Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar

After a satisfying lunch at Hummerstons, we took a slow walk to Smitten. I've always liked Robertson Quay. I've been there at night mostly and only a couple of times in the day. This time round, the afternoon breeze and tranquility refreshed my love for the place. There were still many people around but somehow, Robertson Quay just seemed more attractive and beautiful that day. So peaceful and serene. And The Star couldn't stop talking about how he wants to stay there next time hahaha.

Smitten, they are indeed daymakers. Well, they definitely made mine.




I like how Smitten looks


The cement tables, lightbulbs, walls and the hanging sacks hints of olden days. Simple yet inviting.




Cute cuppycakes


Macarons from Artisan Sweets








Iced Latte. Their coffee is pretty impressive but as coffee connoisseurs will probably say, good quality coffee is meant to be drank warm. Haha but it was still pretty good. The coffee was really strong and unique.


Hot chocolate! This is definitely one of the better hot chocolate I've tasted so far! The sad thing about it was it wasn't warm enough when it came to me.




Jars that look like flasks used in chemistry labs! Look at that twirly long metal thingy. It's actually a double headed fork and spoon and the wooden carrier is so cute and quirky! We love cute things like that haha.

Smitten does not have main courses or any sort of "proper" food now. They have macarons, cupcakes and cakes to go with your coffee, tea or chocolate. I think it's really impressive for them to run successfully on just these few items. But again, with such good quality coffee, it's no wonder that they're an attraction. Anyway, they will be launching their food menu soon! Can't wait to go back and try what they have to offer!

I like the feel of the cafe. Pretty chill. Although they do not have many seats indoors, they do have a couple of tables and chairs outdoors. And I feel that the long cement tables kind of makes it difficult for bigger groups to interact. It was okay for us because there were just two of us but if you have a bigger group, there's only one big table that yall can sit around indoors. The outdoor tables are round so they might be more ideal for groups of 3-5.

Anyhows, Smitten is a must to visit if you're a fervent coffee or tea lover!

Smitten yet? 

The Quayside

60 Robertson Quay

#01-11

Love, The Sun

Sun's rating of Smitten : 8/10

Hummerstons

Since we started our food hunt, the sun and i have visited quite a few places and my list of places-to-go has lost its initial novelty and excitement. To freshen up and inject new blood to my list, i researched and added around 15 new places one fine night. I must say i'm really impressed at singapore's food scene. There are constantly new and interesting places popping up that boast both good atmosphere and good food. I've dug through links after links and webpages after webpages and i'm sure that that is only the tip of the iceberg i have scraped. So our food hunt journey must continue to discover more!

school has started for us (actually its just me , cos the sun doesn't go for her class) and we havent really had the chance to visit any where new and exciting in recent times. So i was really looking forward to the new brunch place that we were going that day. Hummerstons! Upon seeing the interior through photos online, i knew the sun is going to like this place.

Hummerstons is a relatively new restaurant opened by the ex-executive chef of P.s. cafe. It is tucked in a quiet corner on the 2nd level of robertson walk. I like the tranquil and quaint feeling that the area gives. So near the city and yet excluded from all the bustling commotion.

the centre piece of the restaurant, the bar.

the interior is well designed and warm yellow lights set the tone for the entire restaurant. It was really pretty on the inside with re-upholstered chairs and table imported from bali and texturised white bricked walls.

eggs benedict

hummerstons breakfast

The eggs benedict and the hummerstons breakfast were decent. Not too bad but nothing fantastic as well. Have to say their poached eggs were alittle over cooked for my liking. But in such a nice place, we weren't too concerned by the food and were busy snapping photos and soaking up the atmosphere.

cute gardening pail acting as cutlery holder

main dining area

coffee tables and chairs

when we were there, there were a couple of people sipping their coffee and nibbling on cakes whilst reading a book. The coffee tables and chairs there were perfect for some afternoon reading, but sadly both the sun and i arent avid bookworms.

hummerstons' menu

Hummerstons is one of the nicest place around for a weekend brunch. The food is decent, the place is beautiful, the price is not overly expensive and location is good. Best of all it is not crowded which is one of my criteria for having a good lovely saturday brunch. We were there for brunch but apparently their dinner menu is their specialty and they have pretty good desserts. I supposed the place would be even lovelier after dusk.

The Hummerstons

11 unity street, Robertson Walk

#02-14

Tue - Fri: 12nn - 12am
Sat - Sun: 10am - 12am

★ ★ rating of the place: 9/10

★ ★ rating of the food: 7.5/10

love,

★ ★

Pique Nique

It was a Saturday afternoon and The Star dragged me out for brunch at 12. That's really early for a Saturday. As usual, I was kept in the dark and was totally clueless about where were going. However when we were reaching town, I started guessing and tadah! When I said Pique Nique he was like "... shit" HAHA

Pique Nique is a pretty new restaurant opened by the Sugar Daddy group, which owns Antoinette too. Pique Nique is located in Ngee Ann City or rather, as we all call it, Taka. It's where Macdonalds used to be, beside KFC. You will probably think that the prices will be quite over the top or will probably burn a hole in your pocket but here comes a surprise! The prices are actually pretty decent
















ALL DAY BREAKFAST. I love places that serve all day breakfast


What a cute jar. I wanted to bring it home


Hot chocolate with marshmallow cloud

The chocolate was far too thick and the taste was somewhat strange and after a few sips, I did not feel like drinking it anymore.



As for the marshmallow cloud, I was pretty amused by it! Usually you get those tiny little marshies but here you get one big cloud all to yourself! However the marshmallow wasn't very nice. It was like I could feel the tiny bits of sugar present in the marsh. Pretty bad texture


Classic benedict. I like their plates/bowls.

I like how it looks so simple, really fits the theme of a picnic doesn't it?


The Benedict was okay. Nothing fantastic, just the good ol' benedict.


Philly steak! When I first dug my fork into the egg, I wasn't expecting to see much corned beef actually. However, I was surprised yet again. This wasn't the kind of dish whereby the wrap looks kinda full but its actually quite empty inside. Haha the corned beef and sauteed onions were a really pleasant combo. Together with half an English muffin, Philly Steak is certainly enjoyable and satisfying for brunch!







Iced Cafe Latte


The cute lil cup with sugar syrup. Doesn't look very cute here but it is! Haha





The cakes are all shaped like bars. Probably a trademark that people will remember about Pique-Nique. Oh and they have really intriguing and unique cupcake flavours! I'll love to try them soon!


Look at the cute signs screaming "I am not a macaron" Hahaha super adorable. These are cookies I think

We did not try their desserts even though we had wanted to try their brownie. It was not bad a meal I feel. I like how the waitresses and waiters were all decked in checks! It enhances the picnic feeling somehow haha. And there were cute furniture and decorations. Cute furniture and decorations are definitely plus plus points for the both of us. Overall, quite an enjoyable experience dining here except that I think it'll be better if the wall facing KFC did not have any openings. It seems like the noise from KFC kinda "floats" into Pique Nique through those openings. And also, they seem to be pretty short of staff and you might have to wait for awhile to get your orders taken.

Recommended if you're looking for a decent brunch and laidback feel that won't cost you a bomb in town.


Ngee Ann City/ Taka
Basement 1, Beside KFC

Love, The Sun

The Sun's rating of Pique Nique : 7.5/10

Bonheur Patisserie

Bonheur patisserie is a relatively new patisserie that popped up in the desserts paradise which is the Duxton, Tanjong Pagar and Ann Siang area. It officially opened in december 2010 to join a list of patisserie like, Flor patisserie, K-ki , Patisserie Glace and others all within a 5 mins drive from each other. I have been wanting to try it ever since i did my usual food research online and was pretty fascinated by some photos of the cakes that i saw. I guess good photography really help to whet the appetite.

white walls interior

chalkboard menu

The first time we went there was on a sunday and it was closed! Thankfully there was Flor Patisserie nearby and their cakes more than made up for this disappointment! Determined to try bonheur's cakes, we went back once more on a saturday. The Sun and I were there around 8ish on a saturday and as they are closed for business on sundays , there weren't many cakes left to choose from. We ordered the banana pound cake, The Chocolate Cake and the caramel opera.

Layers of Jaconde soaked with strong coffee, equatorial ganache and caramel cream

Caramel opera

The flavours of the cake on the first bite was a tad too strong then it became sweeter then the aftertaste of the caramel came which gave it a good finish. The taste of the cake grew onto me. Unfortunately, the cake was frozen as the staff just took it out from the chiller, hence, it was hard and i couldn't really enjoy the texture of my cake. I believe eating it in its optimal condition would have done the cake more justice.

banana pound cake! it was good. One of the best banana cakes i've eaten so far. enough said.

The chocolate cake

Layers of almond success , valrhona chocolate mousse and crunchy praline

The Sun is pretty particular when it comes to the food she puts in her mouth. Hahaha, so most of the time she will be the one having the good ol' chocolate cake. I like the chocolate mousse. But thats about it. Bonheur's chocolate cake for me is rather ordinary.

I would definitely wanna go back and try more of their cakes. Their dome tiramisu , strawberry balsamic, chocolate earl grey etc etc. Just thinking bout how those cakes will taste is giving me the urge to go there right this very moment. Speaking of which, i haven't had a proper nice cake as dessert in a pretty long time.

(The Sun: The Star forgot to mention that we were given a free slice of cake! I think there was a promotion going on. Buy 3 get 1 free! So we got another banana pound cake and gave it to our friend who liked it alot too. I don't know if the offer is still available but do enquire when you're there!)

70 Duxton road

mon- thurs: 10am - 8pm

fri- sat : 10am - 10pm

★ ★ rating of the cakes: 7/10

love,

★ ★

Ciel Patisserie

The Star and I went to Ciel Patisserie one afternoon after his lesson. We got into a cab at 430 to beat the peak hour traffic and the peak hour taxi surcharge haha. He hadn't heard of Ciel Patisserie before, like DUH. Hahahah (inserts smug face )

Ciel Patisserie is a pretty new dessert place which serves French based desserts. Ciel means heaven in French. The owner of Ciel Patisserie is a young and talented lady who has ventured bravely into opening her own store.





Ciel Patisserie is part of a food stall at the side of Midlink Plaza. To find Ciel, you'll have to find this signboard first





Valrhona tart with caramel


Oreo Cheesecake and is it London Cheesecake or something? Can't remember

There were two valrhona chocolate tarts on display. One with nutella and the other with caramel. I chose the caramel one. When I first tasted the chocolate, it was not bad! The tart was a bit too hard to be broken by the fork. So I had to use my hand. I quite like how the tart breaks and crumbles when I bite into it. It's harder than other tarts I've tasted but somehow the extra crunch was surprisingly delightful. However, the caramel made the tart too sweet and I couldn't finish the tart on my own.

The cheesecakes were pretty normal. For the prices that Ciel offer, I think that their desserts are definitely worth more than what you pay for them. At an extremely affordable price of $3.20, we did not hesitate to get three desserts for the both of us. We are not greedy, just being practical and supportive haha.

Do head on down to support Ciel!


Midlink Plaza (behind Iluma)
122 Middle Road

Opening hours : Monday - Friday
10 am - 6pm

Love, The Sun

Sun's rating of Ciel : 7/10