Cafehopper

Unfortunately it didn't quite live up either my expectations nor to its price ($9 each). The filling for both tarts were a bit too sweet for me, which overpowered the premium ingredients used to make them (Iranian pistachio and Rose praline respectively). All I could taste was sugar. Perhaps I chose the wrong flavors? 😕

First time here. Tried the Pho Bo Dac Biet and Cha Gio. The broth was quite light compared to most other beef broths i have tried in other places but was flavorful enough considering it contained little or no MSG. However the overall flavor could have been enhanced if they had been more generous with the fresh herbs. Interestingly it came with an egg drop soup as a side. Cha Gio was ok, nothing special. The restaurant decor was simple and low-budget yet it did successfully evoke the atmosphere of a street stall in Vietnam. Most of all, prices were very affordable. Good spot to get a quick Vietnamese fix if Long Phung at Joo Chiat is too far to get to.

Tried the Hanami Parfait set and really liked it. I would say that the standard of the parfait here is almost as good as the ones in Japan. Every component was executed well. Unless you are a big eater, the portion is good to share among 2, just order an additional beverage. One piece of advice to the cafe though, please use silverware and not disposable wooden cutlery. They actually spoil the flavor of the desserts. Will be back to try the other parfait flavors, as well as the fancy eclairs.

Hidden among the traditional trading firms and hostels along Hong Kong Street is Ronin, yet another one of those ever-popular industrial chic cafes but with a tinge of Japanese influence (I have yet to come across another cafe that sells Japanese curry rice). Their coffee was strong and aromatic, but a lot less acidic than most strong coffees I have tasted. And though I'm not a big fan of this type of coffee (yet), I can't say it's not good either. My friend and I wanted to order a small dessert, but were disappointed to find very limited choices available at the counter. In the end, we settled on a Salted Caramel Brownie, of which I'm rarely disappointed by anything that is salted caramel. Unfortunately, the brownie turned out to be too wet for our liking, and was basically a wet mush on our plate by the time we decided we had enough of it (and by the way I don't usually leave anything behind on my plate) Worth commending is the service we received from the young waitress at the cashier. Unfortunately, with their not so attractive menu, this cafe might not be seeing much of me unless I happen to be in the vicinity again.

Among the many cafes that dot the hip but not so public-transportation-friendly Martin Road area, my favourite has got to be Common Man Coffee Roasters. In my opinion, apart from Chye Seng Huat Hardware, their decor has got to be the coolest within the industrial chic theme. This was actually my third visit. Their coffee is strong and aromatic, but a little more to the acidic side. According to my friend who has tasted the authentic churros in Spain, their version isn't quite up to standard, but to an undiscerning churro eater like myself, it was good enough, even without the chocolate sauce that came along with it. During my last visit, I enjoyed their crab salad with pomegranate bits tremendously. Common Man Coffee Roasters is one of the few cafes in Singapore that take their food as seriously as their coffee. I'll be back to try their breakfast the next time I have access to a car.

Papa Palheta needs no further introduction by now if you are a religious cafehopper in Singapore. The company behind Chye Seng Huat Hardware is a forerunner in the new wave of cafes on the red dot. This new cafe in Siglap marries good coffee with beautiful two wheelers. I may not have the money to buy one of them but that wouldn't stop me from bringing my trusty Raleigh bike over for servicing one of these days (the cafe offers a bicycle servicing package that includes a complimentary cuppa) I ordered a sour cream cheese brioche toast that everyone seemed to be raving about and it did not disappoint with the mix of sweet and sour flavors. My sister ordered The Coast Breakfast and though nothing to rave about still offered good value for its serving size. I was also pleasantly surprised to spot my original favourite Papa Palheta blend, Terra Firma, on sale too. Next time I will make my way here by bicycle if my knees are up for the slopy terrain.

I've long heard about Dutch Colony Coffee at Pasarbella but never tried it as it was quite out of the way. Now that they have opened close to my new place in the East in a nice chic shophouse, I can't find any excuse not to. The cappuccino here isn't as strong and aromatic as my favourite Papa Palheta's, but still strikes a good enough balance for my palette. And at $4.50 a cup is excellent value. I also ordered a Portobello Road sourdough sandwich ($9) that had pretty fresh ingredients and was of a decent serving size. With such good value in their offerings, this cafe is likely to become a very popular one in this quiet part of the East.