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 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.

Afternoon Tea at Geláre @ Suntec City

3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-175 / 176 Suntec City Mall, Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038986

Tel: 6341 9132

Website: http://www.gelare.com.sg

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

Geláre has been a childhood favourite since the school days, us looking forward to every Tuesday when waffles went for 1/2 price.

The good news is that they are still around and going strong after so many years. Better yet, their 1/2 -price waffles promotion has not wavered at all. So, instead of SGD$24.00, each waffle goes for a mere SGD$12.00 with 2 scoops of Gelato and a topping.

The Suntec City Geláre outlet is situated around the fountain, lending a gorgeous view and open-concept. Service was friendly enough, but we felt that the "scan phone to order" then pay at cashier counter scheme was pretty cumbersome. What if I don't own a smartphone?

Anyway we shared a Waffle with rich chocolate sauce on the side. Gelato flavours were White Chocolate Raspberry (lovely, gently tart with chunky chocolate chips) and Blueberry Cheesecake (sweeter, creamier).

Waffle was still crispy on the outside and fluffy within, maintaining its standards all these years. Besides desserts, they also serve savoury mains such as pasta now - so drop by and indulge yourselves today!

Tea Break at Tarte by Cheryl Koh @ Shaw Centre [Revisit]

1 Scotts Road #02-12 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

Tel: 6235 3225

Website: http://www.tarte.com.sg

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

Being a lover of fruit tarts and Tarte's Cherry Tart (review here), I was glad to revisit again, to enjoy some pastries in the afternoon. Tarte by Cheryl Koh has their own shop now, located on level 2 of Shaw Centre.

Location is pretty tricky to find (walk all the way to the end); settings was pretty with fresh flowers, minimalistic with lovely window views. The tarts this afternoon included Dark Chocolate Tart, Passion Fruit Tart, Mango Tart, Lemon Meringue Tart, etc. Each one looked more tempting than the last. There were also some cakes, such as Dark Chocolate Cake, Fraisier and Gateau Opera.

There are also rows of Fruit Jam on sale, sporting an assortment of different flavours. These are not creations by Cheryl Koh, just a disclaimer.

Strawberries Tart (SGD$10.00) had a softer crust, buttery in taste. Fresh and sweet strawberries were sliced and lined the top of the cream-filled tart beautifully.

Mixed Berries Tart (SGD$10.00) had a harder crust, still buttery and lovely, filled with fluffy cream topped with a mound of fresh raspberries and blueberries.

Overall, another delightful teatime experience here, and my friend enjoyed them too. Congratulations Chef Koh on the shop and being named "Best Pastry Chef in Asia". I shall definitely be back for more tarts, checking out new seasonal flavours.

Afternoon Tea at 6oz Espresso Coffee Bar @ Downtown Gallery

6A Shenton Way #01-27 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Tel: 6226 0602

Website: http://www.6oz.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/6oz-Espresso-Bar-175635612495448

Tried 6oz Espresso Bar sometime ago (review here), therefore when I spotted their new outlet at Downtown Gallery, I suggested it for our after-lunch coffee break.

Decor was casual and simple, the counter manned by staff in a cute black latte-art T-shirt. They serve fine artisanal European coffee as well as simple pastries and sandwich items.

Piccolo Latte (SGD$4.00) got served first, a "small but mighty", aromatic cup of energy booster.

Roasted Almond Latte (SGD$5.20) boosted of a lovely nutty note breaking through the taste of milky coffee. Other flavours under this latte category were Salted Caramel, Vanilla and Hazelnut.

Gourmet Tea (SGD$4.40) would be great for anyone who doesn't take coffee. There are many flavours available, such as English Breakfast, Mint, Chamomile and Earl Grey etc.