Heartland Cafe: Hatter's Street

Following the craze, you will find that more and more novelty cafes opening up from everywhere, especially neighbourhood heartland areas and "harder-to-access" places.

In the midst of HDB blocks, there is a stretch of restaurants and a new cafe, Hatter's Street popping out earlier this year.  The nearest MRT station is Kovan station. 
[Pardon me for the not-so-clear quality of the photographs, as it was taken with my mobile phone.]

Hatter's Street
Blk 212 Hougang Street 21
#01-333
Singapore 530212
Tel: 6988 4591
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HatterStreet 



*Their operating hours are from 1pm - 10pm, on every Tuesday - Sunday.

Overwhelmed by incoming crowd, they came up with a stupid and conflicting queue system!  Super pissed off!  See the notice below (stuck next to the main door).  Telling people to queue right there, and yet have to secure their own seats.  What happened that day, was that there was a group of 6 - 7 gals in front of me and my girlfriend (we were 2nd in the queue), and there were many people hogging the tables (whom had long finished their food & drinks whatsoever BUT refuse to leave).  So I got really fed up cos' their 3 staff were not doing anything, instead were chatting happily at the back of the counter. (Angry right?!!)  The weather was so hot and they made the customers stand in the heat for more than 30 minutes and not doing anything about it!

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Everything you need to know is at the front counter, where you could order your food, drinks (a nice selection of teas available too) and select the dessert/cake that appeal most to you.

Just in case you are wondering what are the choices of waffles available (seeing everyone else having it), look to your left as you are placing your order at the counter cum cashier.

 

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

Second place (in my opinion) in terms of the shop space, as compared to Creamier.

 

Décor is real simple, nothing over the top.  Used mainly wall stickers to decorate the place.

A couple of outdoor seating.  May feel funny but still consider cooling under the colourful ceiling fans.

 

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

Smoked Sawdust Pudding ($5.00) - Very interesting concept!  We were amazed by their idea of incorporating sawdust into the plain dessert.  Before it was served to you, it had to be smoked by the sawdust.  The most intriguing part was that, you can actually taste the sawdust in a smoky, gaseous form on your tongue before it quickly disappeared into thin air.  I would recommend this for an elevated dessert experience thru' smell as well as sight.  Can't make out whether the sawdust enhanced the taste of the pudding or not, but it did taste well together with the different layers and textures.

 

Pandan Ice-cream with Gula Melaka Sauce ($8.90) - Was alright.  Nothing as great as the staff has recommended (still, I feel that Creamier is much better).  The pandan-flavoured ice-cream was new, however the taste was not as distinct as it could have been.  The waffle part, was a little too dry on the inside and tougher on the outside.  Gula Melaka sauce didn't really leave much of an impression for me, can go without it.

 

Matcha Latte ($3.00) - Not bad and glad it's not too milky.  Thirst-quenching on such a hot, humid day in Singapore.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE SERVICE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The service is not entirely horrible, just that the staff are really inexperience (giving them the benefit of the doubt).

Satisfying Dinner @Gyoza King

If you have been to Tanjong Pagar recently, you will be pleasantly surprised to see many Japanese restaurants (bar-top style) around Orchid Hotel and more Korean restaurants along Duxton Road.

Opened by Ramen Keisuke King, is the new concept shop called, Gyoza King that started operations since late 2013. 

Gyoza King
1 Tras Link
#01-15 Orchid Hotel
Singapore 078867
Tel: 6604 6674
Email: keisuke_sg@singnet.com.sg
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KeisukeTokyoSG

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Comes in a set meal at $13.90 per person (inclusive of choice of Gyoza, 1 bowl of rice, soup and 2 side dishes).

 

How You Order?

Simply goes down the list to :-
1.  Select your choice of Gyoza - 3 types namely, Tonkotsu King (pork); Tori King (chicken); and Keisuke (prawn). 
2.  Decide on the size of your rice and which soup (miso/veg). 
3.  Finally, pick out 2 side dishes.

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

The moment you step into the shop, you will notice the open-concept kitchen.  So you can see the Chefs in action!  Amazed by how fast they can whip up a full meal with 2 side dishes for each customer. 

 

The restaurant has very limited space, with less than 20 persons capacity.  Customers are seated on high counter chairs.  It maybe cramped and a little uncomfortable for some customers, especially when the ladies might not have a chair to put their bags.  Therefore, I would suggest to go this place with your friend(s).

 

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

Using only high-end rice cooking pots made in Japan, the Koshihikari rice is cooked in batches.

 

There are complimentary vegetables e.g. pickles and beansprouts for customers to eat first, while waiting for their main dish to be ready.  *Free flow!

Next to that, you can mix your own concoction of Gyoza sauce (Japanese style).  You can follow their recommendation for the Gyoza sauce or create your own.

  

Gyoza: (5 pieces each)

Tonkostu King (left) - You can't actually distinguish them apart.  So be sure to ask the server which is which.  Definitely can try this!  It was juicy.  No stinky or oily smell of the pork filling.  Marinated to the right degree.

Keisuke (right) - Fresh!  Love the soft texture of the prawns.  Just right, not overcooked.

 

 

Sides Dishes:

Stir-Fried Eggplant/Brinjal with miso - *Thumbs up*  It is really good.  Their miso sauce used is flavoursome and somehow tasted like barbeque sauce.  Brinjal can easily be either too hard (undercooked) or too soft & mushy (overly cooked).  They are able to grasp the correct control of cooking it.

 
Deep Fried Chicken with spicy sauce & mixed sesame - Not bad.  Tasted like any crispy fried chicken. 

 

Deep-Fried Potatoes with Minced Pork Gravy - It tasted like roasted potatoes.  The minced pork gravy resembled so much like Chinese cuisine.

 

At the end of the meal, you will be very full.  Such a satisfying meal that would make you come back for more!  Great place to recommend to good friends (but more conducive in a small group).

Lunch 'n' Chillout @La Marelle Cafe

Really have to thank my Sister for bringing me to Kampong Glam and discover this place, La Marelle Cafe hidden on the second floor of the shophouse diagonally facing the ever-busy Kampong Glam Cafe.

Unlike other cafes, La Marelle offers a place to go for our Muslim friends.  It is not Halal certified (cos' I didn't see any Halal certificate displayed).  However, they have clarified on Facebook that it is operated and managed by Muslim staff while using Halal certified suppliers.



La Marelle Cafe
25A Baghdad Street
Level 2
Singapore 199644
Tel: 8138 7654
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lamarellecafe



 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Set lunch is available during lunch-time in a separate menu.

(Click on picture for a larger view)

 

For drinks, you will be spoilt with so many choices.

 

**Good news: They have rolled out new menu# and removed the 10% service charge w.e.f. 22 Apr 2014.  So be prepared to taste new items and service yourself.

 

#Source: La Marella Cafe & Boutique

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

Starting from the stairway to Level 2 (where the cafe is situated), you will be led into a wonderland of bright cheerful colours adorned with cute white clouds and white/black/blue raindrops.

 

You walk straight up and on your right-hand side will be the entrance to the cafe.

 

Complimentary water for you to help yourself to.

3 main colours are used on the walls, namely bright pink, green & blue.

[*Tips] : It is highly recommended that you patronise the cafe during daytime so as to better appreciate the cheerful atmosphere and take nicer pictures.

Front view shot (from the inside of the cafe).  Then, you can pick the most appealing cake that is available on that day.



Every spot and corner in the cafe is covered with either cute cloud/raindrop stickers.  When you lift your head up, you will find dreamy Greenland with interesting flowers....Ohh so sweet!

It is also a boutique selling merchandise that are ranging from accessories, lifestyle to home use.  Hence you can browse alot and kill time while waiting for available table.

 

Back view of the cafe, painted the last wall in blue striking colour.

By the way, if you can't find a table at Level 2, fret not.  Do walk all the way in and you will find a pathway up to Level 3 on the right.  More seating at Level 3.

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

I would recommend interested customers to try out their Set Lunch menu ($15.90++, inclusive of soup, croissant and a drink).

Cream of Mushroom Soup - Simple.  Nothing fanciful.

Apple Tea - A bit diluted but sufficient to quench your thirst.

French Classic Stuffed Croissant ($12.90) - It is actually a croissant stuffed with chicken sausages, mushrooms and béchamel sauce on top.  Quite an interesting mix and great idea to use croissant as the "house" of the many ingredients used.  However, the croissant (made that day) was not as good as expected.  Not crispy nor warm enough for me.  My Sister said that the first time she came was better.

Rainbow Cake ($8.50) - Quite nice.  Each layer is represented by 7 different colours, evenly spaced out and layered on top of each other to create the "rainbow effect".  These sponge cake layers are merely coloured and did not have special flavours on their own.  For La Marelle's version, you can taste a slight bit of lemon citrus rather than plain sweetness.  Can give it a try for first customers.

It's not hard to notice that they use a whole lot of different plate designs and combination to enhance their food presentation.  I can tell the effort put in that little detail is commendable.

Carrot Cake ($7.50) - Appetising!  A good balance between the texture and density of the cake packed with thin slices of carrot and walnuts.  Always the best to eat the carrot cake with its cream cheese layer on top together in each bite.  So the cream cheese may give it a rich creamy, yet slightly savoury flavour without feeling any dryness in the cake itself.

 

I am sure lady friends will love to come to this playful cafe!  Be mindful you will have to stand around and find your own seats when it gets packed.

Note:  The prices stated here are before GST 7% and service charge 10%.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE SERVICE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Well, you can't really expect much over here.  First, you find your own seat.  Then, you approach the counter to order and make payment.  Pour yourself the complimentary water.

 

To make things worst, they couldn't even handle 3 tables during lunchtime (we are the 3rd table)!  We have to keep asking and chasing them for our croissants after waited patiently for more than 30min.  We were told that the kitchen staff were new.  How true it is, we really don't know.  In short, waiting time is longer than usual cafe.

Tarts & Pies @WindowSill

The first time I tried WindowSill's tart was at Creamier.  Passed by it during my last visit to Tiramisu Hero.  So finally, I get to try more of their pies and tarts.  They specialises in pies, but only the sweet type, no savoury ones.  Thus they are very clear what they are capable of doing/making.

WindowSill
 78 Horne Road
Singapore 209078
(opp. Jalan Besar Stadium)
Tel: 9004 7827
Email: pies@windowsillpies.sg


Their operating hours (as shown below).  Closed on Mondays as well.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE MENU ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

You can find more than just coffee over here.  A small chalkboard is placed in front of the cashier.  Can give a try for their specialty tea.

 

You got to walk to their front display of the pies & tarts to have a good look on what's available for the day (a little fogged out by the condensation on the glass).

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

Behind the main door, you will be greeted by a cute version of forest & woody feel, tapped with cement screed walls on 1 side.  The shop may not seem big, but it is sufficient to make every customers sitting there comfortably to enjoy their desserts and drinks.  Good thing is that you won't feel compel to quickly finish your desserts and drinks though there are constantly new customers coming in.  As the flow of walking-in customers is still manageable.

 

Love this little hut-like frame that houses 2 tables.  I got to get this table the next time! haha

 

The only picnic bench available in the shop for big group.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I like their presentation, using a wooden tray instead of usual plate.  The only shortfall would be it maybe harder to balance as the pie/tart may sway here and there.

In order to sample their pies & tarts better, we chose to go with tea.  Besides, smelling the tea leaves yourself.  The other, quickest method is to ask the staff!  Recommended by the staff and partly influence by the name of the tea, I chose the Muscato Blanc. 
Muscato Blanc ($6 per pot, refillable) - Slightly revealing a tint of sweetness on your palate, and nice smelling at the same time.  Different from the usual fruity or floral tea you have tasted, this tea will definitely give you a pleasant surprise.  It is so good that you will keep refilling the pot and still have a good blend without diluting the goodness.

 
[Pardon if I didn't get the name of the desserts (below) right as there is no label/signage stating clearly.  Can only based on the verbal description the staff gave me.]
S'mores - Nice try.  The marshmallows on top were a little over burnt (uncertain if it was done intentionally or not).  The chocolate body topped with dark chocolate fudge, is my favourite! However, I like their unique pie "crust" most.  It tasted and flaked off like pastries, rather than the normal crunchy pie/tart crust.

Banana Almond Brittle - Not bad.  The sweetness of bananas are captured on the top cream layer.  Salted caramel in chunks (too big a chunk) are embedded inside the mousse cake.

 

Will come back again to have more pies/tarts!  Cute & cheerful place with dainty desserts.