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!

 

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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

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



 

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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.

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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%.

 

 

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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.

Friday Chill-Out @Tiramisu Hero

Having renovation done and all settled down to our new homes (my sister's and mine), I can finally cease my dormancy on this blog.

 

That Friday night, we came to Jalan Besar to try out the different flavours of tiramisu at The Tiramisu Hero.  First kind in Singapore!  I also heard that they have been franchised to Japan!  Proud of Singapore brand!



The Tiramisu Hero
121 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207548
Tel: 6292 5271
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheTiramisuHero

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As the name implies, the cafe's signature will be their tiramisu!  Their tiramisu come in different sizes and packaging, so you better find out from the store assistant before ordering.

 

Here are the flavours available :-
1. Original
2. Oreo
3. Strawberry
4. Horlicks
5. Lemon Lavender
6. Milo
7. Cinnamon
8. Chocolate
9. Ovaltine
10. Lemon


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I must say that their concept is more appealing and interesting than their dessert.  "Sir Antonio", a cat in Zorro mask and cape is created. Read on more for the heroic story behind this cat (http://thetiramisuhero.com/about-2/). *Lol*

Cosy outdoor sitting just outside the front door (but may get too hot depending on the weather).

A rather substantial area for display of.. knick knacks?

This little corner offers a few table-top seating and merchandise selling.

Main counter (on the left) where you make your orders.

Peek into the seating area.

Not too big for the shop space, but just enough for proper sitting arrangement.

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Sir Antonio's Brew ($7.50 iced / $6.50) - Was just nice.  The taste was thick enough to resist the melting ice.  You can see the considerable layer of espresso before stirring it up.

Here come the main characters!  Original Tiramisu (left) and Lemon Lavender Tiramisu (right) at size of MommaHero ($7.50) that serves in a jar for 1 pax.

Original flavour was not bad, slightly more taste of the Kahlua (coffee-flavoured liqueur) than rum.  While the Lemon Lavender flavour may seem to be refreshing, but sad to say, its taste is kind of bland.  The lemon and lavender did not blend together at all.  There wasn't any sort of layering that you will find in basic tiramisu, so I'm a little disappointed.

  

Their washroom is like a wonderland.  Filled with colourful furry balls that cheer up the small room.

Last but not least, a "must" to pose with Sir Antonio's gigantic head!

The next stop @Jalan Besar will be Willowsill.  Pie, pie, pies!

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.

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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!