Tag Archives: Coffee

Dimbulah Coffee – Desserts at their CHIJMES outlet

In the sheltered space of CHIJMES on Victoria Street, I heard soothing music waft through the air and my search for the music led me to Dimbulah Coffee. This Australian coffee chain has a bistro in CHIJMES located around a spacious corner. It has indoor and outdoor seating which is quite appealing. The warm-lit interiors with tall glass panels coupled with a laid back vibe make it an ideal place for catching up with friends. In terms of their main course offerings, there are very few options for vegetarians (especially if you don’t eat eggs). However, we were there for desserts, hence the focus in this post is mainly on satiating your sweet tooth.

Dimbulah Coffee

Dimbulah Coffee at CHIJMES

The Orders
After dinner, one generally craves desserts, so we were happy to see the sweet offerings that Dimbulah Coffee had on their menu.

Some desserts are worth the extra calories just for the experience. We ordered the ‘Sticky Date Pudding’ as were in the mood for a rich dessert. The warm pudding was rightly moist and rested on top of a smooth date sauce. The generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top definitely served the purpose of bringing the whole dessert together by adding to the dense sweetness. For now, I can safely say that it is the best sticky date pudding that I have had in Singapore. Highly recommended.

Sticky Date Pudding

Sticky Date Pudding at $12


Dimbulah is popular for its signature coffees crafted with Arabica beans which offer caramel notes and a lingering taste on the palate. The ‘Affogato Plain’ ended up being a nice selection since it served the dual purpose of having ice cream from a coffee cup. The slight bitter note of the coffee did not overpower the scoop of vanilla ice cream and brought out the contrast in taste distinctly.
Affogato plain

Affogato plain at $8


We also ordered the ‘Crème brûlée’ which had a rich custard base topped with a layer of perfectly burnt caramel. The crispy, burnt sugar layer along with the slight hint of vanilla in every mouthful made it a deliciously decadent sweet dish.
Creme brulee

Creme brulee at $9


Overall, Dimbulah Coffee is a must-visit if you are fan of coffee or desserts.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Cafe, Australian coffee chain ★★★1/2
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Address: 30 Victoria Street, #01-17 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
Timings: Mon-Fri: 4pm – 11pm ; Sat-Sun: 8am – midnight
Website: https://dimbulahcoffee.com/
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Dates and Coffee Milkshake

During summers, you crave cool and refreshing drinks. If that craving is satisfied with a feel-good ingredient combination like dates and coffee, it gives you an upbeat mood. The best part is that you can spin off a milkshake in less than 15 mins, and it does not feel like a lot of work. During one of my visits to Mustafa, I stopped at the dates section and was amazed at the variety they had in stock. I decided instantly that I wanted to use them in some form of drink or dessert. For this Dates and Coffee milkshake, I have used Khudary dates from Mustafa. They ended up being a perfect pick for this aromatic and amazingly refreshing drink.
Recipe Details :
Serves: 2 pax
Time: 15 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients :

  • 12 de-seeded dates (6 dates per glass)
  • 1.5 tsp instant coffee powder
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 4 ice cubes
  • 330 ml milk

Dates and coffee milkshake

Dates and coffee milkshake


Method:

  • Split the cardamom pods and powder the seeds using a mortar and pestle. Freshly pounded cardamom is better since that imparts a pleasant aroma in the drink.
  • Put the cardamom seeds, de-seeded dates, coffee powder, milk and ice cubes into the blender and blend it till the dates and ice have broken down into a smooth drinkable texture. The blending process should take maximum 2 minutes.
    • Dates and coffee milkshake

    Dates and coffee milkshake

  • Serve immediately. This drink can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In that case, before serving, stir the drink well to redistribute the dates.

Tips:

  • For those who don’t like caffeine, you can substitute coffee powder with hot chocolate powder. I have tried a version of this drink using Hershey’s Hot Chocolate and its equally amazing and refreshing.
  • You can also soak your dates in warm milk before you put them in the blender for 10-15 mins. This is an optional step in case you want a very soft texture.

Boyle’s Coffee – Bukit Timah Plaza

Do not underestimate the power of the coffee, especially when its situated next to a taxi stand! Yes, that’s how I spotted the newly opened Boyle’s Coffee – when the wait for a cab seemed endless. Situated in the old shopping mall of Bukit Timah Plaza, Boyle’s Coffee lures you inside with its warm decor and robust coffee aroma. The seats are in the form of long communal tables which makes it great to strike up conversations with coffee aficionados.

boyles coffee

Boyle’s Coffee


boyles coffee

Boyle’s Coffee cake display

The Orders
They have a three page menu serving hot and cold coffees and light bites. Their cake display boasts of a variety of cakes with different flavours. Apart from the standard offerings, this artisanal cafe has a variety of specialty brews across the spectrum – from the Ethiopian and Kenyan beans to the adventurous Yuzu Latte. For the tea lovers, they have some TWG teas on the menu.

When I want the perfect coffee fix filled with warm flavors, I tend to go for the ‘Caramel Latte’. Since it was a rainy day, I ordered the hot version. This was well-made with the subtle flavor of caramel cutting through the thick creamy milk and foam layers and made me happy. The latte art was also very good. Highly recommended.

Hot Caramel Latte

Hot Caramel Latte at $6


What’s perfect with a good cup of coffee? The answer is a cake, especially when the cafe offers an assortment of them. I got drawn to the ‘Tiramisu Cake’ instantly due to its presentation. The checkered coffee effect on top with a mille crêpe bottom had immense visual appeal. Its on the lower side on the sweetness quotient and hence pairs well with coffee. On its own, I found it to be less sweet and a bit dry.
Tiramisu cake

Tiramisu cake at $7


In the form of vegetarian light bites they have the ‘Cheese Grilled Sandwich’ and the ‘Butter Jam Toast’. Savour the goodness of simple toast along with your cup of coffee or tea. I wish they had softened the butter before serving it.
butter jam toast

Butter and Jam Toast at $4


Boyle’s Coffee is famous for their cold water drip Dutch coffee which I definitely intend to try sometime soon. For their coffee quality, quick service and welcoming ambiance, Boyle’s Coffee is worth visiting.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Coffee and light bites ★★★1/2
Nearest MRT: Beauty World
Address: L1 Near Bukit Timah Plaza Taxi Stand, 1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Singapore 588996
Timings: Mon-Fri: 9.30am – 9.30pm ; Sat-Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boyles-Coffee/1135634869814118

Long Black Cafe – Biopolis

Biopolis is predominantly a workplace area. There are however, quite a few eating joints here that deserve your attention. On a friend’s recommendation, I reached Long Black Cafe to try their food. The cafe serves Western cuisine at affordable prices and has an extensive menu with diverse items. They are pretty crowded during lunch, but if you reach a little after 3 pm, you will find the place to be calm. The alfresco seating is well laid out and you can catch up on a book or just enjoy a nice breeze and the space. This is a good place to chill-out with friends (or even if you are alone) in the off-peak hours.

The Orders
In the mains, there are limited options for vegetarians. They have bruschetta and mushroom sandwich in the mains. I ordered the ‘Aglio Olio Classic’ pasta which was well-made. The spaghetti was cooked al-dente and served with a garnish of parsley and chilli. The chilli had a kick to it and hence the pasta had a spicy bite. It turned out to be a good option to order at this cafe.

Aglio olio classic

Aglio olio classic at $8.90


The hot weather and such a relaxing ambiance demanded a cold beverage. The ‘Strawberry Fizzy’ fit the bill perfectly. Refreshing, with a slight hint of mint, this drink was perfectly balanced. I also liked the fact that it was not extremely fizzy.

Strawberry fizzy

Strawberry fizzy at $3.50


If you are a fan of chilled espresso, then their iced lattes were good. I tried the ‘Iced Hazelnut Latte’ which was sweet and tasty. It was a pleasant sip to break away from the day’s work.

Iced hazelnut latte

Iced hazelnut latte at $5


Coffee breaks get enhanced with sweet bites like this ‘Carrot Cake’. Beneath this unpretentious appearance there were layers of moistness in this lightly spiced cake. It was a delectable dessert and hence stands highly recommended.

Carrot cake

Carrot cake at $4.50


If you are in the area for work and looking for good food at affordable options along with a calm setting, then Long Black Cafe is worth a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Cafe style ★★★
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista
Address: 20 Biopolis Way, Centros Block, Singapore 138868
Timings: Mon-Fri: 8am – 7.30pm
Website: http://www.longblack.com.sg/

Coffee Nowhere – Tampines Outlet [Permanently Closed]

It is rare to find cafes which are unassumingly tucked away in a corner of an HDB. Popular for their specialty coffee chains in Malaysia, Coffee Nowhere have expanded to Singapore. Their new outlet has opened in Tampines which should be welcome news to the East-siders. Their name actually stands for ‘Coffee Now Here’. Their Tampines outlet is quite small and can seat around 12 people. It would typically suit folks looking for a quick coffee break or takeaway. The cafe structure is linear and the dimly-lit yellow lights give it a warm feel.

Coffee nowhere decor

Coffee nowhere counter


The cafe has the standard fare in the menu – sandwiches, waffles, juices, coffee and tea. But the menu has some very interesting options that I tried for the first time and they turned out to be really good.
Coffee nowhere menu

Coffee nowhere menu

The Orders
To get our caffeine kick, we ordered the ‘Creme Brulee Capuccino’ which had a nice taste to it. The layer on the top made it look like a creme brulee and the taste of burnt sugar was subtly present which made it a good choice.

Creme brulee cappucino

Creme brulee cappucino at $7.80


Since the menu options did seem interesting in terms of the flavours, we ordered the ‘Rose Latte’. At the beginning, I was apprehensive as to how this entire drink was going to turn out but I ended up loving it. They use the Monin flavored gourmet syrups in their flavored lattes which gave it a nice twist. The almond biscotti paired well with this latte.

Rose latte

Rose latte at $6.80


The waffles trend is here to stay in Singapore and almost every cafe has it in the menu. The ‘Strawberry Waffles’ at this cafe was decent. The waffles could have been a bit crisper, but they were light and fluffy on the inside. The ‘Snow White’ scoop of ice cream was really good. Their ice cream counter has a neat display of a variety of flavours and that is really pleasing to see.

Strawberry waffle

Strawberry waffles with snow white ice cream at $12.80


The service staff is extremely friendly and open to suggestions. Like their other outlets in the West side, I really wish they had more space inside the cafe. On the whole – for their good service, for some unique offerings and for satiating your dessert cravings even late into the night, Coffee Nowhere is worth a visit if you are in the area.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Cafe style ★★★
Nearest MRT: Tampines
Address: 820 Tampines St 81, #01-524, Singapore 520820
Timings: Mon-Sun: 10am – 11pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-Nowhere-Tampines/469876729835976

Ottoman Kebab and Grill – Science Park

[UPDATED on July 2017] – Ottoman Kebab and Grill has located to Science Park area (address mentioned in the end of this post). The Bedok Mall outlet is permanently closed.
One of the best aspects of Turkish cuisine is the fact that there is no dearth of options for vegetarians. During a random outing to Bedok Mall, I stumbled upon this hidden joint called Ottoman Kebab & Grill . It was quite unassuming but the exhaustive menu placed on the stand outside made me decide to give it a chance. Specially since it was a chance to have a Turkish meal on the East side of Singapore.

The Orders
For starters, we ordered the ‘Borek Platter’ which reminded me of spring rolls. They are the Turkish version – rolled baked pastries with a filling. In this platter, we got both the Potato Borek and Cheese Borek which were crispy and yummy. They are also good to set the tempo for the meal till the mains are served.

Borek platter

Borek platter at $8


Since we had heard about ‘Turkish coffee’ at the start of the meal, we were looking forward to tasting it. The unique presentation in a small cup had a distinct aroma and resembled a much finer version of the espresso. It is supposed to be sipped slowly for you to enjoy the taste fully.

Turkish coffee

Turkish coffee at $4


For the mains, we went for the ‘Falafel Pita Sandwich’ which was grilled to perfection. The falafels were deep-fried and crunchy. They are are dense and full of flavour. You will find it a little hard to eat but the spices and textures will make you swoon over it. The cucumber and tomato salad on the side is fresh and perfect to enjoy with this dish.
Falafel pita sandwich

Falafel pita sandwich at $6.90


The ‘Falafel Wrap’ is another variant to eat the crunchy falafels in the main course. This consisted of toasted tortilla served along with a salad. Highly recommended.
Falafel wrap

Falafel wrap at $6.90


Eggplant is widely used in Turkish cuisine and if you like it, you should try the ‘Vegetarian Mousakka’ which is a layered oven casserole dish made with eggplants, tomatoes, carrots and potatoes. This was quite filling and tasty and all the veggies were well cooked and seasoned.
Vegetarian mousakka

Vegetarian mousakka at $7


It is difficult to nail the traditional desserts in Turkish cuisine. After tasting the ‘Kunefe’ here, I can say that personally for me , this is the best that I have had in Singapore. Kunefe is made from stretchy goat cheese encased in phyllo pastry and drizzled with sugar syrup and pistachio flakes. Every bite was literally poetry in motion. I highly recommend this dish to finish your meal. Since it is made fresh, it takes around 20 mins to be prepared, hence order it in advance.
Kunefe

Kunefe at $8.50


After the meal, I went personally to compliment the chef for the dessert and it was nice to talk to Head Chef Ali Kose who has previously worked with Gordon Ramsay. On the whole, for its extremely pocket-friendly prices, for delicious Turkish food and for it awesome Kunefe, do try Ottoman Kebab and Grill!

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Turkish ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Kent Ridge
Address: 2 Science Park Drive, #01-34 Savourworld, Singapore 118222
Timings: Mon-Fri: 11am – 8.30pm
Website: http://ottomankebab.com/

Madame Patisserie – Boat Quay outlet

We were a bunch of friends strolling by the river searching for dessert, and that’s how we found this place is how I would like to describe this France inspired bistro. Situated in Boat Quay, is a small and cozy café called Madame Patisserie which stood out thanks to its styling and theme. This joint has both indoor and outdoor seating. We sat on the white sofa placed on the porch and had a nice view of the river. We were attended to by the smiling staff immediately, and were handed the well designed menus. The logo also had the regal silhouette of a lady on it which caught my attention.

Madame Patisserie logo

Madame Patisserie logo

We were also promptly informed that additional items not present on the menu were displayed on the counter and we could place our order from there as well. Since we went there post dinner, our appetite was limited. The items mentioned on their traditional menu are a bit pricey but the quantity can easily be shared by two people, hence it evens out. When I went to the display counter, I found their high tea set to be a visual treat.

Madame Patisserie high tea set

Madame Patisserie high tea set

The Orders
More often than not, ‘Brownie with Ice cream’ forms a part of my dessert order and we ended up ordering it. The brownie was nicely moist and the ice cream provided along with it was a large scoop. Needless to say, we were not disappointed.

Brownie with ice cream

Brownie with ice cream at $7

We are always fans of ‘Tiramisu’ and that formed our next order. The coffee and chocolate flavors blended beautifully and it was extremely tasty. It was a sizable portion and it had alphabets on it which made for an interesting visual.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu at $7

As the desserts started appearing, we went for ‘Churros with Hot Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Cream’ which was great to munch on. It tastes best when eaten hot, so ensure that you gobble it soon. The cutlery was perfect for the dish.

Churros

Churros at $16

For a deviation from chocolate, we ordered the ‘Pistachio Creme brulée with citrus tuile’ which was …quite different. You have to be prepared for a strong pistachio flavour as that is the main ingredient of the dish. The nuts added a crunchy texture to the caramelized top and the layers were soft inside.

Pistachio creme brulee

Pistachio creme brulee at $16


Finally we went for the ‘Loaf Cake’ which was a big slab indeed. It tasted nice and had a center that had mashed berries – almost like a jam in texture. The crust of the loaf had a nice texture and had a freshly baked feel to it.
Loaf cake

Loaf cake at $6.5


We also got to know that they have some set lunches and high tea sets which might be useful for those in the CBD area. They pretty much make all their breads, scones, jams etc. in-house from scratch which gives the place an authentic feel of a patisserie. For the ambiance, dessert varieties, delicious taste, hanging out with friends and family, Madame Patisserie is totally worth a bow – I mean a visit! On that note, Happy Women’s Day to all you wonderful ladies out there.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Cafe, Desserts ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place
Address:76 Boat Quay #01-76, Singapore 049864
Timings: Mon-Sat: 8 am-11 pm ; Sun: 8 am-8 pm
Website: http://www.madamepatisserie.com/

Drury Lane [Permanently Closed]

The café culture is definitely on the rise in Singapore. The neighbourhood cafés act as a place to catch up with friends on weekdays. Families can get together over special weekend brunches. One such café that has sprung up is Drury Lane situated in Tanjong Pagar. It was a little difficult to find the café as there was no visible signboard. It is actually a two-storey shophouse. For those who want a landmark – it is a distinctly red-colored café on that road. The lower floor is generally used for quick bites whereas the upper storey is for casual conversations. We headed there for dinner, and the first thing that struck me as I entered the upper storey was the interesting décor comprising of wooden tables and crates recycled as stools. The tables are wide and will remind you of the old college canteens. Orders are placed on the lower floor and you typically carry a glass carrying your order number – and an interesting message.

Order number

Order number 9

Sufficient water was provided in a large bottle. In these times when water is charged at certain places, places where water is free receive brownie points from me.

Water serving

Water serving


The Orders
My friend ordered ’94 Goes Green’ which was the part of All-Day breakfast menu. It was a decent sized meal. The baked beans and avocado acted as good complements to the whole meal.The tomato relish which came as a side could have been much better.

94 goes green

94 goes green at $13

I decided to go for the ‘Veggie Sandwich’. Unfortunately, it was too small in size to act as a main for dinner. The sandwich could do better in terms of striking a balance between the leafy and non-leafy vegetables. The taste was strictly ok and could do with some flavor enhancement.

Veggie sandwich

Veggie sandwich at $8


We did not got for the coffee or muffins, but the place does have an interesting range of brews and muffins at affordable prices. I intend to head there one time just to taste them. I also noticed that since there is low cellular signal availability, they have free wi-fi. If you want to laze around, catch up on some decent conversation and want some place for a quick gathering / caffeine fix, then Drury lane is definitely worth a visit.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: All-Day breakfast ★★★
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar
Address:94 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088515
Timings: Mon-Fri: 9 am-10 pm ; Sat-Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/drurylane.sg

Strangers’ Reunion

Sometimes it’s just not about lunch and dinner, it’s about chitchat and coffee. Strangers’ Reunion , a cozy café nestled away in one of the streets in Outram Park is a place that caters to this idea. The café has expanded now and has comfortable furniture that makes you want to sit and stay. When you go with friends to such a café, it is indeed more the merrier as you get to savor more dessert varieties.
The Orders
We first ordered the ‘Mocha’ which was so visually pleasing that it could right away be termed as quality latte art on display. If you are a coffee connoisseur, do try this.

Hot Mocha

Hot Mocha at $5.5

We then moved on to the desserts. They have some interesting cakes on display at the counter and we wanted to try different varieties. I had heard about their trademark buttermilk waffles and went right away to order the Buttermilk Waffles with Vanilla Ice cream and fruits. Their waffles were thick and fluffy and had the right amount of crunchiness as you bit into it. The Greek artisan yogurt waffle combination is also recommended.

Buttermilk waffles at $8.5

Buttermilk waffles at $8.5


Some desserts can be sinful delights. The ‘Coffee Cream Cheesecake’ turned out to be exactly that. A good balance of chocolate and coffee meant that it did not leave a lingering bitter taste in the mouth. Highly recommended.

Chocolate cheesecake at $8

Chocolate cheesecake at $8

If you have a sweet tooth, go ahead and indulge in the rich ‘Chocolate Therapy’ with a KitKat base that adds a crunchy twist to the dessert.

Chocolate Therapy at $8

Chocolate Therapy at $8

What drew us to the cafe was the interesting name but what kept us there were the brilliant desserts. Do bear in mind that the desserts were NOT eggless. I am a vegetarian but I do not mind eggs in desserts.

In a Nutshell Deelightful Rating
Cuisine Type: Coffee, dessert and light bites ★★★★
Nearest MRT: Outram Park
Address:33/35/37 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169354
Timings: Mon: 9 am-10 pm;Wed-Sun:9 am-10 pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/StrangersReunion