EspressoLAB; MAYDAY [NOWHERE] World Tour 2013

We started last Saturday really late because we were going to MayDay's concert in the evening. Went to Bugis to get some things before going to EspressoLAB for some coffee and midday meal. The cafe was almost full house which was quite different from the last time we went (on Chinese New Year's eve, that explains the lack of people).

(I will be including some photos taken during our first visit. All photos are from iphone5 because I didn't bring my camera out on both occasion)

Boyfriend ordered a Long Black and I had a Hazelnut Mocha Latte this time round and both were fairly good, just the way I remember them to be :) We also ordered a Chicken Sandwich to share. I like that the bread was thick and nicely toasted and there was veggie and meat in every bite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EspressoLAB

13 Bali Lane

Mon - Fri: 08:30 - 18:00

Sat: 09:30 - 17:30

https://www.facebook.com/espressolabsingapore

 

Our weekend just got more exciting after our short meal at EspressoLAB because we are finally heading for our first ever concert!!! Tickets for MAYDAY concert were sold out so quickly, so thankful for boyfriend for helping to make the purchase. We decided to just go for the cheapest tickets (which is already quite expensive) so we can barely see them. But the atmosphere was really good although our area only started to "warm up" after more than 6 songs. Every ticket holder is entitled to one exclusive lightstick which is really awesome!

The concert ended at 11.30pm which is a good 3 hours. Totally worth the money! 

 

 

 

 

Cups & Canvas

After our trips to Folks Collective and Sophie's Bakery, we went on a short window shopping trip before meeting up with more friends for a meal and movie - FAST & FURIOUS 6. I suggested to try Cups & Canvas after having read it and drove past it once/twice. Didn't remember it being crowded hence didn't make any reservation.

Boyfriend and I were there rather early because we rather sit and chill in the cafe than to walk around aimlessly. The cafe was full-house except for the seats by the window. Since the friends are not reaching in another 30-40 minutes, we agreed to sit and wait. Only managed to get a table for 6 when almost all of them have reached because nobody seems to want to move from the cafe.

I was really thirsty when we reach so we ordered an iced peachy lychee tea ($5.80) to share which I thought was rather refreshing. For food, we had Fish & Chips ($12.90), Pan Seared Dory Fish ($15.90) and also another Hot Chocolate ($5.30). The Pan Seared Dory Fish was pretty decent and what I really like about it is the sides that came with it - mushroom and mashed potato!!! My love! Boyfriend mentioned that the Fish&Chips was too salty, i tried the fries that came with it, pretty good. I just take a second look at the receipt and realised a 10% discount for my hot chocolate. I wonder why... ... They have different promotion written on a blackboard but I can't seems to understand.

sweet stuffs!

Hot Chocolate

Fish & Chip

Pan Seared Dory Fillet

Might consider coming back again to try the sweet stuffs and maybe other drinks on the menu.

Sophie Bakery (Telok Ayer)

After our lunch at Folks Collective, I suggested to boyfriend to try our luck at Truffs at Telok Ayer Street even though it was already 2pm. A really hot afternoon but it is a good walk for us to digest our food. Spotted Matt's The Chocolate Shop, did a Google search this morning and both of us are so going to order their cake soon!!! Back about Truffs, there wasn't any cake nor tart left so we, actually is I, decided to walk to Sophie Bakery. Happy to see that there are still quite a few choices left though it also closes at 4pm as well.

love walking around the shophouses, so pretty!

The crazy fat duo decided to buy some breads to share because they look sooooo yummy!! The Chocolate Chip Bun is only $1.90, really filling with lots of chocolate chips and it is just really really nice. We also had Croissant ($2.00), albeit not as crispy on the outside like TBB's, the taste was pretty good and boyfriend loves it. And so, we finished both buns despite the heavy lunch.

prints prints prints! loving my new skirt :))

only outdoor seats available

i miss this already

kudos to all the shop who put in so much effort for their decoration

Sophie Bakery
Telok Ayer Street 167, 169
Mon - Fri: 8.00am - 7.30pm
Sat: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Also available at Novena Square, Wisma Atrium Mall, One Shenton Way (coming soon!) and City Square Mall (coming soon!)

Folks Collective

Read about this interesting new place just last week and decided to pay a visit yesterday because of the decoration, the reasonably priced set lunches and also... I have been craving Thai food for the whole week!!! It is not too difficult to find Folks Collective, for it is just beside Sushi Tei. Both of us were really keen to try the set lunch but to our disappointment, the staff informed us when we were making our order that set lunches are only available on weekdays :( If that's the case, I think they should have 1) write that down on the set lunch page or 2) remove the set lunch page from the menu on weekend.

was really empty when we went on a Saturday afternoon

love all the natural light sip into this area

mismatch everywhere

pretty cushion

cozy area

our table made from an old sewing machine!

 In the end, we ordered our usuals! Pad Thai ($8.90), Siam-Style Fried Rice ($8.90), Clear Tom Yum Soup ($8.90) and Grilled Pork Neck + Dried Chili Dip ($7.90). Out of the 4, only the Pad Thai was really good. Boyfriend commented that the fried rice tasted like normal zichar fried rice, nothing special. Tom Yum Soup was filled with lemongrass taste and lack the spiciness that goes all the way to your stomach. As for the grilled pork neck, it was just way too tough and marination wasn't impressive. We also ordered Lemongrass with Honey and Thai Iced Milk Tea, both were good :)

happy boy cos it is SATURDAY!!!

my iced milk tea

i love pad thai, it is no secret

 

 

the very tough pork neck :((

doesn't look like tom yum soup huh?

The food is nothing impressive and there are many other much more affordable Thai food out there like Ah Loy Thai or Thai Gold Food. I may not come back if I am just craving for Thai food but it will make a very nice place to chill with friends. There are many alcohol available so, why not come here for a chill-out night? It is really hard to miss this place because the shop front is just as interesting as the shop itself.

our uncoordinated couple wear <3

Folks Collective
Mon - Sat: 11am to 11pm.

​20 Cross Street

#01-25 China Square Central

Arbite @ Serangoon Garden

Bought groupons for an art jamming session with the girlfriends at Serangoon Garden. On a quick google map search, I found that Arbite nearby the art studio. Hence, that calls for a brunch before our arty farty moments! I made a point to make reservation because I remembered reading about it being really crowded on weekends. Funny to find that it wasn't even half filled when we reached at 11.45am though a few tables were reserved. I think the crowds only come in after 12.30.

Both of us ordered Arbite Breakfast because...

Scrambled eggs, bacon, baked beans, grilled tomato, 

veal bratwurst, sautéed mushrooms, toasted brioche 

and pommes noisettes.

sounds so promising! And it is only priced at $15.90++. BUT, the whole plate of food is just too salty for me.  Mushroom and baked beans are my favourite things, no complains. The brioche was okay but the sausage and bacon were too much for my tongue to handle. The egg was really softy and runny but too too salty.

I ordered Sakura Tea though I was not really fond of floral tea. Very subtle aromas of spring harvest cherry blossoms and vanilla but because I dragged so long for my breakfast place, the tea was soaked bitter. So do remember not to take too long to finish the tea.

Despite the food, Arbite is still a nice place to chill for a weekend brunch. Just that it is way off for the westies. Not to be disappointed, they have opened a new cafe at 28 Aliwal Street called A for Arbite. 


Arbite
66A Serangoon Garden Way

Tue – Fri, 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00pm - 10.30pm
Sat – Sun 9.00 am – 10.30 pm
Last Order at 2.30 pm & 9.45 pm 

A for Arbite
28 Aliwal St #01-01, Singapore 199918.
Tue – Fri, 11.30 am - 11 pm
Sat, 11 am-11 pm
Sun, 9 am- 9 pm
Last order is an hour before closing