Highlander Coffee, I need ice latte/cappuccino please!

It is really very hot today and I badly need a fika (ice latte/cappuccino please!). Unfortunately, I have no plans of getting out of the house today and hence, quenching the heat with a home-made ice super 3-in-1 coffee and blogging about my visit to Highlander Coffee (which I recall took place on a day like today - HOT!).

Highlander Coffee is at Kampong Bahru, about 2 bus stops from my house. In terms of proximity, I have taken a loooong time to visit it. Sometimes it's funny how we don't really cherish/desire things that are within reach that much :)

The location is charming, given it is nested in a shop house. Quite a few cafes/restaurants have popped up in this area in the last few years.

I ordered a carrot cake to go with the ice latte. Solid and simple, recommended by the service staff when I asked if it is good :) also value for money, compared to a few other cafes I have been to... was a bit surprised when the cake and coffee came in plastic plate/cup - guess no frills so no passing on of 'extra' cost to customers.

 

Not very packed on a weekday. Overheard that they follow working hours and closes at 6pm. Café looks small from outside but is actually quite big because of the length of the shop house (see area behind the ladies?). Reminds me of the story I heard in Malacca about why the shop houses are so long - well, it was said that the local government will only tax for width and not length hence created a loophole for the locals to build longer houses that stretch into backyards :) I love travel stories :)

 

Café décor was very coffee-related. Solid and simple, I say again. Heh.

Coffee machines can be seen all round the café. Heard they conduct lessons too, so do visit their website if your dream is to be a barista or you just want to know more about your favourite drink of the time! :)

 

Was reading a magazine Coffee t&i and this article about how to sustain coffee trend in Singapore caught my eye. I do agree with the article that cafes, coffee roasters and consumers must adopt a genuine and honest approach to it if this is for the long run...Fad or fact is really up to the community.

 

 

Food For Thought@Botanic Gardens

Food for thought: sometimes, the company is more important than the café :P 

For me, the last time this happened was on Good Friday when I met up with KW (+baby) and GT for brunch at Food For Thought at Botanic Gardens. Funny how it was a last minute date - really at the eleventh hour and decided the night before! If not for the fact that I have not seen KW for a while, I will probably not agree to turn up. Haha.

KW suggested meeting at Botanic Gardens so I suggested Food For Thought. I have been wanting to visit the café for a while but laziness emerged victorious over gluttony (haha) - it is a bit out of the way for me as I don't drive and there is no direct bus. There is a branch at the Singapore Art Museum if you want to visit the café in a more centralised location.

I took Bus 132 from Bukit Merah Interchange, dropped at British Embassy and walked about 10 minutes to Tanglin Gate. Really hot day! Phew!

It was really crowded! Lucky KW was there early to get seats :)

G was late as usual ( I was guilty of the same charge that day :P). KW and I decided to get some cold drinks while waiting for her arrival. The poor gal dropped off at the wrong gate and had to take a taxi (again!) to Tanglin Gate. Lesson learnt: if you are taking cab, do ask taxi uncle to drop you at the right gate...

Ice Latte on a hot day! It was OK only. My expectations were higher, perhaps because I have been drinking lots of coffee these days. KW ordered Ice Chocolate but I did not get the chance to ask him if it was good....

 

Knowing G, I also ordered the fries with blue cheese to munch while we waited. Quite yummy! Unfortunately KW's baby also thought so and refused to eat his porridge after seeing this and started making noise. OMG! Had I knew he will be so affected, I would not have ordered it :(

 

And before we knew it, brunch turned to lunch. Was really hungry and ordered the dark chocolate and raspberries pancakes which came with fresh cream and gula melaka syrup. Was ok but too big a portion for me. Thanks for the pancakes treat, GT! :)

KW and GT ordered the basic breakfast set: scrambled eggs, bacon and buttered toast. Can also order the house or full set or add on other items for a price. Poor KW never did get to see his breakfast as he was out pacifying the baby the entire time :P and we got the cafe to pack it for him to bring home. If you are reading this, KW, this was how it looked like. Quite delicious looking :) Bet it would have tasted better if you had it with us :P Till the next time!

 

Food For Thought at Botanic Gardens was ok. Could have been better if it was not so hot and the baby cry not. Well, if you follow some food for thought from the café, it was not too bad: 1) Savour every minute 2) Enjoy every bite 3) Love your family 4) Hug the trees 5) Spread the word.

So savour every minute, enjoy every bite, love your family, hug the trees and spread the word! :)

Kith@Quayside Isle

Yesterday I went to Kith at Quayside Isle and I thought I will blog about it before it gets buried by all things happening in life. Sometimes, I realised its tough to go back in time after a while, much as you want to.

It's my first time to this part of the island and I really like  the laid back feel. For those who don't drive (like me), you can take the Sentosa train at Vivo City to Beach Station and take Bus No. 3 which will take you to Sentosa Cove. Bus comes at every 30 minutes (e.g. 12.00, 12.30...) so that's something to take note if you don't want to wait too long. After you alight, take a short walk through the carpark (you will pass by Cold Storage, Guardian and 7/11) and you will reach Quayside Isle where there is a host of many restaurants.

G'Day from Kith at Quayside Isle! The marina yacht waterfront does remind one of Australia :) Was a rainy day so it's not as sunny and bright. So looking forward to my Sydney trip in a week's time and hoping for good weather :)

Piccolo Latte vs. Flat White. Been a while since I had hot drinks as it has been scorching in Singapore for the last few weeks. I still prefer the Piccolo Latte at Group Therapy :P Somehow it tasted smoother.

My choice of prawn sandwich. Simple and healthy fare. Fresh prawns went well with olive and salad. Just what I needed after a week of feasts!

Big Breakfast my friend I ordered. I sampled and it was nice! Think I will order this the next time I go to Kith :)

Delicious Flourless Chocolate Cake. Definitely tasted better than it looked it this picture :P I had this the first time I visited Kith at Park Mall earlier this year. Also recommended I the Ice Honey Milk Latte which she liked.

Honey Ginger Chai Latte. I asked the service staff if it is nice and the cute young girl replied that it was her 2nd day at work (in true honesty! haha). So I just ordered based on gut feel. Good choice, I say! :)

We stayed for about 4 hours, so that is like a statement of how we enjoyed Kith. Thanks to the rain, it was not very crowded so we did not feel the pressure to vacate after we are done with our main courses. There are magazines and newspaper, and also power points to charge your geeky toys - more reasons to linger! For parents, there were also some big toys lying around to occupy the kids!

Will definitely be visiting Quayside Isle again. Perhaps to celebrate a dear friend's birthday. Hope it will be sunny then (and still not as crowded)! :) And thanks for taking me there, I!