Nylon Coffee Roasters

Cuchi read about this coffee outpost which is located in the heartlands of Everton Park. Cute Cute recalled that the shops located around that part of Everton Park has low ceilings... so he wondered how a coffee joint would look there. With Cuchi on his back, they flew down to this little hole in the hole called Nylon Coffee.

Very simple and small, Nylon coffee is a definite hole in the wall where you go in, order your coffee and run with it. There are a few seats available but the lions rather stand with their coffee in hand. Cuchi and Cute Cute both got their usual... Cute Cute got his El Salvador thru a clever dripper and Cuchi got a latte. Do note that Nylon does not have mocha but they have the usual milk base coffee, expresso and single origin.

The coffees come in ounces, 3, 5 and 7 ounces if Cute Cute remembered correctly. The El Salvador single origin was smooth and medium bodied. The lions spotted a roaster at the back and knew straightaway that Nylon doubles as a commercial roaster. The latte was rather average for a boutique coffee joint, not too bad but not great.

Nylon coffee is generally a take away coffee joint and it also has its own little retail shop selling their beans for those who have a machine at home. 

Here is our review for Nylon Coffee

 

Coffee quality: 7.5 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 6.5 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: Single Origin

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

Nylon Coffee Roasters

4 Everton Park

#01-40

Singapore 080004

http://nyloncoffee.sg

Geisha Specialty Coffee

You must be thinking why the lions did not think of a quirky title for this blog post.... Well the lions felt that the coffee in there is complex that the blog post title has to be simple.... Anyways, Cute Cute stumbled upon Geisha Specialty Coffee last year when he was exploring Selegie area with Cuchi. From the outside, Geisha Specialty Coffee looks like one of those out of the mill coffee joints but ignore the settings and go in to experience a world of exotic coffee.

Not much to look at but on a closer look, Cute Cute noticed that Geisha Coffee carries a number of unique coffee making products like the French Press, filters, etc etc. But what amazed Cute Cute even more was the barista himself, Wang Tao. Both having a passion for coffee, Geisha Coffee is opened and run by Wang Tao and his wife Elsie. The coffee knowledge that Wang Tao possessed was very in depth and Cute Cute spent a lot of time learning what he can from the master.

Cuchi also noticed that the coffee beans he carries (and roast himself) are very unique. You can get Jamaican blue mountain and Elise Blue (from St Helena island when in season) from here!

Of course while the lions were there, they had to try the coffee. Cute Cute took a Yirgacheffe and Cuchi took a Kenya AA. Both coffees were smooth. The Yirgacheffe had a nice body to it couple with a tinge of acidity at the end. The Kenya AA was also another class of it own. A straight forward coffee that taste so good. Before this, the lions had tried a number of other single origin coffees like the Panama Geisha and Jamaican Blue Mountain, etc etc and they were all good. Wang Tao is a coffee connoisseur and he would recommend coffee according to your taste.

Ice Coffee

 

Geisha also has their own blend for expresso and Wang Tao was kind enough to let Cute Cute have a taste of his blend. Slightly fruity, full bodied to give you a kick to start your day, Geisha Coffee blend is really a good blend to be used for an expresso or a milk base coffee. 

Geisha Coffee is really good place to learn more about coffee and to try some of the coffees that you would not find in your normal everyday coffee joints. In fact, Geisha can be the start of your coffee learning experience.

Here is our review for Geisha Specialty Coffee

 

Coffee quality: 9.0 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 6.5 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: The coffee, the coffee knowledge from Wang Tao

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

Geisha Specialty Coffee

175 Bencoolen Street

#01-55, Burlington Square

Singapore 189649

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Geisha-Specialty-Coffee/138410976234053

Coffee, the new Black Gold

While walking through some of the old flats in Tanjong Pagar area, Cute Cute and Cuchi were drawn to some of the new shops that were opened in this fast upcoming indie area. One of the eateries that beckoned to them (literally) was Black Gold....

Black Gold, a casual French dining cafe, is located at the first floor of one of the few HDB flats in Tanjong Pagar. Don't let the exterior cloud your mind though. One may write it off initially but on closer look, it has quite a good value set lunch plus their own Black Gold coffee! Of course, it was the coffee part that drawn Cute Cute in.

Black Gold's own roasting machine

So Cute Cute and Cuchi went about and ordered a weekday set lunch which included a cup of their Black Gold 'Kopi'.

Beef Soup and Mushroom Soup
First up was the 2 soups that the Lions ordered. The beef soup reminded Cute Cute of the taste of Bovril. Very savoury and thick, it was like a beef consummate. The mushroom soup was pretty average though. Your usual fare. 

Stewed Chicken Leg (Coq Au Vin)
Cuchi ordered this and she was surprised that french fries were given. Thought normally for Coq Au Vin, boiled vegetables or salad would be the usual side dishes. Anyways, Cuchi felt that the chicken leg was a bit bland. Tender but a bit lacking in the taste department....

Pan Fried Beef Steak
The steak came in slightly better. It was done medium rare and was tender. The brown sauce that came with it was a bit too salty. Overall it was rather average.

Chocolate Molten Cake with Ice Cream and Lavender Sauce
Surprisingly this was the only item that the Lions found to be better than average. Nice and warm in the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. The ice cream also compliment well with the cake.

Black Gold Coffee
Apart from the nice looking cup with thick walls.... the coffee was pretty average.

Overall, the Lions felt that Black Gold's food was kinda of average but should you want to have a nice place to sit down and fellowship with your friends over food, it's a nice place around Tanjong Pagar area. Other than that, the food needs more improvement.

Here is our review for Black Gold

 

Coffee quality: 6 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: 5.5 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 6 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: The cheap set lunches

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

Black Gold

7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza

#01-104B

Singapore 081007

Tel: 6226 0726

Pigeon Holed!

Cuchi and Cute Cute were always on the look out for chill out spots this time, they stumbled upon Pigeon Hole which is located at Duxton area.

Rather visible among the shophouses that lined the Duxton Road, Pigeon Hole is a place that emits a very lazy relaxing feel that you would feel like whiling your time away, forgetting the hustle and bustle of life. Very minimalistic decor and varying kinds of furniture makes this place a haven for artists and creative people.

Pigeon Hole has a limited choice of drinks but it seems to suffice for the crowd at night and during the day. Coffee and such are available and for those at night, choice of alcoholic drinks are given. Well you can do it vice versa should you feel like it.

You try the coffee and I will check out the bags....

Cute Cute, being a coffee lion, went ahead and tried something that he had never seen... The Flat Brown. Interestingly, it is actually a flat white but instead of fresh plain milk being used, chocolate milk is used. The taste of it was familar, a cross of mocha and flat white.

Here is our review for Pigeon Hole

Coffee quality: 6.5 pawprints out of 10

Food quality: (The Lions cannot give a review on this as they only eaten Kettle Chips there)

Ambience: 7 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: The Lazy Ambience

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

Pigeon Hole 

52, 53 Duxton Road

Singapore 089516

Tel: 8123 1607

http://thepigeonhole.com.sg/

Manning the Hunger Fort at The Coastal Settlement

This review is long over due.... Cuchi and Cute Cute has been visiting the Coastal Settlement so many times that it became a usual joint for them and they forgotten to do a review. So this time round, Smurfy and Roary went to check it out and gave their review.

The first things that the 2 lions noticed were the ecletic settings on the outside. Volkwagen beetles, a lush garden filled with old school playground structures and old fairground rides greeted the lions as they made their way into Coastal Settlement.



Hmm... Seems like Smurfy needs a small seat or a potion to make him bigger

As the lions entered the restaurant, they were amazed to find the interior of Coastal Settlement filled with knick knacks. There is a vespa located in the restaurant along with many oddities such as an old radio and vintage BMW. 

After enough gawking, Smurfy and Roary finally got down to ordering the food....

Portobello Fries
Something familar but yet special, the portobello fries are crispy on the outside and so moist and soft on the inside. Coated with a grainy kind batter, the portobello fries does wonders when one first bites it. In addition, a condiment of truffle mayonaise comes with this dish. Smurfy just loved the combination of portobello fries and truffle mayonaise. Double fungi pleasure!

Wagyu Beef Cubes in Salad
Nicely done, the wagyu beef cubes although thick, were very tender and the salad sauce that were drizzled over, complimented both the salad and the wagyu beef cubes. A unique way of serving wagyu beef, it is also a must try.

Prawn Aglio Olio
The lions took the prawn aglio olio to satisfy their carbs craving. The prawn aglio olio was pretty average.

Now Cuchi and Cute Cute also tried a number of items on their menu so here's their review.

Chicken Wings
A must have for any pub/restaurant, the chicken wings were relatively average and rather expensive according the Cute Cute who had this with his pals...

Black Pepper Crab Pasta
Now that was something unique, the black pepper pasta really taste like the usual black pepper that we are all so familar with. Nicely spiced and savory, the black pepper pasta is a recommendation.

Apart from the food, Smurfy and Roary did have fun running all over the place exploring and sniffing around the old school items and structures.

Here is our review for The Coastal Settlement

Food quality: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 9 pawprints out of 10

Specials that you should try: Wagyu Beef Cubes, Portobello Fries, Pizza

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

The Coastal Settlement

200 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508529

Tel:  6475 0200

http://www.thecoastalsettlement.com/ 

Kakis where you can meet your good friends

While flying back to Singapore, Cute Cute spotted a little enclave just off Changi Village. As curious as a kitty, he flew down to check out what’s going on there. Apparently hidden away from the main road is a watering hole called Kakis. 

Feeling bored and wanting to go out with his kakis

Cuchi was extremely excited to find another secluded place and she asked Mr Astro Hair and Ms Penang along. Kakis is very secluded and could be overshadowed by the buzz of Changi Village but if you take a closer look, Kakis is found within this eco garden which sells vertical plants.

The main draw of Kakis is its settings. Greenery, both real and fake, are abundant everywhere. The drinks are also inexpensive making it worthwhile to have a few more drinks. Service staff there are also very warm which makes you feel at home. The Lions were taken good care by Guna who shared a fair bit about himself and surprise surprise, looks like Mr Astro Hair knew Guna for his services too.

Guna would recommend some small bites to accompany your drinks and the Lions ordered chicken wings and bruschetta with spicy tuna and non spicy tuna.

Kakis is just the place if you want to spend the night catching up with friends or even watch soccer. They have a corner for soccer fans. Nice, cosy and quiet, Kakis has a serene feel that would make your visit there pleasant.

Here is our review for Kakis

Food Quality: 6.5 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 8.0 pawprints out of 10 

Specials that you should try: Bruschetta and Wings

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

Kakis

  289 Farnborough Road

Singapore 509747