Dear Folks out there !
This is a rare gem of a cafe right in the heart of town. Attached a glimpse of the lovely pictures found on their website. Great work on the photos! This would make a perfect place to your next birthday celebration, linger over breakfast on Sat mornings or just simply chill out with a gossip session cum cake fest on lazy afternoons.
What struck me was not only the homey interior but the warm, friendly service of both the counter & wait staff. No "hoighty-toighty"devil may care attitudes here, just genuine smiles from the heart with each & every recommendation. Talk about making or serving food from the heart ! This place seems to be doing something right for a change.
The cake stands at its shop front and a signboard on the sign saying "support aunty talents" caught my eye one night while i walked past this dreary building with its row of art supplies shops. Its too easy to miss this the shop with the narrow display window .It looks just like a slice of cake if you can imagine the blueprint of the shop's floor plan. One would miss it if the handwritten signboard was not put up outside the shop.
Forget about cold sandwiches or the cream laden soups in Raffles City basement, make room in your stomachs for some wholesome grub at this cosy cafe (for a good cause too! read their home page intro). Perfect alternative to its teenybopper neon colored neighbour in the next street which serves up a menu of "fried what have yous"that are oh so frighteningly artery clogging.
This cafe has been operating away quietly away without much fanfare which was such a pity!!! The all-day-breakfast menu and cake is worth checking out alas they only open from 9am onwards (last order 9pm) and are closed on Sundays. Perfect hangout for students with its friendly cafe prices & perfect grub for ladies who don't have time to lunch. Soups are surprisingly yummy without any addition of cream. Salads are super fresh (house special with the warm corn is just satisfying on a bed of watercress rather than just mixed lettuce) . The ciabatta bread used for the sandwiches are baked fresh daily by the in house chef Mr David Heng himself !!!
The salads are absolutely refreshing. The house special has bits of lemongrass mixed into the warmed up corn & fresh tomato chunks laid on a bed of watercress and romaine lettuce. The chicken caesar is a must try! Oh so tender chunky slices of chicken (moist and not dry at all) ,with a perfectly sliced & a poached egg(with semi-runny yolk) on a bed of romaine lettuce makes for a decent meal at lunch. Regular portions go from $5-10 depending on type of salad and fills up one big plate that will serve 2. So if you are dining alone, order the combo set (1/2 salad + 1/2 soup) for the best of both worlds.
They don't, and I REPEAT, don't! stinge on the ingredients that go into the soup at all & i have witnessed it with my very own eyes on countless visits while sitting at the counter. It's chockful of wholesome ingredients and herbs which give that extra depth and dimension to these soups made from scratch. Often the herbs give a new twist to an otherwise run-of-the-mill flavors.
Shitake mushroom soup is a must try ! Carrot pumpkin soup for that extra bit of sweetness. The garlic and potato chowder is wholesome comfort food without being overpowering - i am a big garlic fan ! The flavours in the soups are wholesome yet subtle. Soups change daily so keep your eyes on the menu board above the counter.
I am so looking forward to devouring the various "aunty's cake offerings". I had the luck of trying out a freshly delivered "durian mousse cake" today (Tuesday). Blissfully light on the palate but packing enough pungent oomph and kick to this local favourite. I was surprised I could still polish off the giant slice clean with a cup of chamomile tea even after a full lunch combo of salad+soup+sandwich.
The "RED VELVET CAKE" uncannily stained a blood red with a secret ingredient caught my eye ! Such a decadent looking cake reminiscent of Victorian opulence. I personally think this would make a great wedding cake the likes of those shown in the Martha Stewart wedding magazines! I overheard one patron guessing "beetroot". My take would be pomegranate. Are we right by any chance? ( i discovered much later it was another ingredient but i shall not tell, just guessing is reason enough to try the cake for yourself right ?
The mango cheesecake is a must try!!!!!!! Fresh mango chunks with the right amount of tart mango pieces to balance the yummy cheese layer and finally the crunchy biscuit base.
The carrot cake is a classic yummy treat. Chocolate Maltese juicy with banana chunks. The old school orange chiffon cake is deceptively simple, beckoning you for that next mouthful with the teeny bits of orange zest inside this fluffy yet deliciously moist concoction.
Take some time out for yourself and chew each mouthful thoughfully over lunch (if alone, the bar counter seats are comfy & laidback, exchange a quick quip ot two with the kitchen/counter staff).
Do share the sandwich sampler platter with a good pal or two. Strictly no complaints about work here please. Don't disturb the peace-loving ambience this cafe has. It does deserve a bigger crowd with the quality of its food and prices. But then again if it was packed to the brim with people, it would lose that nice artsy feel to this quaint little haven.
HAPPY EATING !!! ( check out this place fast before it becomes too overcrowded after word gets round. Saturdays are packed so do call in to reserve a table). Water is self service & pleazzze proceed to order your food from the counter. Some of the proceeds go to the tuition fund managed by the "School of Thought" upstairs helping needy students. I am happy to know that some measure of what I spend here goes to a good cause at the end of the day!
Kudos to the chef - David Heng and the whole kitchen crew, without their tireless dedication and generous spirit we would not have such personable service & lovely, nutritious food on our tables daily. Reservations for groups are recommended ! Great joint to bring your little ones for some wholesome yummy grub on a lazy Sat afternoon too. BON APPETIT !
