Crystal Wee

Sep 06 2025

Simple Café 簡單。- Taiwanese-style Brunch and Cakes in NEWest

Having previously moved out of NEWest mall to Crawford Lane, folks living in the west are lucky that Simple Café has now shifted back to their original location. They have retained their original concept and philosophy of keeping things “簡單”, or simple, with a minimalistic interior and homely atmosphere that would seemingly transport you to a café in Taiwan. There were also pet-friendly outdoor seats.

Since its reopening, the menu has expanded to offer a wider variety of items, and changes on a seasonal basis. When I went, I had the Jul – Aug menu which has now been refreshed to their Sep – Oct menu. I noted that the prices were on the lower side for a typical café in Singapore.

On the drinks menu were some unique drinks such as the Osmanthus Latte and Pineapple Topic, however I stuck with my usual Hot White ($5). If you’re a matcha fan, there are the Uji Matcha Latte, Dirty Macha and Matcha Lemonade for you to choose from.

Amongst the dishes I tried, my top pick would be the Pink Guava Salad with Saba Fish ($14). The colourful and aesthetically pleasing dish came with a variety of vegetables such as pumpkin, kale, baby carrot, baby corn, baby tomatoes, broccoli. Surprisingly, the saba paired well with the pink guava sauce and partly masked its fishiness. It was overall a very well-balanced dish, with a suitable amount of vegetables, carbs, and protein.

I also had the Sweet Potato Apple Soup with their Seasonal Sweet Potato Bread ($12). Interestingly, the soup had a combination of sweet and savoury flavours. The bread was a tad dry on its own but satisfying when dipped in the soup.

Sadly, I only had space for 1 dessert after having the salad and soup – I selected what looked to be the most interesting and pretty option – the Guava Cheesecake ($9). The cheesecake was light enough for me to finish it on my own, with the subtle sweetness and tanginess from the pink guava.

Despite its location in the far west, it was well worth the commute time for the unpretentious fare and vibes.

1 West Coast Dr, #01-92, Singapore 128020

9am – 6pm Tue to Sun (closed on Mon)

Aug 30 2025

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Amsterdam, Cafe, Food, Netherlands

Scandinavian Embassy – Best Scandinavian-style bakes in Amsterdam

Combining specialty Scandinavian-style roasted coffee and Scandinavian-style pastries in a cosy, intimate setting, Scandinavian Embassy is one of the go-to cafes in Amsterdam. When I headed into the café at opening hour, it was already getting lively with patrons streaming in and out, either for takeout or dine in. The baristas were incredibly friendly, making small talk with customers without disrupting their own flow of work. There also seemed to be many regulars.

I sat along the counter by the window of the front entrance, which overlooked the greenery of Sarphatipark. Sunlight illuminated the café through this very window, creating harsh, slant shadows in the café. Towards the back of the store you will find communal tables in a serene, courtyard setting. Even the interior design was so Scandinavian-like.

For coffee, they bring in beans from various specialty Nordic coffee roasters such as The Coffee Collective, Koppi, Drop Coffee among others. I had the Flat White (EUR4.2, +0.5 for oat milk), which was made with the Espresso Vista Hermosa from Coffee Collective. This was a sweet and clean espresso with the aroma of hazelnut praline, pine nuts and plum.

They had a small selection of freshly baked, homemade pastries from which I tried the Cardamom Bun (EUR4.6) and Cinnamon Bun (EUR4.4). They made me reminisce the numerous cardamom and cinnamon buns I had in Denmark and Sweden last year in a good way. I would say get both, but if you only have the space for 1, the cardamom bun would be the priority.

A little down south is their second location at Europaplein 87, with a wider range of buns and pastries (e.g. almond bun), albeit with limited seating along the window and outdoor benches. I didn’t get to go, but would definitely put it in my itinerary if I ever return to the Netherlands.

Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mon to Fri 8am – 4pm, Sat to Sun 9am – 4pm

Aug 10 2025

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Cafe

Apartment Roastery – Best Coffee Shop in Asia Opens New Roastery in Serangoon

Apartment Coffee, recently crowned as the 6^th best coffee shop in the world and 1^st in Asia, opened their new roastery in Jalan Riang, Serangoon. I have been their avid fan ever since their very first outlet was established at Lavender Street, and which has now moved to Selegie Road. I was elated to find out about the new roastery setting up shop in the northeast where I also reside.

Similar to their main outlet (a.k.a. Coffee Studio), the Roastery boasts a minimalist interior with mainly wooden furnishings paired with white concrete and brick walls and ceilings. The space may be smaller and dimmer than the Studio but still exudes the same vibes which made me feel comfortable, at ease.

And just like their Coffee Studio, the Roastery only offers dine-in coffee and tea with no food or takeaway options. There were 3 hand brew filter coffees, 1 espresso and 1 espresso with milk option to choose from when I visited. As per my usual order, I had the Coffee with Milk ($6), featuring Ethiopia Kello Raro beans. It had sensory notes of nougat, dried fruits and milk tea.

For non-coffee drinkers, the only option you have is the Seasonal Kombucha ($7), freshly brewed in house in small batches.

Unfortunately, the Roastery only operates on the weekends for now, and you might want to check their Instagram page in case of any closure before heading down (I made a wasted trip on one Saturday when the cafe happened to be closed). Due to their rising popularity, do expect that there will be a wait outside for seats.

Jalan Riang, 15-9, Singapore 358987

Nearest train station: Serangoon MRT Exit A

10am – 5pm on weekends only

Aug 02 2025

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Cafe, singapore

Mad Roaster’s Slow Bar – Cosy Brunch Café at Enabling Village, Redhill

Mad Roaster is not a stranger to the coffee scene in Singapore. Years ago, they started serving coffee and bakes with a social cause to support the refugee community through NGO partners such as Habibi International and People Serving People Foundation.

Most recently, they opened a full-fledged café serving all-day brunch, coffee and pastries situated in Enabling Village in Redhill, a very apt location befitting of their purpose to advocate for the less fortunate.

The standalone brick-and-mortar café is both pet-friendly (at the lawn and backyard) and kid-friendly (both indoors and outdoors), so be prepared for the friendly chaos if you’re thinking of visiting over the weekend. Bonus point for book lovers – there is a mini library set up by the Casual Poet Library (a community library based in Redhill) in the café.

I visited the café on two separate occasions, one on a weekday morning and one on a weekend morning and I highly recommend the former. It was peaceful such that I could read the books on the shelves while enjoying my breakfast.

I played safe and went for the White Coffee ($6) – a double shot ristretto, made with their house blend (aka Mad Blend).

On my first visit, I had the Matcha Latte ($7) and opted for no sugar, but oddly on my second visit, I was not asked to pick the sugar level and was served with a matcha latte that was too sweet for me.

Each of my drinks came with a small card which featured a unique logo coloured by a refugee in Asia who was commissioned by the cafe, and it was heartening to know that I was indirectly helping the refugees.

The breakfast menu is served from 8am – 3pm with vegetarian and vegan options. I had the Granola Bowl ($16) which came with house-made longan and gula melaka granola, grape compote, macadamia praline butter, coconut yogurt and coconut chia pudding. The granola bowl was on the sweeter side but I enjoyed every component coming together nonetheless.

I also had the ‘3-Chilli’ Fried Eggs and Avocado Skillet ($18). The fried eggs were incorporated with 3 types of chilli – Mojo- Picon, lao gan ma chilli crisp, and green chilli chutney. Despite that, the amount of chilli used was minimal so it was not quite spicy. With the addition of marinated kale, avocado and freshly-baked and crisp sticks of focaccia on the side, the dish was well-balanced (with carbs, protein and fat) and hearty.I also had the ‘3-Chilli’ Fried Eggs and Avocado Skillet ($18). The fried eggs were incorporated with 3 types of chilli – Mojo- Picon, lao gan ma chilli crisp, and green chilli chutney. Despite that, the amount of chilli used was minimal so it was not quite spicy. With the addition of marinated kale, avocado and freshly-baked and crisp sticks of focaccia on the side, the dish was well-balanced (with carbs, protein and fat) and hearty.

In the glass display was a range of bakes that can also be found in their other outlets. Perhaps the signature one would be their Chocolate Babka slice ($4), which came toasted and topped with house-made custard followed by salted chocolate crumble. Though I found the babka to be slightly dry on its own, the custard helped.

Mains are served from 11am – 8.30pm. I didn’t get to try them, but some of the dishes like the Beef & Marrow rice bowl ($22) and Seafood ‘Al Ajillo’ with lime rice ($26) sound delicious.

With the warm service, cosy atmosphere and unpretentious, comfort food and drinks, I could see why the café was buzzing with people from as early as 8am.

20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-20 Enabling Village Outpost, Singapore 159053

8am – 9pm daily

Jul 13 2025

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Cafe, Food, Netherlands, Rotterdam, Travel

Rotterdam Cafe Hop – 3 Cafes to Visit

Within an hour away by train, Rotterdam is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Amsterdam. You can easily hop on a train from either one of the major train stations in Amsterdam (e.g. Amsterdam Centraal) just tapping your international credit or debit card without purchasing any ticket.

I arrived in Rotterdam Centraal in the morning, made cultural visits to the Huis Sonneveld and Nieuwe Instituut, then started my café-hopping adventure in the city.

1. Blend Artwork + Coffee

A combination of a café, art gallery, and design shop, Blend Artwork + Coffee was my first stop of the day. With an aesthetic round wooden communal table and art pieces decorating the interior and a tranquil garden with outdoor seating in the backyard, the café made a charming spot for breakfast and brunch. The staff were friendly to introduce the menu and recommend the labnehs.

I was surprised to find a section of the menu dedicated to different types of labneh, a Middle Eastern dish, in a Dutch café. There were different flavours of the labneh such as crispy chilli, dukkah, and coffee honey. All their labneh was made with a combination of yogurt and goat yogurt strained every night in their fridges.

Since I was feeling peckish, I ordered the Breakfast Platter (EUR 14.95, SGD 22.4) which came with a small classic labneh, croissant, jam, soft boiled egg, and sourdough bread on the side. The classic labneh, topped with olive oil, za’atar, sumac and blueberries, was fresh and creamy, pairing well with the sourdough.

I also had a regular sized Latte (EUR 4.25, SGD 6.4), made with coffee roasted by Manhattan Coffee Roasters in Rotterdam. There was a range of non-coffee drinks available as well.

Thanks to the fresh and artisanal ingredients used, I had a hearty and satisfying brunch. The atmosphere was also cozy and peaceful, and I could imagine myself going regularly if I resided in the city.

Nieuwe Binnenweg 305A, 3021 GH Rotterdam, Netherlands

Mon, Wed – Fri 8.30am – 5pm

Sat to Sun 9.30am – 5.30pm

2. Büro Bobo

Located in a secluded corner in the creative Delfshaven district, Büro Bobo, or Buero Bobo, was a café that one might easily miss. This small, 15 square meters space, was a concept store integrating interior design, espresso and filter coffee, and natural wine.

As I chatted with the barista, I found out that the owner was an architectural designer who moved from Germany to Rotterdam, and who built the café interior – minimalist and warm at the same time.

The coffee served here featured rotating selections from top European roasters such as Prolog Coffee from Copenhagen, Schot Coffee Roasters from Rotterdam, and Sprout Coffee Roasters from Eindhoven.

I had an Espresso with Milk (EUR 4, SGD 6), which had a creamy mouthfeel and a slight acidity which I enjoyed. The best part of the experience was definitely the conversations I’ve had with the barista and other patrons who dropped by, made possible by the small and cozy gathering space.

Coolhavenstraat 3, 3024 TD Rotterdam, Netherlands

Mon to Fri 8.15am – 3pm

3. âme cafe and concept store

As the last café stop before heading back to Amsterdam, I dropped by âme cafe and concept store, located within âme Hotel. The hotel was housed in a monumental building with an old yet charming structure and façade. The owners kept most of the old elements and designed the interior with Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, with the use of natural materials and colours.

In the café, there were displays of interior and lifestyle items for purchase along with communal and individual tables to have breakfast and drinks. Unfortunately, it was already late afternoon when I went so I could not try the dishes on the breakfast menu (available everyday till 1pm) – think eggs on toast, avocado toast, yogurt bowls.

Instead, I had a Matcha Latte (EUR 5.8, + 0.3 for oat milk, SGD 8.7) and a Cardamom Bun (EUR 4.95, SGD 7.4) at the counter table. There were also some interesting options, such as their Special soda made with yuzu matcha and espresso yuzu tonic, and a Strawberry matcha, but I decided to play it safe and basic. Both the matcha and bun were above average, though not the best I’ve had in Europe.

Eendrachtsweg 19, 3012 LB Rotterdam, Netherlands

9am – 5pm daily

Jul 07 2025

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Cafe, China, Food, Huangshan

樱汝 – An unexpected café find in Huangshan, China

I was not expecting to find a modern, Japanese style café in the less-known city of Huangshan where mountains, farmlands and old streets and restaurants were more prominent. Even the locals who were with me were surprised to find such a place.

The first floor of the cozy café was designed like a wooden hut, with just 2 small wooden tables that can fit 2 people on each. I was attracted to the rustic coffee and tea counter, with a display of vintage cups and saucers, reminiscent of an antique flea market. Beside them, I also took notice of the range of coffee beans, tea leaves and matcha powder available – it seemed like the owner was passionate in coffee and tea.

On the second floor, there was a long counter table by the window and another standalone table for dining. The rest of the space was adorned with items displayed on sale such as small pieces of jewelry and tea cloths. While the lighting on the first floor was warm and moody, the second floor was bright and inviting with strong sunlight cascading through the window.

The menu, written in cursive Chinese, was not the easiest to decipher. It took me a while to learn that there were several coffee, tea and soda options on the menu, together with a list of desserts.

To beat the early summer heat outside, I skipped my usual hot coffee order and we had the Iced Matcha Latte (CNY36, SGD6.4 +CNY5, SGD0.9 for vanilla ice cream) and the Plum Soda (CNY36) recommended by the owner. The soda was indeed refreshing, sweet and tartly flavoured from the plum syrup.

We also had a slice of Earl Grey Tea Honeydew Cream Cake (CNY36) to share – it was light and fluffy, though the earl grey flavour could be more pronounced.

Conveniently located just 5 minutes away by car from the popular Tunxi Old Street, I highly recommend the café as a pit stop for an afternoon tea or coffee after sightseeing.

Address: 安徽省-黄山市-屯溪区-戴震路2-70号

Jun 28 2025

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Cafe, China, Food, Guangzhou

Tanny Cake 甜莺蛋糕 – Popular Cake Shop in Guangzhou with Lava Basque Cheesecake

I found yet another Japanese inspired café in Guangzhou, Tanny Cake. It was housed in a standalone, 2 storey wooden hut right along the main road, looking as though it popped right out from a Japanese anime.

When I entered, the cafe was rather packed with ladies, many of them trying to pose for photos at different corners of the 2-storey wooden café. I felt a little uncomfortable as it was obvious that some of them were doing product shoots, but the staff did not seem bothered by it.

I went up to the second floor for the tables by the window that overlook the busy main street below. Apart from the traffic and construction noises, the ambiance was relaxing, fit for a lazy afternoon tea session.

From the selection of cakes, I ordered the Matcha Lava Basque Cheesecake (RMB 35, SGD 6.2) which was very creamy, rich and intense, with distinct bitter and earthy tones from the matcha. The consistency of the cake was also lava-like in the middle.

If you prefer something more fruity and less bitter, the Blueberry Lava Basque Cheesecake (RMB 35, SGD 6.2) would be a great choice.

As a café specialising in cakes, I was not expecting much from their coffee but the Latte (RMB 24, SGD 4.3) that I had, made from their blackberry blend, was well-balanced.

With a comfortable price point for such quality cakes and coffee, paired with the lovely atmosphere and aesthetics of the wooden shophouse, it was no wonder that the café has been booming with popularity in Guangzhou.

Address: 广东省-广州市-海珠区-沙园街道沙园街广州重型机器厂宿舍西141米

Directions: 地铁8号线/广佛线沙园站C口出来步行几百米就到

Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm daily

Jun 22 2025

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Cafe, China, Guangzhou

Eo Eoo – Japanese Inspired Café in Guangzhou with Aesthetic Desserts

Tucked away in an old residential area where you would never expect to find a modern café is Eo Eoo (don’t ask me how to pronounce it). I was walking pass the decrepit buildings, thinking to myself, “Is there really a café here?”, and suddenly there were a couple of signs pointing towards the café that came into sight.

The storefront had two wooden doors against a white backdrop, and this theme of wooden furniture set against white walls was prominent in the café interior. Soft, diffused light filled the café through the linen curtains.

On the menu was a selection of hand drip coffee, espresso-based coffee, non-coffee drinks and desserts. I had the Matcha Latte (RMB 42, SGD 7.5), which was rich and intense, while not being overly sweetened. There wasn’t an option to change to oat milk but I enjoyed the drink nonetheless.

For desserts, I had the petite Pistachio Raspberry Tart (RMB 48, SGD 8.6), topped with berries. I thought it was just alright, with neither pistachio nor raspberry flavour distinct.

Meanwhile, their signature parfait was not to be missed. When I was there, it was the spring edition, a Green Apple Parfait (RMB 78, SGD 13.9). I was impressed with the visual of the parfait, with a myriad of components – starting from the lime meringue stick on the top, to the green apple sorbet, green apple slices, jasmine green tea chantilly cream, matcha sable biscuit, jasmine green tea gelato, pomelo bits, and to the green apple jelly. It felt like I was transported to a dessert café in Japan.

Overall, the tart and slightly sour taste of the green apple was refreshing, well-balanced with the earthy flavours of the jasmine green tea. Now, they are serving their summer parfait – Pineapple Coconut Parfait.

I loved how the desserts here were just barely sweet, allowing me to savour the original flavours of the different fruits incorporated. Together with the zen atmosphere of the café (I was there early so no one else was there), I had a peaceful time to myself.

Address: 广东省-广州市-海珠区-龙骧大街润田雅苑A113、114铺

Nearest train station: 地铁8号线凤凰新村站B出口930m

Opening hours: 11am – 7pm daily

Jun 15 2025

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Cafe, China, Guangzhou

Whatever Coffee 無事咖啡 – Guangzhou Cafe

Hidden in an industrial park is a relatively new café in Guangzhou, which I found out about through (none other than) Little Red Note. Though slightly out of the way from the central parts of Guangzhou where the CBD and tourist districts were, the café was still accessible by the metro (about 10 mins walk from the nearest exit of Nanpu station).

When I went on a weekday morning, there was just one other customer, giving me a good chance to explore the space freely. Right from the entrance, the café was surrounded by greenery, with a small garden/lawn in front decorated with (what seems like) lalang. The outdoor yard boasted a majestic tree, with camping chairs and wooden furniture strewn around, which I imagine would be a relaxing spot in the cooler seasons.

The main indoor café area was like a glasshouse – the glass ceiling allowed light and shadows to fill different spaces of the café when the sun shone, giving a dreamy effect. I was truly impressed with the design of the entire space.

At the coffee counter, I was ready to order my regular cup of espresso with milk, but the barista recommended to go for their specialty coffee drinks. So I picked the 日出, which directly translates to Sunrise (RMB 42, SGD 7.48). Made with cold brew, orange juice, home made rose vinegar and pomegranate sugar, it was incredibly refreshing, especially since it was getting hot and humid in China. I liked the balance of tartness, acidity and sweetness from the ingredients.

Something I did not expect was that the drink came with a smoke bubble “performance” by the barista with the smoke bubble gun, right at my seat. There were also non-coffee drinks on the menu such as Matcha Latte (RMB 35). Unfortunately, no food was available.

This is a café not to be missed if you’re in Guangzhou.

Address: 广东省-广州市-番禺区-凹凸凹创意园南门A座103

Weekdays 10.30am – 6.30pm

Weekends 11am – 7pm

Line 2, Nanpu station Exit D 2号线南浦站D出口步行500米

May 03 2025

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Food, singapore

Atipico Room 15 at New Bahru

Synonymous with unusual, unconventional, atypical, is Atipico – an Italian all-day bakery and restaurant situated on the ground floor of New Bahru. It is helmed by an Italian chef who started the brand offering private chef services and catering for events, then expanding it to open Atipico Atelier – a bakery at West Coast. Since then, it has further branched out to a full-fledged restaurant-bakery Atipico Room 15.

The display of laminated pastries by the shop window had always tempted me on my past visits to New Bahru, and I finally had the opportunity to try them out for myself recently.

From the all-day bakery menu, I had a few pastries – one of which was recommended to me by the waitress was the Burrata and Fig Danish ($13) which I skipped initially but later added on to my order. I was so glad I did so, because the crispy and flaky tart had a rich interior of fresh quality burrata, caramelised figs and balsamic reduction. It was unassumingly delightful.

The Egg Mayo Croissant ($10) was an elevated affair of the common breakfast pastry. The deviled egg mayo filling, with crunchy cucumber, was generously stuffed into their house made flaky croissant with French butter.

The Pain Suisse ($7), which was only available on weekends, had a flaky exterior which when cut, revealed creamy vanilla custard and dark chocolate chips inside. I wished there could be more filling.

As basic as I am, I also tried the Granola Bowl ($15) – it comprised their homemade Singapore granola, Greek yogurt and their homemade mango & passion fruit jam. Both the granola and jam were available to purchase individually in packs. The dish was the epitome of “not too sweet”, with tart, tangy, sour and nutty flavours dominating.

We had a sandwich and 2 main dishes from the lunch menu (served 11am – 3pm). I highly recommend the Ricotta Tartine ($22), not just for its exquisite, aesthetic plating. The unconventional combination of the crispy toasted sourdough bread base, sweet juicy melon and confit tomatoes, savoury house made ricotta, spicy chili jam, and crunchy toasted almonds – was a burst of textures and flavours.

If you’re a fan of creamy rich pasta, go for the Pumpkin Ravioli ($34), which featured handmade ravioli filled with roasted pumpkin, served with toasted hazelnuts, sage butter, and smoked ricotta. I loved the addition of the hazelnuts which gave the dish a nutty and crunchy kick.

Moving on to the heavier dish – the Beef Cheek 2.0 ($42), I was satisfied by the huge chunks of tender meat, paired with house beef jus, celeriac and potato mousseline, and olive oil confit heirloom carrots.

Since Atipico is known for their artisanal cakes, I did not skip their desserts. Their best-selling cake is probably the French Kiss ($13), a pistachio raspberry cake with aesthetic layers of pink and green. The flavours of the pistachio almond cream and pistachio ganache paired well with that of the raspberry confit.

Meanwhile, the Gateau St. Honore ($13) was a creamier affair, with vanilla pastry cream, mascarpone Chantilly and choux puff on a base of caramelized house made feuilletage. What surprised me were the choux puffs on either side of the slice – I wish I could have a box of them!

From the attentive service to the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant to the high quality pastries, cakes and dishes, I thoroughly enjoyed my two experiences at Atipico.

46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-15, New Bahru, Singapore 239351

9am – 6pm Tues to Thurs, Sun

9am – 10pm Fri to Sat

Foodography: A Singapore Food Blog

crystalwee.com

Author Archives: Crystal Wee

Simple Café 簡單。- Taiwanese-style Brunch and Cakes in NEWest

Scandinavian Embassy – Best Scandinavian-style bakes in Amsterdam

Apartment Roastery – Best Coffee Shop in Asia Opens New Roastery in Serangoon

Mad Roaster’s Slow Bar – Cosy Brunch Café at Enabling Village, Redhill

Rotterdam Cafe Hop – 3 Cafes to Visit

1. Blend Artwork + Coffee

2. Büro Bobo

3. âme cafe and concept store

樱汝 – An unexpected café find in Huangshan, China

Tanny Cake 甜莺蛋糕 – Popular Cake Shop in Guangzhou with Lava Basque Cheesecake

Eo Eoo – Japanese Inspired Café in Guangzhou with Aesthetic Desserts

Whatever Coffee 無事咖啡 – Guangzhou Cafe

Atipico Room 15 at New Bahru

crystalwee.com

Author Archives: Crystal Wee

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