What's brewing, Broer? Coffee!

It was sometime back when Cuchi spotted an article on Broer's Cafe which is located at Pertain Road. Now the road name sounded very secluded to the lions. Once they checked where is it, they found out that the road is located in the area of Farrer Park. The odd thing is that this place is not located at the shophouses along Jalan Besar but inside one of the small road. Piqued by their curiosity, the lions flew down and searched for this enclave.

It took the lions just a short while to find Broer's Cafe. Located below an apartment and opposite a park, the place where Broer's is nestled at is very unique. You will notice the role of bohemian shophouses which had been converted for housing or office purpose to the right. The 2 owners, Kiat and Han, are very hospitable and always have a tone of friendliness whenever customer comes in.

Beef sourdough sandwich with a side of potato salad

12oz white mocca

White mocca, white chocolate and beef sourdough were ordered. The white mocca was nice and frothy and the consistency of the coffee is very even. The coffee can be tasted along with the white chocolate. The white chocolate was also good, not overly sweet, good for caffeine avoiders. Now the beef sandwich was a blast! The sourdough bread went very well with the beef. Potato salad came as a nice refreshing neutraliser that also fills one's stomach.

Shows how dangerous a coffee addiction can be!

Aftereffect of injecting white mocca into a rooster

Overall, the lions felt very comfortable and relaxed at Broer's Cafe. With a good coffee and tasty sandwiches, nice company from Kiat and Han, the lions will definitely be back.

Here is our review for Broer's Cafe

Coffee quality: 8 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: 8 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 8 pawprints out of 10 (You will like the surroundings of the cafe)

Specials that you should try: White Mocca, Beef sourdough sandwich

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

Broer's Cafe

No 3 Petain Road,

Residences@Somme,

Singapore 208108

(Along Somme Road)

Tel: 6295 5426

http://www.thebroerscafe.sg

ROOMful of Coffee

Last year was a year of first starts for the lions and gourmet coffee was one of the many things that were exposed to them. Room with a View was one of the first boutique coffee joints to be visited by them. The lions still remembered the warm fuzzy feeling when they spent their afternoons and late mornings there sipping on a cup of coffee and eating their sandwiches and cakes there.

Long Black with signature home made biscotti

From humble beginnings, (It was really a small humble place on the 6th floor of an shop house at carpenter street) Room started out as a 2 ladies run joint (plus their aunt who did a lot of baking) with a passion for coffee and photography. Well.... the view in 'Room with a view' referred to the photos hanging on the wall, Cute Cute always thought the view was referring to the 2 ladies, Joanna and Keryl, who were running the place.

Flat white with Lemon cake

Spinach and Tomato Quiche with Mocca

Fast forward to a year and we were surprised to hear that Room with a view will be upgrading to another place. Talk about entrepreneurship! The lions unknowingly crashed into their farewell party at Room in a view and got to know more about the future location. And just like the pumpkin being turned into a royal coach, Room with a view underwent a transformation to become ROOM.Coffee.Bar.

Feeling excited about their new opening, Cute Cute and Cuchi flew helter skelter down to Alexandra Retail Centre where ROOM is located. Spanking new at only 2 days old, the place was packed. Happy to see Joanna and Keryl busy, the lions went ahead with their order. Noticed that the menu increased in its offering as pastas are now available. Unfortunately, the lions were able to only order a flat white and prawn linguine, they forgot to withdraw cash and ROOM does not accept care bears as payment. (Lion has a lot of those). Joanna, who knew the lions, told them not to worry and just order and pay later on.... It was a nice offer where the lions felt warm once again but they decided to just order less instead. Gives them a good opportunity to go back again.

Using expresso cups to get your order number? Unique!

Flat white

Prawn Linguine

The flat white came out wonderful. The consistency of the coffee and milk was very familiar thus knowing that through these 2 months, Joanna still has her way with her coffee. The prawn linguine, a new addition, was a lovely meal on its own. Topped with a generous amount of rocket salad and fresh prawns, it was a very wholesome, hearty dish. Seeing that the girls are extremely busy, the lions decided to make a move and return another day to sample more of their food. Looks like the royal coach is going to stay that way and will not change back.

Here is our review for

Coffee quality: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: 8 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 6.5 pawprints out of 10 (It's located in a shopping mall)

Specials that you should try: Joanna's coffee, prawn linguine, biscotti, their cakes!

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

ROOM Coffee.Bar

460 Alexandra Road

#01-18 Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC)

Tel: 6438 4230

Doubling up with coffee at Dblshots

Rrrrrrrr....... That was not the sound of stomachs growling in the morning. (Though sometimes that sounded like the stomach of Randy,our cat ). It was Cuchi growling about the lack of coffee during the morning. Thank God Cute Cute does not have a lack of places to bring his adventurous wife to. Twirling his tail fast enough to become a helicopter, he brought Cuchi and a friend, Steiffi to this coffee joint in Lavender called Dblshots Cafe. 

A small humble looking joint from the outside, but big on the coffee inside. When the lions were reading the menu just outside the cafe, the barista (Win/Wyn) came out to greet us and welcome us in. The lions sat on seats that are facing the coffee machine, reminds them of sitting on those seats where you face the Japanese chefs while they are cooking. Long black, flat white, jumbo hotdog and cheesy sausage hotdog were brunch for them that day.

A master at work

The long black was nicely bodied and balanced. Can tell that the coffee was pulled well to get that texture. It was an enjoyment drinking that long black! The flat white (double shot) was also good. The milk was frothed to a good consistency which complement the coffee very well to create the perfect flat white. Despite the small little room space for the barista to go about his chores, Win/Wyn did the 2 coffees with relative ease. It's as if he has been doing this for years!

A unique way of toasting bread

Also known for their hot dogs, Dblshots Cafe also have a list of bites to go hand in hand with your coffee. The hot dogs looked simple with just a bun, sausage and sauce on top but they were amazing and value for money too! The home made sauce that went with the hot dog was very tasty. Slightly sweet, with a bbq and zing, the sauce really went well with the salty savory hot dog.

Steiffi, the newest kidten on the coffee blog

Good coffee, good food and value for money, looks like the lions will be coming back for more.

Here is our review for Dblshots Cafe

Price of food and coffee: $3 to 8

Coffee quality: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: 8 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 7 pawprints out of 10 (It's really a small place but they do have alfresco sitting)

Specials that you should try: Their coffees! Jumbo hotdog

If you have a chance to sit at the coffee counter seat, have a look at how Win/Wyn does the coffee. Effortless!

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

Dblshots Cafe

883 North Bridge Road, 

#01-10 SouthBank

Tel: 6453 8851

http://www.dblshots.com/home.html

Cruising Altitude at BlackBird

Sunday brunch, one of the most relaxing space of time, when you have your nice cuppa and breakfast to start off the day and to lounge somewhere. Cuchi happened to read about this New Zealand coffee joint called Blackbird which is located at The Luxe (next to The Cathay). Cute Cute was surprised that a boutique coffee joint is opened at that area as the ambience would be not be relaxing as hordes of shoppers walk pass. Nevertheless, given the curious as a kitty cat spirit, Singa the lion went down for a munch brunch.

As Singa approached the BlackBird apprehensively (He is a shy little cub), he was greeted by the servers and shown to a little cosy corner. A very Australian feel to the place, Blackbird's decor is very much woody with your conventional black counter and tables. Feeling hungry, the cub ordered Eggs Benny (Eggs Benedict), prawn star sandwich, long black and latte.

Oooo mind boggling...

Oooo mind boggling coffees

Coffees came first, the long black was smooth and heavy bodied but it was rather ordinary. The latte turned out to be a disappointment for the milk was too much and there was not much froth in the milk. Both coffees were just average.

Eggs Benny

Prawn Star Sandwich

The Eggs Benny came out well with quite a generous topping of hollandaise sauce on top. Eggs were done well and runny. A good balance of salty, savory with a hint of sourness. The prawn star sandwich was good but the amount of avocado in the sandwich was small. Only the taste of prawns and cucumbers could be tasted.... Where were the avocados?

Ultimately, BlackBird is a nice place to have brunch before the shopper horde comes in. However, the food prices at BlackBird is a little steep with an added 2 pluses behind.... So do come with an expectation to spend more.

Here is our review for BlackBird

Price of food: $10 - 15++

Coffee quality: 6 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: 7.5 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 6 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: Eggs Benny

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

BlackBird

6 Handy Road, 

#01-01A The Luxe, Singapore 229234

Tel: 9185 8116

Philosophy of Cat Socrates

Bras Basah Complex, a place known for the selection of books and other stationery including art items. As usual, Cuchi was shopping for Christmas and CNY items with Cute Cute tagging along to hold her shopping bags. After sometime, Cute Cute wanted a break from the walking and walking and he managed to spot a rather interesting spot!

Filled to the brim with quirky items, Cat Socrates also had a little quiet corner for coffee and other drinks. Happy as he could be, Lion ordered a black coffee and settled on a chair. While waiting for his coffee, Lion enjoyed browsing around the shop and looking at the interesting items on display.

Coffee finally came, it was not too bad given that it's not a coffee joint. But nothing like sipping leisurely on coffee on a rainy day while people watching.

Retro luggage

A window sill in a window sill

Lion was enjoying his cuppa until Cuchi snuck up on him with more shopping bags.... looked like it's back to work....

Our philosophical cat: Butler Cat!

Here is our review for Cat Socrates

Price of drinks: $3 onwards

Coffee quality: 6 pawprints out of 10 (Do bear in mind they are actually more of a gift shop than a cafe)
Ambience: 7 pawprints out of 10

Cat Socrates is not really a cafe but it's still a nice place to hang out in Bras Basah. A great place to shop for gifts and other quirky items to decorate your home too!

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

Cat Socrates

#03-39B Bras Basah Complex,

231 Bain Street, Singapore 180231

Tel: 6333 0870

All American Desserts at Dan Ryan's

Sunday - family time as usual ....  Kermit wanted more as he was let out of his cage (aka the navy) for the weekend.... Craving chocolate, Cuchi decided to bring him to Dan Ryans for desserts.

An all American casual dining joint, Dan Ryan's has been around for years whipping up main courses like steaks, pork chops and other proverbial western dishes. Having an authentic almost cowboy-like Western bar setting with cosy booth seats, we felt like we've stepped into the US. (check out the posters, moosehead and the running toy train model at the bar too!) Cute Cute and Cuchi have been visiting this place more for their desserts especially their molten chocolate cake - arguably the best and biggest in town!

Not wasting time, Kermit did the ordering.... Nachos, Molten Chocolate Cake, Brownie, Chocolate Sundae and beers. Drinking Moosehead beer in front of a moose head was also kinda hilarious.... The Nachos came first and as usual, it did not disappoint at all. A generous amount of ingredients: minced beef, beans and cheese atop a mountain of nachos and topped with a dollop of Guacamole to complete the experience. Chocolate Sundae and Brownie arrived next. One word to describe them.... sinfully rich!

After a short wait, the molten chocolate cake finally made her grand apperance. First thing that must be done is to cut the molten cake deep down, right at the middle to let the hot liquid chocolate flow out. That was the real test of a good molten chocolate cake. It never fails to keep Cuchi in a good mood when eaten.

Hey! Desserts are not just for females only!

Think return visits were in order and the main courses would be tried the next time round.

Here is our review for Dan Ryan's

Price of food: $8 to $15 for desserts

Food quality: 8.5 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: Molten Chocolate Cake, Nachos

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address and website

Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill

91 Tanglin Road,
#B1-01 Tanglin Place,
Singapore 247918

  Tel: 6738 2800

http://www.danryans.com/dans/

Whimbly Whimbly Whimbly Lu!

That sounds like a nursery rhyme doesn't it? Well, it isn't... In fact, it's a new joint for desserts and coffee at Jalan Riang... Jalan Riang, where's that? Tucked away from the main road, Whimbly Lu is located around Bartley area (nearer to NEX). The lions suggested going there for Sunday brunch and desserts. Actually Fat Cat Cafe was supposed to be featured as well but the lions finished the food before any photos could be taken. Optimistic as a smart lion could be, now there is more space for Whimbly Lu's review.

What! We are going to Whimbly Lu??!!

A new kid on the block, Whimbly Lu serves a variety of chocolaty desserts, they also serve brunch items such as eggs benedict and big breakfast. Whimbly Lu exudes a rustic and homely ambience and the glass ceilings gives the place an airy, laid-back vibe.

After admiring the area, the lions got to ordering. Black-out cake, eclairs, chocolate macarons, rocky road, Eton Mess and long black coffee were agreed upon. Surprisingly their coffee was good, very smooth and even-bodied without the strong acidity. Did not expect a dessert place to serve rather good coffee. The rocky road, chocolate macarons and eclairs all exceeded expectations. Full of colourful ingredients, the rocky road is the dessert to start off especially if you love nuts and marshmallows. The cream in the eclairs was light and smooth and on the other side of the spectrum, the chocolate macarons were delightfully chewy and rich. The main star among all was the Eton Mess, which was touted as Prince William's favorite dessert. A strawberry-flavored dessert, it was a nice combination of ice cream and an ample helping of crunchy, sticky meringue. Being dessert lovers, Socks and Mittens seemed to take a liking to that very well....

Signing off the chocolate way

Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum

All in all, it was a sublime experience, whiling your time away drinking a good cuppa and enjoying a menagerie of sweet things.

Here is our review

Coffee quality: 7.5 pawprints out of 10 

Food quality: 8 pawprints out of 10
Ambience: 7 pawprints out of 10 

Specials that you should try: Long black coffee, Eton Mess, Choco Macaron, Rocky Road

For those who are interested in going there, here is the address

Whimbly Lu

15-2 Jalan Riang Singapore 358987

Tel: 62891489