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.

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.

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! Thai Eatery "Folks Collective" @Heart of CBD

Lately, I have been nagged and teased by my Hubby saying that, I am doing "post" blogs!  It's true, cos' I have been eating more good foods than I can blog and review about it.  (So blessed, I know!!)  Can't be help much, as we eat 3 meals a day and I can only write that many entries a week. *pout*  Nonetheless, I will try to pace myself more quickly and try to frequently update this blog (which I hope my entries & information are useful in providing foodie folks good places to eat)! =p 
[P.S: I would greatly appreciate your kind comments here, if you find my blog entry is useful to you.]
 
There is a Thai Eatery called "Folks Collective" newly opened in the heart of CBD district!  (Credits given to my Hubby for he recommends this new restaurant that is near his workplace.)
 
Earlier this week, I deliberately went down to have lunch with my Hubby.  The lunch crowd is dispersing, paying off their bills as we reached the restaurant around 1.30pm.  After we managed to squeeze thru' the people crowding the cashier, which is by the entrance, we are greeted by a man (in shirt & tie) whom we thought was the Restaurant Manager (but he was dressed more like a working class than a Restaurant Manager).  There seem to be mostly Thai personnel working in that restaurant.

Immediately, I am attracted to the decoration in the restaurant.  A clash between modern and vintage concept (I am particularly interested in renovation and decoration these days, as I am designing for my new house).  There is a old signboard (written in Chinese and Thai) and chest of drawers that are commonly found in traditional Chinese Medical Hall, at the far end of the restaurant.  While the other end of the restaurant, it is lavishly decorated with chandelier, big lilies, lighter colour scheme and many framed mirrors, more of modern French feel, to create a segregated space for mini gatherings.

[**Suitable for friends' gatherings]

Folks Collective
20 Cross Street
#01-25 China Square Central
Singapore 048422
Tel: 8285 3595 / 8504 0425
Email: hello@folkscollective.com

 

Old-school blackboard nicely written with colourful chalks.

 

Set B - Minced Shrimp Omeletti + Green Curry with Chicken + Steamed Jasmine Rice and Set C - Crispy Pork Belly & Baby Kai-Lan + Tom Kha Chicken Soup + Steamed Jasmine Rice served in trendy, yet smaller version of "Teng Kat" (vintage tiffin carriers).
 
I like the green curry with chicken, for the chicken is tender and the curry gravy is not too thick nor sweet, thus easy to drink.  The creamy tom yum chicken soup is quite tasty, but a little to salty to be drank alone, better to go with rice.

 
Dishes almost cleaned out.  Needless to say more, right?!