[JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia] Garden-style restaurants can be a great ‘escape’ for many of us who yearn for a different kind of dining experience.
Rowan & Parsley smokehouse in JB can probably get you immersed in that getaway vibes.
Nestled among a row of car workshop and mechanics, Rowan & Parsley stood out as a sore thumb – like a “secret garden” sanctuary filled with lush greeneries.
The dining space is then contrasted by its vintage-style designed interior decked with wooden furnishing and decorated with dried flowers bouquets.
Its full glass window also allows soft natural lighting to pour into its dining space, allowing diners to chill over coffee while overlooking its garden view.
Beautiful place to create insta-worthy content, or can even consider to hold your wedding here.
They claim to be “JB first authentic Texas barbeque smokehouse” and serves house smoked meat such as Pork Belly (RM36, SGD$12) and Pulled Pork (RM30, SGD$10).
I ordered the Honey Glazed Spare Ribs (RM49, SGD$16.30) which came with two pieces of well marinated USA pork ribs coated with sweet honey sauce, mashed potato and some greens.
While the meat itself was flavourful, it was slightly tough for my liking and also rather challenging to debone the ribs.
Ironically, I preferred their Buttermilk Fried Chicken (RM23, SGD$7.70) which came with a slab of juicy crispy chicken thigh and served on a bed of cauliflower puree.
I also enjoyed their Roasted Aubergine (RM25, SGD$7.60), concocted using a blend of mashed eggplant and kidney beans, mixed with mustard seeds and sprinkled with drizzles of olive oil.
Eaten as a savoury appetizer spread with crispy croutons.
Other than smoke meat mains, they also serve common café food suspects such as Little Brother Benedict (RM32, SGD$10.70), Regular & People Breakfast (RM36, SGD12) and Chicken & Pancake (SGD28, SGD$9.30)
Upon clearing immigration custom, you will have to journey east and will require some detouring from the usual popular JB areas such as Taman Sentosa or Mount Austin.
For my day trip, the private hire took about a good 15 to 20mins journey to send me from the FOUNDERS café, and about the same time back to Chi-gui Mala Hotpot at Mid Valley Southkey.
But it would probably be worth a detour for those looking for an afternoon secret garden hideout.
Rowan & Parsley
17, Jalan Cenderai 20, Taman Perindustrian Kota Puteri, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Rowan & Parsley
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* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
