Cortadito

Open Door Policy

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:28:20 +0800

With local local cafes lavishing us with great coffee, the only question is where to get a good cup once the sun sets

So it was hard not to get excited when the word got out that the guys behind 40 Hands would be bringing their coffee expertise to Open Door Policy

The coffee team has branched out beyond their beloved lattes and cappuccinos to create new classics like the delicious espresso martini

The experimentation continues with the single origins - the syrupy Indian on cold drip was a perfect after dinner coffee

And the coffee happily shares the limelight with the kitchen; sit at the bar to watch the action unfold

https://www.facebook.com/odpsingapore

Ristr8to2 - Doppio Ristretto Cafe

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0800

Among the wats and elephants in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai now has a cafe worth the trip

The cafe’s unique name is a clever reference to “doppio ristretto” - the short, double shots of espresso that give all their coffees a bold burst of flavor

After making a splash in Australia’s coffee scene, Arnon Thitiprasert brought his passion back to Thailand through his own cafe

To help educate his customers on coffee from outside Thailand, Arnon offers single origin coffees from around the world

And if you’re feeling bold, you can mix and match coffees to create your own espresso blend - or just go with the house favorite

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Doppio-Ristr8to-Latte-Art-Cafe-/154626027937654

The Muffinry

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:13:52 +0800

As our local coffee scene continues to mature, its encouraging to see new cafes proudly associating themselves with local roasters

As the name suggests, the Muffinry is not only known for its coffee, but also for baked goods whipped up on premise

Every trip rewards with a different savory or sweet muffin featured or if you don’t want to miss your favorite check their Facebook page for the baking schedule

Behind the bar, Chris brings his Aussie experience to the locally roasted beans for an enjoyable international experience

And for those unable to make it during the week, join them for Saturday brunch

https://www.facebook.com/themuffinry

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (or Taste the Apples)

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:50:00 +0800

As Singapore’s cafe scene continues to grow, now is a great time to be introduced to new cafes and new ways of tasting coffee

So earlier this month I led friends (and soon to be friends) on a coffee appreciation tour hosted at two great coffee spots - Jewel and Smitten

We began the day at Jewel, discovering that comparing tastes in coffee can be as easy as tasting the different acidity of Fuji and Granny Smith slices

Later at Smitten we took a step back and watched shades of greens turn to yellow then brown as we learned the art of roasting coffee

And to keep ourselves from getting to overwhelmed by the new flavors and brew methods, we made sure to pause to enjoy good food and new friends

So if you’re interested in discovering more about local cafes and challenging your own taste buds, send me a note to join us on our next tour on October 15

E-mail me here: norman.luke@gmail.com

Maison Ikkoku

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:27:18 +0800

Hipsters flocking to Arab Street for the trendy boutiques and clever bars now have a place to escape the heat and enjoy a cup of coffee

Stepping into Maison Ikkoku feels like walking into a dream, as you’re surrounded by wardrobes floating on the walls and into the ceiling

If you’re interested in finding the top half of the bureaus, stop by later this month to visit the clothing store opening on the next floor

Maison Ikkoku features a couple of single origin beans, like the Brazilian Center of Excellence, great brewed or in a cappuccino

And the carrot cake makes a great takeaway treat - just ask my girlfriend and all around foodie

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maison-Ikkoku/232048170147854

The Broers Cafe

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:26:00 +0800

Finding coffee leaving the city just became a little easier, with the Lavender MRT offering Loysel’s Toy to the east and the Broers Cafe to the west

On the way to Broers, I’m always struck by the beautifully restored shophouses on Petain Road - a glimpse of Singapore past

After his Starbucks days, you can see the pleasure Kiat takes in introducing his customers to a quality cappuccino made with locally roasted beans

The boys at Broers also have plans to start showcasing local music, which would be a great addition to the local coffee shop scene

And it’s right around the corner from my favorite dim sum place, which makes Broers a perfect pre-dinner stop

http://www.facebook.com/Thebroerscafe

Be Disloyal

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:11:00 +0800

Announcing the launch of Singapore’s own disloyalty card

Go out and visit 8 great cafes and be rewarded with a free cuppa

For more information on the cafes keep an eye out for the “be disloyal” tag

And we couldn’t have pulled this off without our partner in crime, Antics Studios

Click here to start your own coffee journey today!

Roast Coffee & Eatery

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:35:00 +0800

As I’ve caught up with baristas in Singapore, I love being able to visit their cafe suggestions

So I jumped at the chance to visit a Bangkok cafe that features single origin beans, even if it was a trek from the train

But what I love about Bangkok is the slice of life you can see walking down the street - roadside vendors juxtaposed with chic boutiques

Then to my surprise I found the aptly named Roast Coffee and its roaster at home on the second floor of a trendy shopping center

So a day that began by traveling up river to visit wats, ended with the gentle strains of American pop hits covered by the band next door, as I enjoyed the nuttiness of the Brazilian on the V 60 - only Bangkok

https://www.facebook.com/roastbkk

Papa Palheta

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:07:17 +0800

Hidden on a side street off Bukit Timah, finding Papa Palheta for the first time is almost as satisfying as trying the coffee

While not quite a cafe, this has become a local haven for coffee pilgrims

The great idea behind Papa is that you can hook customers on locally roasted beans by letting them try the coffee for free

As I’ve chatted over cappuccinos and the hiss of the espresso machine the baristas have introduced me to the vibrancy of Singapore’s coffee scene

And I love their seemingly effortless style - there’s always a new shot to capture

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Papa-Palheta/163019622863

Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:38:00 +0800

Just outside the Raffles MRT, this cafe strives to not only provide the busy lunch crowd a caffeine boost, but also great coffee

Part of the allure of Oriole is visiting a cafe run by two former Singapore Barista Champions and getting a chance to try a competition drink

For example, the owner Keith explained he added cinnamon to his chili chocolate mocha to give his drink more fragrance

And if you come by after 3:00, you can enjoy the featured single origin coffee at the brew bar

I had a Sumatra on the french press, a great way to get full flavor and keep the earthiness of the dry processed beans

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oriole-Espresso-Brew-Bar/162106413833855

Highlander Coffee

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:18:54 +0800

As a pioneer in Singapore’s specialty coffee scene, I decided Highlander would be the perfect place to understand what goes into a good cup

So I spent last Saturday morning learning from the owners Phil and Cedric and enjoying the tasty coffee they whipped up

I was also able to learn about the local favorite - kopi. I assume the blend of sugar, margarine, corn, and dark, dark roasted coffee is an acquired taste

It’s also fun to learn secrets behind the cafe design, like uncomfortable seats to remind customers that coffee is best enjoyed hot

And looking around at the the room full of Singaporeans learning how to appreciate and brew specialty coffee the future looks bright

https://www.facebook.com/highlandercoffee

Loysel's Toy

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:32:00 +0800

I was originally lured to Loysel’s to get a glimpse of the new cool cafe on the block

So after a hot and dusty walk past abandoned buildings I came across a welcome sight

What brings me back are the great cappuccinos - truly a pleasure to drink

And I love how the guys behind Loysel’s keep innovating, like introducing the brew bar to a busy Sunday crowd

Oh, and when you drop by I recommend taking Crawford Street and walking by the river - a more scenic route than my first trip

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Loysels-Toy/119187108132373

ReStore Living

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:54:27 +0800

One of the first cafes I visited in Singapore, Restore’s otherworldly charm continues to bring me back

I stepped out of the heat on Tanjong Pagar and into a cafe artfully decorated with vintage furniture

Soothed by the the relaxed atmosphere and bossa nova music, I love taking a break from the tropical weather and catching up with a good book here

Or if you’re feeling more social, Restore is a great cafe to meet friends - still hidden enough that you can find an open table on the weekend

And the baked goods are delicious - I love the Early Grey cookies served with the coffee

https://www.facebook.com/Restoreliving

Geisha Specialty Coffee

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:48:00 +0800

Upon being greeted by lucky cats and Chinese pop music, you know you’re in for something special

After working in the Shanghai coffee industry, Wang Tao and his wife decided to share their passion for coffee through a cafe and fortunately picked Singapore

Part of the charm learning about their coffee is the cross language experience as Elsie Qian translates questions to Chinese for her husband and then back to English for my answer

To ensure the freshness of their single origin beans, small batches of 200 grams are roasted on-site

And Wang Tao is happy to share samples of the coffee as a compliment to his instruction on the different beans and roasts featured

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geisha-Specialty-Coffee/138410976234053

The Plain

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:56:00 +0800

Perhaps the perfect embodiment of the less is more philosophy, The Plain brings a great simple cafe to Singapore

Part of their inspiration comes from the Duxton Plain, a beautiful sliver of green that runs behind the cafe

While I’ve heard about scary queues on the weekend, I’ve found it a great place for an early lunch during the week

I love the mix of people who are brought in the door: moms with kids, local hipsters, and expats negotiating business deals

And it’s always a pleasure to be on first name basis with the barista, who asks if you’ll be having the usual when you walk through the door

http://www.theplain.com.sg/

CoffeeSmith

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:30:00 +0800

Half the fun is finding this cafe tucked in an otherwise unassuming corner of the Collyer Quay Bridge

Serving the professional crowd in search of a quick lunch or a needed break from the boss

Since my first visit I’ve loved how CoffeeSmith’s charm brings warmth to the CBD and ’a little indie to the bridge’

Lovely place to spend 30 minutes (or an hour) chatting with the staff over a latte

And don’t forget the freshly baked treats - made from scratch by the owner

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffeesmith-Singapore/197664316936971

Forty Hands

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:01:00 +0800

Moving to Singapore late last year, I was pleasantly surprised to find Forty Hands in my neighborhood

No longer quite hidden in Tiong Bahru, this cafe brings daily streams of locals and expats in search of a pleasant respite from the day

While it can get busy during lunchtime and weekends, its ideal for an early morning or late afternoon coffee

And if you’re hungry try one of their hearty sandwiches or gourmet hot dogs served for dinner

Do watch out for the featured small batches of single origin - I had the Batak Toba, which added a lovely citrus flavor to my morning latte

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forty-Hands/132302986797069

Jimmy Monkey

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:30:00 +0800

Tucked inside Buona Vista, this beautifully restored open-ceiling army barracks has become home to the mischievous Jimmy Monkey

Great for brunch with friends during the weekend - filled with the pleasant murmur of conversations as couples and families enjoy a lazy Sunday.

And if after enjoying your breakfast, a mid-day stroll is in order the One North Park is conveniently located across the street.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Slayer espresso machine, the first in Singapore.

As the owner Michael shared, the Slayer can made some “wicked” shots on its best days - perfect for a cafe cortado, perhaps

http://www.facebook.com/jimmymonkeycafe

Jewel Coffee

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:02:00 +0800

Bringing new brews and single origin espresso shots to the hustle and bustle of the CBD

Great for lunch by the office or an afternoon coffee break

The owner Adrian said the iconic sign was inspired by a butcher’s MEAT sign in the American northwest

I was wowed by the Sidamo on the syphon - great citrus taste and very drinkable. Even my non-coffee drinking girlfriend was impressed

I love having the brew bar so prominent; like sitting at the bar as cocktails are being made, it’s hypnotizing watching the baristas at work

http://www.facebook.com/Jewelcoffee

Smitten Coffee & Tea Bar

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:48:00 +0800

A new arrival in Robertson Quay, which is well on its way to becoming Singapore’s coffee hub

Perfect for a post-dinner coffee and desert after enjoying a meal by the river

Always encouraging to be greeted by a roaster stepping into a cafe and tantalizing to hear how the flavors of the beans are changing every day.

My personal favorite is enjoying the floral flavors of the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans brewed on a Chemex. The owner Darren recommends this for tea drinkers venturing into coffee

And for those who would rather stick to tea, Smitten offers a number of varities cultivatated by Darren’s wife Hongyuan

http://www.facebook.com/SmittenCafe