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).

Wonderous Hand-Crafted Ice-cream & Coffee @Creamier

We always hear people say "hidden gem" here & there etc.  This time round, the ice-cream cafe that I want recommend to you is indeed a hidden gem in an established residential estate, Toa Payoh (my old "hometown" where I first resided).

Creamier
Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lor 1
#01-835 Singapore 310128
Tel: 6250 1476
Email: info@creamier.com.sg
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/creamier.singapore


Do take note of their operating hours.  Mondays off!

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

Their menu is displayed clearly on top of the ice-cream counter wall.

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

The shopfront is actually pretty small and neat.  Seating are very limited.  Thus you can either takeaway or wait around until you find a seat (before ordering).  Otherwise, last resort you can takeaway and eat at the open playground opposite the shop.

 

Wide selection of ice-cream that can make your eyes all dancing and confused.  The flavours will be frequently changed as and when.

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

Green Tea Latte (*paid $2.50 together with pie) - Milky and smooth like matcha.  Yet reveal a tint of latte at the same time.  A balanced drink.

Creamier also carry Windowsill's pie, but limited selection (only 1 or 2 types).
Lemon Tart ($7.50 per slice; or $10 with any hot beverage) - This was alright.  Not too sour, nor too sweet.  Instead of in the form of a tart, it is more like a slice from a cake.  The bottom biscuit crust was substantial to keep the balance and tone down any sourness.

2 scoops of ice-cream in cup ($5 / $3 for single scoop *Add $0.80 for each scoop of premium flavours) - Summer Strawberries and Earl Grey Lavender. 
Summer Strawberries flavour - It was creamy yet fruity. The sun-ripe strawberries used bring out the sweetness, not so much of sourness present in it.  Makes you just want to dig your spoon more.  *yum yum*
Earl Grey Lavender flavour - An interesting blend.  I always like floral tea, hence this flavour gives me a fragrance in the mouth.  Very nice. 

Waffle topped with 2 scoops of ice-cream ($10.80) - Orange Cranberry Vodka and Rum & Raisin.
By far, the best waffle I have eaten!  Its crisp to the right extent, easy to cut thru' with the fork and comfortable texture when into the mouth. 
Orange Cranberry Vodka flavour - Quite a refreshing combi.  Vodka is lightly added into the mix, not too bitter nor strong.  Though vodka is not my favourite, it somehow turns out to be quite nice.
Rum & Raisin flavour - Yes, at last someone puts more rum into the ice-cream!  You can definitely taste the both the rum and the raisin present, for the dried raisins are drenched in rum liqueur.  Cheers!

It is always very interesting to make my friends guess what flavour or ingredients it contain (as I was the one placing the order).  I especially like their concoction of fruit with liqueur, everything are mixed in proportion without overpowering either ingredients. The endless possible combination make your imagination run wild, beyond border and region.  They also have localised flavours as well e.g. Mochaholic, Richest Dark Chocolate Ferrero, Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Horlicks Chocolate Chip.

I will give my 2-thumbs up for this cafe's ice-cream!  Each new flavour they invent, just makes me want to come back again.

Korean NeNe Chicken @Star Vista

It has been sometime since I have spotted NeNe Chicken and wanting to try it out.  At last, found a chance to lunch there on a Sunday noon.  NeNe Chicken is indeed authentic Korean fried chicken, originated from South Korea, Seoul since 1999.  You might find it awkward to pronounce its shop name, but don't think in that direction!  Ne Ne means "yes yes" in Korean!  YES!!
For what I know, Star Vista outlet is the only outlet in Singapore at the moment.

NeNe Chicken
(opp. Gong Cha & toilet entrance)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#01-24 Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nenechickensingapore

 

Patronising for the first time, we asked the service staff direct for its more popular choices by customers.  So he recommended the Top 3 Popular choices are (in random ranking) :-

1. Freaking Hot
2. Bulgogi
3. Green Onion

 

Our set meal cost $9.90 each.  Quite worthwhile for money given that the chicken serving were substantial and filling.  Each set comes with a small packet of fries, a soft drink, and either coleslaw/pickled radish. 
(Was playing around with my camera settings for special effect, so the colour tone is different than usual.)

 

Green Onion Tenders (boneless) - Real crispy chicken tenders drizzled with their subtle concoction of a sweet-savoury sauce and tinge of lemon juice, and finished the look with alot of shredded green onions on top.  *1 thumb up!*
I am not a fan of having green onions in my food (be it cooked or as garnish), thus did not order this item and I am sorry!  For those of you who are like me, can simply brush those green onions shreds aside and indulge in this super crispy tenders.  Rest assure there wasn't prominent stink of raw onions or whatsoever. 

 

Black Sesame Tenders (boneless) - VERY different from any sauced/fried chicken I have ever tried.  The special-blended sesame sauce coated every inch of the chicken tenders.  Not exactly soggy, at the same time you can still taste the crispy portions in the fried tenders while eating it hot.  The black sesame sauce was more on the sweeter side and a little marshy in texture, which I believe this is how the sauce can cling onto the tenders. 
A little con here, the tenders were too big in size with only a mini fork given, it wasn't that easy to just bite through it (of cos' not to mention your teeth will be stuck with the black sesame remains after the meal!).  Would have been better if it comes in bite-size.

 

I exceptionally like their fries and pickled radish!  The fries were very similar to the A&W type of curly fries, except it is in the straight shape and form of normal fries.  While the pickled radish were fresh, crunchy and carried slight sourness that appetite you more.

 

Took away 8-pc Bulgogi Chicken Wings ($8.90) for our parents to try out.  The wings were flavourful with its marinated sauce and sesame sprinkled over it, but pity not meaty enough.  I can't use this to compare with 4Fingers for it would not be a fair comparison.  This wings are marinated with soy sauce gravy, instead of deep-fried, thus I can't compare apple to apple.

As I have yet to try out the Freaking Hot and other fried wings..Got to go back for more and not forgetting the new experience of eating wings using disposable glove!

Snoozy Late Brunch @Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar

During the long weekend, all I could think of was to avoid the crowded scene as there would be high influx of people going everywhere possible (Singapore is just too small so most people if not travelling overseas, could only hangout in shopping malls and aircon places).

I'm such a bum who likes to laze around..haha  It took my Hubby some time to drag me out of my bed and to bring me to Skype for brunch cos' it was  already 2ish when we got there.  We were lucky to get the only remaining table with sofa seats without reservation, but no so lucky for the couple who came after us, had to take the outside seats.

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar
10 Winstedt Road
Block E #01-17
Singapore 227977
Tel: 6225 6690
*Reservation is recommended!

 

Main entrance from the road-side.

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

Their brunch menu is available from 10am - 4pm daily!  Yippee I can sleep in more and still have brunch items in the afternoon!

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

The first thing I notice stepping into the bistro, was that strong scent of truffles..

 

The indoor seating area are segregated into 3 sections.  The first 2 sections are all sofa sittings, suitable for couple dating or group gatherings.  The last section all the way back is the largest section in proper table setting, which can be rearranged for special events to create a different ambience.

 

A little "extra" to share with you, is their common toilet.  Hope you won't get turn off by the sight of below picture.  I must let you know first otherwise ladies might get frightened or "scream" when you see a male entering/inside the toilet!  Their toilet is meant for both sexes, which last 2 cubicles are reserved for the ladies, and first 2 cubicles for the gentlemen.  A side note, I do like their retro theme employed and toilet bowl-shaped alike washing basin used.  However, may not so convenient or at ease for the ladies to powder their nose or comb their hair inside this common WC.

 

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE TASTE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Skyve Sous Vide Eggs Benedict - Was alright.  Though you can see the amount of oiliness lingering in the plate.  The serving portion may not seem alot, but it certainly can fill up your stomach while enjoying the quiet and nice ambience.

 

Truffle Scrambled Eggs - Don't be mistaken!  The main role of this breakfast is the scrambled eggs, however the Portobello mushrooms are humongous!  Can't really go wrong with simple scrambled eggs.

 

Iced Mocha (left) & Iced Cappuccino (right) - Not their forte for sure.  Bet the Barista overlooked that our drinks are iced, not enough coffee taste, not enough sugar syrup in my iced cappuccino.  Bland.  The iced mocha was slightly better as you can still taste the chocolate presented in it.

 

Finally, it's my dessert time after a hearty meal!  There isn't many choices available to choose from....just 4!

 

Carrot cake - It's real worth it, for its size and quality!  Took me by pure amazement, the cake is layered with rich cream cheese but not overwhelming.  So you can crave and dive your fork more for more bites.  The cake layers are packed with many many thin slices of red carrot and walnut, plus caramelised whole walnut garnished on top of the cake.  Have never seen any shop's carrot cake can be this tasty and good quality (not even Cedele).  Very filling and good quality for the price you pay!

 

NEW! Chill-Out Spot @Jiu Zhuang 酒庄, Dempsey Road

Thanks to my informant cum dear Sister, Janice for bringing me to this new joint (as she has a girlfriend working there).  I heard it is about 3 months' old only!

Jiu Zhuang
6C & 6D Dempsey Road
Singapore 247664
Tel: 6471 1711

Well-hidden and secluded from the main blocks in Dempsey Road, one must walk passed the "IN" CM-PB (Contemporary Melting-Pot and Bar), all the way to the back and you will find Jiu Zhuang on the right-hand side.  Refer to location map# below (#Source: jiu-zhuang.com).

 
 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE INTERIOR ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The interior of the bar (Block 6D) is strongly influenced by the Shanghai style in the 1920s era.  Exudes a certain elegant air and lavish of opulence in the atmosphere.  The ambience is cosy and intimate, with the entire place dimmed with warm yellow light shining through antique side lamps and hanging Chinese lanterns.  Listening to the remix versions of Chinese songs (some of which are songs we are familiar listening to growing up) in jazzy tunes under such ambience, and couching into those comfortable leather chairs, enable one to fully relax (provided no big groups present at the same time for laughter are unavoidable).

I exceptionally like the owner's choice of the bar counter, breaking away from the conventional type of bar counter with liquors displaying at different heights of shelving.  To enhance the appreciation and feel of 1920s' Shanghai, replica pictures of Chinese women dressed in cheongsam (typically featured in calendars and posters during the old days) adorn the area.  If you look closely, you can also detect the slight European flair introduced in some of the furniture chosen.

 

On the other side of the bar (Block 6C), there is alfresco and private dining area, with a walk-in wine cellar.  A nice, quiet corner for couples and friends who prefer more serenity.

 

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

Their thoughtfully designed Dining Menu (left) and Drinks Menu (right) resemble the Chinese Kungfu manuals and scripts.  The little lock on the Drinks Menu intrigued my Hubby and kept him entertained for a while..hee

You will be spoilt for choices with their extremely wide selection of wines and liquors.  Jiu Zhuang also carry award-winning Japanese Sake from Iwamura Brewery.

  

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

Home-made Lotus Root Chips - The first time I have ever heard and tried this snack.  Only salt is lightly used to add some flavour.  The first few bites may seemed saltish, but after that you will be hooked to it.  It is liked extremely crispy thins in the form of lotus root.  Commendable on how the Chef came up with this healthy snack and slicing the lotus into such insanely fragile thickness.

 

Complimentary bite-size prawn chips with chilli powder and black sesame seeds sprinkled over it.  Goes very easy with drinks.  Super addictive!

 

Pinot Grigio (white wine handpicked & recommended by our girlfriend) - Sweetness at right amount!  Also, very smooth down the throat.  Good quality wine!

  

Fried Chicken Wings in Prawn Paste - Scotching hot on our fingers when we attempted to eat it.  Beat the standard of many Chinese restaurants and "Zi Char" eateries!  Normally I will stop at 2 pieces the max., but this dish got me wanting for more (eyeing my Hubby's share)!  *2 thumbs up!!*

  

Jiu Zhuang Xiaolongbao, infused with Whisky - This traditional Shanghainese soup dumpling has taken a new different twist.  I was surprised by the slight bitterness brought onto my taste buds due to the whiskey.  Somehow I still prefer the traditional xiaolongbao with flavourful soup.

 

Guo Tie with Minced Pork Filling & Foie Gras - I love foie gras and guo tie (pork dumpling) but first time eating them together is something new.  A pity that you can't really taste the foie gras, perhaps a waste on this luxurious ingredient to go with such strong taste filling like pork.

 

Shrimp Dumpling with Baby Abalone - This is one dish you have to gobble it up as a whole.  Splendid to add in the baby abalone and fish roe in elevating the usual taste of a shrimp dumpling.  May not be my favourite but it's a "can-try".

 

Jiu Zhuang Wanton Dumplings with Dried Scallops, in Superior Broth  - "Power" is the word for this dish.  For I am a Cantonese who grew up eating dianxin and boiled soup on a regular basis, fresh ingredients and long hours are crucial to extract the essence of a good soup.

 

Felt so pampered to be able to enjoy fresh, piping hot dianxin cooked with the most extravagant ingredients during wee hours.  What a premium gourmet experience!  Definitely something new and worth trying out!  I last heard from the Management of Jiu Zhuang, that they are coming up with Sunday brunch menu and improvising the menu with more dianxin items.  Hence this could be an alternative dianxin spot to bring my family for gatherings. 

To end this review, I urge you to share with me other dianxin spots which you may have known and worth recommending, as good (& not-so-oily) dianxin is hard to come by in Singapore.