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).

Beating the Heat @Ice Cream Chefs

Month of September has been a busy month for me..  To enrich myself while preparing for assignments and upcoming assessment, I have not been putting up posts for the past weeks.

The first time I tried out Ice Cream Chefs (ICC) was almost 3 years ago at East Coast Road, thinking that it was only available in the east.  Only to realise recently that its flagship outlet is actually located in the north, and so near to me, in Sembawang area.



Ice Cream Chefs
No. 12 Jalan Kuras, Upper Thomson
Singapore 577727
Tel: 6458 4849
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/icecreamchefs

Main shopfront with outdoor seating.




Don't forget to "check-in" for their Weekday Specials on specific days of the week!

 

Their colourful array of ice-cream display..

  

ICC "mix-in" in action!

 

Their Homemade Waffle ($3) was so crispy and nice!  It's common to go with chocolate syrup, but icing?!?  It's up to individual's preference.  Still acceptable for me, not too sweet. 
Best complemented with ICC's creations - 2 ice-cream flavours (Large @$5.10), Oreos & Cream (left) and Mrs Smith (right - apple bits & cinnamon in granny smith apple ice-cream).  One word - Delicious!!
FYI:  Each additional mix-in ingredient is charged @$0.90 each.

 

In general, I like their ice-cream creations and variations (be it creamy or fruity flavours).  They have very "local" flavours that are similar to Island Creamery, however am more drawn to their unique twist e.g. With love, Rose (derived from rose syrup with milk drink, called Bandung), Turkish apple tea, Kaya Lotee and Root Beer Float.

 

Additional piece of sharing:  Found a hidden bread shop, The Bread Table in the same stretch.  Perhaps can take-away some bread when it is freshly out from the oven.

  

NEW! Tung Lok Xi He Peking Duck

I had my birthday treat with my Family at this newly-opened restaurant at The Grandstand, Tung Lok Xi He Peking Duck.  Came across it few weeks back when I was there to check out Pasar Bella, so when Groupon introduced their offer, I bought it instantly.

Tung Lok Xi He Peking Duck
#01-23/26 The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994
Tel: 6466 3363

Their signature Peking Duck - Slight amount of fats for the duck meat to have almost melted in our mouths.  The crepe skin is very thin thus won't have excessive flour taste but also means it has to be handled with care.
As you can see, there are more choices of sauces (e.g. mashed garlic mud; sugar; sweet sauce; special barbeque sauce) and sides (e.g. slices of carrot, onion & cucumber).

"Shiny" duck skin just makes you want to eat them up!

 

Simply add on the sides and sauces combi to create your own wrap. 

Sour & Spicy Soup (酸辣汤) - Very appetising with many ingredients used.  The spiciness and sourness were well-balanced, each did not overpower the other.

Hot & Sour Soup with Chrysanthemum Tofu - Light and refreshing.  Creative way of presenting the toufu in threads that resembles a flower overall.

Smoked Sliced Fish in Sweet Sauce - Very nicely done.  Extremely crispy and yummy with well-concocted sauce poured over it.

 

[ My Verdict ]:  The standard of the food by Tung Lok is guaranteed.  However the Peking Duck is considered as very pricey, and on top of that, they did not give customers the remaining meat to either cook into noodles or soup (which is usually the norm for most Peking Duck dish) unless customer request for it.  We had to request for it numerous times and waited for a long time to get the remaining meat (cos' the Managers were too busy serving other customers and forgotten about our request!).

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!

Gourmet Weekend - Part 2 @The Grandstand

Further down the Bukit Timah Road, it led us to The Grandstand (formerly known as the Turf City).  It has been redeveloped and now transformed into a mega restaurant and "marketing" spot!

All the non-aircon food hawkers and vendors were removed but so glad one of my previous food owners is still around!  It has been shifted to an air-conditioning and restaurant concept, but still has its "signature" bar counter within the shop.

CURRY GARDENn
@The Grandstand #01-06
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994
Tel: 6314 4640
*Reservation is recommended!

Mango lassi and Indian lime juice --> Yummy! 

 
Garlic naan set with tandoori chicken (can choose between tandoori and fried chicken) is nice, cos its gravy was flavourful and not too watery; chicken is tender.  However, I find the naan was too thick, had too much flour taste in it (just can't beat the hot, crispy-sides garlic naan from Grand Palki!).
It is more $$-worth, as compared to ordering from ala carte menu, unless you prefer to have more meat or vegetable dishes.

 
Garlic naan set with lamb is another good choice.  Its meat is totally tender without any strong stench.

 
~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,~,

Pasarbella is a new spot to visit in town!  The concept of a gourmet market has brought Singapore's F&B scene to a whole new level.

Pasarbella
@The Grandstand
200 Turf Club Road
Singapore 287994




Listing of the stores (majority still not ready for business at time being).  They had a soft launch held on 4 & 5 May, so there should be more stores opened by now.

 

 
The retro steel-foiled partition is an ideal & must-take spot to snap pictures with your good company (see below picture).

 

 

Love the slogan on one of the wall (at east end entrance) - "You are what you eat"!  How true it is.....well, Singaporeans are more particular in food now and we jolly well can afford better quality food not just to satisfy our basic needs e.g. hunger & nutrition, but also our taste buds.  Eating good food is also a form of modern lifestyle.

 

I have also spotted a store that are selling macarons, which are more expensive than Laduree Singapore!  Hope they really taste good, but too bad the shopfront ain't enticing enough for me to buy from them. 

 

Look out for more organic foodstuff and coming our way during my next visit!