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).

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.

High Tea @The Landing Point

[Post-dated, 30 Dec 2012]

Nothing beats a good afternoon tea with great ambience and great company!  So I grabbed my Sister and our "preggy" girlfriend for a high tea at The Landing Point just a couple of weeks before her EDD.
 
Would strongly recommend you to make prior reservation at least 2 weeks beforehand.  Cos of last minute changes to accommodate each other's schedule, we had to reschedule our reservation and give up the sofa seats.  Otherwise, you can early reserve the sofa seats facing the view of the old landing point (previously Clifford Pier was the pier for early settlers and sea passengers to set foot into Singapore) and MBS. 

The Landing Point
@Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: 6597 5277

3 persons' share filled up 2 three-tier trays, with a satisfactory selection of sweet and savoury items in bite-size.  One can have 2 beverages from the drinks menu and the TWG tea selection.  Absolutely delectable!!

 
Their scones comes in both plain and with raisins, are served warm and wrapped in the cloth napkins to keep its warmth.  How thoughtful!  It is the one place I had actually finished 2 scones in a roll!  Scones definitely taste better than L'Espresso, sufficiently moist and warm!

 
We are so soooo into their savoury items, which is rare, for most high tea places do not have as much savoury choices to offer.  Hence we keep having refills for them - egg mayonnaise sandwich with truffle; mini burger; salmon wholemeal sandwich topped with caviar & quiche tartlet!  The service staff are so friendly and kind to let us choose whichever 3 top-ups (or more at one time)!

 
Chestnut mont blanc was complimentary on top of the many sweet and savoury items full on our plates.  Sweeeet!! 
[*P.S: You have to ask the staff to serve you top-ups from their horizontal-revolving classy trolley.  Don't be shy at all!  Cos after the 1st request, replenishment will keep pouring in! hehe]
 

Complimentary raspberry mousse served in a shooter glass.  Too sour, not so nice..

Time simply slipped by under such relaxing atmosphere and wondrous treats....

[ My verdict ]: A pity that the salted chocolate caramel tart and chocolate éclair were not available that day..  Nonetheless, still it's worth eating and giving me another reason to go back again!  For they bother to come up with new sweet & savoury items, plus complimentary desserts at certain hour(s) of the day, what you'll get depending on your luck! ;)