Tea Break at Baba Chews Bar and Eatery @ East Coast

Address: 86 East Coast Road #01-01, Katong Square, Singapore 428788

Tel: 6723 2025

Website: https://babachews.com.sg/

Operation Hours

Daily 6.30am to 10.30pm

Baba Chews Bar & Eatery pay tribute to Mr. Chew Joo Chiat, in this beautiful heritage-rich neighbourhood. They serve up Peranakan, Malacca and Western dishes and drinks. The interior is intricately beautiful, and service is quite heartwarming.

I was here on a Sunday afternoon after a work event. To be frank, quite surprised by the lack of customers / diners here as most other cafes in the Katong / Joo Chiat stretch are crowded. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the quietness.

Started with a hot pot of Honey Lemon Tea (SGD$5.00); the cup was vintage-Asian style, almost transporting me back in time.

I also had a glass of Pinot Grigio (SGD$15.00). They have quite a good selection of wine, and also cocktails.

As I'd taken brunch and would be taking dinner soon, I settled for just a slice of cake. I had wanted to try the exotic sounding Butterfly Blue Pea Osmanthus Chocolate Cake (SGD$12.00) but to my disappointment,  it wasn't available. 

So I settled for the Ondeh Ondeh Cake (SGD$12.00) - soft layers of aromatic, pandan kaya cake with gula melaka, and topped with hardened coconut cream (so it was lovely, like icing on the cake literally) and coconut shavings.  While it made for a lovely sweet treat, I liked that it wasn't cloyingly so.

Enjoyed my chilling out experience here alot, and can foresee myself coming back for lunch and drinks someday soon again.

Now, moving on, if you like Baba Chews Bar & Eatery, and this gorgeous neighborhood filled with cafes, restaurants and close to the sea, let's see what NEW LAUNCHES / PROJECTS are here so you can make this your homegrounds:

• Amber Park - an iconic development with 592 units in total, currently left with last 8 units of 5-bedroom apartments. This is a freehold project by CDL. Expected T.O.P. in mid 2023 so you can move in soon.

• The Line @ Tanjong Rhu - another eye catching development you can spot from afar, offering sea views, bay views or greenery views. Also a freehold project, The Line has obtained T.O.P. so you can view actual units and move in soon.

• Liv @ MB --gorgeous project by Bukit Sembawang, at Mountbatten area surrounded by huge landed homes. Thoughtful designs and gorgeous landscaping made this project so popular; there's only 14% left so don't miss your chance to grab it. Expected T.O.P. in 2024.

• Meyer Mansion - needs no introduction! A luxurious condo by Guocoland with just 200 exclusive units and breathtaking landscaping. Whether you get the sea viewed units, the pool view units or the landed facing units- there's a good view for every unit. Freehold, and expected T.O.P. to be in mid-2024. Nicely coinciding with the opening up of Katong Park MRT near it.

• Tembusu Grand is a brand new condo with a total of 638 units, developed by CDL and MCL Land. It sits at a prime location near reputable schools, and is close to Tanjong Katong, for ease of finding food and lifestyle needs. Preview of this project starts on 26 March 2023 and you can secure a VVIP pass with me.

• The Continuum @ Thiam Siew - brand nnew condo with 816 units, is freehold, and developed by Hoi Hup & Sunway. Preview of this project starts on 30 March 2023 and you can secure a VVIP pass with me.

• Atlassia @ Joo Chiat area - enjoy freehold residences surrounded by conservation shophouses for maximum heritage charm. Joo Chiat area is vibrant for food, art and lifestyle enjoyment.

• K Suites @ Telok Kurau - tranquil and low density living, freehold, and within 1km to Tao Nan School. There are only 19 exclusive units for this project, with 3 to 5 bedroom types.

Lunch at O'Coffee Club @ Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Revisit)

65 Airport Boulevard, Level 2, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore 819663

Tel: 6585 6369

Website: http://www.ocoffeeclub.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OCoffeeClub.Singapore/app/267091300008193

Recently I was part of the Neuro-Awareness Road show, so I was based at Changi Airport Terminal 3 for 2 days. Where else did I go for my lunch if not my favourite O'Coffee Club?  The decor has also changed - an open concept now with lots of plants, almost botanical-like. Menus have been revamped a little, you can check review here.

Anyway I had their 3-Egg Omelet (SGD$8.90) with Ham & Cheese. One could choose that, or Mushroom & Chicken. The Omelet came with a plain salad and tasted pretty good - the only issue was that I wish they had written there that the Omelet contains onions, as not everyone takes it.

I paired the above with a hot Peppermint Tea (SGD$4.80), with was a pretty good pairing actually, and the minty flavour helped to take away some of the onion taste in my mouth.

The next day, I had one of my favourites all these years - Classic Caesar Salad in Cheese Basket (SGD$14.90), with Smoked Salmon. One could choose Chicken if they don't like Salmon. Ingredients were fresh and the crispy cheese cheese basket was just so good! I could eat this type of salad every day!

I paired this with a glass of Red Wine (SGD$11.00), the only choice available here was the Shiraz Cabernet. I'm not sure why they scrapped my favourite Blackforest Blend from the menu if they could still serve alcoholic drinks.

Anyway overall, not bad dining experience here again. The afternoon crew were really nice - coming around to top up water and asked if everything was good.

Afternoon Tea at That CD Shop Cafe @ Vivocity

1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-43, Vivo City, Singapore 098585

Tel: 6259 3280

Website: http://www.highsociety.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/thatcdshop/about

That CD Shop houses a good assortment of records, audiophiles , and music from jazz to classical to rock and pop, etc. With it, attaches a classy restaurant cafe with elegant Parisian vibes, complete with monochrome tiled floors and stunning chandelier lamps. It is also no surprise that it is tied to the High Society Cafes that I adored (review here).

Currently they have 2 outlets - Vivo City and Wisma Atria.

I love their cafes because of the glamorous vibes and best of all, classy music drifting to my ears from the players. One is prepared to feel as though they are lost in another world, or at least another continent, when they take a seat upon one of these cushy armchairs.

In line with the beautiful settings would be beautiful pastries that look almost too good to be devoured.  I was torn between that shell-like pastry with the blueberries, slices of cakes, or Houjicha Cake; I succumbed to the latter.

Aromatic tea hints in a mochi-like pastry, perfect for an afternoon tea. None of those toothache-inducing sweetness or "trendy" flavours; this one touched on quality and lingering notes that satisfies the palate and makes one feel good eating it.

I want to make this place my favorite hangout,  truly.

Afternoon Tea at Skinny Cakes @ Boon Keng MRT

900 Serangoon Road #B1-02, Boon Keng MRT, Singappre 328260

Tel: 6291 6997

Website: http://skinnycakes.sg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinnycakes.sg/

Talk about hole in the wall cafes, Skinny Cakes Cafe literally fits the bill - a tiny little setup near Exit A of Boon Keng MRT, that may have gone unnoticed save for the wafting of aromas from its pastries. It's so small, it's more of a takeout bakery than a cafe, though there are 2 tables there, and coffee / tea are served.

They have a good selection of pastries from muffins to tarts, cakes and cookies.

The Yogurt Muffins (SGD$2.00 ++ each), are delicious, and contain yogurt so it sounds healthy. They have a slight crunch on the exterior top parts, and then crumbly, moist and soft on the other parts, giving a good mouthfeel with every bite.

The interesting flavours are Blueberry Chia Seed, Earl Grey Almonds, Raspberry, Double Chocolate Chips, and Sea Salt Caramel. Each muffin exudes enough flavour to be distinguished for its uniqueness but is not overpowering.

I love the Atas Blackforest Cake (SGD$7.50) for its quality.  It is undeniably delectable, as it takes 2 days to make! Comprises 64%  Cacao Barry Dark Chocolate mousse, cherry gelee, Kirsch cream, morello cherries, chocolate genoise and dark chocolate crunch, so imagine the punch of this many ingredients upon the palate.

The Japanese Tofu Cheesecake (SGD$5.50) is very light, with gently touch of cream, and a delicate thing of beauty. It is also not too sweet, so this makes it suitable for a wider group of eaters.

Finally, the Lemon Curd Tart (SGD$6.50), charming the palate with its buttery crunchy tart shell and zesty curd centre. This also stole our hearts and was addictive to eat again and again.

Overall, we enjoy the healthy and tasty desserts here at Skinny Cakes; service could be more consistent because sometimes we get the warm cheery greetings and other times, a passive poker face.

Dinner and cake at Drips Bakery Cafe @ Tiong Bahru [takeaway]

82 Tiong Poh Road, #01-05, Singapore 160082 

Tel: 6222 0400 / 9766 8188

Website: https://www.drips.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dripsbakerycafe

Drips Bakery Cafe is a cafe located in Tiong Bahru, and caught my attention when I was searching for Blackforest cake delivery during this stay-home Circuit Breaker period.

Placed an order and my 600grams Blackforest Cake (SGD$50.00) was delivered to my doorstep, with 3 days advance order. Delivery was FOC as I managed to hit the minimum SGD$60.00 order.

Layers of chocolate and cream sponge soaked in Cognac, with hidden branded cherries that added the crunchy juiciness, topped by rich layering of cream, more brandied cherries, and chocolate shavings. Definitely decadant and palatable; strong hints of liqueur so they are generous with it.

The Carbonara (SGD$13.80) was a thing of  beauty; linguine pasta bathed in cream sauce, bacon slices, and topped with golden ebiko that added touches of crunch. Pasta was tasty; appreciated that sauce was served on the side.

Finally, the Chicken Stew (SGD$13.80) with rice and vegetables. The dish was very tasty and chunks of chicken were generous as well; carrots were boiled soft and easy to eat too. I just didn't like that there was a lot of chicken skin in the stew; had to discard them piece by piece.

Overall, enjoyed the items at Drips Bakery Cafe alot and look forward to visiting when Circuit Breaker Phase 2 sets in.

Dinner at Two Bakers Cafe @ Serangoon

9 Teck Chye Terrace, Singapore 545720

Tel: 6241 6393

Website: http://two-bakers.com/teck-chye-terrace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twobakerssingapore/

When Two Bakers Cafe started in Horne Road (Lavender), I visited twice and enjoyed their food and desserts very much. Review can be found here.

We visited the outlet at Serangoon this time round, longish layout and filled with hearty diners.

Drinks were served first,  interesting thirst quenchers such as Sour Plum Smoothie (SGD$9.00) and Iced Lavender Peach (SGD$9.00)

Mon Beau started with a delicious Ribeye Steak Don. Generous serving of marinated rib-eye steak, fresh cucumber slices, daikon radish, and a 62-degree celsius sous vide egg.

I had the Fish Tacos - fried fish with salsa flanked by crispy hard shell tacos.

Moving on to desserts, we had the Yuzu Lemon Tart (SGD$8.50) - yuzu lemon curd, sable tart shell, candied orange peel, dehydrated lemon and chantilly cream. A refreshing zesty dessert.

The "Min Jiang Kueh" Crepe Cake (SGD$8.50) was an interesting creation, turning a hawker pastry into an "atas" version composed of crepe layers, salted caramel chantilly cream, peanut butter and topped with ground roast peanuts.

Next, another rendition of a traditional Peranakan delight transformed into modernity - Ondeh Ondeh (SGD$8.50). This lovely sphere of pandan sponge was filled with gula melaka jelly and covered with dessicated coconut.

Finally, Chocolate Rice Cake (SGD$8.50). The exterior was coated with chocolate rice and appeared deceptively simple, but the interior was packed with goodness - 64% Valhorna chocolate mousse, white chocolate cremeux, cacao nibs and chocolate sponge cake. Rich and fulfilling.

Overall, happy to be back here at Two Bakers Cafe again, albeit a different outlet. Good service, nice ambience and awesome food still prevailed.

Afternoon Tea at Lady M Confections @ Westgate [Takeout]

3 Gateway Drive #02-25 / 26, Westgate, Singapore 608532

Tel: 6250 8993

Website: https://www.ladym.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LadyMSingapore

Lady M Confections hails from New York, serving up freshest and finest confectionery delights French and Japanese pastry precision and methodologies; its signature Mille Crepes Cake feature at least 20 layers of extremely thin handmade crepes layered with delicate pastry cream. I fell in love since my first bite (review here).

Since their flagship branch at Marina Square, Lady M Confections has since expanded to more outlets at Orchard Central, Scotts Square, South Beach and Westgate. I visited the latter outlet - beautifully decorated in white like its other outlets - and decided to get some desserts for one of the weekly family dinners.

The variety of delectable-looking cakes made it difficult to simply choose a couple slices of cakes! Everything looked equally tempting, if not more than the one beside it. There were Strawberry Shortcake, Checkers Cake, Signature Mille Crepe Cake, Marron Mille Crepe Cake, Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake, Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake, Gateau Au Chocolate, Chocolate Eclairs, etc.

In the end, I picked a slice of Signature Mille Crepe Cake (SGD$9.90) and a slice of Chocolate Mille Crepe Cake (SGD$9.90).

The paper-thin layers of crepes melted lusciously in the mouths, sweet but not cloying; the chocolate one was creamier, richer in texture and flavour. Everyone enjoyed the delights, and I hope I had gotten more - but I will be back for sure.

Update: went back for more, at Scotts Square outlet. Paired with Milk Oolong Tea.

My mom and I also visited the Orchard Central outlet, enjoying afternoon tea of Classic Mille Crepe Cake and a rich, decadent Chocolate Tart.