One of the newest and most happening cafes in town now is Boufe at Phoenix Park, and if you are scratching your head over what it means and how to pronounce, Boufe is quite essentially made up from the words ’boutique’ and ‘cafe’. Read it as boo-fay.
Few restaurants in Singapore are as romantic and artistic as Arteastiq Boutique Tea House is. Pun is intended, but you might derive from its name that this restaurant is all about art and tea. They call it the “art of teasing”, but we think there is so much more.
It is the kind of sexiness you would associate with a date night, or a regal dining affair for the high society. Arteastiq sits at a quiet corner of Mandarin Gallery, and scores for its accessible location and wide space. Tasteful interior design with predominant monochrome furniture, exotic chandeliers and sporadic stalks of white flowers, chi-chi ambience with French jazz, an art studio, and a robust menu of artisanal teas and all kinds of wondrous food dishes.
We sampled the new menu recently, and we have been containing our excitement of sharing them since. Which is why we say Arteastiq is more than just tea and art jamming, because the food menu is nothing short of impressive. From an assortment of appetisers and contemporary mains that are created with love, to a selection of desserts that are reinterpreted with modern takes, the new menu packs a punch and gives us even more reasons to return to Arteastiq.
Arteastiq is undisputedly among our favourite dining concepts along Orchard Road, and here are our picks from its new menu:
We’ve always griped about the fact that cafes are all about unhealthy food that are packed with sins, and all that talk about balanced diets almost does not exist. Most of the time, all we get is some sad-looking arugula on the side that honestly looks less appetising than grass, and we have reached the point of giving up on having our dose of fibre at cafes.
Then, Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) at Changi Road came along, and we found hope all over again. This cafe is all about inculcating fresh fruits into their food and drinks! Well, as its name suggests, it prides itself as a heaven for all fruits lovers.
The whole space is fully utilised, with colours everywhere, and very artistic. Quirky displays fill the cafe, and we love how it feels like a hippy laboratory with the many apparatus on display. Even the drinks are served in test tubes and conical flasks!
Sitting in the heart of Crawford, just 5 minutes away from Bugis and Haji Lane, Tolido’s Espresso Nook has its series of specialty brews that come with photo-worthy latte art.
But there is definitely more than coffee here here. Small as it may be, it is actually pretty cosy with the bustling activities taking place indoors. Less indie, but no less happening. It is a familiar haunt for regulars and friends, and the warmth of the crowd really grew on us. It felt like crashing a party, but less intimidating and still reserving your own space.
If you are in the neighbourhood and like us, you do not fancy the crowd, escape to Tolido’s Espresso Nook for a cuppa and some casual but gratifying food. Here are some of our favourite items on the menu:
Some months back, we visited Sunday Market at Lim Tua Tow Road located just off Upper Serangoon Road on a sleepy Sunday afternoon for brunch. We were not expecting much, but what greeted us was a wondrous entrance of plants and a red-and-white signboard that looks like something plucked off from the 80′s. The cafe may seem inconspicuous from the main road, but just look out a little and you will find the unit that sits right at the left hand corner.
Located on Bali Lane, Stateland Cafe has been making a name for itself for its waffles. Served with a scoop of ice cream, and topped with homemade cream cheese glaze, the Red Velvet Waffle (S$14.90) indeed lived up to its name.
Thick yet fluffy, with the red velvet base combing well with the cream cheese glazing – this is one waffle that you have to try if you are on a hunt for the best waffles in Singapore.
Few things are more therapeutic than enjoying some alone time and have coffee while reading a book on a quiet afternoon. One of the cafes in the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood that we go to regularly is Drury Lane.
The Provision Shop at the charming Everton Park neighbourhood is a casual eatery that is opened bt Cocotte’s head chef, with hotelier Loh Lik Peng taking a consulting role in the project. We love the vibe of the cafe, and we love that it serves simple yet delicious meals at affordable prices.