Steamed Bread & Kopi @Lengkok Bahru

With the demise of many old school kopitiams, the lion still manages to get his daily robusta fix albeit in not so "atmospheric" settings. Sometimes, the place does play a part in adding a dash of something unforgettable to the cuppa.

Mellow days at the Lions' favourite kopitiam in Tanglin Halt; now a distant memory :( bye bye sob....

A little bird then pitied the lion and told him to check out her own favourite joint for kopi. Thank you. He almost wept for joy as he sat there nursing a porcelain glass of black gold.

The set-up was reminiscent of the one at Tanglin Halt.

Uncle, kopi tilok jik puay!

Perfectly runny soft-boiled eggs.

Pillowy soft steamed bread with kaya.

Tried the fishball noodles here but this one can't beat the
wanton mee stall manned by a surly auntie at the
now defunct Tanglin Halt kopitiam.

We hear that this kopitiam has illustrious roots that derive from the iconic Tong Ah Coffeeshop at Keong Saik Road. Niceee.

Seng Hong Coffeeshop

Blk 58 Lengkok Bahru

Singapore 150058

Po Po at Sinpopo

Yes, Popo is a nickname for Cuchi, small wonder that she discovered this place along the streets of Joo Chiat. Sinpopo is actually a vintage-inspired coffeeshop that serves up old school delights. Armed with an empty stomach, Cute Cute and Cuchi went down for lunch

Cosy and homely, Sinpopo does bring one back to the 70s and 80s. The feel, the music, the furniture, etc all contribute to its down-to-earth vibe. You will find record covers of 70s singers, an old television set and even old-school  posters.

Looks like Smurfy is having a blast from the past

 

Sinpopo's food menu consists of mainly local hawker food and drinks but do not fret, you will be surprised by the quality of the food there.

Sng Muay Pop
Really unique, the Sng Muay Pop is actually frozen concentrated Sng Muay juice (preserved plum juice) in small ice balls added to 7-up with sliced lime. Cute Cute enjoyed this ice treat on a hot afternoon.

Kopi that was done very well

 

Nasi Lemak
One of Sinpopo's specialty, the rice was fluffy and full of that fragrant lemak taste. The fried chicken wing was old school with a bit of tumeric or curry powder in its slightly spicy marinate. The only downside was that the accompanying homemade chilli was not spicy enough. Other than that, the nasi lemak was yummilicious. 

Kato Rice
Kato Rice is our Singapore's scissor-cut curry rice. Pork chops, curry chicken wings, fried egg, stewed cabbage and curry gravy rice were the items in the scissor curry rice. Verdict? Excellent!

Sago Pudding
The sago pudding was another delight. Not too sweet even with the addictive dose of gula melaka, the sago pudding was worth a try especially when you have eaten this before when you were young.

The Lions enjoyed themselves at Sinpopo reminiscing about the past.

Here is our review for Sinpopo: 

Food Quality: 8.5 pawprints out of 10

Ambience: 7.5 pawprints out of 10

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

Sinpopo

458 Joo Chiat Road

Singapore 427671

Tel No : 6345 5034

The Importance of being Earnest at Pasta J

The two lions decided to pay their good olde friend, Monster Cat, a visit during his birthday month and found him suitably engaged in session of therapeutic face massage. Like a boss indeed.  

Yes, yes, don't miss that spot ... ...

Aaaaaarrr you please me human.

Mmmmmm... ....

Monster Cat was sharing that such an indulgence had become a necessity after long, hard days at work. With rising inflation and slow growth in the Lion City, even a gentleman's cat like Monster Cat takes pleasure in the small things of life that does not cost him an arm and leg.

Wanting to impress the ginger cat who was, by then, feeling a little peckish, the lions told him of a passionate local boy and his unbelievably good and affordable pasta dishes nestled in a humble coffee shop. The pasta served there was no ordinary pasta; it was so fine that it would not be entirely uncomfortable on the tables of uppity restaurants with posh-er than thou addresses.

The lions first came to know about earnest John and his
signature pesto sauce while he was passionately promoting
his stellar creation at a weekend farmers' market.

This pesto sauce is chockful of impressive ingredients like
carapelli extra virgin olive oil, aeroponic basil leaves,
premium parmesan cheese, fresh cang san old garlic and
a host of other secret ingredients. A definite must-grab item
at Pasta J.

Words fail the lions as they tuck into the
Muddy Mushroom Soup ($3.50) served in a cup.
This has gotta be one of the best mushroom soups in town!
Made with pressure-cooked pork bone stock with
cartilage and marrow, this rich and chunky heck of a soup
is of five-star pedigree. Ingredients include white button
mushrooms, caramelised garlic and onions, and home-made
pork sausage meat. 

Seafood Laksa Pasta ($12.90)
came with a generous slab of fresh squid that was toasted
with sea salt and crushed black pepper.
The piquant laksa sauce was not cloying but
had a unique fusion East-meets-West flavour.

The Bourdain ($7.90) is a tribute to the famous food show host
who loves everything porcine.
This dish comes power packed with the umami richness
of bacon, premium cheese, herbs and home-made pork sausage.
John proudly declares that even those who are not too fond of
tomato-based pastas, will love this!

Lemon Yoghurt Chicken  with Spinach Cream Pasta ($11.90).
This comparatively light and satisfying dish came with a
whole leg of chicken cooked
with Greek-style yoghurt, paprika and lemon.
What truly lifts this dish to ecstatic heights is the
little scoop of chopped zesty black olives at the side.

The lions taking a treasured Soooo Pesto! bottle back
for more home-cooked experiments.
Wow this humble little shop sure pays attention to the
littlest details. Eco-friendly corn bag used for
takeaways. Wow!

The lions were too stuffed for words after the meal. No room for desserts :( They would want to try the creamy creme brulee on another visit. John allows his patrons to torch this dish to caramelise the layer of sugar over the custard. Fun!

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

Pasta J Italian & Western Food

Moonstone Coffee House
41 Opal Crescent

Singapore 328428
(for dinner service only. Closed on Saturdays.)
www.pastaj.com