Tag Archives: Cafe

Oct 20 2024
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Bangkok

Someday in Copenhagen – Scandinavian themed café in Bangkok serving innovative coffee

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I would have never expected a café to be located right at the entrance of a carpark, in an area away from the bustling streets of Bangkok. That was where I found Someday in Copenhagen, a Scandinavian, minimalistic themed café.

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With the huge letters of “HEJ DENNIS :)” being plastered on one of the facades, I couldn’t help but wonder who Dennis was. I later found out that Dennis is the owner, who used to be a barista at the famous Fuglen in Oslo.

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Despite a focus on the grab and go concept, the coffee stand offers some tables and chairs for dine in – there was an air-conditioned area to escape the heat and the more hipster outdoor area where vehicles could be driving right into the parking lot anytime.

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The menu has a series of classic and innovative coffee/non-coffee options, together with some pastries. Out of the items I had, my favourite one was their Signature Iced Honeycomb Latte (THB150/SGD5.9, +THB20/SGD0.8 for oat milk). As the honeycomb melted, there was a subtle sweetness released into the latte gradually which I liked. The iced latte itself was also very smooth and drinkable. I also tried the Hot Latte (THB130, SGD5.1) which was dull in comparison to the honeycomb latte.

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From the range of pastries, I had the Caramel Roll (THB130, SGD5.1) and the Pain Suisse (THB155, SGD6.1). I preferred the former, with flaky and crunchy layers on the outside which when cut, revealed a gooey and melty caramel core. The Pain Suisse had a filling of orange chocolate within, but I wished they could be more generous with the filling.

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The no-frills concept of the café was interesting, and it stands out with its unpretentiousness amongst the other heavily decorated cafes in the city. If you’re willing to go a little out of the way (definitely a Grab is needed), not minding the dingy surroundings of the café, you will be in for a treat.

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41/19-20 Soi Sriaksorn, Chuea Phloeng, Sathorn Thung Mahamek Bangkok 10120

Mon – Fri 8am to 4pm

Sat – Sun 8am to 5pm

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Aug 31 2024
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Cafe, Copenhagen, Denmark, Food, Travel

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Aug 17 2024
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Food

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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100 Guillemard Rd, #01-02, Singapore 399718

8.30am – 5.30pm daily

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Aug 10 2024
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Cafe, Food, singapore

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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8am – 5pm Wed to Mon (closed on Tues)

2 Fowlie Rd, #01-01, Singapore 428505

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May 01 2024
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Bangkok, Cafe, Food

Anonymous Coffee, Bangkok – Outstanding Coffee in an Industrial Geometrical Building

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Anonymous Coffee was one of my best finds for coffee from my recent Bangkok trip. As it was not located near any BTS subway station, I hitched a Grab bike which conveniently brought me to this relatively quieter area where the café was situated.

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I couldn’t help but mesmerize at the geometrical, industrial structure of the café as I crossed the outdoor yard, where a few patrons were enjoying their coffees peacefully despite the blazing heat. Adorned with camping chairs and hanging light bulbs, it also made for a good photo spot.

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I grabbed a seat indoors where I could catch the baristas in action and still bask in some natural light while taking advantage of the aircon. The café specializes in single origin roasts with beans imported from various regions.

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I had the Flat White – single origin espresso with milk (THB140, SGD5.13), which tasted so much like a light roast that I was surprised when I found out it was a medium roast. The coffee had a creamy texture and was very easy to drink with no bitter or sour aftertaste. There were also some signature drinks on the menu which caught my eye, such as the Yuzu Garden (THB6.60) which seemed to be a yuzu and elderflower drink with single origin espresso, and Sally O’ Brien (THB150, SGD5.50), a single origin cold brew with house espresso syrup and fresh cream.

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The only available pastry/dessert when I went was the Banana Bread (THB85, SGD3.12), so I had one together with my coffee. Thankfully, it was not as dry as I expected it to be.

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I had a great time as a solo patron – the baristas were friendly and amiable, the patrons seemed to be serious coffee drinkers, and the ambiance made me forget about the busyness of life for a moment.

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149 Rimtangrodfai Sai Peat-Riu Road, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

8.30am -5.30pm daily

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Dec 25 2023
1 Comment
Cafe, Food, Seoul, South Korea, Travel

Nachbar Coffee House, Seoul (나흐바)

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Specialising in filter coffee, Nachbar is a small café situated in Seochon (one of my favourite neighbourhoods!) in Seoul. I first went in spring and made a return visit in autumn – that fact on its own is a big testament to how much I liked the space and coffee.

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In spring, the cherry blossom tree right next to the café creates a picturesque little scenery and casts nice shadows on the white façade of the café. The large open windows also allow for natural light to illuminate the space and patrons to people-watch while sipping their coffees. In the café, the mood was bright and cheery.

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At the moment, the café is owned and solely operated by its owner, a single man show. (So waiting time might be longer if it’s a full house). He gathers a small range of filter coffee beans each time and it changes on a regular basis. The prices also differ according to each type of bean. Since the café started as a filter coffee specialty bar, I had chosen the Honduras Reyes from Goro Coffee Roasters on my first visit. I enjoyed the brew which came tasting notes of lavender, peach, and brown sugar. There was a certain level of tartness and acidity which was not overpowering for me.

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In autumn, a long carpet was rolled out in the cafe and the atmosphere became cosier, with people huddling in their winter jackets and coats. This time, I noticed the owner brought in an oat milk option so I had the Latte (KRW5500, + 500 for oat). The latte was a light roast with tanginess and tartness.

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I also found out that the owner recently started selling homemade Cinnamon Rolls (KRW5000 each) so I got one of it. The outer layers had a slight crisp while the inner layers were slightly fluffy and sufficiently (but not overly) sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. It would have been even better if the bread was softer and fluffier, with some cream cheese spread on top.

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As I indulged in my coffee and pastry, I found it amazing how the same space could have a different mood and atmosphere as the seasons change.

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42 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 대한민국 서울특별시 종로구 필운대로 42

11am – 7pm daily (check their Instagram before going!)

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Dec 16 2023
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Cafe, Food, singapore

Moonchild – New Brunch Cafe at Jalan Besar from the team behind Atlas Coffee

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Moonchild is the newest child of the team behind Atlas Coffeehouse, Columbus Coffee Co, Supernova, Neptune, Apollo Coffee Bar and the defunct Lunar Coffee Brewers – all of which I’ve been with the exception of Columbus. With this context, it was hard not to come with a certain level of expectation.

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Given that the café opened recently with much attraction to crowds, I recommend avoiding the weekend if possible or to come as early as opening hour to snag a table without queueing. On a positive note, the café had both indoor and outdoor dining areas with plenty of seats, just that they seemed to limit the number of patrons during busy periods.  

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With a range of Filters, Espresso Coffees, Teas, Natural Wines and other drinks to choose from, the drinks menu was extensive to suit all palates. From my 3 occasions here, I got to try both espresso blends for my Flat White and Latte ($5.3 for regular 7oz, +$1.1 for oat) – Mr Cuddles (Bold & Strong) and Mr Brightside (Juicy & Bright). Both blends suited my preference and my coffees had a creamy, nutty aftertaste like peanut butter.

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The food menu was divided into The Morning Situation (9am – 3pm) which offers breakfast/brunch options and Midday to Close (11am onwards) which features lunch options like pastas, rice bowls and burgers.

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I had the Potato Stack Smoked Salmon Poached Eggs ($21.9) which is their version of the eggs royale. Instead of the usual English muffin or toast, fried potato stack was used and I liked biting into the layers of potato. The eggs were also of good quality, with flowy orange golden yolks.

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The Banana Bread with Espresso Mascarpone ($12.6) was huge, I couldn’t finish it on my own for breakfast. The brown creamy layer of espresso mascarpone was addictive and paired well with the fluffy bread. Salt was also sprinkled on top and created a sweet savoury combination, like salted caramel.

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If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the Butterscotch Rum Bananas French Toast ($22). The brioche was sufficiently but not overly moist and fluffy and came well together with the other elements of butterscotch rum bananas, vanilla ice cream and candied hazelnuts.

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If you are into thin pancakes (like McDonalds’ hot cakes), I would recommend the Hotcakes with Fresh Blueberry Compote and Raspberry Butter ($19.9), which were fluffy and light.

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From the lunch menu, I tried the Unagi Don ($20.9) and it was surprisingly good. The grilled unagi was tender and optimally sweet, and was served with ikura, burnt buttered corn, furikake, nori, and Japanese rice.

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I had read reviews recommending the Really Nice Mushrooms on Toast ($19.5) which comes with grilled mushrooms, spinach, pickled shallots, creamy mushroom sauce, sourdough crumb, and 2 poached eggs. However, my friend and I found the mushrooms too salty and I thought the dish could have more depth.

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Apart from the slight disappointment with the mushrooms and toast, the other dishes left me well-fed and satisfied. With other promising and raved-about items on their menu, Moonchild could be that weekend brunch spot that is perpetually packed, just like its sister cafes.

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351 Jalan Besar, #01-01, Singapore 208988

Tues to Sat 9am – 10pm

Sun 9am – 7pm

Closed on Mon

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Jul 06 2014
7 Comments
Food

The Lokal

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So, so so many new cafes in Singapore. (too many?) There came to a point in time where I was coming to know about a new cafe each day without fail,  be it through Instagram, blogger friends or the world wide web in general. Pretty sure this influx of new cafes started in June or so, leaving us bloggers in a frenzy where we scurry off to as many of those hideouts as possible.

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Brought to you by Sarnies, The Lokal is Australian-inspired and has so far gotten the nod from food bloggers and cafe hoppers alike. The space is dim, with some light filtering in through a few windows by some tables. Indie vibes checked. Good thing’s that the layout is well-suited to pack people in groups of 4-5 without compromising much on spatial assets. We checked this place out just this Friday for lunch when the lunch menu was served from 11am onwards. Served from 8am to 11am is the breakfast menu which looked promising and fulfilling as well.

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Coffee here was such a delight. I had the cappuccino ($5.50) – smooth, aromatic, right acidity, no bitter aftertaste. Even the latte art’s on point! On the drinks menu there are also smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, teas and sodas so fret not, non-caffeine takers.

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My dish consists of smashed avocado, homemade ricotta cheese, pomelo and toasted almonds on sourdough ($18). A tad pricey though considering the small portion. It’s plain but it makes for something light and healthy on the palate. I’m especially recommending this to all the avocado lovers out there. And P.S. they do place some emphasis on the fact that they make the ricotta from scratch.

Another refreshing and light choice would be the Pita sabich sandwich filled with grilled aubergine, tomato, cucumber, boiled egg and hummus ($16). My friend thinks that the hummus makes this colorful dish tastes less simple as a vegetarian option.

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We also tried the Roast chicken panini with crispy pancetta, tomato, avocado cos and aioli ($15) – coming in a surprisingly bigger portion than the avocado dish. Those with larger stomachs should therefore opt for their sandwiches/burger. The Roast beef on rye, caramelized onions, watercress & grain mustard creme fraiche ($17) and Schnitzel burger, red slaw, grilled pineapple, Emmenthal cheese, lettuce, anchovy mayo on a sesame seed bun served with chunky chips ($28) are yet two other tantalizing alternatives.

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Do not leave without satisfying your sweet tooth. Both the Sticky date pudding with caramelized sauce & vanilla ice cream ($12) and Banana cake with caramelized bananas & hokey pokey ice cream ($12) called out to us so we had both. Between the two, our favorite was the banana cake which felt somewhat like a french toast. The cake was soft but substantial enough to be soaked in syrup that didn’t make it too soggy. I loved how it’s not too cloyingly sweet. Meanwhile, the sticky date pudding, though decent, was pretty average. I would prefer a spongier pudding which would soak up some butterscotch sauce instead of their version which was too dense for my liking.

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Overall verdict? I’m giving the nod too. This is one promising establishment amongst the whole new lot of them – friendly service, quality grub. They so deserve another trip down.

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136 Neil Road

Singapore 088865

Mon – Fri 8am to 6pm

Sat & Sun 9am to 4pm

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Feb 05 2014
5 Comments
Food

Necessary Provisions

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For a good few months I’ve been dreaming of local coffee joint Necessary Provisions and racking my brains if it’s worth the trip. As a north-eastie, traveling to the western part of the island may be nasty without a personal vehicle. The opportunity came when an instagram friend of mine was visiting from Kuala Lumpur – as a fellow cafe hopper back in her own country, she happened to be interested in N. Provisions as well. I obviously jumped at the opportunity.

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Thanks to the really ulu location the cafe is set in, I took an hour and a half to get there via public transport – From Clementi Bus Interchange which is next to the MRT station, take bus 173 and alight at the 8th stop. Then you’re left with a hundred metres of walk into Eng Kong Terrace.

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I like clean, white spaces. But then I like sleek, black spaces even more. N Provisions has a cool ambience with its accompanying black walls, tables and chairs. The counter (shown above) made of quintessential green tiles, together with a vintage bicycle against it as a backdrop, makes for that obligatory shot for instagram. My favorite is the prominent back wall though. It features a collection of ceramics, coffee apparatus and a random handful of items that, when shelved together, creates a hip background for the cafe. Talk about vibes.

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Then of course, we started off our morning with their coffee. Since NP is by the people behind Smitten Coffee who also set up the now defunct Homebodies and Henry Congressional, you can expect them to be serious about their caffeine fix. I had a White 6 oz ($5) and I love that it leaves no bitter aftertaste.

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I know I should have ordered more from the menu but we decided to keep it simple that day with a slice of Pandan Chiffon Cake ($4) and Orange Walnut Cake ($4). $4 for a Pandan Chiffon?! I can get a slice for $1 at a local bakery. The pandan chiffon there was a lot fluffier but I would rather save those few pennies for another coffee. The latter was a zesty delight especially with the grated orange rind and huge chunks of walnut.

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In case you’re feeling hungrier, the all day menu has simple breakfast items like Savory Scones ($5) and Banana Nutella Panini ($5) and sandwiches such as Rosemary Chicken ($9). Available from 6pm onwards is the more enticing dinner menu. From fresh pasta like the Winter Pasta ($14) to the Blackened Halibut ($22) to the Pork Burger with Apple Sauce ($14), the choices are not endless but interesting.

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Anyway, I’d forgotten to take some shots of the exteriors which features a few outdoor seats and tables so I thought the many angles of the back wall would make up for it. This place really makes such a chill corner. If only I lived in the west…

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21 Eng Kong Terrace

Singapore 598993

Tuesday to Thursday 10am – 10pm

Friday & Saturday 10am – 12am

Sunday 10am – 6pm

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Jun 23 2013
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Food

Arbite – a hearty brunch

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Arbite is no newcomer to the list of popular brunch places in Singapore. It’s cosy interiors created by wooden furniture in a white space is no doubt a less formal, more chillax place for heartlanders to have gatherings there especially on weekends. The view overlooking Serangoon Gardens may not be posh but it certainly made the place look airy.
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I jumped straight into my order immediately. With such a pretty name, the Sea Salt Banana Pancakes ($14.90) was a definite call. With huge chunks of banana heavily caramelized in between the pancakes, you’ll never have to endure an overload of plain, boring pancakes. What’s more, the plate is rimmed with caramel sauce, berries and nuts.
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In my opinion many brunch places have mediocre breakfast sets with a random mixture of sausages, eggs….. but even till now, the Arbite Breakfast ($12.90) lingers in my cravings  with a note set in my memory. A good spread indeed: veal bratwurst which was tender to my liking, greens, bacon, mushrooms, fried potato balls, a nicely grilled tomato, soft brioche and of course truffle eggs (additional $3). Even though I preferred truffle on fries, I must agree that truffle on anything is still good.
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The Truffle Fries ($10.90) here are of a thicker cut. The hints of truffle salt and oil are barely there on the fries, they’re mostly hidden in the truffle mayonnaise. So don’t forget to dip them in!
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By that time, the both of us were pretty full from such a hearty and filling brunch. Yet, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity for desserts since they sound delicious by descriptions on the menu. Sadly, My Wife’s Chocolate Cake ($8) was quite a disappointment. I would think that a wife has better standards for her chocolate cake. It was undeniably dry and normal with no kick to it. I can imagine a sallow-faced wife.

 

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Lucky for Arbite’s Gula Melaka Tiramisu ($8) which saved the day. Having a gula melaka mascarpone made the dessert extra sweet but I’m not complaining. Because of the well-infused gula melaka into a tiramisu, it has turned out to be a unique rendition which is not too heavy on the stomach.

The number of tables here are limited but you’ll be happy that Arbite has opened another eatery, A for Arbite at Aliwal Street. Both the concept and menu mimics the original outlet except for its funkier location.

66A Serangoon Garden Way

Tuesdays to Fridays 11.30 am – 3.00 pm     6.00pm – 10.30pm
Saturdays & Sundays  9.00 am – 10.30 pm

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