Cafe Natsu
Just shy of a year since opening their flagship store, Cafe Natsu keeps things fresh with new offerings at both their Joo Chiat and Orchard outlets – featuring timeless Japanese dishes and desserts infused with local flair.
At the 284 Joo Chiat Road outlet, indulge in items such as Matcha Kakigori, which pairs premium Uji Matcha from Japan with seasonal fruits and gula melaka; Souffle Cheesecake, a fluffy delight crafted with silky smooth Japanese tofu; and Zensai dessert, a comforting medley comprising azuki beans, toasted mochi, glutinous rice balls, and sour plum.
Over at Cafe Natsu Orchard (182 Clemenceau Ave), it’s all-day breakfast bliss with new dishes like Eggs Benedict featuring a local twist of five-spiced pork belly, red pepper kinpira, poached eggs, and miso hollandaise. The Umami Breakfast is a treat for the senses, offering a rich and savoury combo of scrambled eggs, XO, mushroom ragu, and furikake.
To complement the fare in both outlets, there’s a thoughtfully curated drinks list, which includes seasonal house-brewed kombuchas, a variety of teas such as matcha, hojicha, and cold brew, as well as an aromatic house blend coffee and refreshing spritzes with flavours like yuzu, umeboshi, and ginger.
Cotelato
From cakes fashioned to look like miniature designer handbags, to creamy gelatos stacked atop fluffy waffles, Cotelato’s dreamy creations are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the palate. Nestled within the leafy enclave of HillV2, the new cafe is the sister concept of SPRUCE, providing a full-on dessert experience to complement SPRUCE’s offerings.
The menu’s three ‘chapters’ are aptly named Frosty, Fiery, and FrostFire to reflect each theme. Frosty’s selection of house-made gelatos feature distinctive flavours that incorporate fruits, flowers, pods, and other botanical components, such as French Vanilla Bean and Hokkaido Chocolate Milk, and Korean Strawberry Cheesecake, as well as more exotic flavours like Mao Shan Wang and Sicilian Pistachio. Fiery sets the stage alight with grand creations, the star item being the Whimsical Carousel, featuring the chef’s selection of tea cakes and petits gateaux served on a rotating merry-go-round, complete with lights and music. Meanwhile, FrostFire marries the best of hot and cold with items like StackOver, triple waffles stacked conically, drizzled with Canadian maple syrup, and served with a side of premium gelato.
To go with the desserts are hand-brewed coffees and artisanal teas. Try the house signature Cotelato Signature Blend, made with Arabica beans from Tanzania and Ethiopia, extracted using a slow-brew technique, or sip on a light and refreshing Passion Oolong with its undertones of passionfruit mingling with fragrant oolong black tea.
PS.Cafe @ Marina Bay Sands
Homegrown brand PS.Cafe adds another feather to its cap with the unveiling of its latest outlet at Marina Bay Sands. Inspired by Parisian cafe culture, the space sports the brand’s signature black and white aesthetic, combined with thoughtful accents of tile, brass, and marble, giving it a grand yet nostalgic vibe. Adjourn to the island platform, which sits within the Canal at the Shoppes, and be whisked away on a romantic dining experience ala the Seine River, as you tuck into scrumptious PS Cafe classics and wile the afternoon away sheltered underneath parasols.
Besides classics such as the Big Breakfast and PS.Burger, some new creations to look forward to include mains like Chicken in a Basket, featuring juicy chicken tenders on a bed of shoestring fries accompanied by tamarind chilli and kaffir lime aioli; and Duck Confit Curry with Crispy Roti where a succulent crispy duck leg and potato cutlets are drenched in a fragrant curry sauce, served with freshly made crispy roti. Reserve weekends for their brunch menu and its smorgasbord of delights, from Salmon Eggs Royale to Butterscotch Pancakes. For desserts, take your pick from the famous Double Chocolate Blackout Cake to the iconic Sticky Date Pudding.
www.pscafe.com/pscafe-marina-bay-sands
Nesuto
Nestled within Jewel Changi Airport, Nesuto’s new outlet takes flight with an array of artisanal Japanese and French-inspired cakes and confectioneries. Step into cosy, inviting interiors designed to mimic the soft edges and curved contours of an egg – with textured wall finishes, copper partitions, and light wood fittings creating an intimate atmosphere that sets the mood for a sweet and indulgent food journey.
Co-founder and executive pastry chef Alicia Wong’s handcrafted creations revolve around the philosophy of using simple, high-quality ingredients. Some unique flavours to try are the Matcha Chestnut, which features a light custard base layered with chestnut mousse, topped with uji matcha chantilly cream and kuromame (sweetened black beans), as well as the Whiskey Chocolate, a medley of chocolate, whiskey, and cinnamon spice.
Also making its debut at the outlet are Nesuto’s new range of chocolate bonbons, the result of two years of extensive research and development. Perfect as a bite-sized treat or as gifts, there are six interesting flavour combinations to choose from, such as Earl Grey & Bergamot, Sesame Rum, Passionfruit & Hazelnut, Raspberry & Lime, Rose & Pistachio, and Smoked Dark Chocolate & Caramel.
Allpress @ 73 Duxton
New Zealand specialty coffee roaster Allpress Espresso’s cafe and retail pop-up at 73 Duxton Road will be open for another couple of months. For now, step into a charming and minimalist space where you can enjoy quintessential brews. Coffee connoisseurs can also look forward to the pour over bar, which features a seasonal single-origin bean. Or order a cup of their signature medium roast blend, choosing from the perfectly balanced Allpress Espresso Blend with its complex combination of caramel, milk chocolate, and dark fruit notes; or the smooth and mellow Browns Mill Organic, which carries a hint of acidity over notes of toffee and juicy citrus.
Complementing the coffee is a menu of savoury bagels, pastries, cakes, and luscious ice creams, thoughtfully crafted for pairing with Allpress beverages. Cool down from the sweltering weather with a refreshing Iced Latte Float, which combines expertly pulled double espresso with chilled fresh milk, topped with a generous dollop of artisanal Allpress Dulcey Latte ice cream. Affogato Sundae ($16) brings together two scoops of vanilla and Allpress Mocha ice cream matched with two robust espresso shots, completed with a freshly baked canelé and delicate crispy almond Florentine.
Text by Eris Choo
