Coffee cube latte is a unique twist on your usual iced coffee, and can be made as a morning or early afternoon pick-me-up. We actually prefer this to regular iced coffee, because the coffee does not get watered down as we continue drinking. When the coffee cubes melt, the taste only becomes richer.

If you’re like us and you find it hard to survive without a cuppa in the morning, this recipe’s for you. Especially when we live in such a humid environment, a cold cup of coffee is just what we need to start the day well.

This fuss-free coffee cube latte recipe just needs 10 minutes of your time and 3 ingredients that you can easily find at home.

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE CUBE LATTE – STEP 1

Step 1: Gather your ingredients, instant black coffee powder, an ice tray, and a cup of milk. Pour hot water into the instant black coffee powder and mix well.

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE CUBE LATTE – STEP 2

Step 2: Pour the mix into the ice tray and put it in your fridge. Leave it there overnight.

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE CUBE LATTE – STEP 3

Step 3: Put the coffee ice cubes in a cup. Add milk, and serve!

Pro-Tips:
Add sweetener/condensed milk if you want the coffee to taste sweeter.

Lucid is a new addition to the cafes in Lavender that serves artisanal coffee and pastries in a comforting and cosy setting. If you’re on the hunt for a quiet place to work or a place for good conversations, Lucid will fit the bill perfectly.

Its quiet ambience and clean aesthetic completely won us over. Kickstart your day at this cafe which offers a quick caffeine fix for coffee junkies or sweet treats for dessert addicts. Good vibes guaranteed.

This minimalistic cafe with mainly grey cement tones had a modern industrial design that was aesthetically pleasing with beautiful natural lighting that entered the space. You’d definitely be able to capture some good pictures for the gram!

We do not need to travel to JB just for Hiap Joo Bakery anymore because Lucid’s Banana Bread (S$3.50) won our hearts with its dense and immense banana flavours. It had the right amount of sweetness along with slight notes of savouriness from the butter. Undoubtedly one of the best banana breads we’ve had so far.

They have other in-house bakes like brownies and cakes that are made fresh daily at the open-concept kitchen situated in the cafe as well.

Served in a cute glass, the Iced White (S$6) comes with two shots of espresso, cold milk and ice. An antidote for sunny days indeed, the coffee had a nutty aroma with a bitter profile, hitting the right spot when in search of a good cuppa.

This mellow cup of coffee made a good pair with the Banana Bread available amongst their bakes.

On a rainy day or not, a cup of hot Chocolate (S$5) will warm your soul and soothe your heart. Aromatic flavours of the semi-sweet cocoa layered our tongues concomitantly with the velvety and creamy consistency, we did not want to put the cup down. This is a perfect drink for those who are in search of caffeine-free options.

Though they offer a small menu, we will definitely be back to Lucid for their up to snuff drinks and pastries!

Hasten your footsteps and visit this cafe pronto because they are operating with a tipping-only system for their soft launch until 31 January 2020.

Lucid
38 Hamilton Road
Singapore 209208
Mon to Sun: 10am to 6pm

For those of you who are frequent travellers to Thailand, you probably would have chanced upon Café Amazon. This is the country’s most popular coffee chain and it has over 2,700 outlets scattered across the Land of Smiles alone, 3,025 stores worldwide and 3 in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport, Jurong Point and Republic Plaza. Globally, they are the sixth-largest coffee chain, which is a testament to how well-loved their cups of coffee are.

All 3 of their cafés in Singapore are inspired by the Amazon Rainforest and shrouded in lush greenery, with the Jewel Changi Airport outlet being their first flagship store outside of Thailand. If you’re looking for a spot to have a chill catch-up session with your friends or some much-needed alone time, their verdant, botanical vibes make it the perfect place to do so!

Food-wise, diners can look forward to a Singapore-exclusive menu that also stays true to its roots by including cuppas made with their famous and uniquely formulated Amazon Blend as well as other Thai-inspired and fusion dishes.

The Amazon Blend is the café chain’s pride and joy and the folks of Café Amazon work very closely with Thai farmers to select the best quality coffee beans. These are then roasted, processed and packaged with strict quality control measures to ensure that every bean used in their coffee is perfect.

ICED YIN YANG 

If you’re both a coffee and matcha fanatic and you can’t decide between the two, get yourself a cup of their Iced Yin Yang (S$5), Café Amazon’s take on the popular Yuan Yang. This drink can only be found in their Singapore outlets!

Our usual Yuan Yang is a blend of milk tea and coffee, but here at Café Amazon, they decided to spruce it up a little by using high-quality matcha that is blended together with creamy milk and topped with a shot of their signature espresso.

ICED ESPRESSO 

Coffee aficionados will adore their iconic Iced Espresso (S$4.50), which features a single iced Amazon Blend shot sweetened with milk and cream. While iced espresso may seem rather unconventional to Singaporeans, it is actually very popular in Thailand amongst locals.

A Thai tradition that provides the drink with a little sweetness is the addition of milk, which also gives the entire drink a creamier, smoother texture.

ICED THAI MILK TEA 

To pay homage to their Thai roots, Café Amazon also offers traditional Iced Thai Milk Tea (S$4.50)—one of their best-sellers. What makes the Iced Thai Milk Tea here at Café Amazon Singapore stand out is how each cup of tea is brewed individually to ensure that every drink that’s pushed out is of the highest quality.

Made with richly-brewed black tea and ingredients such as star anise, crushed tamarind, cardamom and condensed milk, this popular Thai drink will make you feel like you’ve been whisked all the way to Thailand for a retreat.

ICED COFFEE MARBLE 

For something with a little more bite, we recommend the Iced Coffee Marble (S$5.50) where chunks of chewy coffee jelly are doused in milk coffee. The texture of the coffee jelly is similar to that of bubble tea pearls, so you’ll feel like you’re drinking a cup of coffee-flavoured boba!

To jazz up your cup of Iced Coffee Marble, you can also add a scoop of coconut gelato (S$3.80 per scoop). The addition of gelato definitely enhances the flavour and texture of the drink, giving it a creamier and sweeter consistency.

Just in time for the festive season, Café Amazon has released two magical and frosty Christmas drinks — Iced Peppermint Mocha and Red Velvet Chocolate Frappé. These are available from 1 to 31 December 2019.

ICED PEPPERMINT MOCHA 

Minty, chocolatey and full of crunch, the Iced Peppermint Mocha (S$6.50) features a dark chocolate and mint blend that is embellished with chocolate malt crunch. This smooth, aromatic concoction leaves a lovely minty aftertaste in the mouth that’s reminiscent of Christmas and all its positive feelings.

RED VELVET CHOCOLATE FRAPPÉ

For those of you who aren’t huge fans of mint, you can opt to have their Red Velvet Chocolate Frappé ($6.50). Here, a dark chocolate frappe is spiced up with mixed berry sauce and then finished off with a copious sprinkling of chocolate malt crunch. The result is a winning sweet and sour combination that’ll tickle your taste buds.

Café Amazon doesn’t just specialise in drinks; they also have a menu featuring a variety of mains and desserts that pair amazingly well with their drinks. These are only sold in their Singapore stores.

WHOLEMEAL THAI CHICKEN WRAP 

If you’re constantly on the hunt for healthier food options, you need to try their Wholemeal Thai Chicken Wrap (S$5.90) that is also one of their best-selling menu items. Each wrap comes stuffed with chunks of juicy chicken leg that are smothered in Thai chilli sauce which gives this entire ensemble a lovely tangy and sweet touch.

BEEF LASAGNA 

For something a little heartier, get the Beef Lasagna (S$8.90). Its pasta layers are cooked to a nice al dente which holds the cheese and meat filling well. The acidity of the tomato sauce is also nicely balanced out with the savouriness of the beef and the creaminess of the cheese.

The lasagna is also available with chicken for those of you who do not fancy beef.

BLACK SESAME LAYER CAKE 

Nothing pairs quite as nicely with a cup of coffee as a plate of mouth-watering dessert. If chocolate and red velvet cakes are getting a little old and you’re looking to try something more unique and local-inspired, you should have a go at Café Amazon’s Black Sesame Layer Cake (S$6.90).

The cake essentially consists of fluffy black sesame sponge layers that are held together with silky caramelised sesame frosting and finished off with a scattering of toasted sesame seeds. Nutty, creamy and earthy, this cake truly is an innovative take on popular Chinese desserts such as black sesame soup.

FESTIVE LUCKY DRAW IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

To add to the festivities, Café Amazon is also be having a lucky draw from November to December. All you need to do is spend a minimum of S$30 in a single receipt to qualify.

The first prize is a pair of Thai Airway return tickets to Bangkok while other prizes include gift hampers worth up to S$150.

We wish all participants all the best!

1-FOR-1 DRINKS

Another promotion that you can look forward to is their daily 1-for-1 drinks at all their stores islandwide from the last week of November throughout the whole of December!

Here is the lineup for the 1-for-1 drinks:

• Mon: Iced Cappuccino ($5 for 2)
• Tue: Iced Honey Black Tea ($4.50 for 2)
• Wed: Iced Espresso ($4.50 for 2)
• Thu: Iced Green Tea Latte ($4.50 for 2)
• Fri: Iced Caramel Macchiato ($5.50 for 2)
• Sat: Iced Chocolate ($4.50 for 2)
• Sun: Iced Coffee Marble ($5.50 for 2)

So, grab a caffeine-loving friend and snag these great deals!

Café Amazon Jewel Changi Airport 
78 Airport Boulevard, #04 – 225
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6694 7028
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

Jurong Point
1 Jurong West Central 2, #02-31
Singapore 648886
Tel: +65 6694 7028
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Boon Lay

Republic Plaza
9 Raffles Place, #02-03
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6694 7028
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

This post was brought to you by Café Amazon Singapore. 

We first announced the news of % Arabica opening in Singapore back in August last year and we are happy to report that the wait is finally over.

The ever so popular Kyoto coffee chain % Arabica has finally opened their doors in Singapore at Arab Street! And at a pretty apt location we’d say. Striving to let people “see the world through coffee” as their philosophy, they have currently 36 stores in 10 countries.

Taking up a corner shop space, the coffee shop is decked out in their signature minimalist white interior that is incredibly aesthetically pleasing. Serving up their specialty blends and single-origin coffees, we predict long queues for the next few days. Or months.

% Arabica prides themselves in quality coffee beans that are harvested from their own farm in Hawaii as well as sourced from around the world. Our blend Caffe Latte (S$7) in short was aromatic from perfectly roasted beans which were soothed by the mellow creaminess of the milk. There was a pleasant bitter aftertaste that was not too overwhelming on the palate too.

Next up was a very photogenic iced Matcha Latte (S$9.60) that had a beautiful gradient against the cup bearing their iconic % emblem. Earthy and smooth, % Arabica nailed the matcha to milk ratio, with the full-bodied milk harmonizing with the bitter notes of matcha.

Fans of % Arabica will be pleased to know that apart from an in-house coffee roaster where you can purchase their freshly roasted beans, you can also get your hands on a range of the brand’s merchandise as well.

% Arabica Coffee Singapore has also announced the opening of two other outlets in Singapore at Chip Bee Gardens and 313@Somerset.

% Arabica Singapore
56 Arab Street
Singapore 199753
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

For our last coffee feature of this month, we had a chat with Harry Grover, owner of Forty Hands Cafe and Kiasu Expresso, to talk about the local coffee scene, and his plans for 2013.

What do you think of the local coffee scene?

The local coffee scene is really exciting right now. It is slowly getting its own identity. A few years back, cafes here started by copying ideas from the Australian cafes – in particular those in Melbourne – and now most of the established ones have pretty much created their own styles and sophistication.

In fact, in terms of coffee expertise, I believe Singapore is edging closer to Australia, and ahead of most Australian cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Perth – with the exception of Melbourne, of course. Consistency, however, might be the only thing lacking. A lot of the new coffee joints are not sustainable as they lack the manpower – most do not have enough talent to produce good coffee consistently.

Advice to people who want to open a café?

You must know a few things. First, you will not have a life on weekends and holidays after opening a cafe. You are probably also going to lose weight while managing the cafe. And if you are prepared to make the sacrifices, you need to have a concrete business plan and be really familiar with the day-to-day operations of running a cafe. There is no way you can jump onto the bandwagon without knowing anything about the trade.

Tell us briefly about Forty Hands

Forty Hands is more of a happy-go-lucky and youthful brand. It is a simple cafe that specialises in coffee.

Any exciting plans for 2013?

Our latest venture is Kiasu Expresso, a tiny takeaway joint at 100AM on Tanjong Pagar Road. We will also be opening Common Man Coffee Roasters at Martin Road in August. The name of the cafe is to pay tribute to the fact that coffee is grown and drank by the common men. People tend to have the misconception that only hipsters drink coffee – which is definitely not the case.

Common Man Coffee is a mature space dedicated to being more coffee-centric, and we will also be serving a restaurant-quality menu alongside coffee. It has a 7kg roaster for roasting single origin coffee beans. And we will also be looking to introduce more coffee appreciation classes.

Stopped by the aroma of coffee but baffled by the various kinds of coffee beans? Captivated by the brew and foam art but never knew the studies behind coffee making? If you have always wanted to learn how to make coffee, let us show you how. We took a barista crash course with Ryan Kieran Tan from Strangers Reunion, and he shared with us some of his secrets and tips to make the perfect cup of coffee.

Here is a step by step guide on how to make coffee.

1. Take out portafilter (group handle) from machine.

2. Purge machine’s grouphead.

3. Knock out used coffee puck.

4. Stop the purge of the machine.

5. Clean and dry portafilter.

6. Grind coffee into portafilter.

7. Distribute coffee evenly.

8. Tamp coffee in portafilter.

9. Wipe off any stray coffee from the surface of portafilter.

10. Clean machine tray.

11. Lock portafilter into machine.

12. Start extraction (and pray everything goes smoothly).

13. Place cup under portafilter spouts.

14. Pray for a good flow of coffee. If the flow is not achieved, repeat step 1 to 13 until you managed to get the desired flow.

15. Stop extraction at desired time (depending on the type of coffee).

Additional steps:

16. If you are doing a milk-based coffee, the next step is to steam milk.

17. Purge the steam wand. Insert it into jar and texture milk.

18. Clean steam wand with wet cloth and purge again.

19. Pour into coffee to achieve desired latte art. Enjoy the coffee!

Thank you Ryan for helping us with this guide. If you are a coffee-lover, you must absolutely drop by Strangers Reunion and enjoy a cup of coffee. Strangers Reunion is located at 37 Kampong Bahru Road.

After spending a day with Ryan from Strangers Reunion - who is also Singapore National Barista Champion 2011, 2012 & 2013 – to learn more about coffee, I have a newfound respect for the beverage. In order to make the perfect cuppa, there are many factors in play, and the next time you have a cappuccino at your favourite cafe, do thank the barista for satisfying your caffeine addiction.

Here are 5 things you should know about coffee.

1. Amount of foam in the coffee does not make a difference.

There are some people who are obsessed with the foam level in coffee, but it does not make a big difference to the taste of coffee. Technically speaking, there is a marginal difference, but most people are probably not able to tell anyway. Instead of being overly-concerned about foam, people should focus on the factors – coffee bean, temperature, texture and flavour – that makes or breaks a cup of coffee.

2. Latte Art

While latte art (or lack of) does not affect the taste of the coffee, it is an indicator of how serious a barista is about his trade as it reflects how good the milk is.

3. Soy is not meant to be a drink option.

Soy is actually meant for those who are lactose-intolerant, and not because it is healthier or tastes better. There has always been the debate that soy is healthier than milk, but that is not necessarily true. It is really not about comparing which is healthier, though. The problem with soy is that it masks the flavour of coffee. Full cream milk, on the other hand, does not affect the flavour. Milk is supposed to complement the coffee, not over-power it.

4. There is no need to stir the coffee before drinking it.

When milk is poured into the espresso to make the latte, it is already thoroughly mixed. There is no need to stir the coffee any more.

5. Coffee is good enough on its own without sugar.

If the coffee is done correctly, it should be sweet enough. Adding sugar actually stifles the coffee and does not allow its full aroma to be released. The barista has to put in a lot of hard work in order to prepare a cup of good coffee, so appreciate it as it is, because they know best how coffee should be served.

Also read our Beginners Guide to Coffee.

Perched at the top of Phoenix Park in Tanglin, Spruce is a nice cafe which is just a few minutes drive from Orchard. I had been dying to go Spruce after hearing so much about their weekend brunch.

Today, I am going to share with you something else, though. Not the weekend brunch, but the Weekend High Tea Set that Spruce has launched. And it is only $14++/pax $21++/pax.

Every once in a while, we should all partake a nice afternoon tea with your family and friends. Whilst popular afternoon tea restaurants like TWG Salon, Marmalade Pantry are conveniently located along Orchard Road, they are more often than not very crowded. Even on weekdays!

Other than the reasonable price point, the secluded location of Spruce is definitely a highlight for it gives that exclusive and serene feel for being far away from the busy city life.

I have readers telling me they cannot make it for the nice afternoon teas on weekdays due to work. Now, there are no more excuses because I am introducing their Weekend High Tea!

The $14++/pax $21++/pax Weekend High Tea Set is available during Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays from 3pm to 5pm. It is definitely one of the cheapest high tea set in Singapore.

The High Tea Set includes savoury sandwiches and pastries: Cranberry Scone, White Peach Muffin, Madeleine, Fruit Tartlet, Macadamia Pistachio Biscotti, Cucumber & Egg Sandwich, Salmon & Sour Cream Sandwich, Tomato & Yogurt Sandwich and free flow of coffee/tea.

However, there is a small catch. To get the High Tea Set in a nice three tier stand, you need a minimum of two people ($21 x 2 = $42++) to share. Otherwise, they will just serve the food on a single plate.

Food wise, I have to say that there was nothing really fantastic – the sandwiches and the pastries were quite ordinary. But there is nothing to complain about since the High Tea Set is priced at a reasonable $14++/pax $21++/pax. On a different note, please be knowledged that reservations have to be made in advance to secure a seating!

You know what? I think you should just pick up the phone and make a reservation for Spruce’s Weekend High Tea now. Come on, it is the long weekend. Go for your Easter Brunch and follow up with the high tea at Spruce. Awesome.

As for me, I am making plans to head back to Spruce Cafe for their weekend brunch. Very soon. And oh yes, be sure to check out Spruce’s Taqueria too. On Monday to Friday 12 noon – 3pm, Spruce has a little taco shack by the side that serves Tacos and Quesadillas.

For more recommendations: read Best Cafes in Singapore | Afternoon High Tea Places.

Singapore Food Blog Review
320 Tanglin Road
Phoenix Park Singapore
Tel: +65 6836 5528

Operating Hours:
Lunch (Monday to Friday) 10.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner (Daily) 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Weekend Brunch 8.30am – 4pm
Weekend High Tea 3pm – 5pm

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The Plain is a Melbourne-style Cafe located at Craig road and it has been building up a strong following who go there regularly for their poached eggs and coffee.

It has an all day breakfast menu that serves simple food like toasts ($5), eggs ($5 – $11.5), ciabattas ($8.5) and sandwiches ($9). Occasionally, they also have home baked sweets like tarts and mini cakes.

The interior of The Plain Coffee House is causal and unassuming, with grey-scale wall and simple furniture. It is a nice place to sit down and read a book, whilst having sandwich with a cup of Genovese coffee. The place is not very big and it can probably accommodate around 30-40 people.

The Plain’s Pastrami Ciabatta ($8.5) was more than good – it was excellent. I am not sure if it was because we were too hungry, but everyone agreed that it was a winner. Definitely will try out the other two Ciabatta (Salami & Antipasto) the next time round.

There was barely anything to the Darling’s Eggs ($6.50 for 1/$11.5 for 2): just sourdough toast, roma tomatoes, cheese and poached eggs. But it was an extremely satisfying breakfast.

The key, I think, is the Roma tomato. I’ve told you about the benefits of eating tomatoes before. Needless to say, the idea of having the sweet and juicy tomatoes with the poached eggs was the clincher.

On the other hand, my friends preferred the simple taste of the Plain Eggs ($5 for 1/$8 for 2) – poached eggs on buttered sourdough toast without tomatoes and cheese.

Out of curiosity, we ordered the Dean’s Breakfast ($6.0 for 1/$10.5 for 2) which came with Vegemite spread. The dark brown Australian food paste on the sourdough toast was surprisingly pleasant. If you like Vegemite, there’s also the Humpty Dumpty & Vegemite soldiers (dippy eggs on buttered toast sticks) on The Plain Cafe’s menu.

Considering that The Plain Coffee Shop was not very crowded when we were there for brunch, service was slow and the staff made a mistake with two of our orders.

It was quite puzzling to see that there was no proper billing system at The Plain Cafe. The staff do not record down the items when taking the order, so you have to repeat your order when paying at the counter.

I asked the owner the rationale for this and he explained that most cafes in Melbourne operate this way. Most importantly, he wants The Plain to be a place where you feel the familiarity of having dinner at a friend’s house. Whilst I think it is very admirable to charge based on a system of trust, it can get quite messy if there are many too orders. Furthermore, it increases the waiting time during payment.

Having said that, I like the fact that The Plain Cafe is not commercialised. It is refreshing to see cool cafes like these in the local scene.

The Plain Cafe
50 Craig Road #01-01 Singapore
(Near the intersection with Duxton road)
Tel: +65 6225 4387
Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm

Papa Palheta – Best Coffee in Singapore

Papa Palheta has been making waves in the Singapore Food Scene with its premium gourmet coffee. They have recently opened Loysel’s Toy Cafe at Kampong Bugis, which is located ten minutes away from Lavender Mrt Station.

I am sure many of you who have been to Papa Palheta/Loysel’s Toy Cafe will agree that they have very good coffee.

Besides the excellent coffee, Loysel’s Toy Cafe also serves simple breakfast food like omelette and scrambled eggs. There are also sandwiches, salad and desserts on the menu.

For non-coffee drinkers, it is perfectly fine as they also have fresh juices and a selection of tea like Oolong, Masala, Black Tea and Earl Grey. But I do think it is kind of silly if you go to Loysel’s Toy cafe without trying their coffee. They are after-all, famous for serving a cup of good coffee.

The location at Kampong Bugis is excellent as it allows them to further expand with more tables at the back.

If you are looking for a breakfast place, drop by Loysel’s Toy Cafe to have eggs and sandwiches. Otherwise, the laid-back ambiance makes it a nice place to catch up with your friend over a cup of coffee.

To get there: Alight at Lavender Mrt Station and walk along Crawford Street. Cross the river using the bridge and you will be able to see a standalone Sam Tat warehouse.

Loysel’s Toy Cafe by Papa Palheta
66 Kampong Bugis #01-01
Tel: +65 9451 0236
Tue to Fri 9am – 6pm
Sat & Sun 9am – 7.30pm

I wanted an adventure, and I wanted something different. Not those dressed-up-to-the-nines fancy dinners in the best restaurants – those are not really my type. There are other factors that will make a great meal, and I was determined to have a memorable time there.

In the twelve days that I was in Australia, you’d not believe the amount of food that went into my stomach; I refused to stand on the weighing scale now – I probably gained an additional five kilos, everyday it was food, more food, and even more food. Besides stuffing myself full with everything that I can grab, and enjoying the magnificent scenaries there, I got to talk with  a lot of backpackers while staying in hostels, and also met up with the amazing Sydney food bloggers – they are definitely the highlights of my trip.

Sydneysiders love Bills, and I love the Sydneysiders for the way they enjoy their breakfast. Bills is a cafe opened by the famous chef Bill Granger, the concept is easy – serve the most gorgeous scrambled eggs and tasty ricotta pancakes in a simple cafe, and voila, you get all the people coming in for breakfast.

‘You have to try the eggs while you are in Australia’, gushed one of my friend a while ago when I told her I’m going to Sydney. Sydneysiders really love their breakfast, on a normal weekday there’s so many places serving brunch. Because of the differences in culture, you can hardly find much places in Singapore that do that but here, you’d thought that the people do not need to work and it seems like they do not have to work when I saw so many of them slowly enjoying a laid-back & causal breakfast at 10am where most people are supposed to be in the office, working.

There was however, no Eggs Benedict at Bills, so I had their popular Scrambled eggs on sour dough ($16) – and it was good! The one sprig of leave in the middle somehow seemed to make the eggs glowed with radiance, and there’s the just-right consistency in the texture and taste of the eggs. The butter slides off the toasted golden-brown sour dough easily, and the scrambled eggs just goes so well with the toast. The portion would probably deceive your mind that you need to order something else as add-ons, but by the time I was done, my stomach was so full that I couldn’t possibly eat anything else, well, maybe except for the delicious-looking ricotta pancakes that everybody is craving about.

‘Come to Sydney for fine restaurants and go to Melbourne to experience the cafe culture.’ I’m not entirely sure on that statement, since there’s dozens of wonderful cafes just in the surry hill/balmain area. One of them is Cafe Nookie at Cleveland street. Technically speaking it is not a cafe since there’s no seats for dining in, customers take away the self-brew coffee from the good hands of owner Ben. Cafe Nookie is more like a coffee-in-the-hole kind of place, and it’s definitely the smallest cafe in Sydney, pretty cool eh?

I walk through the streets of Surry Hills and my heart fluttered with a sort of feeling that I couldn’t quite describe – I’m so in love with this place. There’s plenty of trendy fashionable boutiques, and chic cafes just around every corner. The whole place is so quaint and dainty that it doesn’t seem to be in the city area.

Cafe Ish is exactly like how I will like a cafe to be, white walls with sunlight coming through the windows, serving nice coffee and comfort food. Howard & Teresa brought me here for lunch, and we took some time glancing through the menu before deciding to order Eggs Benedict, Emu damper, & Soft shell crab omelette.

I think the reason why we can embrace cafes freely rather than fine dining restaurants is because deep down inside everyone of us, most people have a dream to open a cafe, someday. A small-ish, causal chic cafe which serves comfort food, a place where people return and chill out all day, a place almost like their own home. It is not difficult to see why Cafe Giulia is immensely popular with the locals, they serve a wide array of food that includes eggs, salad, pasta, sandwich, burgers; comfort food with a reasonable price range. Coffee is another hallmark of a good cafe. Here, they keep it simple to mocha, and ice coffee, with an impressive selection of fresh fruit juices.

This is the first part of my Twelve days in Sydney series, to be continued . . .

Bills
359 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tel: (02) 9360 4762

Cafe Giulia
92 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9698 4424
Tuesday to Friday 6.30am – 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 8.00am – 3.00pm

Cafe Ish
83 Campbell Street
Surry Hills

Cafe Nookie
268B Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
Tel: 04 0135 6072
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm