A Quaint Little Kitchen

Oh my God! I cannot believe the whole month of January has come and gone, both very quickly and also very slowly. On the one hand, it felt like I hadn’t really done much this past first month of 2025, but on the other hand, it felt like the month wasn’t going to end. Honestly, the reason for both these things is one and the same: office work. It has been a crazy month at the office—and the new year is just beginning. But now, February is here. Good riddance, January!

Looking back on this blog in particular and seeing that I’d only posted once after the new year…it’s honestly crazy. I swear I had so many plans to post more here in a month, but everything that I had to do had either drained me or just kept me from achieving it. That being said, I was pretty happy with a lot of the projects we got to do at the office this month—in particular, another (smaller) event with ASICS. Click through and see if you can spot me in one of the photos (lol).

Oh my God! I cannot believe the whole month of January has come and gone, both very quickly and also very slowly. On the one hand, it felt like I hadn’t really done much this past first month of 2025, but on the other hand, it felt like the month wasn’t going to end. Honestly, the reason for both these things is one and the same: office work. It has been a crazy month at the office—and the new year is just beginning. But now, February is here. Good riddance, January!

Looking back on this blog in particular and seeing that I’d only posted once after the new year…it’s honestly crazy. I swear I had so many plans to post more here in a month, but everything that I had to do had either drained me or just kept me from achieving it. That being said, I was pretty happy with a lot of the projects we got to do at the office this month—in particular, another (smaller) event with ASICS. Click through and see if you can spot me in one of the photos (lol).

📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens + iPhone 11 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm

Tucked Between Houses

After we wrapped up the event I mentioned earlier—just in time for the looong Isra’ Mikraj and Lunar New Year weekend—Agung and I went on our regular weekly date. In the wake of an exhausting couple weeks, I just wanted somewhere quite and cozy to chill with my love. That’s where we found this quaint corner in the heart of Gandaria—thanks to National Geographics. We didn’t expect it to be so small—it still very much feels like a Mom-and-Pop’s store. Hidden away among an array of residential houses, this little café offers such a peaceful ambience with its incredibly small space and homemade menu.

We were the first ones to arrive there—or, at least, there was no other customer around then. The shopkeeper greeted us very warmly and accommodated our every question. Agung opted for something savoury and picked their Roti Goreng Bakso Ayam, while I got myself a couple of donuts—the Icing Sugar and Cinnamon Sugar kinds. We both slurped on their Es Kopi Susu Gula Aren—and also their Thai Tea later on. Everything tastes homemade, no doubt, but definitely comfortable somehow.

Hand-me-down dress (worn as skirt) | Citra Pariwara 35 Committe shirt | Unbranded sandals |
photos of me by Agung

After we wrapped up the event I mentioned earlier—just in time for the looong Isra’ Mikraj and Lunar New Year weekend—Agung and I went on our regular weekly date. In the wake of an exhausting couple weeks, I just wanted somewhere quite and cozy to chill with my love. That’s where we found this quaint corner in the heart of Gandaria—thanks to National Geographics. We didn’t expect it to be so small—it still very much feels like a Mom-and-Pop’s store. Hidden away among an array of residential houses, this little café offers such a peaceful ambience with its incredibly small space and homemade menu.

We were the first ones to arrive there—or, at least, there was no other customer around then. The shopkeeper greeted us very warmly and accommodated our every question. Agung opted for something savoury and picked their Roti Goreng Bakso Ayam, while I got myself a couple of donuts—the Icing Sugar and Cinnamon Sugar kinds. We both slurped on their Es Kopi Susu Gula Aren—and also their Thai Tea later on. Everything tastes homemade, no doubt, but definitely comfortable somehow.

Hand-me-down dress (worn as skirt) | Citra Pariwara 35 Committe shirt | Unbranded sandals |
photos of me by Agung

Under the Fallen Leaves

What I love most about this place is the care and attention they put into the decor, especially the façade. I believe they know the importance of a storefront in attracting people’s attention, but it is done in such a thoughtful way that bigger cafés or chain businesses wouldn’t be able to pull it off. There’s a rustic quality to the wear and tear we can clearly see on the door and window and everything else—the yellow bike, in particular, placed there just for show is chef’s kiss. The writings on the door—handwritten, of course—adds such a heartwarming charm, especially the ‘No Pets Inside’ part that feels as if they’re speaking kindly to the animals themselves.

Location is also absolutely everything, though. The fact that this little café is tucked neatly among a row of houses adds to the experience. Sitting outside is just as pleasant as sitting inside—where you can people watch just as well. Since this isn’t a main road, vehicles do not pass by too often here. You will mostly see kids from the neighbourhood playing together or food carts making their rounds. It is probably even possible to call on them and grab a bite when you’re sitting outside—so long as you clean up after, of course. They’re really not just serving food and drinks here; they’re serving an entire atmosphere.

What I love most about this place is the care and attention they put into the decor, especially the façade. I believe they know the importance of a storefront in attracting people’s attention, but it is done in such a thoughtful way that bigger cafés or chain businesses wouldn’t be able to pull it off. There’s a rustic quality to the wear and tear we can clearly see on the door and window and everything else—the yellow bike, in particular, placed there just for show is chef’s kiss. The writings on the door—handwritten, of course—adds such a heartwarming charm, especially the ‘No Pets Inside’ part that feels as if they’re speaking kindly to the animals themselves.

Location is also absolutely everything, though. The fact that this little café is tucked neatly among a row of houses adds to the experience. Sitting outside is just as pleasant as sitting inside—where you can people watch just as well. Since this isn’t a main road, vehicles do not pass by too often here. You will mostly see kids from the neighbourhood playing together or food carts making their rounds. It is probably even possible to call on them and grab a bite when you’re sitting outside—so long as you clean up after, of course. They’re really not just serving food and drinks here; they’re serving an entire atmosphere.

So What Else Is New?

While I might not have been so active on this blog, it is a mistake to assume that I had only been swamped at the office and done nothing else. If you must know, I made progress on a few of my client projects in January—and still an ongoing one for February. I was also—and still am—really active on my Patreon, which has been pretty much my focus outside of work. In fact, you can watch all about my commitment for Patreon in my latest vlog. Hopefully, I can keep this momentum going for the following months. As you may know, if you watch my Income Stream vlog, I have a few goals in mind and I am determined to make progress on them this year—so here we go!

Feel free to watch my latest vlog down below, if you find that easier.
Let me know what more contents you’d like to see from me!

thanks for reading

While I might not have been so active on this blog, it is a mistake to assume that I had only been swamped at the office and done nothing else. If you must know, I made progress on a few of my client projects in January—and still an ongoing one for February. I was also—and still am—really active on my Patreon, which has been pretty much my focus outside of work. In fact, you can watch all about my commitment for Patreon in my latest vlog. Hopefully, I can keep this momentum going for the following months. As you may know, if you watch my Income Stream vlog, I have a few goals in mind and I am determined to make progress on them this year—so here we go!

Feel free to watch my latest vlog down below, if you find that easier. Let me know what more contents you’d like to see from me!

thanks for reading