Crystal Wee

Aug 31 2024

Kafeteria SMK – Aesthetic Museum Café Known for Pancakes and Pastries in Copenhagen

Founded by Frederik Bille Brahe (who also owns Atelier September and Apollo Bar in Copenhagen), Kafeteria SMK is a café situated within the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the first agenda on my itinerary after offloading my luggage at the hotel.

With extremely high ceilings and large glass windows on one side overlooking the lush greenery of the museum’s main entrance, the space is bright, wide and airy. The aesthetics matched that of the art museum and was indeed very Scandinavian.

After grabbing the window seat, I headed to the counter where I had a hard time choosing from the mains menu and especially from the display of pastries.

As per my prior research, their pancakes were seemingly popular so I went for the Buttermilk Pancakes with Mascarpone and Maple Syrup (135 DKK, SGD26). These were on the thick and denser side, well-accompanied with a generous layer of maple syrup at the base and mascarpone and jam at the top. It can however get too heavy halfway through.

From the selection of pastries, I had the Cardamom Bun (45 DKK, SGD8.7) which was fluffy and soft on the inside, and also the Chocolate Cake (45 DKK, SGD8.7) which was a tad dry but still gobbled up thanks to the smooth cream and nut butter on top.

To balance the heavy amount of carb and sugar, I also got some greens – the Green Asparagus with Stracciatella, Rye, Mustard and Ramson (145 DKK, SGD28). It was surprisingly very tasty – the crisps were nutty and enhanced the texture of the dish, while the stracciatella cheese and mustard added flavour to the asparagus without overpowering it. The quality of the rye bread was also great.

The café is accessible to all without the need for reservations or museum tickets, but I highly recommend exploring the museum before/after a meal at the café – as the largest art museum in Copenhagen, it houses a large collection of visual art from a time as old as the sixteenth century to modern times.

Please do not be alarmed by the prices – they are on par with the cost of living in Denmark.

Statens Museum for Kunst, 48-50, Sølvgade, 1350 København, Denmark

Tues to Sun 10am – 6pm

Tagged Cafe, Copenhagen, Denmark

Aug 24 2024

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Cafe, Food

butter tgt – New Café in Tanjong Pagar with Homemade Bakes

The newest kid on the block in Tanjong Pagar is butter tgt, a new venture by home baker @youkneadcakes on Instagram. Somehow “smooth like butter” always plays in my head whenever I think of butter…

I have already been there thrice – for the peaceful, quiet me-time in the morning, for my new-found favourite corner spot where the low wooden round table is. That time and space is perfect for reading while sipping coffee and munching on bread, before the crowd starts streaming in and the chatter from conversations starts to fill the space especially on weekends.

The menu here features a range of breakfast items such as toasts and granola, together with their rotational bakes displayed in a glass counter at the cashier.

On my visits, I tried their White ($6, +$1 for oat milk) and Mocha ($7, +$1 for oat milk). They use their house blend, the Butter Blend (Ethiopia & Tanzania), which has notes of dark berries and nutty chocolates. I thoroughly enjoyed the coffees which were not too heavy on the palate.

For non-coffee options, there are the Matcha latte ($8) made with kiku ceremonial matcha by Niko Neko Matcha and Hot Chocolate ($7.5) made with the Alto Beni by Fossa Chocolate, with caramel, woody, browned fruit notes.

From the food menu, I’ve had the Avocado Toast ($12) – a simple slice of toasted sourdough, with avocado and house made garlic butter. For something more substantial and savoury, try the Grilled Cheese ($16) sandwich made with 3 types of cheeses (gouda, mozzarella, cheddar) and which also comes with a thick tomato soup on the side.

Though the café is famed for their Madeleines (set of 3 for $7.5, baked to order with 15 mins wait), I unfortunately have had better ones in Singapore so I would skip it if I were to come again.

On the other hand, the Banana Bread ($6) which was recommended to us had the right balance of moisture and fluffiness while not being overly sweet, so it turned out to be one of my favourite items. The Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($5.8) was also a sinful treat which I relished.

Despite the simple, no-frills food and drinks, I had good experiences overall thanks to the unpretentious concept, cozy ambiance and friendly hospitality.

Wed to Mon 8.30am – 5pm

76A Duxton Road, 2^nd floor, Singapore 089535

Aug 17 2024

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Food

Vernacular Coffee – Spacious Café in Guillemard Specialising in Single Origin Coffee

Taking over the premises of the now relocated Brawns and Brains is Vernacular Coffee which opened its doors last December. I’ve visited the café twice – once when it was opened and again recently after it launched a brunch menu with main courses.

Still preserving the original slant high ceiling structure and conical light fixtures, the café paints a moody ambiance with its painted dark green walls and ceiling, a mixture of brown and black tables and stools, and cement floor.

The café prides itself on its selection of 8 unique single origin options sourced from various countries that are on display at the ordering counter. On my first visit, I had the Espresso Flight ($9.50) which comprises a cup of espresso and a cup of 4oz white coffee. I chose the Hta Ngo Shan from Myanmar which has notes of muscat grape and green apple. I took alternating sips from each cup since the espresso shot was too bitter on its own for me, and it was interesting noting that both are made from the same beans.

I also had the White 7oz ($6) with Kiaragana AA Kenya which was the lightest roast available. For non-caffeine drinkers, there are also single origin options for hot chocolate and tea to explore.

From the Croissanterie menu, which is also displayed in a glass case at the café front, I had the Scrambled Eggs & Spam ($10) and the White Grape, Camembert & Parma Ham ($12). Both pastries had crisp and flaky layers which I enjoyed. However, I wished that the portion of the fillings could be more substantial considering the price point.

Recently, a brunch menu was launched and I got to try the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict ($28), which came with spiral croissant as the base. The different textures and layers of the pastry, avocado, poached eggs, smoked salmon, sour cream, salmon roe and hollandaise sauce complemented one another and the dish was overall well executed.

The ice cream sandwiches looked tempting, but I would have to save it for another day.

100 Guillemard Rd, #01-02, Singapore 399718

8.30am – 5.30pm daily

Tagged Cafe, food, singapore

Aug 10 2024

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Cafe, Food, singapore

Big Short Coffee – New Coffee Bar in Joo Chiat with Creative Specialty Drinks

Just last week, I popped by the new Big Short Coffee in Joo Chiat – this specialty coffee bar serves innovative coffee specialty drinks by experimenting with techniques from molecular gastronomy, cocktail mixing, science labs and ingredients not normally used in coffee.

The creative drinks rotate on a seasonal basis and they are currently serving drinks from their Chapter 1: summer 2024 menu.

I tried 4 drinks from the summer menu. My first cup which also turned out to be my favourite was the Happy Valley Punch ($8.5). The highlight of this drink was the clear, clarified coconut milk, made using a milk clarification technique commonly used for cocktails. The natural sweetness of the coconut milk striked a balance with the acidity of blood orange and bergamot, and together with early grey and a shot of their own Big Short Blend espresso (50/50 brazil & Columbia blend natural process), made a refreshing drink with a subtle sweet tone.

The house blend espresso (a 50-50 blend of Brazil and Columbia naturally processed beans) has a lighter roasting style to accentuate the natural flavour and sweetness of the beans. It is also used in the normal coffees (white, black, mocha etc.) that are the mainstays of the menu.

Young Harry ($8) is a combination of a cold brew with jasmine green tea and raw fresh coconut water topped with roasted pistachio cream and corn flowers. This was much less sweet, with bitter tones from the tea.

Those who enjoy nutty flavours will like the Bee’s Knees ($8) – I loved the addition of roasted pine nuts in it. The unexpected combination with cold brew, fresh strawberry puree, coastal wildflower rare honey (from Western Australia) and fresh honeycomb was pleasantly unique.

Inspired by the coffee slushy the owner tried in Italy, the team recreated their own version, called the Crema Al Caffe ($8). Their house espresso blend is churned in the slushy machine with fresh and condensed milk, brown sugar and vanilla bean, resulting in a smooth and creamy emulsion. The slushy is then topped with almond and hazelnut praline, providing an added crunchy texture and nutty dimension to the sweet treat.

Work is going on behind the scenes by the R&D team to launch the Chapter 2: autumn 2024 menu and I honestly can’t wait to be back for that.

8am – 5pm Wed to Mon (closed on Tues)

2 Fowlie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 428505

Tagged Cafe, coffee, singapore

Aug 03 2024

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Food

Frankie and Fern’s – Hidden Café in Holland Village with Aesthetic Interiors and Brunch Dishes

Frankie & Ferns has been on my list for months and I finally found the opportunity to visit. Despite being touted as a “hidden” café in Holland Village, it was seemingly easy to locate, with a signboard being placed right outside Holland Village MRT station’s Exit C. Take the lift of Holland Village Shopping Centre up to the 4^th floor and it will be just on the left.

The café was bright and airy, with ample sunlight streaming in and illuminating the Scandinavian-inspired interior. I loved the attention to small details such as the addition of plants and small flowers to each table.

With brunch, lunch and dinner menus, the café serves as an all-day dining destination, versatile to your different occasions. For me, I went for a slow and relaxed breakfast with a book in hand, as part of my self-care day. However, do note that there is a 90-minute dining limit on weekends and public holidays due to the crowd and reservations are highly recommended.

I started with a Latte ($5.50) which was just so so, so I will recommend to try other drinks instead.

From the breakfast/brunch menu, I ordered one of the recommended items, the Roasted Short Rib Toast ($23), beautifully topped with provolone, Russian dressing, chimichurri and chilli-pickled cucumber. The short ribs are brined for a day, sous vide overnight and finished in the Josper oven, resulting in a tender texture, though I wished the cut could be leaner and less fatty. The sourdough was chewy with a crisp crust, and surprisingly very addictive with chimichurri as a spread.

The portion of the short rib toast was fairly small so I also got the more substantial Frankie’s Breakfast ($28) that came with scrambled eggs, wilted kale with crumbled feta, thick-cut bacon, pork fennel sausage, rosemary-pickled soy tomatoes, roasted portobello and toasted sourdough. The highlight was the scrambled eggs, being smooth and creamy, while the pickled tomatoes had an interesting sweet-sour juicy flesh.

I had a lovely experience since I stayed and left before the crowd started to fill the place with conversations. It felt like I was transported back to a Scandinavian café where I could indulge in a blank space on my schedule – just focusing on the present moment.

211 Holland Ave, #04-03 Holland Road Shopping Centre, Singapore 278967

Mon – Thur 9.30am to 5pm, closed Tuesday

Fri 9.30am to 9.30pm

Sat – Sun 9am to 9.30pm

Jul 20 2024

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Food, Japan, Tokyo, Travel

5 Hidden Café Gems in Tokyo for Coffee, Tea and Desserts

Butter Coffee Stand

Famed for its instagram-worthy seasonal lattes, caneles and cheesecakes, Butter Coffee Stand is a small cafe in the Nakano area. With just 3 small tables for indoor seating, it is recommended to visit on weekdays to avoid queueing outside.

Since I was in Tokyo in spring, the sakura-themed drinks and desserts were on the menu. Out of which, I had the Beets Latte with Espresso (JPY700, +JPY100 for oat milk). It was an interesting pick, made with homemade beet syrup made from raw, pesticide-free beets and combined with several spices. Overall, the elements blended well and I enjoyed the subtle spices.

I also had the Sakura Canele (JPY500, JPY450 with drink) made by kneading sakura-an (sweet bean paste) and sakura powder into the dough and using cherry liqueur. Though the outer layer was overly hard, the insides had a sakura mochi-like texture with a moderate sweetness.

From the regular menu, I had the Matcha Latte (JPY650, +JPY100 for oat milk) which had a good balance of umami and sweetness, and the normal Canele which I felt could be skipped.

Tip: Check their instagram to find out about their seasonal offerings and time of availability.

2 Chome-1-1 Arai, Nakano City, Tokyo 165-0026, Japan

Mon to Fri 8am – 8pm

Sat, Sun and holidays 10am – 8pm

2. Kasiki

If you are looking for quality ice cream after lunch or dinner in Shibuya, Kasiki is my recommendation. On the menu is a list of interesting flavours, from which I chose 2 after an internal battle with dilemma. I had the Lemon and Saffron and Black Sesame, Sea Salt and Maple Syrup (JPY850 for double scoop) – the former was refreshing with hints of saffron that I could detect, and not overly sour, while the latter was rich with both savoury and sweet tastes.

On top of being an ice cream parlour, Kasiki also serves a selection of wines, coffees, and teas. I found it cute that my Norm Tea House Ocha Japanese Tea (JPY500) was served in a wine glass – it made me reminisce the days before I banned alcohol from my life.

1 Chome-13-2 Nishihara, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0066, Japan

1pm – 9pm, closed on Wed and Thursday

3. Saten Japanese Tea

Slightly off the beaten path is this quaint Japanese tea house in Suginami City. The tea house specializes in single origin Japanese tea, matcha, hojicha and an (red bean paste) butter toast. Sitting relaxedly at the terrace seat which is right by a small street, I thoroughly enjoyed the Matcha Latte (JPY640, +JPY150 for oat milk) which was full of umami and slight bitter tones.

I also got the seasonal Sakura Mascarpone Toast (JPY600) to pair with my drink. The mild cherry blossom-scented sakura-an and mascarpone were topped on white toast and made for a simple breakfast snack.

Japan, 〒167-0054 Tokyo, Suginami City, Shoan, 3 Chome−25−9 ロアジール松庵

10am – 7pm daily

4. Like

Like restaurant is located above the BioTop boutique clothing store in the same building. The atmosphere was lovely – with high ceilings, full glass windows, and even a dedicated area for live band performances. As I went in the late afternoon, their full-fledged lunch and dinner menu were not being served, so I had coffee and dessert instead.

The Café Latte (JPY630) was just normal, but if there was one thing to order here, it would be their signature Peanut Cream Puff (JPY660). Made as a choux pastry, the outer layer was thin and crisp. Hidden beneath is a generous filling of peanut cream that was both light and fragrant without that heaviness or dense texture of peanut butter.

The good thing about coming at mid to late afternoon timing was that the café was barely filled, with no need for reservation, so you get to enjoy the laidback vibes without the crowd and noise.

11.30am – 10pm

Closed on Mon and Thurs

4-6-44 3F, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 108-0071

5. Chigaya Kuramae

The Kuramae area, what used to be an industrial district, is getting popular for the many modern stylish cafes that have taken their places in the neighbourhood amongst the older units (factories, tanneries, manufacturers, etc.).

Chigaya bakery is one of them, with an outstanding décor and theme which took inspiration from classic American bakeries in New York. The red and white gingham curtains are a key feature, paired with wooden tables and chairs, open displays of sweet and savoury bakes and whitewashed walls and cabinets.

I visited right on time when their signature light and fluffy Cream Donuts (JPY470) were freshly fried and out on display, and snagged it together with a Strawberry Danish (JPY450), Maple Cream Bread (JPY450) – homemade maple cream cheese, walnuts, figs and Iced Latte (JPY650).

While most patrons came to takeaway the bread and pastries, I recommend easing into the seats with a book to soak in the ambiance of this cutesy bakery while nibbing into their quality bakes.

8am – 6.30pm daily

2 Chome-8-11 Torigoe, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0054, Japan

Jul 13 2024

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Cafe, Food, South Korea, Suwon

Vivre Sa Vie (비브르 사비) – White and Minimal Cafe near Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

On a clear autumn morning filled with gusts that signalled the transition to winter, I did a day trip out from Seoul to Suwon for the first time. The journey by the subway was convenient and fuss free. It took me slightly less than an hour and a half to get to Suwon station. From the main station, I then hopped on a bus which brought me to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

Before attempting the fortress hike, I had planned to visit Vivre Sa Vie, a café with my kind of white and minimal aesthetics. The café was run by just a kind and friendly middle-aged lady who came slightly past opening hour and was very apologetic that I waited past 10am outside the café, exposed to the chilling winds.

With large glass windows along one side of the café, the café was filled with natural light and I got a clear view of the fortress walls from inside. The white walls and ceiling contrasted with the wooden and rattan furniture, while props like books and plants spruced up the small and modest space.

From the range of drinks and desserts on the menu, I ordered the Homemade Apple Cinnamon Tea (KRW6500) to warm myself up, along with a Matcha Terrine (KRW5,500). The tea came with an aesthetic presentation, topped with slices of apple and a small uncut apple. I recommend to several rounds of hot water as you drink it as it was very sweet.

Meanwhile, the Matcha Terrine was rich and dense, with a substantial bitterness of matcha that helped balance the sweetness from the tea. I loved the overall attention to detail, as can be seen from the style of plating and presentation.

As the owner put on her Korean autumn playlist through the speakers, I indulged in the sentiments of the season in the cosiness of the café, while not having to be conscious of others as I was the only customer on that early weekday morning. This is that one café where you can rest your mind and body.

193-231 Yeonmu-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, South Korea

Mon, Wed to Fri 10am – 6pm (closed on Tues)

Sat to Sun 10am – 7pm

Jul 07 2024

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Food, Japan, Kamakura

Kamakura Day Trip – 10 Things to Do in Kamakura

Within my weeklong vacation in Tokyo, I did a day trip to Kamakura which is about 1.5 hours away by local trains. It turned out to be an unforgettable highlight of the entire trip.

I was warned by my Japanese acquaintance to avoid the weekend crowd, but as weather and fate intervened, I had no choice but to fix it on a Saturday. Thankfully, I went early and reached Kamakura around 8am – there were few people in sight at that hour.

1. Breakfast at Breeze Bird Café & Bakery

Most of the itinerary was already planned, including my breakfast spot at Breeze Bird Café & Bakery (3 Chome-4-5 Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0014, Japan). The full review can be found in my previous blog post, but to summarise, I had arguably the best brunch experience in Japan (so far) here.

2. Bread and Pastries at Bread, Espresso &

A 2-3 mins walk away was my second café stop of the day – Bread, Espresso, & (1 Chome-10-5 Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0014, Japan). This is a popular chain bakery with several branches all over Japan, with the branch in Kamakura being a relatively recent addition. The café took over an old liquor and daily necessities store and maintained some of the elements of its predecessor such as the tobacco sales corner and red mailbox at the storefront. I highly recommend their French Toast, which was fluffy and moist especially in the middle.

3. Sightseeing at Yukinoshita

After 2 full solo breakfasts, I needed a long walk to aid digestion, so I took a 40mins walk, passing by the Yukinoshita area with ponds, shrines, museums, and a popular path with cherry blossoms. At late morning, lots of people, both tourists and locals alike, were already arriving via the main train station and pouring out into the streets.

4. Sightseeing at Hokai-ji Temple

Pictured above was another scenic cherry blossom spot I passed, which is also the entrance to Hokai-ji Buddhist Temple.

5. More Bread and Pastries at Okashi Nikaido

I then came to my third food stop of the day, Okashi Nikaido (27-10 Nikaidō, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0002, Japan). Serving homemade muffins, cookies, pound cakes and granola, this minimally designed, takeout bakery was a hidden gem. I got the seasonal Kumquat muffin and had it right outside while it was still warm. The muffin was fluffy and had chunks of kumquat within, with a good balance of sweet and citrus flavours. Honestly one of the best muffins I’ve had.

6. Shopping and Eating at Komachi-dori Street

I made my way back to Komachi-dori Street, the main shopping area of Kamkura with a huge stretch of street food souvenir stores. Surprisingly, I found no queue for Kamakura Warabimochi (1 Chome-6-8 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan), so I quickly took the chance to finally try the warabimochi cup. Despite being extremely stuffed at that point in time, I was still impressed by the soft and silky mochi. I had to agree that the warabi mochi was higher in quality than the average one out there.

7. Taking the Enoden line train

Being a passenger on the decorated Enoden line trains is key to the entire experience in Kamakura – I got on board and went to Enoshima station, where I alighted and headed up to Enoshima Island. I also made a pit stop at Kamakurakokomae Station to have a look at the famous scene from Slam Dunk, but the throngs of tourists going against the traffic controller and disturbing the peace of the surrounding residential area really put me off and I left very soon.

8. Sightseeing, Shopping and Eating at Enoshima Island

The views of the sea from Enoshima Island were breathtaking, and well worth the long walk and climb up. Not just that, but there were also activities suited for different people – be it shopping at souvenir stores, trying shirasu dishes (popular delicacy here), praying at the temple or simply admiring the flowers and cherry blossoms.

9. Tea Break at Bills

In the later part of the day, I had a late lunch at Bills (Japan, 〒248-0026 Kanagawa, Kamakura, Shichirigahama, 1 Chome−1−1, Weekend House Alley, ２F), located along the coast of Shichirigahama Beach. With a direct view overlooking the beach from most seats, the restaurant was constantly packed and bookings are recommended.

Having already tried the signature ricotta hotcakes from the branch in Seoul, I went for a savoury dish instead – the Chilli Miso Salmon with Hot and Sour Aubergine which lived up to my standards.

10. Sunset at Shichirigahama Beach

I timed my meal such that I could catch the sunset just by the beach below the restaurant right after eating. Though the sky was not clear enough to get a view of Mount Fuji, I was contented to have caught a beautiful sunset before heading back to Tokyo. Minus the rowdy tourists (will not state their nationality), the Kamakura day trip was my kind of an idyllic and healing experience.

Jun 30 2024

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Cafe, Food, Japan, Kamakura

Breeze Bird Café & Bakery, Japan – Best Breakfast and Brunch Spot in Kamakura

For my day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo, I had planned to have breakfast at Breeze Bird Café & Bakery, neatly hidden behind the Wadazuka station along the Enoden line. While being a popular spot among the locals, it seemed to be less well known among tourists and so I wanted to take the chance to review it.

Being the first customer to arrive at their opening hour of 8am, no less, I went straight for the outdoor terrace seats. There were 3 wooden tables with beige white sofa seats overlooking a well-kept backyard/garden, and the best part was the overhead tarp for shade and shelter from the direct sun. Since it was spring, the weather was moderate and breezy especially in the morning, making the terrace the ideal spot for breakfast.

In addition to a daily range of bread and pastries available at the counter, the breakfast menu has 2 morning sets to pick from. I had the Morning Set A (JPY2,250), which came with 2 plates. The bigger plate was a colourful Miura and Kamakura vegetable salad with homemade sausage, slices of raw fish, and a small soup on the side, while the smaller plate was akin to an eggs benedict, with poached egg and mushrooms topped on homemade bread.

I also ordered coffee, but unfortunately there were no non-dairy milk options here.

The morning set was amazing, in terms of both portion and quality, for its price point. Unlike American or Greek salads overly doused with fat-laden sauces, the salad tasted fresh, organic and delectable without much dressing. I was also surprised to find slices of quality raw fish, together with the juicy homemade sausage in the salad. For someone who avoids processed food including hot dogs, this was one of the healthiest yet good tasting sausage I had.

As for the egg dish, it was equally or even better. The bread used was fluffy and soaked up a good amount of the mushroom sauce such that it felt like a savoury brioche French toast. I can’t point out what exactly the sauce was made of, but it was many times better than the usual hollandaise sauce we get with an eggs benedict.

I was stuffed but could not bring myself to skip their seasonal spring-only dessert. This aesthetically pleasing Sakura-themed dessert was essentially milk ice cream wrapped in a chewy layer of mochi, topped with peach sauce and amaretto infused milk sauce. The mochi was very soft, while the ice cream was light enough for breakfast.

Thanks to the fresh, quality ingredients of the dishes, huge portions, a relaxed and lovely ambiance and homely service, this was my favourite breakfast/brunch café in this trip.

3 Chome-4-5 Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0014, Japan (神奈川県鎌倉市由比ガ浜三丁目4-5)

Nearest station: JR Yokosuka Line, Enoden Wadazuka Station, Fujisawa Exit. Or 12 min walk from Kamakura Station

Breakfast 8am – 10am, Lunch 11am – 3.30pm, Dinner 5.30pm – 11pm

Closed on Tues, 2^nd and 4^th Weds, and other irregular holidays

Jun 16 2024

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Food

174 Bingo – New Rustic Bakery Cafe in Joo Chiat Serving Artisanal Bakes

News of 174bingo, a new bakery-café in Joo Chiat, popped up on my feed just before I went to Denmark and Sweden, and I decided to visit after coming back from my travels. As per my preference and habit, I targeted to reach at opening hour but I was minutes’ late and there were already several patrons in the café.

The interior of a humble size is furnished with moody lighting and wooden furniture, featuring a communal table and benches in the middle. There are also small and low stools along the walls which may be slightly uncomfortable for some. Note that only the outdoor seating area is pet friendly.

Coffee here is made with beans roasted by Maxi Coffee Bar and served out of disposable cups, I had the Hot White ($5, +$1 for oat milk). Non-coffee drinkers can opt for Chocolate ($5.50) or their Iced Seasonal Shrub Soda ($7.50).

The humble selection of bakes is displayed behind a glass counter next to the register. Having just came back from Denmark and Sweden, my interest was piqued by 2 Scandinavian inspired pastries.

The first was the Cardamom Bun ($6), which originated from Sweden and which I had tried 6 different ones on my vacation. The one here was decent with an adequate amount of sugar and cardamom, but lacked the softness and fluffiness of the ones I had in Scandinavia.

“Memory of Osterbrograde” ($9) was the other Scandinavian inspired bake – Osterbrograde is one of the main streets within the Osterbro district in Copenhagen. The laminated layers of the pastry, topped with a piping of very subtly sweet vanilla cream, were crispy and flaky. Upon cutting through them, I found that the core was filled with raspberry jam that was more tangy than sweet. This is a good choice for those who do not have a sweet tooth.

I had only stomach space left for 1 more item, which was the Iranian Pistachio Tart ($14) – arguably the most premium pastry served here. The base is made with Iranian pistachio praline and pistachio frangipane, while the top layer is made from vanilla and pistachio cream. This was on the sweeter side, though I loved the sweet nutty flavours of the praline which was reminiscent of baklava.

Other than the sweet pastries, a tempting range of savoury items were also available, namely the Garlic and Herb Knot ($6), Four Cheese (Brie, Mozzarela, Cheddar, Cream Cheese) with Honey and Ol’ Fashioned Chicken Pie ($10.5). I guess it will require a second trip to satiate my curiosity.

Love this new addition to the Joo Chiat enclave.

174 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore

Wed to Sun 8.30am – 4.30pm (last order at 4pm)

Foodography: A Singapore Food Blog

crystalwee.com

Author Archives: Crystal Wee

Kafeteria SMK – Aesthetic Museum Café Known for Pancakes and Pastries in Copenhagen

butter tgt – New Café in Tanjong Pagar with Homemade Bakes

Vernacular Coffee – Spacious Café in Guillemard Specialising in Single Origin Coffee

Big Short Coffee – New Coffee Bar in Joo Chiat with Creative Specialty Drinks

Frankie and Fern’s – Hidden Café in Holland Village with Aesthetic Interiors and Brunch Dishes

5 Hidden Café Gems in Tokyo for Coffee, Tea and Desserts

Vivre Sa Vie (비브르 사비) – White and Minimal Cafe near Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Kamakura Day Trip – 10 Things to Do in Kamakura

Breeze Bird Café & Bakery, Japan – Best Breakfast and Brunch Spot in Kamakura

174 Bingo – New Rustic Bakery Cafe in Joo Chiat Serving Artisanal Bakes

crystalwee.com

Author Archives: Crystal Wee

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