The west side of Singapore has been getting its fair share of hipster cafe action recently. Taking over from Krave West, FlagWhite opened its doors on Jalan Jurong Kehchil near Beauty World MRT Station to whip up hearty cafe fare and drinks for residents nearby.
Mention the words “airplane food” and neatly organised bentos with bland flavours come to mind. Not at Runway80 though, where the decor is done to mimic a retro-themed runway and the food is plated to whet appetites.
With so much going on during the week, a brief R&R over comfort food and drinks is just what you need to recharge over the weekend. Simple and cozy spots like Rise and Grind Coffee Co at Bukit Timah Plaza do just the trick for a no-frills, early afternoon respite.
Heartland cafes like EStation Cafe in Ang Mo Kio don’t get enough credit. Homely and inviting, places like these combine the convenience of heading down for a bite, with quality food at reasonable prices.
There’s something to be said about cafes that are able to stand the test of time in Singapore’s food scene – and the finicky fads that come and go with initially strong players that turn out to be no more than flashes in a pan.
The name Lots Gourmet might ring a bell with cafe goers of old. Established back in 2009 (way before hipster cafes and indie coffee joints started sprouting across the island), the humble establishment has come a long way from its cozy premises in Upper Changi Road, to its lavish new home at Changi Civil Service Club on Netheravon Road.
While Singapore is certainly no stranger to lobster rolls by now, it can be challenging to find a decent lobster roll without burning the wallet. Enter Lobsters & Ice Cream, an American food kiosk sandwiched between two bustling Chinese eateries on New Bridge Road in Chinatown.
Sometimes you just want to break away from the seemingly endless cycle of food fads and overhyped “Instagram food” and head straight back for the classics, i.e. what works. Other times a little innovation goes a long way in re-inventing a timeless staple.
I have heard good things about Two Men Bagel House since their early days in Tanjong Pagar, but never got around to trying them while I was working in the vicinity. With the start of the new year, though, there was no better time to venture into new food territory than when I was in Novena, where their second store is located.
