D K L E

O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe @ Holiday Inn Express, Jalan Raja Chulan

July 15, 2016


O'Briens has come a long way since the first Malaysian outpost of this Irish-born sandwich specialist launched nearly 14 years ago in Great Eastern Mall. With 20 branches now across Malaysia, it's easy for sandwich lovers to get their fix from O'Briens, which was first founded by Brody Sweeny in Dublin in 1988 & now boasts over 200 stores worldwide. If you haven't been back to O'Briens in some time, there's a reason to return: The latest O'Briens is now open at Jalan Raja Chulan's new Holiday Inn Express, showcasing a contemporary sheen that caters to hotel guests & others, including the city centre's corporate workers.

O'Briens at Holiday Inn Express City Centre is distinctively spacious, with warm, welcoming tones that complement its leafy surroundings on this bustling street, with numerous offices nearby. It sets the potential course & outlook for some of O'Briens' future branches, including upcoming ones at Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur & Gleneagles Medini Hospital, Johor Bahru.

O'Briens has consistently served satisfactory sandwiches & more, with its entire repertoire available here at Holiday Inn Express - the counter abounds with appealingly fresh ingredients, from protein-packed meat, fish, eggs & natural imported cheese to wholesome vegetables & house-crafted sauces, for creating made-to-order nutritious meals.

Toasted sandwiches are a highlight; the signature is the super-hearty Chicken Triple Decker Toastie Sandwich (RM22.50), hand-cut & stuffed with shredded chicken, chicken crisps, lettuce, cheddar cheese, red onions, coleslaw & tomatoes - ideal for lunchtime sharing. You'll also find other hot & cold sandwiches filled with choices like smoked salmon & cream cheese or tuna & sweet corn - or build your own sandwich with possibilities like turkey, feta cheese, roasted zucchini & guacamole.

The Shambo is one of O'Briens' most recognisable temptations, with a ‘Focaccia Shambo' baked to evoke the Irish symbol of a shamrock. Thick & fairly fluffy, the Shambo can be savoured with O'Briens' recommendation of chicken slice, cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce & honey mustard mayo (RM19.20) in a focaccia shambo or wholemeal shambo. As always, other fillings can be ordered.

The choice of bread extends to Italian-inspired ciabatta as well as a variety of wraps. The vegetarian Sundried Tomato Ciabatta might be a fulfilling medley for meat-free Mondays, textured with mozzarella, roasted vegetables & basil pesto (RM19.20), while the Chicken, Chicken Crisp & Cheddar Wrap capably combines its namesake components with mixed peppers (RM19.10).

For low-carb feasting, salads are the best bet - everything from a French-loving Nicoise to other varieties like a pesto & mozzarella salad or smoked salmon salad. The classic chicken Caesar salad may be worth checking out, since it specially features O'Briens' own chicken crisps to bolster the traditional staples of shredded chicken, parmesan, croutons & Caesar dressing (RM18.40).

Care & attention are showered on O'Briens' beverages too - smoothies (RM14.30) are rich, with frozen yoghurt forming the foundation for pulpy mixes like mango, banana & orange juice, while the pure juices (RM12.30) come in nutrition-fuelled combos like celery, apple & cucumber or carrot, banana & orange. And if you need a caffeine fix, pick one up at O'Briens, & look out for the shamrock-shaped coffee art. Many thanks to the O'Briens team for having us here.

O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe
Ground Floor, Holiday Inn Express Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 84, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.
Mon–Fri, 630am–11pm; Sat, Sun & Public Holidays, 7am–11pm. Email: [email protected] Tel: 03–28567043