Dapper coffee

Ahoy there me hearties! That's what I thought of when I got here. Could be all the wood panelling and old lanterns but I'm pretty sure that crusty old sailors never got coffee this good! One could turn their nose up at the hodge podge of bits and pieces. I have to say that when I came in February, I was one of those persons. But for some reason now, i'm really liking the vibe. I feel a bit like a treasure hunter who has wandered into an old fashioned tavern full of wonders.

In an act of irresponsibility, I've decided not to rush home to my baby but instead I've stopped for a coffee after dropping my hubby off. (I guess that means i'm irresponsible almost every day! And cheating again on my regular coffee place!)

A couple signs on the street signify where to go and I bumble up the long flight of stairs. Gee i've gotten unfit! And it's only halfway up the stairs then through a door that could possibly have been found at an indian restaurant? Hmmmm.

Popping my head in, I yell out "hello" and find owner, Christina at the back putting together a strawberry tart. I'm not in a huge hurry so I watch for a bit then wander out to the front where Christina makes me a great latte, served in a vintage cup that she found at an antique store. She's a collector of sorts with different little vessels to be used for espressos, milk, you name the liquid. I'm loving the mix that is sat atop their coffee machine.

They have a small breakfast and lunch menu of interesting items that they change ever so often and I've promised to come back and try their Japanese inspired lunch one day soon (hopefully before they change it).

On my way out, I ask about their nut milks which they make in house. Christina gives me a sip of their hazelnut milk and it is gooood. I can imagine it with a hot chocolate for a fabulous Nutella drink. Mmmmm.

At night the "ship" turns into a cocktail bar and I have visions of an old sailor with a peg leg and perhaps someone with an eye patch to be sitting on a barstool along their copper benchtop. 

Huggs

Ever so often I'll slink by Lauren Jasmine in the morning and, feeling like a cheating spouse, wander up the street to Huggs. Reason? Well to be honest, it's cheap and cheerful.

It's not much for ambience, stools and tables packed in tightly. But the coffee is well made and they do interesting things like their Latte Gula (made with gula melaka for some local flavour) which I've been told is quite popular and for $4.00, a bargain.

Wraps and sandwiches seem to be ok and they have a strong clientele of regulars. Take away seems to be the order of the day and they don't have cute cups and saucers, serving their super hot beverages in standard mugs. My hubby loves the temperature of their drinks but I let it sit a bit so I can drink it without burning my mouth.

It's got a good vibe but leave your kids behind especially during lunch cause you'll b lucky to find a seat!

Made by Lauren Jasmine

Gosh I love a place that combines food and retail. And when the coffee is decent and the clothes are 75% off, even better!

I stop here almost every day that I drop hubby off to work. It's just about my favourite time of the day - some time alone together! What a luxury. But for shame! I squander much of that time trawling through the collection of Lauren Jasmine garments and the other brands sold by Eclecticism. (Maybe that's why it's my favourite time of the day...  shhhh!)

They have 3 levels of retail and 2 levels where you can sit and have a coffee in a very private setting (especially on level 2). I can imagine many a secret deal being made up there, in amongst the hangers of frocks and tops.

The cafe's pretty good too. Friendly staff, good coffee and home made pies and cakes. I haven't tried these though, probably because I'm there so early in the morning that a pie and a cake is the last thing on my mind! (Even though one could argue that it might not be...)

I do have to say though, that I love the retail. Besides the clothes, they also have a quirky collection of jewellery, bags and beautiful letterpress stationery - among other things. I like looking at all the pretty little objects while I'm waiting for a pretty good coffee.

About Made By Lauren Jasmine:

www.facebook.com/MadeByLaurenJasmine

Kid friendly - Well, with all those pretty little things, it could be a bit of a disaster 

Opening hours – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm

Location –47 Amoy Street, Singapore 069873

There's parking off street for 50c per 1/2 hour.

The Hangar

Hi! Oh excuse me, how long has it been since my last post?! Too long. Way too long... But now I'm back and what better way to start over than with a newish cafe that I've never been to before.

The Hangar on Arab Street was suggested by a friend after she chanced upon it while buying ribbons. So of course, on my next free morning I met the gorgeous S there, bringing along my 6 month old baby. (yes, THAT happened!). It's a cosy little cafe, dark inside and easy to miss from the outside. But it's friendly. And the coffee is great!

They roast their own beans under the brand Sexy Coffee and that it is.  I told the helpful barista to give me whatever she would recommend and I got a long black with a nice thick layer of crema on top. "Let it settle a bit", she told me. And so I did while I ordered their smashed avocado on house made sourdough topped with crumbles of feta and served with a wedge of lemon. Yum. Yum.  That's all I can say!

And the coffee was delish. Chocolaty and smooth. I even didn't mind it long and black. Rather nice to sit on those hard wooden benches, chatting and watching an eclectic group of people wander in, most of whom were recognised by the staff and warmly welcomed.

At the next table over, someone had ordered the muesli which also looked delicious, so I leaned over and took a photo of it...  How rude! But turned out it belonged to the owner of the cafe who filled us in on his little cafe and more.

They bake their own sourdough with starter brought over from Melbourne. Nice and dense with just the right amount of tang. And I was truly excited by his plans for a sourdough bakery and cafe on the east where they would also make some fabulous Turkish breads. I can't wait for that!

So go and enjoy a coffee and bread, but leave your babies behind. There isn't much room there and my W ended up spilling coffee all over S!

Ps. Half baked brownie is divine and evil all at the same time

About The Hangar:
http://thehangar.com.sg/Kid friendly - Nope
Opening hours – Monday 8:30am – 7:00pm, Closed Tuesday, Wed to Sunday 8.30am – 11.00pm
Location – 25 Arab Street, Singapore 199724
There's parking off street for 50c per 1/2 hour.

Nam Nam noodle bar - 27 March 2013

Yes, tis true. Today I have gone from cafe to noodle bar with barely an hour in between.

I did stop for a browse in a bookstore, a novelty for me cause I have a kindle and also cause actual book stores are harder to find now adays. Sometimes I wish I didn't get my kindle cause the feel and smell of paper, to me, is lovely.

So here I am at Nam Nam noodle bar at Raffles City. Their other one is in the basement of Wheelock Place. I had to come now cause I have to pick up my little darling at 12.30. And anytime after 12, the line is horrendous.

Probly because Singapore is as obsessed with this place as I am. As mentioned in a previous post, I have a few Vietnamese friends who make the best food in the world! But when I need a fix and they haven't been labouring over their pho pot for a day, Nam Nam will do just fine.

Today $9.90 has gotten me the lunch set of southern rolls, beef pho and a refreshing iced lotus tea. They make their soups with no MSG, boiling it for over 24 hours and it is tasty, peppery and really comforting. Their southern rolls are fresh, tightly rolled (you should see my attempts at rolling fresh rolls) and rather good too.

With Andrea Bocelli blaring out of the CD store behind me, I'm rather happy to be here, my only regret is that I won't have room in my ample belly for one of Nam Nam's banh mi's. They are pretty good though the bun/filling ratio is a bit off and I prefer real baguette's (like at Sandwhich Saigon) instead of their soft bread rolls. Still. I am sad to not be able to have one today... Or will I?!

The crowd is starting to build up, people lining up behind me. Whoever did Nam Nam's concept and branding couldn't have done a better job. It's trendy enough to be seen at, casual enough to feel like the food will be good, priced well enough for a weekday lunch and the service is great even though you do most of it yourself.
They have you in and out in 1/2 an hour cause though the surrounds are nice, it's crammed enough for you to not linger. Which is what I have been doing. And I best get out of here and let one of the hungry masses in line take my seat.

Soho Coffee - 27 March 2013

I love it when I find a new sweet spot. And this place is truly sweet. It's lovely and cosy and tucked away off Armenian Street.

I had been here before a year ago and it was crowded and noisy but they have given it a revamp and now it's my kind of place. Beautifully styled and really good coffee. I could while away an entire morning here with my laptop and indeed, I think I'll do that tomorrow.

What's brought me here was the drama camp I have my little one in at the substation. And since I felt it was a horrible waste to pay $1.00 for 1/2 hr parking and only use 5 minutes for a drop off, I wandered down this alley, remembering this cafe we came to a year ago.

I was so excited by their revamp that yesterday I almost left without paying (having ordered a take away).

At pick up time, I thought I would try it again for lunch. They don't have an extensive menu but the toasted ham and cheese on wholewheat ciabatta was great. Even my little munchkin who I dragged along ate it and pronounced it ok.

So today I'm here for a sit down coffee. Chilling with smooth jazz and a beautifully made flat white.

Will come tomorrow and try their breakfast menu.

Loysel's Toy - 20 March 2013

We used to frequent this place on a Sunday, during and after the kids were in Little League. The ladies would be there first for a lovely quiet coffee and chat until we were joined by the hordes of children and the boys. Back then they had cosy chairs inside and the outdoor seating meant the kids had a bit of space. But now, they've replaced the comfy chairs inside with stark flimsy tables though the atmosphere is still cosy and lovely, especially because there are not that many people here at 10am on a weekday morning.

 

Loysel's is tucked away by the Kallang River and in a spot you would never expect to find a cafe. I loved this place then and i still love it now. (My hubby doesn't share the same love for this spot, probably because he only ever came when it was crowded and with all the kids who would already be hyped up from running around a field. But on a quiet morning, it is relaxing and serene.)

Ignore the dodgy tour busses and piles of trash that line the road on the way to the cafe. Once you get back to the 7 or 8 storey stand alone building, there is a park by the river and the ambience of the cafe helps you forget what you passed on the way. 

 

I got their muesli and yoghurt, so pretty in the glass cup, layered with berries and fruit on top. I like their muesli cause it's not very sweet at all. And the berries gave it a nice zing, though i left the beautifully sliced apples on the side because people who know me will know that i just can't do fruit like that. 

I decided to have a hand pulled coffee because i've never had one. The girl at the counter could tell that i was a novice on the finer points of coffee making cause i asked her – is it like percolated coffee? That stuff i used to drink all the time in college which i would make in the morning, then drink all day cause it'd sit there on the hot plate and stay warmish. Piled with sugar and cream. 

But no, this hand pulled coffee is something special. It took a full 5 minutes for them to make it. Lovingly letting it drip from top bit to bottom jug before finally pouring it into a heated mug and presented to me with a ginger cookie.

And it was a rather nice coffee, though i usually do a latte or flat white, the hand pulled is smooth, black and very drinkable. I didn't even put anything into it. Just drank it. And i think it took me less time to drink it than they took to make it.

I left with a bag of their Signature beans to try in my own espresso maker.

About Loysel's Toy:
Kid friendly - somewhat cause the outdoor area gives them room to run around, though you better keep an eye out that they don't get hit by a car or fall off the platform that they so can sometimes run up on.
Opening hours – Tues to Fri: 9am-6pm; Sat and Sun: 9am-7.30pm
Location – 66 Kampong Bugis, Ture 01-02. There's parking around and about for 50c per 1/2 hour.