Tired of the usual brunch options? Shake things up with these three unique cafés this March! From Japanese-inspired options to coffee-based desserts, there’s something for everyone – photobugs, caffeine lovers and café-hoppers alike.
1. Kream and Kensho
If you’re looking for a new lunch haunt in town, Kream & Kensho has got you covered! Boasting an extensive all-day brunch menu alongside ingenious specials, and novel beverage creations, the Japanese-inspired spot is a must-add to your café-hopping adventures.
Avocado toast is so passé – why not try Kream & Kensho’s Grape & Ricotta Matcha Brioche instead? The lightly-toasted brioche is slathered with a tangy ricotta spread, and topped with green grapes, matcha powder, pistachio, lavender, and red gum honey, making for an exquisite symphony of flavours. Do note, though, that the floral notes come through quite strongly, so it might not be for everyone.
For adamant carnivores, give their Pork Sando Trio a try. The pork katsu sandwich comes with a trio of sauces (hence its name): A red pepper ketchup, curry leaf mayonnaise, and hot sauce. While the pork katsu was perfectly crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, the bread itself could have done with a more generous serving of sauce.
To complete your meal, we highly recommend their signature K&K Milk Tea that comes topped with salted whipped cream. The salty cream balances out the sweetness from the fragrant brown sugar, making for a light, aromatic tea that was not too cloying on the tongue.
Address
35 Kampong Bahru Rd, Singapore 169355
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm
2. Practice Tuckshop
Located at the Waterloo Street Arts Belt, Practice Tuckshop by The Theatre Practice embodies kampong hospitality in a kitschy space. On selected Fridays, guests will be able to enjoy a unique 3-course meal and drink during Recess Time sessions.
In the spirit of sustainability, dishes are made using unwanted produce, which the chefs, playfully referred to as ‘Makan Masters’, rescue before the meal. The session we attended was helmed by Chef Mazlan, and did not disappoint.
The starter, a Vegetable Medley, featured a light curry with the fragrance of coconut. This was served with homemade focaccia, which was freshly made in the morning.
If variety is the spice of life, this dish truly delivered – with a great range of ingredients, nonetheless! Okra, mushrooms, chili and eggplant were just some of the vegetables included in this deceptively simple dish, which packs a pleasant punch with a fragrant coconut flavour.
The staff explained that curries and stews were ideal dishes for rescued produce, as they are versatile enough to accommodate the variety of vegetables used. Using rescued vegetables also adds an element of surprise to the dish, as guests can look forward to different flavour combinations.
The main dish, Tandoori Chicken with Coconut Rice, had comparatively bolder flavours. Perfectly grilled chicken was laid against a bed of rice, and paired with a spicy stew of fava beans and ikan bilis. A small serving of pickles completed the dish. This was extremely well balanced, with the pickles’ sour notes providing a refreshing contrast to the tangy fava beans.
Ending the meal on a sweet note was a ‘Surprise Dessert’. Citrus lovers would have enjoyed this dish, which featured a slice of fresh orange pound cake with orange sauce, and a side of candied orange peel, cranberries, almonds and cashews. The moist, crumbly cake paired well with the zesty sauce, which was reminiscent of mandarin oranges. This was an excellent dessert to round off the meal, and went well with the pitcher of iced tea that the cafe thoughtfully provided.
Do note that reservations must be made prior to heading down, as there are limited portions available for each Recess Time session.
Address
58 Waterloo St, Singapore 187956
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 10.30 am – 5.30 pm
Recess Time sessions are subject to availability.
3. The Affogato Bar
Take your morning coffee to the next level at The Affogato Bar, a specialty cafe reputed for its namesake – affogato: a dessert made with ice cream (usually vanilla) and espresso. At The Affogato Bar, they don’t just stick to plain ole’ vanilla!
Their Banana Ramble comprised banana cake, fresh banana slices, pecans crumble, topped with a butter pecan ice cream, and served alongside a double shot of Ozone’s Empire blend. The entire dessert tasted like a reimagined banana cake, in the best possible way. The decadent richness of the banana cake and ice cream was kept in check by the bitter and aromatic notes from the espresso, and the crumble added a delightful crunch to the dish.
When compared to the Banana Ramble, the Caramella felt like a more restrained sibling. With a creamy caramel blanc, vanilla sponge cake, and salted caramel cheesecake ice cream, the Caramella had a more mellow flavour profile. Surprisingly, the affogato was not too sweet despite the abundant presence of caramel, with the espresso’s bitterness balancing the sweetness of the caramel, creating a perfect balance of flavours.
Address
501 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-04B Cluny Court, Singapore 259760
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 8 am – 6 pm
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