Another hidden gem in Tiong Bahru

We have always loved the this old housing area in Tiong Bahru - Tiong Poh Road, Eng Hoon Street, Seng Poh Lane, etc. Love the out-of-the-world retro feel and appearance of this estate and the tranquility it gives.

Turns out that there is yet another hidden gem besides Forty Hands. But Forty Hands is not much of a hidden gem anymore, with its growing popularity and stream of customers. When Forty Hands is swamped on weekends, maybe you can try Orange Thimble on Eng Hoon Street.

There are more seatings at the back, really nice and quiet area for a weekend for reading and enjoying a cup of coffee.

They sell Coke and some other soft drinks in the glass bottle form.

Ice cream served in tradtional Chinese bowls and spoons.

Latte served with old school biscuits.

 

The Orange Thimble
56 Eng Hoon Street, 01-68, Singapore, Singapore 160056
Tues / Wed / Thurs / 11am - 9pm
Fri / Sat / 9am- 10.30pm
Sun / 9am-9pm
Mon / off day
Click here for The Orange Thimble site
Click here for The Orange Thimble on facebook

New All-Day Breakfast Choice - 1-Caramel

We used to visit 1-Caramel when it was still at Handy Road because I loved their Strawberry Shortcake (best I ever had so far). 

We learnt that it closed in late April and they were going to shift to Rochester Park, business were to resume on 6 May. I had a strong craving then, and really wanted to go for my Strawberry Shortcake fix so we went in the first week of May.  But we were hit with disappointment, not just with the fact that that they didn't have sliced cake items anymore (no Strawberry Shortcake), plus a few other things well - poor direction to the new shop, etc, basically they didn't seem like they were ready for business and the service staff telling us that they didn't have special coffee drink items and that they couldn't serve us even Iced Latte (but in the end they managed to but from the other Rochester restaurant below) just made it worse. We were told that night that all-day breakfast would be available soon. And we decided to re-visit the place again today, thinking and hoping that they would be ready for business for real. And gladly, they were. :)

The menu made the coffee looked really good.

(Don't you think he looks like the Father Goose in Kungfu Panda? ;D)

 Heehee...

For Her: Cafe Latte at $8+. For Him: Picolo Latte at $8+.

Feedback from Him: The Picolo Latte is like Latte with a stronger coffee taste.

My Big Breakfast Platter at $20+ - the size of the platter shocked me. I doubted my ability to finish it.

Eggs Benedict with Ham at $12+.

A small, cosy place. Can sit about 14 pax.

I am purposedly showing this 'after' picture here. I must say, all the items were goood  - beans, spinach, tomato, potatoes, bacon German sausage! One thing you have to know is, so far everything when I have brunch, I normally don't take the sausages as I don't like them but this one was really good, really. And the fried potato cubes were so tasty. And surprisingly, I didn't finish the scrambled eggs. I actually ordered sunny side ups. So if I had sunnies instead, this breakfast may be the best I ever had. Will definitely go back for the same platter with sunnies.

Slurp. Look at the spread of cakes.

Such a lovely cake!

1-Caramel Dessert Boutique
1 Rochester Park, Level 2, Singapore 139212
Tel: 6774 1302

Opening Hours

For cake collection: 11.30am -9.00pm

For dine in:
Mon-Fri: 1130am – 1030pm
Sat & Sun: 10am -1030pm (Brunch is available till 4pm)

Click here to visit 1-Caramel website

 

It takes two hands to clap, but forty hands for a cuppa

Forty Hands is a new brunch place we found at Yong Siak Street. Interesting and meaningful name to the cafe, where forty hands stand for how many hands coffee beans will pass, from the plants to the cups. And it is nicely tuck in this quaint and uniquely vintage looking neighbourhood.

Forty Hands
Blk 78 Yong Siak St #01-12 
Singapore 163078

Open on Tuesdays and Sundays: 8:30am -6:30pm
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:30am - 10pm
Fridays, Saturdays: 8:30am- 12 midnight
Closed on Mondays
Click here for Forty Hands page on Facebook
Click here for Forty Hands website

Pretty cookie jars at the counter.

Look at the menus!

They have Tau Sar Pau at $2.50 EACH!!!

Saw the boss personally make the coffee at the counter (not this one).

Seemingly simple and cheap decor.

My Big Boy Breakfast at $15.

But the one and only disappointing thing was, they did not serve nice, cold, non-melted butter to go with the bread. Or rather, butter was only given upon request and when given, I only remembered seeing a puddle of fats and I called for the waitress. And to my horror, when I asked her what was the stuff in container, she replied that it was butter, just that it was metled. I was taken aback by her response, and asked for a change. But it was not much better, just not so melted and she actually cut a small slab from this rewrapped piece of butter from their fridge behind the counter. Well, had no choice but to make do with it (but ended up eating plain bread). The photos you see here were actually from our second visit and I still got melted butter FYI.

And his Eggs Benedict at $12.

The hot latte was so smooth and does not have a bitter after taste. Yummy! Hot Latte at $5.

And this's a very cool book store opposite, Books Actually. Which I think they have another outlet at Ann Siang hill. Sells vintage items and rare books.