Drury Lane

Before joining my sister at the bridal shop along Tanjong Pagar, boyfriend and I went to Drury Lane which is along the busy street filled bridal shops. In fact, it is directly opposite Di Gio! We settle for a high table near the entrance so we did not venture into level 2 but the whole cafe seems rather quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Good news for people who want a quieter time :) It was just a quick coffee session for us, so we didn't spend a long time there.

Boyfriend pointed out one will smell of oil after being there for awhile because the kitchen (cooking area) is just beside the counter and it is a total open-concept. Having bought quite a few pastries from the nearby Tong Heng, we did not order any cake/muffins though I was a little tempted. Drury Lane gets their coffee bean from Toby's Estate, so no complains about their coffee though I would prefer to simply head to Toby's for coffee.

I will choose Drury Lane over D.O.C if I am around the vicinity so as to avoid the crowd. But then again, whenever I am at Tanjong Pagar, I only crave for cakes from Flor and will find all means to get some.

Drury Lane
94 Tanjong Pagar Road

Mon 9am – 10pm
Wed – Fri 9am – 10pm
Sat – Sun 9am – 6pm

Department of Caffeine

D.O.C opened in such big commotion, and everyone following the social media knows about this place and their buttermilk waffle. I have heard of it since Day 1 but have been pushing back a visit to avoid the crowd. We were there during the long National Day weekend and crowd was inevitable. Managed to get a table for 2 and happily made our orders at the counter. However, the tables were placed so closely together, it gets rather noisy. Boyfriend and I are not fans of noisy busy place so this is definitely a minus point.

We decided to hop by Flor for cakes after the coffee so we didn't order much. It was a Mocha ($5.50), Latte ($5.00) and a Lavender Honey Cake ($5.00). Love how the lavender floral bits are sprinkled on the top for some simple aesthetic enhancement. The whole cake might be a little sweet for some because of the honey and icing on top but honey is one of my favourite food! I have to admit that I like the cake quite a lot :)

I am looking forward to a next visit to try the waffle and the coffees again.

Department of Caffeine
15 Duxton Road

Mon-Fri: 10.30 am – 7.30 pm
Sat-Sun: 9.30 am – 7.30pm

Penny University

Before heading to City Plaza with my sister and all her other bridesmaid one weekend, we hop by Penny University. Finally to a cafe at the east! We were really lucky to get a table for 3 upon stepping into the cafe because we saw constant crowd pouring into the fully-packed cafe shortly after. It was such a hot afternoon, but that didn't stop people from taking up the outdoor seat.

this was taken when we were leaving and the cafe was filled to the brim

The vintage-looking cash register left such a great impression on me. While listening to our orders, the lady at the cashier started tapping at the "register" and I thought it was a real functional one... ... Until I notice the Ipad behind the register. We ordered Latte and Mocha, some sandwiches and of course, some sweet stuffs to end the meal. It is difficult to walk pass the cake display without wanting to order a few to try. My sister and I love the Strawberry Lemon Tart because anything sour and sweet is a sure winner. The Millionaire Shortbread didn't fare well for me, but it is a bias comment because I do not like caramel.

I might only visit again if I am around the vicinity to try the other cakes though the crowd can be quite a turn-off.

Penny University
402 East Coast Road

Tue - Thu: 08:30 - 18:00
Fri: 08:30 - 21:30
Sat - Sun: 08:30 - 22:30

The Bravery Cafe

Was excited reading about this new place because it is a bus ride away from Basketball Association of Singapore where boyfriend has been having his basketball matches. We went on their first weekend and were surprised to be greeted with a crowd. There is no signage but it is not easy to miss a facade like this. Being opened by the people of The Plain, The Bravery Cafe sports a minimalist look but also has a raw, industrial interior (which I do not really like). It can be quite a pain sitting on the stool made of wood.

We sat at the communal table as most of the other tables were occupied. It was a Flat White and a Iced Mocha for us. The drinks were just like those at The Plain, so no complains but no praise for them either. I think their Iced Chocolate fare alot better than their coffees.

 

 

The Bravery Cafe is just a few shops away from Windowswill Pie and is in the same vicinity as Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Antoinette and The Coffee Shot. Seems like it is becoming the next cafe-hop neighborhood.

The Bravery Café
66 Horne Road
8am – 8pm
Closed on Tuesdays

The Coffee Shot

Will travel for food is something that describe me and boyfriend a lot. Despite not having a car, we have been to many places that are away from the city by our favourite mode of transport - BUS. We tried walking to The Coffee Shot from Lavender MRT on a Saturday night and it took us about 10 minutes to find it.

It was rather empty when we were there. Only 2 other tables were occupied but no one is complaining. The cafe scene in Singapore is booming but the crowd seems to be everywhere too. Love it when I chance upon a cafe on a low traffic day.

overload of information

Boyfriend had a Americano ($4.50) and I had my usual Mocha ($5.50). The Americano was too watery and lack the caffeine kick and the Mocha was medicore. Hope they do better with their drinks the next time. Wasn't expecting much from the cake so both of us were quite surprised that the Royal Chocolate Truffle was rather good. Yummy chocolatey treat is always a plus point for me.If you are looking for a nice place to sit down and chat with a few friends, this is the place to go.

The Coffee Shot
103 Lavender Street

Tue – Sat: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Closed on Mondays

Necessary Provisions

One of the Sunday, I decided to get my brother to drive us out for some coffee and I "brought" them to Necessary Provision. The cafes in Singapore are budding in really interesting places. Necessary Provision is located among private residential and it is so secluded, we were surprised to find it full house that afternoon. We were brought to the roasting room (cool!) to have our coffee. Not to worry, they had a table completed with chairs for just in case it get too crowded outside.

We had 3 Lattes and 2 Mocha (which is hot chocolate plus shot of espresso). I found the price on the high side because a hot chocolate is $6.00 and adding a shot is another $1.50, making my mocha $7.50. It will be a better idea to have flat white or latte ($5.00) over here.

On top of the drinks, we ordered some cakes to share. The highlight of our trip here is definitely these cakes! We had Pandan Chiffon Cake, Flourless Chocolate Cake and Strawberry Cake. I usually do not take pandan cake but the smell was so good, I gave it a try. It was so  soft and fluffy but also one of the more expensive chiffon cake around. We all love the flourless chocolate cake for its dense texture and chocolately taste. So in love with it, I decided to make my own version the following week but fail. The strawberry cake was homely but nothing impressive.

 

latte art

It is impossible to come here without a car and our experience tell us that is gets really crowded during weekend. Not a good idea to come here for long chat unless you can deal with constant stares of new people dropping by.

NECESSARY PROVISIONS
21 Eng Kong Terrace
Singapore 598993
Tel: 92317920
Email: hello@necessaryprovisions.com.sg

Opening Hours:
Tues to Thurs – 10am to 10pm
Fri – 10am to 12am
Sat – 9am to 12am
Sun – 9am to 6pm
Closed on Mondays.

MALACCA : Ah Lang Bak Kut Teh

Here is the last foodie post from our Malacca trip. I am really really long-winded, ain't I? We decided to end off our trip with Bak Kut Teh and I managed this find out about this place. It was really crowded with locals when we were there and we waited for quite a while for the food.

We find the soup rather salty but the pot of Bak Kut Teh was really really filling. We love the abundance of mushroom and meat. There is also my favourite - MEATBALLS! This place is worth a visit judging from the locals who frequent the place but boyfriend and I feel that the BKT we had in Kota Kinabalu was way nicer.

Ah Lang's Bak Kut Teh

No. 70, Jalan Mutiara Melaka 2

Batu Berendam

Melaka Malaysia

MALACCA : Baba Charlie

Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake, a company dealing with all kinds of Nyonya Cake, Nyonya Popiah and Cater for Buffet Party. Start with selling the delicious delicacy at Night Market (Pasar Malam) around Melaka 20 over years ago, Baba Charlie Products now supply to major hotels, restaurants, wedding parties and private functions. There is a saying around the town : "Think of Nyonya Kuih, Think of Baba Charlie".

 Baba Charlie House is at the residential area few minutes drive from the touristy area and one will need to navigate through narrow lanes and park at this small space beside the house.

 It was still rather early when we were there so we saw them preparing some of the goodies

We got some freshly fried curry puffs, some kueh, chilli, kaya and some delicious tapioca chips. I am not a fan of tapioca chips cos I feel it comes with a funny taste but the one at Baba Charlie House is really good. All my colleagues can attest to this!

Baba Charlie House
72, Jalan Tengkera Pantai 2, 75200 Melaka
11am to 3pm
Open daily except on Thursday