM 17) balances tartness and acidity. This was one of my favourites for its refreshingness and pretty colour.
RAYs Cafe Review
RAYs is set to become a warm community hub with excellent food, drinks, and service. It is the perfect spot for a gathering of old friends, a morning pick-me-up, or a working lunch. Serving classic yet creative staples with the buzz of friendly, welcoming service, RAYs is not to be missed.
Reasons to visit RAYs Cafe: staple cafe food done well; must try the Pulled Beef Cheese Toastie and Wheat Berry Salad ; classic and unique drinks; sense of community; home-made recipes; Muslim-friendly; excellent service.
RAYs Cafe
Lot 8.2 B.LAND PJ
Jalan 51A/225, Seksyen 51A
Petaling Jaya 46100, Malaysia
@raysgotchu
RAYs Cafe Opening Hours
Open daily 8:30 am – 5 pm
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