The Cafes That Got Away...

On my visits to various cafes, I made some earlier sketches on my Stillman and Birn Delta sketchbook. I was experimenting with colour splashes and ink. Here then, are the cafes that got away...

Windowsill Pies, Horne Road.
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

Windowsill Pies at Horne Road serves an array of dessert pies with a menu that changes on a weekly basis. Its whimsical setting lends itself nicely for a chitchat session with friends over coffee and pies.

Coffee Shot, Lavender Street.
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

Coffee Shot is a peaceful, spacious cafe that is wonderful for quiet gatherings or just for moments of reflection over a cuppa. I enjoy coming in the afternoons alone and just feel the peace and tranquillity away from the city outside...

Tiong Bahru Bakery, Raffles City
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

I love the croissant baked fresh daily at Tiong Bahru Bakery. This outlet at Raffles City is their second one outside of their eponymous and premier location. However, the quality of the baked goods and coffee is just as good although I wouldn't recommend coming in on a weekend. The crowd! Yikes!

Hoshino Coffee, Plaza Singapura
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

I remember Cafe City at Raffles City, inside of the now defunct Sogo Deparment Store. They were the purveyors of good coffee. Ever since they have disappeared (to where?) it is rare to find a decent Japanese coffee house. Hoshino Coffee at Plaza Singapura comes in nicely to fill in the gap that was left. They serve specialty coffees along with typical 'Nipponised' western cafe food. Don't know what that means? Drop by for a visit. You will not be disappointed.

TWG Tea Salon, ION Orchard.
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

The Wellness Group Tea Company, usually shortened to TWG Tea, is a Singapore-based luxury tea company with several tea salons across the world and product distribution in more than 40 countries. It began in 2008 and primarily sells tea and light snacks. Its menu has since expanded to offer full menu and even set meals.

P.S. Cafe, Palais Renaissance
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

I will not be setting foot in this cafe again. While they serve that is passable at best, they do not know how to serve a proper pot of tea: the leaves are left to steep in a pot without any means to remove them to prevent over-steeping. The tea is thus ruined.

What is worse, was the atrocious service. It is understandable that photography is disallowed in an establishment, but no sketching as well? Given that that is a company policy (what's with the preciousness of the interior?), one could politely remind the paying customer to refrain from graphically recording the space. However, I was simply and rudely told off to "obtain pictures from the website".

They can keep their precious interiors. My friends and I are never coming back.

Cafe Gavroche, Tras Street
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta Hardbound

This place is truly le petit Parisienne! The ambience is fantastique and the food, magnifique! Hanging out here is like a being transported to a cafe or bistro in gay Paree!

I was there with a couple of friends for dinner: do go as a party of four and order platter to share. It comes with a range of cured meats and stews and an array of breads and pickles all to be washed down with a bottle of beautiful rosé... aah... c'est la vie, c'est bon, c'est beau!