Meals to wake up to

Alto Cafe probably does not need much of an introduction these days — being a cafe that is known to be situated within the compounds of the condominium named Bayshore Park, Alto Cafe had since opened yet another outlet that is also located within a condominium — its latest outpost is at Sims Urban Oasis; the cafe being situated at the side gate of the condominium along Aljunied Road which is just a stone’s throw away from the bus stop outside the condominium. Occupying just a single shop unit, the space features two levels — the main dine-in area being located on the first level, while an outdoor dining area meant for condominium residents only is situated at level two alongside the counter for orders that is located within the shop unit itself. The space is decked simply though features a lot of plants and rattan furnishings to achieve a Balinese-style look that is makes the cafe look close-to-nature. Alto Cafe’s menu here is largely similar to the one that they serve at Bayshore Park, and features items split into sections that include Signature Open Toast, All Day Brekkie, Pasta, Shakshouka & Salads, Waffles, Croissantwich & Smoothie Bowls and Kids & Ala-Carte. Beverages include specialty coffee brewed using beans roasted by Dutch Colony Coffee Co., teas, milkshakes and other special concoctions such as Mango Chocc, Choco Rose and Rose Latte, whilst they also do offer various danishes, croissants and muffins that are displayed in a shelf on the counter as well.

Going through the menu, we found ourselves being pretty interested in the Shakshouka, which features elements such as stewed tomatoes, capsicums, feta cheese, poached egg, Zaatar, and coriander — it also comes with two slices of sourdough toast on the side. It is noted that their variant doesn’t include any sausages or meat unlike those that are served at other cafes; this also makes their rendition vegan-friendly as well. Giving everything a good mix, we note that the poached egg here could be done a little better — the poached egg came served with the egg yolk being a little bit towards being more solid; otherwise the entire dish was bright and tangy from the stewed tomatoes, with bits of tomato and capsicum giving it a good bite and the poached egg and feta cheese providing some sort of richness. The sourdough toast used here is on-point, crusty on the exterior yet comes with a tension when one chews it apart — also had its own slight tanginess from the fermentation process that makes a sourdough what it is; a perfect pairing with the Shakshouka itself as one mops up the entire bowl with it.

Alto Cafe’s offerings may be simple, but there is something pretty comforting with the fare that they are serving up — the food, which is Muslim-friendly, does feel hearty and healthy, and does seem to have a lot of colour that makes it also pretty appealing to the eyes. We were, however, really impressed by their specially-concocted drinks here though — the Dirty Rose (which consists of double shots of espresso, rose syrup and milk) and the Mango Chocolate we had were equally memorable; the latter does sound like a weird combination but the sweetness of the tropical fruit went surprisingly well with the bittersweet chocolate — a showstopper worth mentioning on its own. While Alto Cafe’s Sim Urban Oasis does suffer from a being just a small space that fits 12 pax within its indoor public dine-in area on the ground floor, its newest outlet is also probably the most convenient for those who are deterred by having to go through the hassle of registering themselves at the security post just to patronise the cafe at their Bayshore Park location; probably just a small sacrifice for those cafe-hoppers who are eager to give Alto Cafe a try!

Hamilton Road does seem like the hotspot within Jalan Besar for the opening of new cafes of the late — with LUCID being one of the first few tenants that had moved into this street back in 2020 before the start of the pandemic, multiple cafes had since started operations along this street with the likes of La Levain (by Chef Wythe Soon previously of Keong Saik Bakery and Bakery Brera) and more recently, The Lunar Rabbit Boulangerie, Missus is the newest addition to Hamilton Road at the time of writing this post. Decked in a style that features earthy tones, the interior of Missus is really soothing to the eyes with its warm lighting and wooden furnishing and fittings. Missus is a Muslim-run cafe; the menu here features all day items that includes a Granola Bowl, French Toast and a Kaya Cheese Toast, whilst there are also other sections dedicated to sides, grilled cheese sandwiches (available only after 11am) and desserts. The list of beverages include specialty coffee, which is brewed using beans roasted by State of Affairs (yes, the one at Longhaus along Upper Thomson Road), as well as a list of sparkling juices and teas. They also do offer some breads that are on display in the display case at the counter.

Amongst the items listed in the Grilled Cheese section of the menu, the item that seemed to capture our attention the most would be the Slumdog Grillionaire. The Slumdog Grillionaire features elements such as their Signature Cheese Blend, Masala Potato, Coriander Pesto and Tomato Tamarind Chutney — all grilled cheese sandwich orders also do come accompanied with sweet chili tapioca chips from Max’s Farms by the side. Whilst it didn’t come across as that obvious to us when we first read through the menu here, it was actually clear when we had the first bite that the item is in fact inspired by the Masala Dosa, and executed in the form of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chewing through crisp toast, it becomes really obvious — that hint of flavour from the chunky spiced potato and that herby note of the coriander pesto is almost akin to that of having the masala dosa with the dips on the side; itself working especially well in a form of a grilled cheese sandwich since melted cheese and potatoes are a well-made match together as well. With that stretchy and oozy melted cheese creating that cheese pull that also laces around the chunky potatoes, the inclusion of the Tomato Tamarind Chutney on the side replicates that of the tomato soup that one dips in with the usual grilled cheese sandwich — that extra tang that takes all the heaviness of the cheese, carbs and starches away. An item that we found to be especially thoughtful.

Where items from the Grilled Cheese section and the All Day section of the menu are of concern, it does seem that Missus have placed a lot of thought in what they wanted to serve up — their ideas are very clearly put through in a way that it not only works, but is also pretty well-executed and delicious. We also found their Baked Ketaifi Cheese really memorable — akin to a Kunafe with melted cheese in the middle, and their rendition came with a homemade rose syrup-infused saffron cream that came with an alluring floral fragrance. That being said, we do feel that they do need a bit of work on their coffee; didn’t really find how it was pulled that made it feel like it justice to what State of Affairs had roasted. Still, with food items where effort and passion for the craft can be felt, Missus is off a great start; a spot that is worth making the visit for!

Was in the area not too long ago checking out yet another destination nearby; noticed that MADU The Bakery was already in the renovation works along Race Course Road. For those whom are unaware, Madu The Bakery had started business as a home-based bakery serving up Korean-style brioche buns — think the likes of the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread, though with their own twist (the Classic Garlic Bread is their rendition to the trendy Korean one which was making its waves locally some time back). The physical space, now opened at Race Course Road is a partnership between MADU The Bakery and the folks behind Ah Hua Kelong, who also runs Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong at Hamilton Road — the staff in the cafe dons tees from Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong here. With the expansion of the business into a full-fledged cafe, MADU the bakery now has its own dine-in space as well; the entire cafe is decked in what can be said as a Balinese-inspired design theme — very zen, with furnishings that also come with rattan elements with a wood accent finishing. Most of what is being offered on the menu here are also on display in the display shelves at the counter — these includes the various bakes and cakes apart from their Korean-style brioche buns as well; all of which are items that are newly-introduced alongside the launch of their brick-and-mortar store. This includes items such as sourdough slices (think an open-faced sourdough toast), sandwiches and cakes; beverages available here includes specialty coffee, soda, chocolate and tea.

We were actually pretty impressed by most of the items that we have got; that includes the Mentaiko Bun and the Bolu Keju (the Indonesian-style cheese cake, served with their own twist). For those looking for something more substantial though, the Cereal Prawn Croissant is indeed a showstopper — this item features elements such as Tiger Prawns, Yuzu, Mayo, Cereal, Red Chili and Curry Leaves served in a form of a croissant sandwich; the menu also indicates that it is “inspired by the delicious Tze Char dish”. We were really into how the croissant was pretty fresh here; there is always this thing where the croissant usually feels quite stale in a croissant sandwich but this one is flaky, buttery and crisp as one would have expected — had a really beautifully done lamination as well. In between sits all the good stuff — chunky prawns that carried a good bite whilst carrying a natural sweetness (wouldn’t expect less given their affiliation with Ah Hua Kelong), and comes accompanied with a good portion of cereal crumbs; the same way one would expect out of the tze char dish that adds on to the umami factor of the item. The chili padi added as well as the curry leaves did bring this rendition really close to what I would expect when I order Cereal Prawn as a dish in a tzechar stall; that fragrance and crispness of the latter and the slight spiciness when one chews on the former replicates that of what the dish is inspired from pretty closely. Personally thought that the mayonnaise and the sliced cheese wasn’t quite necessary, but I guess they were included to just make the elements of the croissant sandwich come together with the croissant itself. A westernised version of a local favourite that really does justice to what it was inspired from.

MADU The Bakery is pretty much off a promising start — having had a taste of what they have to offer, it is little wonder how they have had waiting lists for their brioche buns previously while they were operating as a home-based baker; there is really some true dedication and effort placed into the making of what they have to offer — an example being the croissant they have used for the croissant sandwich where they seem to have given a lot of care even on the croissant used, just so that the patrons have the best experience out of the dish. Given how they already have a fan base, and also how there is a lack of sit-down cafes with a decently-sized dine-in area around the Race Course Road area, MADU The Bakery would probably still be a promising spot worth making the visit for; a name that one should keep an eye out as time passes!

Caught wind of the new The Fed Giraffe — the florist-cum-cafe is one of the few tenants of the newly-opened Hougang Rivercourt that is situated in between Hougang and Kovan; accessible via bus just a few stops away from either MRT Station. Whilst the neighbourhood mall itself, as well as most of the shops within are undergoing renovation works, there are a few F&B establishments that had already opened their doors here which includes the likes of a Koufu foodcourt, R&B Tea, Overscoop (yes, the same one from Junction Nine at Yishun that had also opened yet another outlet in Orchard Central recently) and Burger King amongst others. Despite being a florist-cum-cafe, The Fed Giraffe is a spot that is more meant for lighter fare — quite evident would be the small food preparation area that doesn’t really allow for open-fire cooking; the menu features a variety of bagels (including bagel sandwiches and bagels with various spreads), poke bowls and açai bowls. Beverages available here includes specialty coffee as well as a decent selection of tea.

Given the size and equipment of the food preparation at The Fed Giraffe, we were actually not expecting a lot from the Loxlox that we had order. Being more of a classic Lox bagel sandwich (some will call it “that smoked salmon bagel sandwich”), the Loxlox comprises of items such as Smoked Salmon, Scallion Cream Cheese With Cucumbers and Fresh Onions — patrons will have the choice to opt between the Wholemeal Bagel or the Plain Bagel; we went for the latter. Going straight for a little bit of everything, what really impressed us with the Loxlox here is how there seem to be attention to detail being placed on the bagel itself — for an establishment of its type, we were already impressed with how the bagel carried a slight crusty texture from being toasted; adds texture to the otherwise rather “safe” bagel sandwich that it is. The rest of the elements here is just a classic combination that goes well together — that savoury, cured flavours of smoked salmon and that zing from the fresh onions that resets the taste buds when all gets a bit too heavy; the scallion cream cheese that provides a creamy texture that bind all the elements together. Pretty satisfying despite being a really simple and classic combination for a bagel sandwich.

If anything, The Fed Giraffe is that sort of spot that falls into a difficult category — there isn’t quite a variety of items that would attract the masses given how bagels, poke bowls and açai bowls do generally seem to only appeal to a niche crowd — not to mention how the items do feel somewhat simple though there is nothing much they could do considering the space that they are occupying. That being said, we really did love how they were still able to nail a simple item relatively well; perhaps they just need to take a look into offering something with more character to stand out from the saturated cafe scene in Singapore. Wouldn’t really say that I would travel out the way out from a far end of the island to just go for their bagels here, but I think it works if one is living around the North-East region; also a convenient hangout for residents in the area.

There is always something to check out in the Central Business District, especially given how the office crowds are seemingly back to work and the queues for the F&B establishments around the area are quite becoming the norm — something that has not quite been since ever since the pandemic hit. Glad to also see new establishments opening up around the ‘hood — Beigelhaus being one such new establishment that had found new digs at Robinson Square; the establishment situated quite literally next to the equally new KYŌ Kohee, and features a pretty minimalist interior with a dark decor scheme. Beigelhaus is a Muslim-run establishment, and the menu features bagels in two-styles; either available with “Schmears” (i.e. variety of spreads), or “Fills” which refers to their range of bagel-witches. Based on what the staff behind the counter claims, the bagels served here are baked in-house; a list of beverages such as shakes, sparkling tea and specialty coffee are also available here.

Patrons do have a choice of bagels for the “Fills” at Beigelhaus — one can either opt for the plain bagel, and also a sesame bagel; an option for the items listed on the “Fills” menu to come as a wrap is also available. It is worth noting that the items served at Beigelhaus do come in disposable packaging — perhaps considering that there aren’t many seats here and how they might be targeting the office crowd that tends to do more of a grab-and-go. The Räkrorä here comes with elements such as prawns, skagen mix, red onions, apples and fennel salad. Inspired partially by the Swedish cocktail shrimp served in a bagel form, The Räkrorä does come with decently-sized shrimp that is typically of the types that one may find in the frozen food section at a supermarket. Considerably quite a light bite for a bagel sandwich, the prawns do provide quite a bite; itself being rather plump and they were also seemingly generous with the portion of prawns here — all that along with the skagen mix that gives it somewhat of a neutral note that binds it together with the chewy sesame bagel which we have went for. The other elements such as the red onions, fennel salad and apple did provide a refreshing crunch and a little bit of a zingy note. That being said, we did feel that the skagen mix lacked that hint of dill that would have made for a contrast of flavours that would bring it up to another level however.

Being one of the few cafe-esque establishments in the CBD, Beigelhaus does provide for an interesting alternative for Muslim-friendly bagels — a gap that has yet to be filled for the most part since most establishments who serve house-made bagels are not Muslim-friendly. Prices are a little steep for the bagel sandwiches ranging from $14 to $16 — not something one would consider as an everyday eat, but definitely well enough for the once in a while urge just to scratch those cravings as they come.

Visited the new Tanglin Cookhouse that had recently opened its doors at Tanglin Mall — the mall is currently in the midst of the revamp, and has also seen other tenants such as Poke Theory and Nick Vina Artisan Bakery move into the mall; long-time tenant Caffe Beviamo has also been relocated to another unit with a whole new interior as well. Located at Level 1, Tanglin Cookhouse isn’t particularly difficult to find if one enters the mall through the entrance closest to Starbucks Coffee and Nando’s — Tanglin Cookhouse is the latest concept by Creative Eateries, which also run other F&B establishments such as Patara Fine Thai Cuisine (also located within Tanglin Mall), Bangkok Jam, Typhoon Cafe and Suki-Ya; just to name a few. At Tanglin Cookhouse, the dining establishment strives to bring its patrons back to the colonial times through cuisine with their Asian-inspired European fare; being “inspired by the rich culinary traditions and influences of British cooking”. The menu is pretty extensive here — there are sections dedicated to Breakfast that runs from 9am to 3pm, Brunch that is available from 10:30am to 3pm on weekdays and 9am to 3pm on weekends and Lunch and Dinner which runs from 12pm to closing. The Lunch and Dinner section of the menu comprises of sub-sections ranging from appetiser, to salads, soups, Western mains, Asian-inspired mains and pasta — a kids menu titled “For the Little Ones” is also available. Apart from the desserts listed in the menu, there are also viennoiserie, cakes and pastries displayed in the bread trolley located at the entrance and also in the display fridge to choose from; they also do provide for a good variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well.

The Welsh Rarebit with Espresso Bacon Jam is an item that is being listed on the “Breakfast” section of the menu which is available only from 9am to 3pm daily — it comprises of elements such as Brioche Toast, Farmed Egg, Béchamel Sauce,
Triple Cheese and Petite Salad as per its description on the menu. When it was first served to our table, we felt that the Welsh Rarebit with Espresso Bacon Jam does bear a striking resemblance to one of our favourite dishes served at another indie cafe — the Gashouse Eggs from One Man Coffee; right from how it does consist of a variant of bacon jam, to the plating of the Espresso Bacon Jam that is serge on a round slice of toast. The similarities don’t end there — slicing through the toast does reveal a surprise of a sous vide egg with molten egg yolk within; the golden goodness eager to burst as one slices the toast down. The brioche toast comes with crisp edges, yet fluffy within — absorbed the molten yolk so well whilst also carried a slight hint of sweetness of its own; the triple cheese melted over the toast with the bechamel sauce further adds a savouriness that works pretty well with the eggy notes as well. For those who prefer a heavier flavour, add on the Espresso Bacon Jam for a bit of bite; think of it as chopped up candied bacon that is laced in an espresso glaze that is all sweet, and savoury with a bitter undertone from the espresso that gives it the dish a good meaty bite that antes up the overall flavour profile. All in all, pretty much spiritually the same as the dish that other dish we liked, and one that we felt was pretty decently executed considering the commercial outfit that it seems to be.

Tanglin Cookhouse does seem like a spot that expats and locals in the area alike will like having around in the neighbourhood — situated conveniently in the mall, Tanglin Cookhouse does serve up items that speaks to the locals, whilst offering familiar Western dishes that would resonate with the expats. Whilst it is being run by a group rather than being an indie establishment, we found the quality of food to be more than decent here, which we would say is a pretty commendable deal for such commercial establishments out there — we would hope that they are able to maintain the level of quality over time. That being said, service isn’t the smoothest here though we would also reckon that it is pretty much attributed to being teething issues for a newly-opened establishment — probably just needs some time to smoothen their operations. Wouldn’t really say I would make my way out for Tanglin Cookhouse, but it does work as a spot good for gatherings and catch-ups alike; all that with pretty decent food to go along with which I would not mind having again if in the area and having a bit of cash to spare.

Took a little while for them to get to serving up some form of hot food, but am pretty glad that The Löwe’f Shack is currently serving up a small selection of hot food such as the Good Morning Burger, Avocado Toastie, and Eggstatic Sando from 8am to 11:15am — great for early birds who are intending to grab a bite before starting their trek in the nearby nature trails and parks.

Opting for the Good Morning Burger, the burger consists of elements such as their in-house sourdough brioche, spiced caramelised onions,
free range scrambled eggs, mature cheddar, sambal mayo. Would say that this is a pretty well-portioned item — certainly not too filling but one that fits the average appetites pretty well. I always liked how The Löwe’f Shack places a lot of emphasis in the flavours and textures in the items that they serve, and the Good Morning Burger is just that. For one, the in-house sourdough brioche bun does carry that slight tang that one would have expected out of sourdough loaves — what really intrigued me is how the toasted bun gives a slightly crisp crunch when chewed upon, but yet easy to chew through and doesn’t have too much of a tension as compared to that of sourdough toasts served in the form of open-faced sandwiches out there. Here, the main star would be the free range scrambled eggs; silky, creamy and eggy, it is also fluffy and well-executed — a balance of flavours with a good texture that played well to the other elements included. The melted mature cheddar added that savoury touch with a rather dull tang that rounds off the creamy scrambled eggs, the slightly sweet caramalised onions and the “sambal mayo” nicely. Personally found the sambal mayo to be a bit of a surprise to me — would have expected something especially creamy, savoury and punchy based purely on the description but it turns out more to be of a consistency similar to Thai sweet chili sauce; something more translucent, and particularly gentle in terms of spiciness that worked especially well for me considering how I tend to favour non-spicy dishes to start my day with. Overall, a really comforting breakfast item that sounds simple on paper, but really thoughtful when one thinks of the execution of every single element from scratch.

There are many cafes around but The Löwe’f Shack carries a vibe unique to its own — set in the lush greenery of Springleaf Nature Park; itself an area that remains rather untouched despite the constant urbanisation of the island, it is especially warm and pleasant just to sit here to enjoy the surrounding nature, sipping a cup of coffee whilst gradually waking up to the smell of freshly-baked sourdough bread. Sure, the location is slightly far flung but The Löwe’f Shack is a gem of its own — not to mention it is much more convenient with the opening of Springleaf MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line; looking forward to them expanding on their menu as they further settle into their operations here!

Have seen quite a number of social media posts on Three Nuts Baker, which had recently opened its doors at Space@Kovan; the mixed-use development is also home to an outlet of Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee, The Bread Rack and Little Ceylon. Being pretty much a hole-in-the-wall bakery, the store is pretty much positioned for takeaway business; that being said, there is actually seats for three pax at the bar table that faces the window for those who are looking to dine-in at the space. Being more of a bakery, expect a whole range of cakes and pastries which includes tarts, cakes and even a cinnamon bun available here; interestingly, Three Nuts Baker also serves up open-faced sandwiches though only during limited hours (between 8am to 1pm), whilst also serving up a whole list of beverages which includes specialty coffee (including a Honey Oat Latte that is listed as a “Cold Brew”, tea from the Gryphon Tea Company, Kombucha and Felchin Swiss Chocolate, amongst others.

Wasn’t quite aware of their “breakfast” section of their menu when we headed there in the early afternoon; the folks here were actually kind enough to whip up a portion of the Truffle Veal Cheek Toast which we were pretty interested in despite us making our order slightly past the last order for breakfast item — they had also offered to re-plate the dish on a wooden platter since we were taking photos of the bakes (was told this is usually served in takeaway cardboard boxes).

Featuring elements such as braised veal cheek, onion marmalade, arugula (rocket), parmesan cheese, poached egg and sourdough toast, the presentation and elements came as a surprise to us considering this is pretty unexpected from a bakery — an item that even some full-service cafes may find difficult to pull off. Here, we found the item to be well-executed; there is this slight gaminess from the veal cheeks, but I really enjoyed how the veal cheeks were immensely tender and how the different elements complimented each other here — there is somewhat a complexity here with the contrast of different elements. The onion marmalade carried a slight sweetness that cuts through the veal cheek’s gaminess, while the arugula provides a hint of bitterness that is inherent of the vegetable; the shaved cheese giving a savoury touch and the sourdough provides a slight tang and a good chew — the poached egg with its runny yolk attempts to bind all the elements together, while the slight hint of truffle lingers at the back of the tongue without overwhelming any of the other elements. All in all, a pretty well-designed dish where it seems to hit the five basic tastes through the various elements included — something I would least expect out of a bakery like them.

Also tried other items such as the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Tart and the Calamansi Tart; both being pretty well-executed and the latter being a very interesting adaptation that was almost similar to that of the drink often made from a syrup available at coffeeshops. With items with such meticulous attention placed into the details, one can tell the items here are made with love and passion for the craft, which is little wonder how they seem to have gotten some attention on social media or the late. A spot with quite a bit potential to keep a lookout; wishing the folks behind Three Nuts Baker all the best in what is to come!

Taking over half of Mad Nest’s spot at East Coast Road is Breakfast Grill; a new establishment that serves up sammies (i.e. sandwiches), a small selection of mains, and sides such as fries and spam fries. The spot is decked in a minimalist style that attempts to be close to nature; white walls, raw concrete floors and a mix of furnishings — some of which featuring wooden elements.

The “All Day Sammies” section of the menu does offer quite a number of sandwiches in a style similar to a Japanese Sando — think meatier options such as the Classic Brekkie that is a comforting combination of breakfast plate elements in a sandwich form, as well as the Chicky that features deep-fried chicken thigh. The Magic Mushroom Sammie is one for those who are looking for a meatless option — coming with baked portobello, creamed spinach and crunch Enoki strings, all the elements come sandwiched between two slices of thick, toasted brioche. Really loved how the bread was toasted with a slight crisp; also carried a slight hint of sweetness. The creamed spinach was less sinful and creamy than expected; not be necessarily a bad thing as it did provide quite a wholesome feel against the mushrooms here with a slight garlicky note. Felt that they really went all the way out being inventive with the mushrooms here; while most other sandwiches of a similar nature would probably feature simply portobello, it is interesting how the portobello here came pretty much almost like a single patty that is fused with the fried Enoki beneath. Whilst the portobello does provide quite a juicy bite, the “crunchy Enoki strings” did provide that slight crispy crunch of deep-fried Enoki; a very interesting contrast of textures, and providing a good earthy note that goes well with all the other elements in between.

It was just a few weeks ago that we found ourselves having something similar along the same stretch of road — not sure what is it about sandos/sammies along East Coast Road, but Breakfast Grill does serve up a pretty mean and well-stuffed sandwich that is big on flavour; quite a rare find considering how we had also opted for the meatless option as well. While the coffee is pretty average, the Spicy Spam Fries we had though sliced thinly more akin to shoestring fries, were not shy on spiciness — provides a good kick that tickles the taste buds. Waiting times for food can be a little long here; perhaps a teething issue considering how they were still in soft launch when we made our visit. That being said, Breakfast Grill is a spot to check out for those looking for a good sandwich around the East.

One of the few places I am looking forward to return to ever since discovering them at Maxwell House is The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli; the cafe was pretty much a hole-in-the-wall back then, occupying a small unit that faces Six Senses Maxwell serving up some pretty unique dishes. Fast forward to end-2020 and with the Maxwell House being sold en-bloc, The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli has moved into its newer and bigger digs at 34 Sago Street — located fairly close to Chinatown Complex Market and the Chinatown Visitor Centre; also walkable from the future Maxwell MRT Station along the Thomson-East Coast Line.

Don’t recall their menu being this extensive at Maxwell House, but The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli now offers a menu that has sections dedicated to small plates, savoury brunch dishes, sweet brunch, sandwiches and pasta — items previously available at Maxwell House that are available here include the Rendang On Toast which we had back then. Going for the Hong Kong Breakfast Bagelwich, the bagel sandwich includes elements such as smoked ham, tomato spread, cheddar, truffle scrambled egg — all that in between a toasted sesame bagel. Taking a first bite into the bagel, one would notice how the bagel carried quite a firm bite; sufficiently dense but not too heavy — well-sized given how it does seem a little smaller than other bagels, though somewhat thoughtful considering how it’s pretty hefty on its own. Going down to the condiments, one would notice how the Hong Kong Breakfast Bagelwich tasted somewhat like a pizza in a different form — we especially loved the punchy tomato spread that is nothing short of refreshing and tangy; seemingly the driver here while the truffle scrambled eggs felt more like an omelette which was still comforting and carried a slight whiff of truffle that didn’t overwhelm the entire bagel sandwich. The smoked ham provided a meaty bite, while the cheddar added a good savouriness that binds all of the items together. Only felt that the bagel sandwich seemed to lack greens; would personally prefer a garden salad to come alongside so that the plate could look less sparse, though I wouldn’t have mind if they include spinach leaves for a more balanced touch.

Something I had quite liked about The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli is how they seem to make brunch food that seems simple, yet so comforting and flavourful. The food items offered here are seemingly mostly rather basic fusion fare, but they do them really well — something that warms the soul. With such satisfying brunch fare, it is little wonder how they have since gained quite a fair bit of popularity ever since their move to Sago Street; a more visible and convenient location for those whom find it difficult to find them previously since they used to be hidden behind shrubs from the main walkway beside Six Senses Duxton. A spot that avid cafe-hoppers should add to the list to visit; also one that I would be pretty excited to revisit as well!

Checked out Butler Koffee’s newest digs at 39 Neil Road over the weekend; the coffee stand previously located at 333 Kreta Ayer Road had since moved into its new space which it shares with Beng Who Cooks. With their move to their new home, Beng Who Cooks/Butler Koffee now serves up a whole new brunch menu, and also does carry bakes from Nuage Patisserie is located at Kampong Bahru.

With the brunch menu comprising mostly of Tartines (or open-faced sandwiches, if you may), there is also a Tarter Puff and a Legendary Mushroom Soup being listed in the menu here. We found ourselves going for the Crab Tartine — the item features sourdough, mayonnaise, blue swimmer crab with mustard grain and salad. As much as how basic the item may look on first sight, I liked how the Crab Tartine here is executed pretty well; pretty glad for how they used a good sourdough here that came with a fluffy centre and crusty exterior that gives quite a good bite — it also carried a tinge of tartness from the fermentation process of making the sourdough, which is pretty much the way I like my sourdough to be. Stacked above the sourdough will be the leafy salad that also comes with arugula; provides for a slight bitter note that surprisingly cuts through the umami sweetness from the shredded swimmer crab meat over it. Also liked how they are pretty generous with the crab meat here; enough to bring a burst of fresh crustacean sweetness for the dish. The mustard grains here was a thoughtful touch; gives the dish a hint of earthiness, while the slight douse of mayonnaise above adds that creaminess that gels all the different elements in the dish together without being at all overwhelming. All in all, a very well thought-out dish that attempts to touch on a variety of taste categories that is beautifully rounded off in one package.

It is collaborations like these where diners like us benefits the most — where notable establishments all come together to provide a wholesome experience from coffee to brunch to desserts all in a single seating from different merchants; it is indeed something that we sometimes take for granted. Rather than looking at it in entirety, perhaps it is better to just slow down, appreciate the creations of the various brands offered here and enjoy what each of them have to offer — that way, there will be a greater appreciation for each of the merchants for their craft; be it Butler Koffee’s expertise and knowledge on coffee, the details placed and execution of the food from Beng Who Cooks, or the dainty, yet delicate bakes from Nuage Patisserie, each has definitely got their own story to tell and worth a visit on their own.

Amoy Street Food Centre may be closed for upgrading works, but Mad Roasters ain’t resting on their laurels — apart from their Joo Chiat location being still up and running, they have also recently started operations with their pop-up operations at Moonstone Bar, as well as a brand new outlet at Depot Heights Shopping Centre, which is also their very first individual location with a cafe-esquire setting. Decorated rather simply, the interior design seems to suggest function over form, though we still found the slightly tropical theming somewhat welcoming despite its simplicity. Apart from serving up their usual Cinnamon/Chocolate Babka, they do also serve up two new savoury items at Depot Heights Shopping Centre — the Grilled Cheese Brioche, and the Avocado Brioche Toast.

The Brioche Grilled Cheese is a relatively simple grilled cheese sandwich that comprises of Cheddar, Herbs and Laminated Brioche. I liked how the portion of the sandwich here is pretty suitable for a light bite — probably something I wouldn’t mind having when I am feeling peckish considering how grilled cheese sandwiches at other cafes tend to feel like an entire meal affair (and sometimes, comes full with a bowl of tomato soup at the side to dip in). Given the ingredients that go into the making of the Brioche Grilled Cheese, little can go wrong in here — oozy, melted cheese that is all savoury that comes in between two slices of bread; but if there is anything that stands out in this variant, it would have been the Laminated Brioche. There’s no doubt that the brioche did carry that distinct hint of sweetness lingering subtly at the back of the tongue here, but one could also easily notice how the brioche comes with a layered texture almost akin to that of a croissant — the brioche having went through the same exact lamination process thus the unique texture; pretty interesting indeed.

From just simply a hawker stall, Mad Roaster had come a long way, especially given how it has rode through the waves of COVID-19 being an operator of a hawker stall in The Central Business District. Nobody quite knows what else the pandemic will bring, but this is definitely an exciting phase for the folks behind Mad Roaster whilst staying true to their roots of not just being yet another name in the F&B scene, but also one that cares for the community at large.