Taking our coffee scene by storm is Alchemist, a specialty coffee joint famous for their grab-and-go cuppa. Coffee lovers will be familiar with their first two outlets at Hong Leong Building and International Plaza; they have just opened their flagship store this year at Khong Guan Building in Tai Seng!

Their latest establishment is a hidden gem, nestled in former Khong Guan Biscuit Factory. Decked in a minimalistic interior with marble furniture and blue countertops, they now house a roastery and dining area for you to chill with your cup of joe! You can snack on their baked goods too.

The Hot Chocolate (S$5) was smooth and velvety in texture, and we could taste the thick chocolate flavour. We thought it tasted like a brownie in drink form! The creaminess of the foam was also very comforting with a sweet aftertaste.

We also ordered a Flat White (S$5), which was served with beautiful swan latte art. The coffee was made from a house-blend Dark Matter, and it had a bold, nutty finish. It was also smooth and consistent with a mellow flavour profile.

Here at Alchemist, each cuppa is carefully and lovingly prepared. They are definitely one of the better coffee shops out there, with their cosy ambience being a plus point. If you are looking for a great pick-me-up, this is the place to visit!

2 Mactaggart Rd
#01-01 Khong Guan Building
Singapore 368078
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

There is something so incredibly satisfying about a place that is minimalistically furnished, so you could imagine our excitement when we discovered Apartment Coffee at 161 Lavender Street in Singapore.

Apartment Coffee is a minimalist’s dream, with a beautiful, clean interior that is decorated with Scandinavian-style furniture.

This little cafe specialises in homebrewed coffees that are made on the spot right in front of you, and it is a great place if you just want to retreat from the rest of the world and have a bit of alone time with a cuppa.

The inspiration behind Apartment Coffee came from the owner’s desire to create an inviting space where people could feel at home as well as to connect with other people who appreciate and love coffee. 

The first thing you notice when you step into Apartment Coffee is how blindingly white and clean the whole place is. From the ceiling to the walls and the floors, everything is just white. The shop is also cleanly furnished with simple wood pieces and a long white counter.

The staff here were incredibly friendly and welcomed us with large smiles and cheery greetings. Definitely made the environment a more pleasant one.

Their menu is a simple one, yet they have quite a range of interesting drinks for you to enjoy.

For their coffee, they use a Synesso Hand Built Espresso Machine. They also use the very best seasonal coffee beans that vary throughout the year.

We tried their Columbia El Mirador (S$4.50) made into a Latte, which was a fragrant, smooth cup of goodness that had notes of roasted grapes, currant and graham crackers.

We also decided to get a cup of their Madagascar Mava (S$7.50), which was an interesting take on your usual hot chocolate. This smooth blend had notes of orange, malt and roasted nuts, and it left a unique, tangy aftertaste in our mouths.

We are absolutely in love with this simple yet gorgeous cafe and we will definitely be coming back here for some great coffee and the amazing ambience.

Apartment Coffee
161 Lavender Street #01-12
Singapore 338750
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bendeemer

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/10/apartment-coffee-singapore/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/07/brawn-brains-coffee-run/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/07/brawn-brains-coffee-run/#comments Fri, 07 Jul 2017 01:48:31 +0000 Dick Tan http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=137827 Continue reading →]]>

Officially opened on 03 July 2017, Brawn & Brains Coffee Run is a new coffee kiosk by the good folks behind Brawn And Brains at Guillemard Road.

Situated at Fragrance Hotel – Imperial along Penhas Road—just a short walk away from the Lavender train station—this coffee kiosk is a great spot for those who work in the neighbourhood.

Brawn & Brains Coffee Run is a grab-and-go type of coffee joint with no seats or tables.

Upon arriving at this humble little establishment, we were greeted by really friendly staff members who were willing to educate us on the coffee bean varietals that they carry there. Baristas this passionate about their brew is almost always a sure sign that the coffee is going to be good.

The kiosk offers beverages ranging from organic teas to sparkling sodas and great coffee.

The signature house blend ‘Pen & Pencil’ which comprises bean blends from Ethiopia, Columbia, and Brazil is roasted in-house to produce a flavour that is nutty and chocolatey.

Each sip of the Latte (S$5.30) was smooth and creamy without that the bitter mouthful you often get with most artisanal coffee.

We also ordered the Hot Chocolate (S$5.80). It is everything you could ever want in a decent hot chocolate. Decadent, brimming with chocolatey aromas and incredibly creamy.

Brawn And Brains Coffee Run (Kiosk)
28 Penhas Road #01-03
Singapore 208187
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

The Dark Gallery is a popular chocolate-themed cafe from Malaysia that specialises in all things chocolate and good news—they have just opened their first outlet outside of Malaysia at Millenia Walk.

Expect to savour a wide variety of chocolate desserts from artisanal ice creams to pastries to truffles to the best hot chocolate you will ever taste at this chocolate-themed establishment. The sheer decadence from the chocolate goodies makes The Dark Gallery every chocolate lover’s dream and a must-try for all.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the immense variety of chocolate types, feel free to approach the staff. They will be more than happy to educate you on the different types of chocolates

We found it rather helpful as it gave us a better understanding of what we were having, allowing us to better appreciate the subtleties in flavours from chocolate sourced from different parts of the world.

The Ice Cream Waffle (S$14) comes with two ice cream flavours of your choice. We went for two different dark chocolate varietals with cocoa percentages from both extremes—the Madagascar Dark Chocolate (64%) and the Venezuela Dark Chocolate (72%).

Both flavours of ice cream were so incredibly decadent and we liked that they were not overly rich and sweet. The Madagascar Dark Chocolate struck a perfect balance between sweet, bitter and chocolatey, whereas the Venezuela Dark Chocolate was just slightly bitter in comparison. It was the best chocolate ice cream we have ever had.

Most of the hot chocolates at cafes usually taste more like Milo than hot chocolate so we were pleasantly surprised by the hot Signature Chocolate (S$7) here.

It is the epitome of a perfect hot cocoa before bedtime. It was rich and chocolatey with just the right amount of foam, making each sip so comforting.

The Signature Frozen S’mores (S$7.50) has a chocolatey center and it contains 80% dark chocolate ice cream. It had just the right amount of bitterness to it, and the sweetness from the toasted S’mores complemented the entire dessert really well.

Our first visit was truly a delight and coming from avid chocolate lovers, we must admit that The Dark Gallery hit all the right spots. We liked that their desserts were not overly sweet, allowing more emphasis to be placed on the depth of flavour.

The Dark Gallery is conveniently located at Millenia Walk and it makes for a good stopover during afternoon shopping trips or even a spot that chocolate lovers might find interesting to visit.

The Dark Gallery
9 Raffles Boulevard (#01-K5)
Millenia Walk
Tel: +65 6255 0368
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

Encompassing 4 historical buildings and 2 new tower blocks within its premises, the stunning South Beach Singapore is a breathtaking architecture that is set to impress. However, most people are unaware that within the buildings is South Beach Avenue, a massive area that includes 16 dining and lifestyle concepts.

South Beach Avenue is easily accessible as it sits right on top of Esplanade MRT, right in Central Singapore. A multitude of trendy bars, photogenic cafes and gorgeous restaurants awaits to be discovered and there are endless reasons why South Beach Avenue deserves a visit.

With South Beach Avenue, your search for a weekend hideout with great ambience, food and drinks can finally come to an end. Be it a weekend with the family, a romantic partner or friends, trust us when we say that South Beach Avenue is definitely the hottest dining destination right now.

Here are 12 Restaurants at South Beach Avenue you wish you knew earlier.

ALCHEMIST BEER LAB

Alchemist Beer Lab is an elegant bar that caught our attention because of their massive range of craft beer and fruit-infused beer that are made in-house. Think crazy concoctions such as the Obama (S$12/Happy Hour, S$15/regular)—stout infused with toasted marshmallows, vanilla pods and mint leaves.

Of all the fantastic and innovative Premium Infusion Taps, our favourites were the Passionista (Tap 10) and the 50 Shades of Pink (Tap 14). Both infusions were fruity and refreshing and would be a great fit for those who prefer light drinks.

Dig into bar bites after sampling the unique beers. The chef highly recommends the Ale Battered Sea Bass (S$15.90/set lunch) that features soft and flaky sea bass.

26 Beach Road, #B1-16 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 4365
Sun to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

ATMASTEL

Led by Andrea Tarini, an Italian chef with a 3-Michelin-star background, Atmastel is a modern Italian casual restaurant with a purist vision of Italian food in Singapore. Walk into Atmastel and be greeted by a swanky open-concept kitchen, a pizza bakery, Crudo, drinks bar and a well-stocked retail section with more than 70 varieties of artisanal cold cuts, cheeses, wines and condiments.

Chef Tarini and his team have exquisitely crafted a menu that features only the very best of artisanal ingredients. Fresh San Marzano tomatoes, San Daniele ham and mozzarella are just some of the ingredients that are air-flown weekly from Italy.

Start off your meal with the Cold Cut Platter (S$45) which is recommended for sharing. Comprising of assorted artisanal cheese, manually sliced artisanal cured meats such as San Daniele DOP Proscuitto and the Shoulder Iberico ham, candied fruit, olives, pickles and toasted homemade bread, this spread was beyond impressive.

The Zuppa di Pesce (S$68), market-fresh fish and seafood stewed in a Mediterranean sauce with toasted garlic bread, will make for a hearty main. Finish off your splendid meal with a deconstructed Tiramisu (S$14.90) or the Portuguese Egg Tart (S$4.20) topped off with cinnamon powder. One tip is to order in advance for the Portuguese Egg tart as they are a hot favourite and are usually sold out very quickly!

26 Beach Road, #B1-22 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6581 0085
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

BLACK COW

A contemporary Japanese restaurant, Black Cow has made a name for its Japanese Wagyu beef—Matsusaka & Kagoshima.

If you are looking for a reputable Japanese restaurant to dine at when in South Beach Avenue, Black Cow has a menu of Shabu Shabu & Sukiyaki.

26 Beach Road, #B1-20 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 6720
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

CAFFÈ VERGNANO 1882

Experience true Italian espresso at Caffè Vergnano 1882, Italy’s oldest family-owned coffee roaster dedicated to serving a good cup of coffee and hot chocolate. Coffee is brewed using Arabica beans sourced from Central America, which will give subtle hints of citrus fruit and floral notes in your brew.

This cafe bar also boasts a beautiful interior, made perfect by the rays of sunlight streaming in seamlessly through its bay windows. If you are a coffee and chocolate enthusiast, a weekend spent at the gorgeous Caffè Vergnano 1882 will be like a vacation in a chocolate and coffee wonderland.

Besides that, you must try one of Caffè Vergnano 1882′s signature drinks. The Bicerin (S$6) is a crowd favourite as it consists of 75% rich chocolate with a shot of espresso. If you prefer something cold, the 1882 Affogato is a sweeter alternative, consisting of vanilla ice cream topped with espresso for that caffeine kick.

26 Beach Road, #B1-17 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6385 5579
Mon to Fri: 7am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

FASTA

Fasta takes pride in serving up delicious pasta quickly, hence the punny name ‘Fasta’. They have a decent range of pasta choices on the menu at inexpensive prices. We like that you can even pick your choice of pasta or grains and some add-ons for a little something extra.

We dug into the Scallop Wallop (S$16), a linguine pasta with pan-seared scallops, crab meat, diced tomato and bacon bits with a rich yuzu-infused broth.  The overall flavour was delicious and the pasta was pleasantly al dente. The Siow Ba Mee (S$13) is also one of their bestselling pasta, topped with the local-favourite pork belly.

One of the highlights of Fasta is customising your own pasta, so be sure to check that out too.

26 Beach Road, #B1-23 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 9111 1245
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

FYNN’S

Fynn’s is the talk of the town now and is a popular and charming brunch spot with a botanical inspired interior that is so highly-Instagrammable. This modern Australian restaurant believes in serving up dishes with simplicity so as to draw out the true essence and flavour of the ingredients.

We went with our gut and got the Corn Fritters (S$22) with poached eggs, bacon, sautéed spinach, grilled tomato and jalepeño jama and we never looked back. The corn fritters paired with the other components is a match made in heaven.

For a lighter meal, opt for the Chia Seed Pudding, Pineapple, Granola, Gula Melaka (S$14). Be sure to pair your food with a Common Man Roasters Iced Latte (S$5.50) too.

26 Beach Road, #B1-21 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 1878
Tue to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

HARRY’S

Harry’s is a familiar face in Singapore’s drinking scene and many love the popular Harry’s Premium Lager, their very own brew. Though its South Beach Avenue outlet oozes elegance and style, it also has a laid-back vibe and there could be no better place to kick back and relax during the weekend.

Try the popular cocktail Harry’s 1992 (S$16), a bright vodka-based concoction.

Bar bites to try include the Soy-Glazed Beef Cubes (S$18.90)  and the Chicken Masala (S$23). Something to share is The Harry’s Seven (S$36.90).

26 Beach Road, #01-18 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6386 6306
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

LADY M® CONFECTIONS

We have yet to find someone who has not heard of Lady M® Confections since the brand opened its first outlet in Singapore a few years back. Their Mille Crêpe cakes are a favourite among Singaporeans.

Adding to their collection of cake boutiques in Singapore is the new Lady M® Confections outlet at South Beach Avenue, which will be opening very soon! Look forward to the Lady M® Earl Grey Mille Crêpes (S$9.50++/slice), a South Beach exclusive seasonal flavour which will be in stores for a limited period only.

The handmade crepe cake is layered with pastry cream that is infused with earl grey tea and garnished with earl grey tea leaves and blue corn leaves.

Of course, you can also expect to see other popular flavours on the menu such as their signature Lady M® Mille Crêpes (S$9.50++/slice), Red Velvet (S$9.50++/slice) and White Chocolate Mini Choux (S$2.50++/piece).

Lady M® Confections
26 Beach Road, #01-17 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Nearest Station: Esplanade

QUAICH BAR

Established in 2006, Quaich Bar is the first whisky bar in Singapore which houses more than 500 whiskies, of which 95% are sourced from boutique distilleries in Scotland. It is quintessentially a heaven on earth for all whisky lovers. Many of the whiskys are also exclusive to them only and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Instead of lazing the weekend away, you should gather your fellow whisky enthusiasts to further hone your appreciation and understanding of whisky at the Quaich Bar. Tutored tastings are available for a group of between 4 to 6 pax for the Flavours of Singapore Malt tasting set. Prices range from S$45 for 4 tasting portions.

We had a taste of a few exquisite single malts such as the Hazelburn Aged 12 Years, Bunnahabhain Aged 12 Years, Deanston Virgin Oak and Ledaig Aged 10 Years, each with its own unique flavour. There is also a cosy private room at Quaich Bar where you can book in advance.

Prices for whisky by the glass range from S$17 to S$416 and S$200 to S$32,000 for a bottle.

30 Beach Road, #01-16 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189763
Tel: +65 6386 5366
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

REAL FOOD

Real Food specialises in meatless food that is good for your body. All dishes served at Real Food are free from processed ingredients, artificial preservatives and trans-fat. Nonetheless, they are still just as delicious.

We tried the Soy Curry Soup Noodles (S$12.80) and it reminded us of home. Comforting, warm and extremely tasty, despite being made with oat milk and extra virgin organic coconut oil.

An interesting concoction is the Baked Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with Soy Cheese (S$11.80). The mushroom is stuffed with minced vegetables, covered with cheddar cheese. It is almost like a recreation of a vegetable dumpling with a juicy mushroom encasing it.

26 Beach Road, #B1-19 South Beach Avenue,
Singapore 189768
Tel: +65 6384 2206
Mon to Sat: 10am – 9pm
Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

THE ARMOURY CRAFT BEER BAR

Situated in a rustic colonial building in the South Beach Quarter, The Armoury Craft Beer Bar is a contemporary gastro-bar and cafe by day and Craft beer and Wine bar by night. Experience traditional and sophisticated European and Asian flavours in this comfortable and cosy dining establishment, which is an ideal weekend getaway for groups and families.

The Curry Chicken Prata Taco and Pork Belly Bao (S$6 each) are great munchies to start your meal off with. And we thoroughly enjoyed the Salted Egg Chicken Burger (S$19) because of the rich and creamy sauce.

From 7pm on weekends, dig into the all-you-can-eat steak buffet for just S$29.90. It is a huge steal considering that you can pick from 4 different cuts: Ribeye, Hangar Steak, Striploin and Wagyu Patty. Choose your desired sauce and sides, and eat to your heart’s content!

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

36 Beach Road, #01-01 South Beach Quarter,
Singapore 189766
Tel: +65 6385 3173
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 1am

Sat: 11.30am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

VATOS URBAN TACOS

When you think of good tacos in Singapore, Vatos Urban Tacos will come to mind. For a weekend with the lads, Vatos Urban Tacos, which originates from Seoul, is a must-visit if you fancy some Korean-Mexican fusion bar grub to go along with your drinks.

The signature “URBAN” tacos served on homemade tortillas is a must-try. The Galbi Short Rib Tacos (S$13 for 2, S$18for 3) and Baja Fish (S$12 for 2, S$17 for 3) were executed flawlessly with a touch of cilantro which highlighted the freshness of the ingredients. Otherwise, the Mango Prawn Quesadilla (S$22), Kimchi Carnitas Fries (S$18) and Honey Tequila Chicken Wings (S$18) are other interesting delights worth every calorie.

36 Beach Road, #01-03 South Beach Quarter,
Singapore 189766
Tel: +65 6385 6010
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12am – 11am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Esplanade

S$5 PARKING REBATE AT SOUTH BEACH AVENUE

When you spend a minimum of S$50 nett at participating restaurants and services at South Beach Avenue, you can receive a S$5 parking rebate (valid all-day, including weekends and Public Holidays). For more information on the restaurants and parking rebate promotion at South Beach Avenue, please go to SouthBeachAvenue.com.

This post is brought to you by South Beach Consortium Singapore.