FInally got the chance to visit CLOUDCAKES, another Blok M delicacy! The location is just across Plaza Blok M, adjacent to the usual Blok M culinary hub (gang viral, Pasaraya, and whatnot). I was already informed about the exclusivity of CLOUDCAKES’ fluffy treats, so I prepared to come early. The hype was alarmingly crazy during its early days. I never really wanted to participate in any FOMO craze… so there I was, one year later after their opening.
The doors were open at 2 PM, but I already arrived at 1 PM. Assuming from what’s written on Google Review, their queue system has already been improved. Even though I was early, a significant amount of people were already there. I didn’t get a spot inside the tent, so I had to stand somewhere else. Generally, I hate doing this kind of thing! Not to mention the sun was sunning so hard that day. Nonetheless, I have come with my mental prepared. It was also a great thing that I wore a long, breezy skirt and I couldn’t be more grateful I didn’t forget my umbrella.
Just when I thought I was being clever for coming an hour early, I made a stupid mistake for not standing close to the line inside the tent. This was how the flow went: customers who were earlier than me (the ones inside the tent) already registered online for queue numbers. The rest (including me) were customers who would do walk-in purchase. Those who had the queue numbers were prioritized to enter the shop first, followed by the walk-in customers. Since walk-in customers were not numbered, it was only a matter of who queued behind the prioritized customers first.
I was one of the earliest walk-in customers – but since I waited at the car parking spot instead of the motorbike parking spot (that was located right behind the queue tent), I missed my chance to secure a place in the early batch. By the time the crowd control staff announced it was the walk-in customers’ turn to get in line, everyone (who were much informed than I was) rushed to the tent…and I was left behind. I ended up waiting for extra thirty minutes because of this.
I stood right behind two girls who couldn’t stop taking selfies in front of the shop. It seemed like that successfully getting inside CLOUDCAKES was some kind of a high status symbol in social media. It was not much different once I entered the shop – groups of female friends took their turn for their pictures to be taken in the dining area. The place was not heavily decorated. It was quite minimalistic, with only simple pink bows here and there, minimalistic built-in shelf, crystal chandelier and a decorative stall.
I tried my best not to waste the staff’s time by mentioning my orders right away. I ordered Ube Cheese Brulee, Mango Jelly Mochi and Choco Mochi Roll (and a drink, but I didn’t remember what that was).
I read several butthurt reviews highlighting the unfriendly service. Most of them referred to the crowd control guy, who never smiled and always half-yelled when announcing things. I find the shop staff friendly and helpful, and it was right that the crowd control guy was pretty stern and scary… but isn’t it the point of controlling the crowd? That you have to be commanding and being cordial is kinda unnecessary…?
Now let’s talk about the cloud cakes themselves. Ube Cheese Brulee was my favorite among the three. The ube dough was legit, pleasantly combined with the brulee and melting cheese on the top. The sweetness and saltiness balance was really nice.
Mango Jelly Mochi was a giant mochi bomboloni. Very chewy and sticky. Not really fond of the texture since it was like the total opposite of a firm baked dough, it felt like holding a slime ball. Was a bit disappointed with the mango cream as well because the taste was way too light. I was expecting a bursting sweet mango cream.
Choco Mochi Roll was also light in taste. The mochi ball was at the center, surrounded by frosted chocolate roll that was shaped like a muffin. Topped with chocolate crumbles, the overall texture was pretty good. I wished it could be a little bit sweeter though.
At this rate, I think it’s about time that CLOUDCAKES take their business expansion more ambitiously. After all, they have managed to open a second branch in Jakarta (the first one being in Bali). Maybe just like how the story Dough Lab goes – started with a humble beginning and later birthing more and more chains across malls in Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia.
Final thoughts:
Food: 7,8/10 | Service: 8,5/10 | Ambience: 7/10
Pretty delicious. I will repurchase once they enter the malls because I won’t queue for another 1,5 hours.
CLOUDCAKES
Jl. Sampit I No.59, RT.1/RW.6, Kramat Pela | Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
Opening hours: 2 PM – 6 PM
