Tag: coffee

‘Costa’ La Vista – Costa Coffee Is Closing Its Last 2 Outlets In S’pore By 16 Sep

If you haven’t already noticed, British coffee chain Costa Coffee has closed six outlets in Singapore over the last three and half months, with their two remaining branches at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall bowing out in the next two weeks.

Costa Coffee entered Singapore in 2012, riding on the wave of generic coffee brands that offered a quick cuppa to the masses who are looking for convenience.

The Final Pour

Hit by hefty rents and labour costs, Costa Coffee’s failure to survive in Singapore is also partly due to the growing popularity of indie cafes and their focus on solid brews.

Over the past 6 years, we’ve seen a rise in popular indie cafes such as Dutch Colony Coffee Co. and Common Man Coffee Roasters who are known for serving up java that are roasted in-house or sourced from roasters around the world. This gives them a slight edge in serving quality coffee at the same prices or even cheaper than the offerings from bigger chains.

Indie coffee shops continue to spring up in Singapore while big-name coffee shop chains are opening up more and more stores to mark their turf.

They’ve done a great job by starting to educate the market on how to appreciate better quality coffee.  But whether coffee shops can survive will depend on rental rates.

Or perhaps Costa Coffee was good yet not good enough to make up for their lack of character. They weren’t distinctive enough to beat fellow big brands like Starbucks or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I mean, honestly, when have we ever craved a drink from Costa?

Fret not, if you love Costa Coffee, no other stores in Southeast Asia are affected by the move, though the company did not say why the chain was puling out of Singapore. This also means, the next nearest Costa Coffee outlet for you would be JB.

Whatever the case, if you love Costa Coffee, you might want to head down to their two remaining outlets at Holland Village and VivoCity Mall soon for your coffee fix.

Costa Coffee Holland Village 
Address: 269 Holland Ave, Singapore 278990
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 7am – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 7am – 10pm

Costa Coffee VivoCity Mall
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-100 VivoCity, 098585
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm, Daily

Also Read This 7-Eleven At Boat Quay Doubles Up As A Bar – Serves Beer On Tap For $4.70

(Header Image Source: The Chosen Glutton)

Have Breakfast At Tiffany’s: Free Croissants And Coffee From Tiong Bahru Bakery Available 27 Aug To 3 Sep

For those of you who loved the classic 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn, having ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is no longer a dream.

Tiffany & Co. is collaborating with Tiong Bahru Bakery as part of the launch of their Tiffany Paper Flowers collection in Singapore.

From 27 August to 3 September 2018, Tiong Bahru Bakery will be handing out free croissants and coffee from their striking turquoise kiosk outside ION Orchard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm-WspPHqTb/

There are, however, certain prerequisites before you proceed to claim your croissant and coffee.

First, you’ll have to take a photo of the kiosk.

Next, upload it onto Instagram or Facebook with the hashtags #tiffanypaperflowers and #tiongbahrubakery.

That’s it. You have earned your breakfast. Or lunch. Note that the kiosk operates from 10am to 2pm daily.

But if a croissant and a coffee isn’t sufficient, then you might want to head to the actual OG Tiong Bahru Bakery instead, which has also been taken over by Tiffany & Co.’s signature colour.

This is a feast for eyes, as much as it is for the stomach.

For those of you who are more interested in the Tiffany Paper Flowers jewellery collection, check out their ad below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTjxuqn67d4

The collection arrives in Singapore on 1 September 2018. In the meantime, can I interest you in some light refreshments? A croissant, perhaps?

Tiffany & Co. x Tiong Bahru Bakery Kiosk
Venue: ION Orchard, outside Tiffany & Co.
Date: 27 Aug – 3 Sep 2018
Opening Hours: 10am – 2pm
Website

Also read Life’s A Beach – Sentosa Offers FREE Entry For S’poreans From 1 to 16 September

(Header Image Source: @tiongbahrubakery)

Because Flat Whites Are Boring, This Cafe Serves Up Latte In A Gorgeous Lavender Hue

If a pastel purple sweet potato latte is not something you find beautiful, we don’t know what is. This gorgeous concoction can be found on the menu at Abbie’s Coffeehouse at Havelock II.

Slaying The Coffee Game

Abbie’s Coffeehouse, previously known as Slayer Coffee, is a local mobile coffee catering service opened by Abbie Tok.

They offer specialty coffee catering for events, barista and latte-art courses, and coffee appreciation events. The cafe space at Havelock II can also be booked for events. Generally, a great one-stop space for all things coffee.

The cafe offers 10 different types of coffees priced from $3.50 to $5.50, 5 different types of teas at $4.50 each, 2 unique latte flavours and also hot chocolate for those seeking a caffeine-free option.

Unique latte flavours and Chocolate go for $5 and iced versions of all drinks are an additional $1.

For those looking for a bite, they have a Matcha Infusion Cheesecake ($7), Espresso & Matcha Jinglepuffs (Jigglypuff?) and a 70% Dark Cacao Brownie.

We are obsessed with the stunning Roasted Sweet Potato Latte ($5), which easily stands out in a sea of brown and flat whites.

The unique colour is really pleasing to the eyes. The drink may sound carb-loaded and heavy, but it’s surprisingly creamy and light, with bits of sweet potato for a subtle texture contrast.

However, if the taste doesn’t appeal to you, at least your Instagram will enjoy this cup of pastel brilliance!

Havelock II is a relatively quiet mall as it is more of a commercial space than a shopping mall but if you’re in the Clarke Quay area, do drop by for a coffee!

Abbie’s Coffeehouse
Address: Havelock II, 2 Havelock Road #02-14, Singapore 059763 (Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay MRT Exit A/B)
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 6pm; Sun: Closed
Contact no.: 8688 4256
This Juicery Is An Explosion Of Millennial Pink And We Want To Take Photos Against Every Wall

(Header Image Source: Abbie’s Coffeehouse)

Prodigal Roasters Has The Most Bizarre Cheese Tart Flavors To Complement Their Seasonal Coffee Menu

Prodigal Roasters pride themselves on their own roasted beans, which differ every single month as they are constantly getting in new beans from all over the world.

But we think its the ultimate pairing of their freshly brewed coffee and interesting bizarre cheese tart flavors that got to us.

Their bizarre cheese tarts somehow works 

Get this, their bestseller is a Miso Cheese Tart, which tastes as delicious as it sounds bizarre. The miso caramel sauce is drizzled over a creamy cheese tart before its served. The sauce is kind of similar to salted caramel, but miso-style.

If you prefer your tarts to be on the chocolate-y side, go for their Rocky Road Tart. The thick and fudge-like chocolate is slightly bittersweet (it uses dark chocolate), and is full of crunchy nuts and chewy marshmallow.

Another interesting one to try is the Sweet Potato Tart, which is mixed with chocolate and tinged with the mellow sweetness from the sweet potato.

On a superfood diet? Get the Acai Cheese Tart.

Classic flavors like lemon meringue and creme brûlée are also on the menu if you want to play it safe.

Something more substantial?

Prodigal Roasts started out selling tarts, but have since expanded to selling hearty mains in limited portions. Just like everything else, the menu is not fixed, so there’s no saying what you’ll get.

The chefs at Prodigal Roasters are very open to ideas from customers, which results in pretty unusual dishes. If you really want to be kept updated on their latest food creations, follow their Instagram!

Just a couple weeks ago, they had an interesting burnt cream pasta, which comes topped with pomegranate, one week old fermented onions, capers, celery and dusted with coffee grounds. Your tastebuds will be working overtime! 

The only drawback is that these creations are not permanent fixtures on the menu (even though we think they deserve to be), but don’t be afraid to ask the chefs to whip something up on the spot.

They’ll try their best to oblige, although this is not always possible as they might not have the ingredients on hand.

Journey all over the world with their seasonal roasts

The guys at Prodigal Roasts love experimenting with their coffees as much as they love experimenting with their foods.

You can expect new coffee flavors every month as they are constantly trying out new bean profiles from all over the world. Taste coffees from Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Ethiopia, Thailand, Rwanda and more.

They also sell freshly roasted beans if you can’t get enough of your brew. Get some beans so that you can make your own cuppa whenever the cravings hit you.

Whether you’re a coffee lover or just want to try something new this cafe is definitely worth a trip to the heartlands for!

Prodigal Roasters
Address: Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9 #01-112, Singapore 560625
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri, 12pm – 10pm; Sat – Sun, 9am – 5pm; Closed on Wednesdays
Instagram

Also read Japan’s Famous Blinged Out Soft Serves Are Here, And They’re Sure To Give You A Gold Rush

(Header Image Source: Prodigal Roasters)

Get Your Brewtiful Selfie Printed On Coffee, Only To End Up Drinking Your Own Face

Do you love your face so much you want your coffee to come complete with a picture of yourself on it?

Note: not your picture on the cup, but a picture printed directly into the whipped cream foam. And it’s 100% edible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCQ3OIwzBjc

Selfie coffees have taken coffee drinking to another level – way above 3D foam lattes.

One-of-a-kind drink

Tucked away in an obscure corner on Haji Lane, The Selfie Coffee lets you customize your coffee for a unique drink. Originally from Malaysia, the Singapore branch also lets you print your photo onto the foam that your coffee comes with.

You can print selfies, commemorative photos, your beloved pet – anything goes! You can also take a picture on the spot, and the cafe has even provided props like huge sunglasses for goofy photos. We heard that some people even printed their idol’s faces onto the coffee! Talk about dedication.

After you’ve ordered, you will send your selfie or photo to a printing machine, which will ‘print’ your photo onto the whipped cream layer to create an exact color coffee.

If you intend to take 10,000 shots of your selfie coffee, go for an iced latte or frappe, as the picture can last up to an hour on cold drinks. Your face will dissolve in a hot drink in about 5 minutes – which is simply not long enough to admire your selfie!

Go for the novelty, stay for the coffee

Their coffee and frappes also come in a variety of flavors, like Salted Caramel, Matcha, Butterscotch, Caramel Macchiato, and White Chocolate just to name a few. The best yet: Horlicks fans will be thrilled to know that the selfie frappe also comes in Horlicks flavor.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW2yuqvAGpV/

Even though having a selfie coffee on a drink is a novelty, the cafe strives to provide delicious coffee that has people returning. The owner said that he didn’t want the selfie coffee to be one-time thing.

Besides coffee, there is also a selection of teas, non-caffeineated ice blended drinks, pies and cakes. Complete your insta-worthy flat lay with a slice of rainbow cake!

Selfie Coffee
Address: 11 Haji Lane, Singapore 189204
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 8pm; Fri – Sun: 11am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6341 7213
Website

Also read Pablo Cheese Tart Is FINALLY Coming To Singapore!

(Header Image Source: @ninahong0128)

At The Affogato Bar, It’s Never Too Early To Get Drunk On Coffee And Ice Cream

Singapore has plenty of cafes offering quality cuppas to perk you up.

The same, however, cannot be said about affogato, which is not as commonly served in cafes. So, imagine our delight when The Affogato Bar opened in Singapore!

Tucked away in a little spot in Cluny Court, this coffee and affogato bar is the latest addition to Bukit Timah’s bustling food scene.

Asia’s first affogato bar in Singapore

In its most basic form, affogato is a scoop of ice cream with a shot of hot espresso poured over it. As such, the key to a delicious affogato is good, quality coffee. In this case, The Affogato Bar uses the award-winning Dimattina Coffee that hails from Melbourne.

At the bar, choose from 5 different types of affogatos: Death by Chocolate ($13.90), Pot of Honey ($11.90), Carota Carota ($13.90), Banana Ramble ($12.90), and Classic White ($10.90). Each affogato comes with two shots of espresso for that hit of caffeine!

Our pick goes to Death by Chocolate ($13.90), a rich and decadent dessert that will delight chocoholics. Served in a martini glass, the chocolate sorbet is topped with brownie chunks, chocolate streusel and a thin round of dark chocolate.

For those who prefer something less chocolate-y, try the Banana Ramble ($12.90)! It’s served with banana pecan ice cream, soft banana cake, banana slices, pecans, and is topped off with double shots of Mocharoma.

Affogato aside, you can choose from a selection of savoury items which include bagel sandwiches in flavours such as cream cheese, dill & onion and sun-dried tomato, just to name a few!

As for drinks, the bar also serves up a full-bodied chai latte ($5.50 Hot/ $6.50 Cold) which is worth a try!

Ultimately, while we love the desserts, our only gripe is that the 15-seater is rather small. Be prepared to wait if you are patronising the bar on a weekend!

The Affogato Bar
Address: 01-04B Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road
Opening Hours: Daily, 8am – 11pm
Contact no.: 9238 9005
Website 

Also read West Your Case, East-siders – You’re Missing Out On These 8 Dessert Spots At Jurong

(Header Image Source: Burpple User Sarah Wong & Xing Wei Chua)

A New Café Gem Has Opened Up On Rangoon Road, And It’s Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale

Ever wish you could escape into a perfect fairy tale world?

Now, you can! Well, at least for lunch.

The beautiful and charming Enchanted Cafe has just opened up along Rangoon Road, for you to dine and while away your weekends in a fantasy world.

Enchanting Ambience

First things first, the aesthetic of this place is on point!

Entering into this cafe is like stepping foot into the fairy tale garden of your dreams–the only things missing are actual fairies.

Picture a wooden shelf lined with large vintage books, twigs and potted plants hanging from the ceiling, fairy lights draped down branches and across the walls, and quirky, mismatched tables and chairs filling the space.

Something you can’t miss is the theatrical Sorcerer’s Elixir ($9.90)–also the most instagram-worthy of them all.

It starts as a blue drink, set in a stone dish, surrounded by wispy smoke. Add an orange “potion”, swirl it all together, and it transforms into a deep, glittery purple.

Also on the menu are brunch favourites like the Big Breakkie ($17.90), as well as the Croque Madame ($14.90).

The standout item on the menu, however, would have to be a traditional favourite with a twist: The Ngoh Hiang Burger ($18.90).

This unique burger adds a touch of familiar Singaporean flavour to the otherwise fantasy-like setting.

Expect a tender pork patty marinated in five-spice seasoning, complete with bits of water chestnut, and black garlic sauce that’s made from scratch.

And don’t leave without ordering dessert!

Your best bet here is the French Vanilla Crepe Cake.

The thin pancakes are fluffy, with generous layers of light, airy cream slathered in between. Perfect after a hearty meal.

Next weekend, why not bring your friends and camera here, for the perfect meal and #ootd!

Enchanted Cafe
Address: Rangoon Road, Singapore 218374
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays; Tue: 10am – 10pm; Wed – Thu: 12pm – 10pm; Fri: 11am – 11pm; Sat: 10am – 11pm; Sun: 9am – 8pm
Contact no.: 8813 1086
Facebook

Also read Forget Sugar Glazed, This Cafe Serves Up Savoury Donuts Like ‘Cheeseburger’ And ‘Bacon’ At Only $2.90 A Pop

(Header Image Source:

Ambassador Highlights #10 – Bar Crawls, Yakitori, Fashion Shows And More!

It’s officially the end of May!

Here at DiscoverSG, that means we get to look back on and celebrate all the exciting activities our ambassadors dropped in on this month.

This month’s highlights include plenty of amazing events and yummy eats!

1. Birders

Tras Street never fails to surprise with its string of hip, tasty food spots.

Its newest addition is Birders, a snazzy, modern yakitori bar, for all the Japanese soul food you could ask for.

It’s opened by our very own local celebrity, Adam Chen too!

Our ambassadors, Diana, Shivon and Dawn headed down to see what the hype was all about.

They were treated to a wide selection of yummy yakitori, including the Thigh ($3.50), Breast ($3.50), Tail ($4), Sasami ($4.50), Oyster ($4.50), Tsukune ($4.50), and Skin (S$4).

Dawn’s absolute favourite was their Bourbon infused liver mousse. It was paired with yuzu marmalade for a sweet kick of flavour, and fried mantou for that extra crunch!

Diana loved the spring rolls, as well as the sweet matcha lava cake dessert.

We were also impressed by their selection of imported Sake that even came with a reference index of the drinks’ sweetness and acidity levels.

Birders
Where: 55 Tras Street Singapore 078994
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs: 6pm – 12am; Fri – Sat: 6pm – 1am; Closed on Sunday
Contact no.: 8748 4585

2. Sister Act

If there’s one thing we can’t pass up, it’s a good laugh.

That’s why we were elated to hear that Broadway’s Sister Act had arrived on our shores!

This comedy-musical features a wannabe diva who witnessed a murder, and who then had to be hidden in a convent for protection.

They spent half the time howling with laughter, and the other half in tears over the touching scenes of friendship.

If you love broadway musicals, we hope you didn’t miss this one, which featured music by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken!

Sister Act
Where: MasterCard Theatres At Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956
When: May 9 – May 20; 7.30pm – 10pm
Contact no.: 6688 8868

3. Moxie Fashion Show

Lovers of lace and all things pretty, a new boutique has opened up in town for you!

Moxie is the newest super sophisticated multi-label womenswear boutique at Mandarin Gallery.

Our ambassadors Diana, Jia Min, Shivon, and Vanessa headed down for a fancy private fashion show!

They lived out every girl’s dream of sitting at the front row of a runway, watching models strut their stuff in some gorgeous, immaculate pieces.

What they loved most was that each of them could find an outfit that matched their personal style!

Diana’s favourites out of all the elegant pieces were the dainty, yet eye-catching lace tops, while Vanessa’s was the red off-shoulder lace dress.

Every label featured at Moxie is picked by hand, and every design is personally crafted.

We can’t wait to go back to do some proper shopping here!

Moxie Show
Where: 333A Orchard Road, Mandarin Gallery, #03-23 Singapore 238897
Open: 11am – 9pm daily
Aloha!

There’s a new Hawaiian eatery in town, and it’s serving up the ever delicious and trendy poke bowls.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUg9Ga_hK57/?taken-by=rachaelwong[/embed]

Our ambassadors Nicholas and Rachael had such a healthy and yummy dinner at Alakai.

They quickly felt right at home amidst the “Aloha Spirit” of this comfy restaurant.

[caption id="attachment_26784" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Image Credit: And we attest to this–these poke bowls are as good as they sound. 

The mashed potato with macaroni was a pleasant surprise, while the the coconut and coffee pudding dessert was the perfect sweet ending.

Alakai
Where: 3 Everton Park #01-79 Singapore 080003
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 8:30pm; Sat: 11.30am – 8.30pm; Closed on Sundays
Contact no.: 6904 4957
Facebook

5. Bar Crawl

If you’re wondering what to do this Friday night, we’ve got a suggestion.

Bonappetour has a not-so-secret Bar Crawl that will bring you to hidden top bars on our island!

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUjVx7PBaoU/?taken-by=shivonchua[/embed]

Our ambassadors Clare, Jia Min, Kimberly, Shivon and Stephanie were brought to investigate the unknown nooks of Central Singapore.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUrXsEdAX6-/?taken-by=piinkmasquerade[/embed]

They discovered amazing bars they’ve never been to, like Tiger’s Milk, Native Bar and Operation Dagger!

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUhRR4ZBwu0/?taken-by=kimberleyyong_[/embed]

They got to savour all kinds of unique cocktails, like Tiger Milk’s fruity strawberry-passionfruit cocktail, and Operation Dagger’s toffee apple cocktail.

What excited them the most though, was ANTZ, an exotic cocktail at Native Bar, which comes garnished with actual ants.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUrFFdMgwrb/?taken-by=claregwendolyn[/embed]

Sign up for the bar crawl! Who knows, it might just lead you to discover your new favourite Friday night hideout.

Secret Bars of Singapore
Where: Sssshhh, it’s a secret!
When: 1 June – 28 July; 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Contact no.: 8288 5950
Website

6. Baywatch Preview

We’ve been waiting on our toes for Baywatch to come out in Singapore, just so we can catch Zac Efron in action, in all his shirtless glory.

That’s why we were stoked to be invited to a preview of the movie!

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUosmChBv42/?taken-by=shivonchua[/embed]

Our ambassadors Chelsea, Cheryl, and Shivon got to catch the movie before anyone else!

They spent half the time laughing at all the sassy lines, and the other half bae-watching Zac Efron, we’re sure.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUgm6uxj2gV/?taken-by=cherzinga[/embed]

We think it’s safe to say this was one of the funniest movies they’ve seen this year.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BUgk5E5gRRS/?taken-by=chel.sea.ang[/embed]

Baywatch is now showing in theatres and we suggest you head out and catch it!

7. Sama Curry & Café

We’ve found a great new spot to get our curry fix, and it’s none other than Sama Curry & Café, a popular Hokkaido soup curry shop hailing from Japan!

[caption id="attachment_26787" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: We sent our ambassadors Joey, Nicholas and Vanessa down to try it out, and boy was it delicious.

[caption id="attachment_26788" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Next, they picked a level of spiciness from the cute categories of “Baby Bear”, “Adult Bear” and “Crazy Bear”.

Choose between 0 to 30 to make sure you get the exact level of spiciness you desire.

[caption id="attachment_26790" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image Credit: OUE Downtown 2 Gallery, 6 Shenton Way #03-26 Singapore 068809
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 9.00pm
Contact no.: 6224 0590
10 ‘Die Die Must Try’ Events And Eats To Rev Up Your First Half Of June [1-15 June]