Durian Madness cheesecake 👍@ Moody Cow cafe, Transfer Road
Perhaps the most expensive slice of cake sold in Penang, the Durian Madness cheesecake @RM46 at Moody Cow cafe at Transfer Road is rich and decadent and served in appropriately opulent settings. When you enter, you first make your cake selection from the glass display. Then you are led to the dining area next door, furnished in a glam style with antiques, oil reproductions and Regency style furniture. A waiter then brings your choice of cake and collects payment (cash or bank transfer only accepted, no credit cards)
Now the RM64m question you are dying to know: is it worth paying RM46 (USD 10) for a single slice of durian cheesecake? The online reviews seem polarized -Some customers like Moody Cow's cheesecakes and can eat three slices at a sitting (Wowza!), but some say “Better quality cheesecakes at cheaper prices elsewhere in Penang”. And some reviewers didn't take kindly to the café's unusual policy of being asked to order their cake first BEFORE being seated. But I think the cafe policy is just subtle diplomacy - if Walk In customers that have not seen the online reviews are shocked 😱 by the high prices of Moody Cow's cakes on display, they can turn around and Walk Out. 😜🤠
After pondering for a while, 🤠's opinion is Yes 😋. First the cheesecake slice is big enough for two people - it's probably more than 400g. Second, I think Musang King durian pulp is used - so Moody Cow uses top quality ingredients. And finally, you are paying for the experience of eating a premium cheesecake in opulent surroundings. As Moody Cow's tag says “I think being happy is to have a nice cheesecake”, folks.
Maybe the negative reviews were for other cheesecakes at Moody Cow's, but I will award a 👍 for their signature durian cheesecake, which must be surely be the best durian cheesecake in Penang, if not the world.😜
I also met the café's proprietor and baker who is a green thumb. There are literally hundreds of potted cacti, agave, pitcher plants and succulents in shelves on the walls. See pictures below.
The proprietor said he supplies his cheesecakes to Singapore but there is only one Moody Cow cafe (since 2012) in Malaysia. There is a small retail outlet on the 6F Gurney Paragon mall (since 2017) with just two or three tables. Prices are the same there as the Transfer Road cafe.
Moody Cow also offers a home delivery service if you can't visit the Transfer Road cafe or Gurney Paragon mall. The Transfer Road cafe might be a little difficult to find because the street view of the entrance door is obscured with lots of potted plants on the five foot pavement outside. Upstairs is another dining room but now closed off because no tourists.
