The pièce de resistance is the tantalising display of desserts including cakes, muffins, English shortbreads, cream puffs, mini tarts, cinnamon rolls and, of course, scones.
With such a wonderful atmosphere, one can’t help but wonder: why “BaD Scones”?
“The name is a little playful, but it also carries a deeper meaning,” founder Ong Mei Lean told FMT Lifestyle. “‘BaD’ stands for ‘buy and donate’, which reflects the core of our mission.
“Through our café, we aim not only to provide a place for people to relax and enjoy good company, but also to create a platform where every purchase helps support animals in need.”
Ong shared that 5% of their monthly sales proceeds are channelled to these cases, which they learn about through a WhatsApp group called “Animal Kindness”.
This is a large community of pet lovers who highlight urgent cases of injured or sick animals, many of which require immediate treatment, rescue or care.
Additionally, the BaD Scones team prepares at least 10kg of rice with chicken to supply to a group of feeders daily.
An animal lover from young, Ong has a blind cat, a paralysed dog, and a three-legged turtle, among other pets, at home.
“Animal welfare is incredibly important to me because I believe every living creature deserves compassion and care, especially those who cannot speak for themselves,” she shared.
“The sad reality is that many animals, particularly strays, face an uphill battle every day due to neglect, abandonment or abuse. Seeing them suffer is something that deeply affects me.”
As such, starting BaD Scones – which opened its doors in 2020 – was her way of turning empathy into action, and of contributing to a more compassionate society where animals are treated with kindness and respect.
Aside from her love for animals, it isn’t hard to guess that Ong has a passion for baking. Her talent shines through the café’s lovely offerings – all of which were created by her, and some of which she still actively rolls up her sleeves to make from scratch.
The freshly baked scones, served with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream from the UK, do not disappoint. In addition to the plain variety, there are delightful flavours such as cranberry, lavender, orange poppyseed and more.
Notably, the lavender scones stand out with their subtle floral notes, making each bite simply delightful.
Then there’s the swan-shaped cream puffs: you might hesitate to bite into something so pretty, but you certainly won’t regret it once you taste the velvety custard encased inside the soft, delicate pastry!
The English shortbread, too, is a standout with its crumbly, buttery texture. Other highlights include the apple crumble pie served with rich custard, Victoria sandwich cake, cinnamon rolls, and melt-in-your-mouth mini fruit tarts – all perfect with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
As for savoury offerings, Ong shared that the fish and chips is their bestseller: fresh and flaky perch fillets coated in crispy batter and served with golden fries and coleslaw, with mustard, ketchup and tartar sauce on the side.
The shepherd’s pie is also a treat. Their version features a flaky crust filled with flavourful lamb chunks sitting atop a bed of mashed potatoes, with peas, carrots and alfalfa sprouts adding a vibrant pop of colour.
The pie, Ong said, is baked daily and made from scratch. Served hot with plenty of gravy, this is comfort food at its best.
Overall, enjoying decadent desserts and scrumptious food in a cosy setting makes a visit to BaD Scones worth your while – but knowing you’ll be contributing towards a worthy cause? That’s the icing on the cake.
BaD Scones
23, Jalan SS21/34,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
For location, click here.
Business hours: 10am-7pm (closed on Tuesdays)