PETALING JAYA, June 1 — Since it opened in November 2013, Awesome Canteen in Taman Paramount has been drawing diners with its Instagram-worthy interior and wholesome menu, including its one-of-a-kind Paleo meals. Come this June 15, a branch will be opening in Penang at Sekeping Victoria.

“We’ve been contemplating opening a branch in Penang for quite sometime now. All of us (partners in Awesome Canteen) love Penang, especially the George Town area,” said Diane Ong, one of the co-founders of Awesome Canteen.

At the beginning of last year, Ong went to Penang for a trip. Co-founder Sheay Nee Lee, who hails from Alor Star, is familiar with Penang so she took Ong to the must-go places in Penang.

The space at Sekeping Victoria is a marriage of old and new. — Picture courtesy of Awesome Canteen

They went to Sekeping Victoria and Ong fell in love with the space immediately. At that time, the space was occupied so nothing happened. “It was a dream of mine but I had to put the dream aside. Then one day the dream came true!” said Ong.

Sekeping Victoria is owned by landscape architect Ng Sek San who is renowned for his Sekeping retreats all over Malaysia. Time passed before a mutual friend alerted Ong that Ng was looking for someone to occupy the space.

When Ong heard about it, she proposed the idea. Ng went to Awesome Canteen, tried the food and liked it.

“When I asked him (Ng) whether we can rent the space, he said ‘Why not?’ We felt that it was a good match,” said Ong.

Part of the Awesome Canteen team (clockwise from left): Janice Tyan, Diane Ong, Dora Ong, Joshua Tan and Jack Weldie. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Lau Jian Pyng, a landscape contractor who works closely with Ng, also helped Awesome Canteen. “Lau made a lot of things happen for us which we are thankful for,” said Ong.

To get the place up and running, Ong appointed Joachim Leong and Shean Tan, from CafeHopMY and Spacebar Coffee, to relocate to the new Awesome Canteen in Sekeping Victoria. Currently, Leong and Tan are manning the coffee bar and cakes before the official launch. “They are floor managers, in charge of coffee, beverages and cakes. Our cakes are supplied by quality home bakers we sourced for in Penang,” said Ong.

The story of how Leong and Tan became part of Awesome Canteen, Sekeping Victoria is an interesting one.

The vintage stools and canteen table are similar to Awesome Canteen's PJ concept. — Picture courtesy of Awesome Canteen

“We first met Diane at our first pop-up (pre-Awesome and Spacebar days) two years back at a market in Pasar Seni. Diane’s been a fan of our filter coffee since then. When they opened Awesome Canteen, we visited them and fell in love with the place and their offerings too.”

The duo who run Spacebar Coffee also debuted their first pop-up coffee bar at Awesome Canteen where they introduced filter coffee brewed via Aeropress to diners there. Their pop-up lasted three months, twice a week from July to September 2014. Leong also credits Awesome Canteen for his first runner-up prize in the Malaysian Aeropress Competition 2014, as they gave him the space to train for the competition.

“Fast forward to just a month back, they mentioned they were in talks with Sekeping Victoria to take over the cafe there. And we mentioned we were interested and here we are! It all has been a serendipitous affair leading to this next chapter in our coffee journey, really,” said Leong.

As for the food, Ong said that 70 per cent of the menu at Sekeping Victoria will be like the one at Taman Paramount while 30 per cent of it will be different. The 30 per cent would be food that has locally infused flavours.

“Maybe we will have a salad with local fruits like belimbing or guava,” said Ong. “The weather is hotter in Penang so we are looking to serve ice cream too if we can source good suppliers in Penang.”

Shean Tan and Joachim Leong are in charge of coffee, beverages and cakes at Awesome Canteen Sekeping Victoria. — Picture courtesy of Awesome Canteen

For fans of the Paleo menu, you can expect the same favourites at Sekeping Victoria. Ong will deploy a few chefs to be based there. Jack Weldie, the head chef of Awesome Canteen and their sister restaurant Prologue is designing the food menu for the Penang outpost. He will be based there until everything runs smoothly before coming back to Taman Paramount.

When it comes to the interior design, Ong plans to keep it the way it is because she loves the work that Ng did with Sekeping Victoria. The only difference would be the kitchen, which is being renovated.

“The previous tenant was a cafe so we would be using the same furniture. The vintage wooden stools are similar to the ones we have here at Awesome Canteen, Petaling Jaya, so we will be using those too.

“Sekeping Victoria also has a lot of trees inside the space which is just like Awesome Canteen. There is also a canteen feel to the space in Penang. I feel that there are many similarities in our concepts,” said Ong.

A look at Awesome Canteen Sekeping Victoria. — Picture courtesy of Awesome Canteen

Ong also believes that Awesome Canteen’s food will bring the identity of the brand instead of the interior of the place.

“We have been a fan of Awesome and yes, they have some sure-fire favourites on their menu to win over the hearts of Penangites here if I may be bold enough to say. I’m betting on their signature sweet potato fries among these favourites! Those are to die for,” said Leong.

Rumour has it the sweet potato fries were what clinched the deal with the Sekeping people.

So, what can Awesome Canteen fans expect at Sekeping Victoria?

“We are bringing a piece of awesomeness to Penang! Friends from Penang have always wanted to try Awesome Canteen but it was too far and now they can experience it. Our food is made of natural ingredients with locally infused flavours. The fact that no two branches are identical also makes us special,” said Lee.

Awesome Canteen, Sekeping Victoria, 164, Lebuh Victoria, Georgetown, 10300 Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia

One of the seating options at Awesome Canteen Sekeping Victoria. — Picture courtesy of Awesome Canteen