Carpenter and Cook

Last Saturday, we continued on our search for modern vintage & classic French furniture (as our new place should be TOP in these couple of months).  As I was doing my route planning for the day, I added in this cafe cum vintage store, Carpenter and Cook that I got to know thru' Facebook post, as this June was their 1st year anniversary (which I did not know it existed where I used to work nearby previously; and more good places that flourished in that stretch).

 

The moment I alighted from our car, I was already bowled over by the exterior of the shop.

Carpenter and Cook
19 Lorong Kilang
#01-06
Singapore 598120
Tel: 6463 3648
Blog: http://blog.carpenterandcook.com/

 

[Pardon me for the not-so-clear quality of the photographs, as it was taken with my mobile phone.]

 
The cafe is rather small, and most of the time is crowded (maybe less crowd & more relaxing on a weekday afternoon).  Therefore, be prepared that you will have to share table with others (many others).  Nonetheless, I would say they have the best place to hold an intimate affair with your close ones or party with friends (*They do take in reservation on weekdays). 
P.S:  To manage your expectation, don't expect any kind of service, for you have to service yourself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So happen we did not feel like having coffee/tea that afternoon (typically what you would expect to see in a cafe), but luckily we have other options e.g. craft beers, ciders and fruit presses.  Awesome!

 

English Apple Fruit Presse - It's my very first time trying Fruit Presse, my Hubby and I are pleasantly satisfied.  The flavour of English apples is refreshing and thirst-quenching.  You can taste the fruitiness that goes into it, complemented with the bubbles to chase away the "heatiness" in a hot day.  Ahh haa this is how a presse tastes like!!

 

Lemon Cream Tart - Ok, this is literally lemon cream on the inside core.  A bit shocked initially as the yellow lemon flowed out (as I was expecting it to be slightly frozen being kept in the fridge), but it turned out to be just the right amount of sourness coupled with a bit of the golden-brown tart in my every bite.  Oh the tart is really tasty, love the fragrance and freshly-baked tart taste (if you know what I mean) lingering in my mouth!  The BEST tart I have eaten so far!!

 

Blueberry Crumble (Pick-me-up) Muffin - Very happy with this recommendation by the staff.  Unusual sweet crust on top of the muffin, and appropriately warmed up for us.  Would be even nicer if there were more blueberries in it (ohh I'm a sucker for the power berries!).

 

There are so many different types of pastries (not so much of cakes, though only 2 were available that day) for any sweet tooth cravings.  You won't need an excuse to come back again.  Just come back!

P.S:  Their coffee seem nice as it is served in cute, little old-school transparent glass and English floral saucer.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Looking deeper into the interior décor of the bakery and cafe....  I am impressed and inspired by how the knick-knacks can come together and still looking good.  They do change their furniture and layout every now and then, cos' the items are for sale as long as the right buyer shows up.  "Nothing can stop or limit the imagination, and it's as good as it gets when the opposite & the unlikely clashes.", I said.

 

 

 

Vintage children storybooks are used as hanging ornaments on the wall.

 

And yes, I like the idea of utilising the old sewing machine stand and re-making it into a decorative piece at the bottom of a basin.  Cool!

 

Not forgetting the cafe also has their line of products, jams and marshmallows and imported vintage tea cup sets.  Now, I want to get my very own vintage tea cup set too!!

 

I am now pumped with ideas (to decorate my new place) after this visit.  Thanks Carpenter and Cook!  Hopefully I will be back soon with more of their tested-and-tried pastries and coffee!

NEW! Oyster Bar in Singapore - Tanuki Raw @Orchard Central

Yeye I know it's nothing big deal to have oyster bar in Singapore, but seriously, not many people frequent such bar places (at least not many friends I know of!).  Could it be oysters are less favour by Asians or we are oblivious of its benefits??

Let's talk a bit about the benefits of eating oysters, to get you hype up first!

1. Rich, natural source of zinc and amino acids also known as "aphrodisiacs" --> Triggers increased levels of sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen; Promotes healing, increase immune system
2. Maintains collagen levels in your skin (oooh awesome!!)
3. Contains protein that is high in tyrosine --> Aids in controlling mood and dealing with stress
4. High in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and potassium --> Lowers blood pressure, and reduces risk of having stroke or heart attack
5.  Good source of Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant --> Protects your cell membranes from free-radical damage that could lead to cardiovascular disease

 

So what are you waiting for?!?

Tanuki Raw
@Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
#02-03
Singapore 238896
Tel:  6636 5949
*No reservation is accepted during Happy Hour!

HAPPY HOUR daily from 5 - 8pm during soft launch.  Gonna have it! 

• Oysters @$1 each; &
• Martinis @$10 each glass!  

(*See below for the updated Happy Hour menu - HAPPIEST HOURS)

  

HAPPIEST HOURS now includes salmon sashimi! 

• Oysters @$1 each;
• Salmon sashimi @$3 for 5 slices;
• Salmon belly sashimi @$5 for 5 slices;
• Martinis @$10 each glass; &
• More..!

Note: Oysters' price adjusted from $1 to $2 each and only available for Fine de Claire.  Other types of oysters available @$5 each.

Strawberry champagne (left) and one of their signature cocktails, Alice in Wonderland (right).  Yummylicious!!  You can definitely get your liquor-worth from this small glass!

 

Apple-tini - delicious and genuine gentlemen's pour (I turned all red merely sipping 1/3 of my drink). 

 

A dozen of oysters - Very chilled and fresh!  Best consumed with squeezed lemon and lots of tabasco!  Tanuki also provided their special blend of red wine vinegar with chopped onions for customers who like sour taste.

 

Salmon sashimi (normal) - Super value!  Regular-sized slices of salmon sashimi was served.

 

Salmon belly sashimi - You ought to take a look at how the fatty omega-3 lines curve (ok I get it, it's not so obvious in this picture)!  Sliced salmon thickness is just nice (for me).  It's so soft and smooth, that simply melts away in your mouth!

 

Shrimptastic - Nice!  It's actually ebi fry roll sushi.  The little shrimps are fried to its crisps and plenty of sauce (slightly spicy and taste somewhat like mentaiko sauce) drizzled over it.  Reminded me a little of Sushi Tei sushi, except they had sprinkled fried shrimps on top.

 

Rice Bowl: Yakiniku - Very appetizing and filling, the sliced beef are tender and well-marinated with the teriyaki sauce.  I want to emphasize on the lotus root chips, which are used as garnish accompanying the Japanese rice, they were very thin and crisp.

 

[ My Verdict ]:  You are guaranteed for a night of seafood freshness (with oysters & sashimi) and powerful drinks.  Of cos' for this quality food, you are also expected to pay equivalently for it!  Hence don't get over excited and order plenty of raw food, only to get a shock from the final bill!  Still, I would recommend this place for chill-out with group of friends, especially at the outdoor alfresco seating (however is now closed due to the haze).

P.S:  You might have to queue up to more than an hour and NOT get a table, if you did not arrive as early as before 6pm.  Cos' most diners (I noticed there were many couples on the different Friday nights) would want to maximise their Happy Hour till 8pm.  You might still get a chance if you don't mind bar-top seats for 2 pax (and ladies be mindful to wear pants/shorts).

Lunch @Le Chocolat Cafe

I tend to procrastinate when I have the least interest to write about not-so-good food and experience, as compared to the enthusiasm I feel whenever I came across somewhere nice and can't wait to share with my friends.

I fumbled upon Le Chocolat Cafe when I read someone else's blog few months back, nothing much was mentioned (was not a review on the cafe) except for the photograph of a rainbow cake that caught my eyes.  Note that their breakfast only serves till 11am, so after that timing you can only have burgers, pizzas and of cos' cakes on the menu.  Still, I decided to give it a try for the sake of the rainbow cake.

Le Chocolat Cafe
28 Ann Siang Road
Singapore 069708
Tel: 6808 2184

The cafe interior décor is lush and inviting, relaxing ambience with pleasant lounge music in the background.  Not the typical modern cafe style, it reminds you more of a chill-out place.

 
 
An array of delectable-looking cakes.

 
Cappuccino - No good.  *frowns on*

 

A big slice of the Rainbow Cake.  See how nicely each vivid coloured layer is stacked up.  Unfortunately, the taste was far from how it looked, no flavour at all but the extremely sweet chocolate layer lined on top and at the side.  We didn't even finished the cake.

 

The waiter served the cake before our main course are served, we had to tell them to take back and serve after our main course!  After waiting for more than 10 minutes, we reckon we should eat the cake first as they have poured the chocolate syrup onto the cake.  Subsequently came 3 other tables of customers, I had a sudden urge to tell them NOT to order the cake but held back as it won't be nice to do it in front of the staff.. (-_-")

Seafood pizza (I can't recall what the actual dish name was) - There are plentiful of toppings including prawn, mussel and calamari but it somehow seemed like quick pizza from supermarket.  More crucially the bottom was like biscuit texture and the crust was not baked thoroughly!  I requested for the waiter to microwaved, and he really did it but still, it didn't seem to help.  Then he sent it back to the kitchen.  So amateur!!  Their pizza was "unforgettable"!

Beef burger with fries - The beef patty was too much and too tough.  I couldn't finish more than 3/4 of it.  At least the fries were crispy and edible.

[ My Verdict ]:  Every edible food were horrible and total flop!  The other available cakes seem so much better than the Rainbow Cake, but we were too full with disappointment for the day.  Maybe next time we might come back and give the other cakes a chance.  MAYBE.

Brunch @Chye Seng Huat Hardware 再成发五金

It's always nice to sleep in during weekends..  So after the huge struggle to wake up, we headed for a late brunch @再成发五金 Chye Seng Huat Hardware (CSHH) Coffee Bar earlier this month.  It wasn't that crowded around 1ish on a Saturday, but you got to act fast to find your own seats.  The service staff are very occupied, so you have to self-service sometimes, and get the menu yourself if need be.
[ *Tip ]:  Run for the bar-top seats (in the centre of the shop) if you like to see 'first-hand' those baristas in action!

 

Orders are taken in and placed at the 2 cashier counters near to the main glass door.  PS:  It is really small and cramp in the shop.

 

I feel that it is more of the novelty in its shop name and the shopfront actually assumed the outlook of an old traditional shophouse with metal grills and folding white panel door.  The location is not easy to find, for you can walk past it without realising (also not many parking lots available in that area).  I have to applaud their marketing team for they did such a risky, yet innovative and successful branding for CSHH!  Oh I love the 'triangular'-shaped brown paper bag used for takeaways.  Very smart and nostalgic!  Kudos!!

[*Important Note ]:  The folding panel door is "FAKE" and seal-fixed to the wall.  There are 2 "real" entrance - (1) at the right-hand side grey-coloured door, which normally leads to the upper floors; & (2) thru' the corrugated metal gates outside & next to the building, where there's a "No Parking" sign.

Chye Seng Huat Hardware (CSHH Coffee Bar)
150 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207563
Tel: 6396 0609

 Operating hours (nailed on the exterior side wall):

 

Apparently, they roast their own coffee beans.

  

Have heard about CSHH for some time and there have been many reviews on it, especially its coffee.  Some good, some bad.  It's the same for most places, depending on your own experience, on what and which stuff you choose to order.  Typically, not everything from the "same brand/shop" will be good, only certain item(s) from each brand/shop will be recommended.  As such, hear me out on my choices as follows..

 

Very simplified menu - with limited choice for main course (left-most column), coffee (middle column) and other drinks (right-most column).

 

Espresso + Milk = Latte --> Not "power" enough for me.  The coffee was fragrant, but taste was overpowered by the milk poured in.  Also, the coffee ain't hot enough when served, thus it turned cold pretty quick.  As you know, no coffee taste good when cold, unless it's iced coffee.

Blinis with Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon - Luv it!!  It's pancakes with cream cheese + smoked salmon.  I don't usually take cream cheese with pancakes due to health preferences, but totally taken in this time!  For the cream cheese is slightly sour, well-matched with the pancakes and saltish smoked salmon to increase your appetite.

 

Scrambled Eggs with Bacon - Satisfactory =)  (Oh I liked the baked beans, different from the usual canned baked beans!)

 

Hazelnut Ginger Tea Cake - I really like it cos' I'm a fan of ginger! haa

There are ginger bits and hazelnuts in smaller chunks hidden in the cake, but not much of hazelnut on the whole.  I exceptionally like the irregular crumbs stuck on the top layer of the cake (wonder how they managed to have those crumbs up there?!?).

 

From the "Hand-Brewed with Love" menu, one gets to select according to own preference from Bright / Balanced / Bold.  Guatamela was recommended by the staff as the Brew-of-the-day for balanced taste was sold out.  Rather nice and smooth on the palate, with a tad acidic aftertaste.

 

In short, their cakes and coffee seemed average.  I do recommend people to give it an attempt, for its interesting concept but not-so relaxing ambience.  Despite how "remote" this place is hidden, tourists are attracted to this joint.  How can we, Singaporeans miss that out?!?

Haze Overwhelming Singapore

In Singapore, we are fortunate to enjoy better air quality than most cities in Asia, faring within the "Moderate" range of average below Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) 100.  As Singaporeans, we never seem to have to worry about the quality of the air we breathe in.

However, during the past 2 days (since 18 June 2013), it has came to our immediate attention that the air quality has worsen drastically, hitting the "Unhealthy" range of beyond PSI 101.  Just yesterday, I could tell the 'funny' smell in the air and nearby blocks of flats almost "smoked out" in low visibility, even under bright afternoon sun.  Hence went to several stores of Watson's and Guardian Pharmacy, BUT all the surgical masks and N95 masks were sold out!!  Singapore is definitely not prepared for any of these or any epidemic.  The medical supplies industry ought to wake up their senses!

Last night, it shocked most people as the PSI shot up to PSI 290 at around 9pm, and went on its high at 11pm indicating PSI 321.  For more detailed readings on PSI and PM, visit:
http://www.nea.gov.sg/psi/

This morning when I woke up, even the inside of my house is smoky.  Already experiencing slight difficulties breathing indoors and my Mom is coughing intermittently, I am certain the PSI has rose up again (trust your body signals!!)!  I can barely see the clouds for the sky is all light gray uniformly.  Take care Singaporeans and residents! 

Here are some tips for you (besides of cos' staying indoor):

• Keep flushing water into your body system
• Drink honey with aloe vera if your throat hurt (just pure honey drink is also suffice)
• Turn on your air purifier
• Close windows, leaving small openings for airflow
• Instil eye drops if your eyes get irritated
• Visit doctor if more symptoms bother you

Get well soon Singapore!  We have to tide thru' this health-threatening phase and sweltering heat in the coming months.

Baikohken 梅光轩 @Takashimaya Basement

Baikohken
@Takashimaya
391A Orchard Road
Ngee Ann City Tower A
#B2-01/04 Takashimaya Food Hall
Singapore 238873
Tel: 6235 3483
Official Website: http://baikohken.com/

This Japanese ramen outlet, Baikohken has been "there" ever since Takashimaya basement level was revamped (mainly the foodcourt and restaurant area) years ago.  Somehow I never really take notice of it, until that day we walked past the previously-bustling Romankan Yokohama outlet (that specialises in Japanese curry).  It was sadly deserted, but right behind the shop led us to a queue next to a really really small ramen shopfront.

 
Menu at one glance.

Exceptionally more spice/sauce and flavourings you can add into your bowl of ramen.

Gyoza were very much pan-fried on one-side but not the other..  It amazed me with a substantial amount of soup kept inside the Gyoza (that reminds me of the Shanghainese steamed dumpling, 小笼包), , but pity, the pork used as fillings contained such strong oily stench that I hated most from pork meat.  So it's a flop!

Miso Ramen (in bean paste) - I really like the soup base that had a thick, yet subtle sweet taste to it.  However, not so fancy of the noodle texture that was neither hard or soft (personally I like my noodles hard), and their char siew that reeked of pork oily smell.

[ My Verdict ]: This shop serves the biggest bowl of ramen I have ever seen!  2 persons can share this full-size bowl (can go easy on your pocket, very $$-worth!), of course unless you are super hungry you can finish the entire bowl.  Otherwise, you can order half-size.  Very generous serving on the ramen and bean sprouts.  (Note: Ajitama is add-on, does not come together with the ramen)  In terms of taste, I would still prefer my all-time favourite at Tampopo's black pork ramen (only @Liang Court branch, as NAC branch taste not as good) and Ippudo @Mandarin Gallery.

Appetising Ice-cream Creations @Cold Stone Creamery

I was first drawn into the store by its strong fragrance exuding from its waffle.  Therefore, one day I did something that I rarely do.  I queued for the 2nd time in my life for more than 30min (in case you are wondering, the 1st time was at Melben's crab for more than 1hr!)

Luckily, the Cold Stone Creamery have many staff at work and they had worked fast for the never-ending, long queue of customers waiting in line, so we could get our desired ice-cream fix within approx. 40min. (During my most recent visit, surprisingly no one was queuing and the wait was less than 10min.)  Well, the hardest part would be to find seats, unless you pop by during mealtimes or don't mind sitting along the high bar-top chairs.

Cold Stone Creamery
@Orchard Central
181 Orchard Central Road
#01-09/10
Singapore 238896

Signboard menu overhead to choose what you would like to have - ice-cream, smoothies and shakes.  3 sizes of ice-cream available namely, "Like It"; "Love It"; & "Gotta Have It" -->  "Like It" is just nice for 2 to share after having a full meal. Y(^,^)Y

 

Simply love their Signature Creations!!!! 
You gonna try it for yourself to know how well each combination is!

Each time, I tell myself to try a different Signature Creation (so far, I have only managed to try 4 of them & I like each of them!).  The main difference that sets Cold Stone apart from Marble Slab, is really their great combinations for each of the Signature Creations.  They just seem to go so well together!

This time round, I was having Cheesecake Fantasy with my Sister (her 1st time of course! keke).  Love this combination of power berries, cheesecake ice-cream with graham bits!  Waffle was nice.  *thumbs up*

 

Will always head back for more whenever my sweet tooth acts up and provided there is no extremely long trailing queue!