Brunches Cafe @ 96 Rangoon Road

How long has it been since my last visit to a cafe? Far too long, I'd say! Brunches is a quaint cafe and quite the popular one too. We were lucky to be able to snag a table without reservation albeit with the agreement to vacate the table by the next hour. Ok, we could do that.

chalkboard

counter

our seats

Was thinking of having coffee and a bit of everything else that the rest were having.

menu

By a bit, is actually an understatement. Haha! We ended up with two savouries and two sweets! Started off with deep fried mushrooms. Staff asked what sauce we wanted with the mushrooms. That's a good question. I have never thought of which sauce goes well with mushroom....ketchup? Chili or mayo? We had it all. Hahahaa!

mushrooms fritters @$8.90

Butterfly Pea Tea and Cold Brew Tea @$7 and $6.50 respectively

Coffee on the Rock Bailey's flavour @$8.50 

follow the instructions

wait for it

Ivan's drink had a little instruction card, so cute. But it took like forever to melt. I had piccolo.

piccolo @$4.50

Service staff were friendly and the place gave off a homely vibe. Food and drinks were brought out fairly quickly. The mushrooms were pretty good and we enjoyed it.

We had the Big Breakfast to share. Scrambled eggs, sausages, salad, bacon, mushrooms and the works. Can't go wrong with this.

Pimp My Brekkie Big Breakfast @$20.90

For dessert, we had high hopes for Brioche French Toast and while it looked really good, the bread was the weakest link. Not sure why this brioche was so dense and compact. The fruits were nice.

Brioche French Toast @$14.50

Thankfully, we were satisfied with the tiramisu. And, it has those 'soil' that were really popular back then. Hahahaa. I'd recommend the tiramisu. Thumbs up!

tiramisu @$9.50

As it was not time to check-in to the hotel yet, we took a stroll around the area. Look out for the next food hunt around the area in the next post. See you soon!

Brunches Cafe

Address: 96 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218381

Website: http://brunches.sg/

Contact:  8685 8488

Business Hours: 

Mon - Fri: 11am to 10pm

Sat - Sun: 10am to 10pm

Dose Cafe @ 139 Tyrwhitt Road

Been here twice, and this place has a comfortable, homely vibe. Was brought to Dose Cafe by Kris (@msginginly) not too long ago, as a few of us was looking for a coffee place in the vicinity after a heavy brunch.

Dose Cafe offers a quiet cosy sanctuary and serves up quite the perfect cup of mocha, in my humble opinion. It is located at 139 Tyrwhitt Road, opposite of Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee. If you're getting there by taxi/car, and taxi uncle do not know about CSHH then direct uncle to Jalan Besar Stadium as one of the more prominent landmark in that area.

Look out for the Dospa (Dose Vespa=Dospa?), that brown coloured decorative vespa made of rattan that's parked right in front of the cafe. Dospa was easier to spot as its sign at the glass door may not be obvious from a distance.

entrance to Dose Cafe and lookout for the Dospa

There are indoor and outdoor tables, with a combined capacity of about 30 to 40 pax. I'd prefer the air-conditioned cool indoors as opposed to the humid hot outdoors, especially during these recent weeks.

table for two

most often, we seated ourselves at this long table that fits 6 to 8 adults

another vespa spotted in the shop

Every cafe, and every business owners' have their own story to tell. Dose is owned by three siblings and you will likely catch at least one of them at the cafe, everyday except for Tuesdays when the cafe rests. On our visits, we had either Jacky or their Sunday barista (@just_love_coffee)  preparing our coffees. Jacky is one of the siblings who started Dose, and these siblings are doing their part to fulfill their grandfather's dream of owning a business of their own.

signboard handcrafted by the owners' grandfather

Jacky, looking serious while preparing our coffee

On a superbly hot afternoon, I'd prefer an icy cold blast of latte. On cooler days, a cup of orange mocha to tickle the palate.

iced latte @$7++

orange mocha

Am liking the mocha here a tad too much, me thinks. Balance between choco and coffee was good, and that orange mocha is reminiscent of those Van Houten's thin orange chocolate wafers. These things that kids from the 1980s might know. Try the orange mocha at Dose and let me know what you think.

For matcha lovers, you could order the Matcha Latte. And, if you'd like something new, do ask for the Black Latte.  Not too worry, the Black Latte tasted as good as the usual latte, but carries the additional benefits that charcoal gives.

Matcha Latte @$6++

Black Latte @$6++

Feeling a tad peckish? We were and tried the spicy drumlets as snacks. Rather good and served piping hot with thai chili sauce. Yums!

lovely bouquet of hot & spicy drumlets @$9.90++

For something more substantial, we heard that their all-day-breakfast is pretty popular. However, on Wednesdays, they offer Chili Crab Linguine for just $13.90++. If you think that is the best part yet, no. On weekdays lunch hour (and on Wednesdays for a choice of Spicy Chili Crab Linguine), you can order up their combo set lunch for just @$12.90++, and get a drink on the house. Wow!

Chili Crab Linguine @$13.90++

Was hosted to a meal at Dose to try out the Chili Crab Linguine, and while it was not the best that I had, it was good value for money. The pasta was nicely cooked and well-seasoned. Tasty on its own but better when having it with the chili crab sauce. Spice level was comfortable and its heat was not sweat inducingly hot. Plenty of sauce to go with the noodles, and some left to be scooped up by the pumpkin mantous.

nice flavours

For those who has low tolerance towards spices, a glass of iced latte will definitely help to put out the fire. As usual, the chili crab sauce has a sweetish, spicy savoury approach. Shared this with Kris and with the aide of a bowl of those finger-licking good hot & spicy drumlets, we felt quite full by the end of the meal.

help yourself with the water, sauces and paper napkins

Oh, have I mentioned that Dose Cafe has free wifi? No? Now you know. Weather outside too hot and you're nearby? Come in for a short respite. Enjoy a cup coffee and a slice of cake during tea-time (3pm to 5pm daily) for just $10++. The cakes are on display at the counter and depends on what's available for that day.

rainbow cake slice

other cakes

We also spied other table ordering the Wafflelicious Yin-Yang @$14.90++ with 2 scoops of ice-cream. Looked pretty good too. Perhaps, next time.

Overall, Dose Cafe offers a small cosy hideout with free wifi, music and personable service. Decent coffee and must-try mocha, with reasonably priced tasty food.


Expect to spend about $20 per pax for a main course and a drink on weekends.

Good news for my readers. For a time-limited promo, show this "Purple Taste" post to Dose Cafe and get a 10% discount off ala-carte food and drinks (even on weekends!). This promotion is not applicable to any other ongoing promotions in the shop or to combo set meals.

Also, don't forget to try your luck in a store organized contest. Here's a picture of the contest:

more information at Dose Cafe FB page

Peace out and excuse me, while I chill with some reads and a cup of coffee.

browse-a-mag, with a cup of Miloso (Milo and Espresso YuanYang @$6++)

Thank you Jacky for spending time with us and Kris for recommending this potential hangout place.

Dose Cafe on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dose.tyrwhitt
Instagram: @dose_tyrwhitt

 

Real Food 真食 @ Novena Square 2

Located at basement of Novena Square 2, this place is popular as it serves food suitable for vegetarians and vegans in a cafe setting. And, for the record, the food tasted good. Concept is simple: Queue, Order and Pay at the counter. Get a basket containing the cutlery with a number tag and food shall be served to you at your table.

A drink that I quite liked is the Daylesford organic carbonated drink of the Lemon Lime & Bitters flavour. Nice and refreshing.

Daylesford Organic Carbonated Drink - Lemon Lime & Bitters @$5.80

The wait for food, did take a while. But the place had stocked up on magazines and books, so feel free to browse. During the time of visit, saw copies of Monocle magazine too.

dumpling soup (vegan, soy) @$7

The dumpling soup looked good with those plump dumplings and with some leafy vegetables for a dose of green. Ingredients included tofu, mushrooms, carrots, french beans and chestnuts.

Mine was from the All-Day-Breakfast menu; the Rise-n-Shine Breakfast. It has a side of potato salad, lots of salad leaves, sauteed mushrooms and two sunny-side up eggs buried underneath the greens, and half a grilled tomato, served with bread. What a lovely warm crusty bread to go with the eggs. Would've been perfect if the eggs were runny.

Rise-n-Shine Breakfast @$9.80

La Ristrettos Specialty Coffee @ Novena

Located at Level 8 of Novena Medical Centre. It's a small cosy place with limited seats. So, go right up to the counter, place your order and pay. Once your drink is ready, you might find the boss serving you your cuppa! =)

menu, on paper and on board

view from the garden

words of wisdom, while waiting for coffee & food

Tried their macchiato lungo. Espresso stained with double milk.  Thick and strong. Fire red tiny cup, I like.

macchiato lungo @$4

Also tried the Florentine Croissant. Basically a large croissant with scrambled eggs, cheese and wilted spinach, served with a side of greens, cherry tomatoes and a dash of balsamic.

Florentine Croissant @$10

creamy, moist, yummy eggs

For the works, one might want to get the Grande. Scrambled or poached eggs? You have a choice.

Grande breakfast @$14

Cafe Melba @ Goodman Arts Centre

Located at 90 Goodman Road, within the Goodman Arts Centre compound.

cafe front

Seated at its alfresco area, and there was plenty of sunlight, right up till 730pm.

outdoor seats

view from our table

The food menu is somewhat limited in choices.

food menu

Iced-water is served here.

iced water bottle, cool relief on hot sunny day

Started off with nibbles, ordered the Truffle Fries (@$13++). Just a small bucket, but it sure was addictive, and goes so well with ketchup!

small bucket of truffle fries

Since we're in a group of 5, we ordered food that's easier to share, and one of them would be Parma Ham and Rocket Pizza (12 inch).

12 inch - Parma Ham and Rocket pizza (@$22++)

Pizza was thin crust and tasted good with parma ham and rocket leaves.

Next, Crayfish pasta. Best eaten hot. Linguini was tasty, and liked the abundance of rocket here. The roasted peppers gave this dish good flavours and some sweetness.

Crayfish Linguini (@$26++)

Melba Breakfast (@$24++)

Should've changed out the bacon. If you like non-crispy bacon, then you'll like the version here. Liked the crisp homemade toasted bread though and the sauteed mushroom was good. Mushrooms received much love from everyone in the group! The rest of the stuffs on the plate was pretty ordinary.

Chicken Parmigiana, served with potato wedges

The Chicken Parmigiana (@$24++) was a late entry to our dinner. Two still has space in their stomachs hence this item from the menu, made it to our table. Likeable and best eaten while its hot. Enjoyed the tender chicken breast that's made flavourful by the tomato chutney and mozarella cheese. The balsamic on the salad was sweet and tangy. Yum.

One thing about Cafe Melba, is that it doesn't have beer on tap. So we opted for wine instead. Must commend the friend who chose this. Villa Maria Estate is New Zealand's most awarded winery.

Villa Maria (@$60++) New Zealand wine

Villa Maria white wine

Also tried the Sileni, which is a Pinot Gris from Nautilus Estate, Malborough New Zealand. All that we've chosen, we liked. Sweet, light, fruitty and very easy to drink.

There is a Standard Chartered credit card promo where diners get 15% off on food menu with min. spend of $50. No discount on truffle fries though (maybe because it's not main course?) and drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol).

Expect to spend around $50~$80 per pax, for food and drinks.