My Big Breakfast Club ($18 nett) took a while to be served, but thankfully I had my coffee (double shot as a default) to keep me happy.
Big Breakfast Club with Soft Boiled Eggs & Mushrooms
Wasn’t feeling a scramble or sunny-side up, so soft boiled it was for me. These are basically hard boiled eggs with a runny yolk, which is how I usually cook them on my own as snack prep. On a brunch platter, though, I wish they had poached eggs (my favourite) as an option..
Mushrooms were my choice of “meat” (for lack of a better word) – as opposed to smoked salmon, ham or bacon. These were plentiful, juicy, & appreciated. Great toasting technique on the sourdough toast as well – crispy but not hard. The spicy baked beans didn’t actually feel spicy to me, but lent good flavour to the platter. Was glad to get my veggies in with the halloumi side salad, although the cheese didn’t do much for me & I honestly would’ve been okay without it.
In all, a nice brunch platter that piqued my curiosity. I would love to try their other brunch, pasta, & bagels on the menu. Especially since The Food Peeps Coffee & Deli is such a nice (albeit small) place to chill at. I can totally see myself spending a nice afternoon here relaxing.
💳 Accepts credit cards 💵 Cash accepted 📱 GrabPay accepted 🌬 Indoor seats available ☀ Outdoor seats available 💦 Water is not chargeable 🚫 No GST or service charge
Got the Beef Banh Mi ($5.50 nett) from Banh Mi Thit’s takeout outlet at Tampines – whoa, it’s shiok & flavourful. Option to have/omit chilli – I said yes & the chilli padi slices packed a nice oomph to some of the bites.
Beef Banh Mi
The baguette is so crispy & easy to chow down on. I hate it when bread is tough & my teeth feel like they’re about to dislodge from my gums. This was anything but that. Very satisfied.
Admittedly, with my big appetite, this alone wasn’t sufficient to fill me up. But dang, I’m glad I made the trip here because it was delicious. Should’ve bought 2x Banh Mis – maybe a pork one too.
Half-finished (oops) Iced Vietnamese Coffee
Added on an Iced Vietnamese Coffee (U.P. $1.80 nett) for only $1 nett because their set meal (1x Banh Mi + 1x Drink) is only $6.50 nett. Ah, my guilty pleasure. Sweet stuff for a Kosong-drinker, but the Taste of Coffee that packs a punch is smth I needed to start my weekend right. ❤️
Banh Mi Thit’s takeaway outlet at Tampines
💵 Cash payment 📱 PayNow also accepted 🪑 No seats; takeaways only 🚫 No GST or service charge
Comparing against previous reviews – looks like Gather has upped the price of the Off the Bone Galette ($18++). It had good texture, but the flavours were just ordinary. A bit too salty for me. I wasn’t expecting too much from ham, gruyere, cheddar & egg though, tbh.
White Coffee, 5oz ($5++) was weak & it felt like I was drinking milk. Wouldn’t recommend…
On the brighter side, service here was very attentive & the staff always made sure my glass of water was topped up & full.
In all, this felt like an overpriced tea time snack… Glad I tried it once, but unfortunately I personally wouldn’t return for more.
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 📱 Accepts GrabPay 🔊 Acoustics indoors are very echo-ey 📶 No free WiFi 💦 Water is not chargeable
Seng Coffee Bar – another cafe whose interior decor I really like! Am plugged in to their WiFi & streaming my Spotify playlist with earphones on – for some much-needed me time. & I do feel quite relaxed. 😁
Crabmeat Egg Benedict
I ordered the Crabmeat Egg Benedict ($18+), as I was craving something brunchy & unique. It’s conceptually appealing, but I felt there was something missing from this. Would’ve liked more dimension to the flavours.. Some form of heat or acidity would be welcomed. Maybe some cherry tomatoes or a dash of cayenne pepper?
Hot White Coffee
The Hot White Coffee ($5+) was goooood, though. Would return to have a cup of coffee & try the other food items on their menu. I have my eye on the salted egg chicken burger (yes they have lunch mains too)!
💳 Accepts credit cards 📱 Accepts GrabPay 🌬 Air-conditioned seats available ☀ Al fresco seats available 📶 Free WiFi 🙋🏻♀️ Service charge applicable 🚫 No GST 💦 Water is not chargeable
Sarnies’ coffee beans are going at an awesome 1-for-1 ’til 1st June 2020! Simply walk in to their store along Telok Ayer street to purchase, or order online with the promo code WENEEDCOFFEE.
Coffee beans & a nice note from Sarnies
I got the Meerkat blend, described as: whiffs of sweetness when freshly ground; a chocolate & nutty aroma, followed by a smooth lingering toasty aftertaste. Bought a bag for me, & a bag to give away (since I can’t finish 2 bags that quickly). You can opt for various grind sizes: Whole bean/espresso/filter/french press.
There was a bit of communication breakdown regarding what I wanted – I walked in asking for a coarse grind, & they kindly ground the beans on the spot for me 👍🏻 But I realized when I reached home that they’d given me an espresso grind.
It’s not easy to communicate & confirm details through a mask, I guess.. So next time I think I’ll write my order down or place it online for self collection. The benefit of walking in-store is that you get Shopback GO cashback, so that’s my preference 😁
Besides selling coffee beans, Sarnies also sells breakfast/brunch/lunch grub! With the promo code HELLO10, you get a nice 10% off your online order. I placed mine a day in advance & paid up using PayPal after details were WhatsApped to me. Other payment options: iBanking/PayNow. Whatever method you use, payment must be done before your order is confirmed.
Yummy Quinoa Salad
Their Quinoa Salad ($15.50 nett) looks like health, tastes like DELICIOUS health. You’ve got feta, olives, pomegranate, pistachios – tossed in a bed of spinach & fluffy quinoa with cumin dressing. My mum & I enjoyed this, & we would order this again.
Sarnies’ Brunch Wrap Set – so good
My favourite item from Sarnies’ menu was the Brunch Wrap Set ($13.50 nett) – only available online on weekends & public holidays for brunch. My wrap of choice was the Breakfast Wrap (U.P. $9.50 nett), which is stuffed with eggs, roasted tomatoes & mushrooms.
The description alone reads like a deliciously good idea; biting into it convinced me this was a GREAT idea. Despite a 20-minute drive home, it was still warm, yet not soggy. The eggs were fluffy, mushrooms juicy & earthy, & acidity & slight char of the tomatoes gave life to this wrap. I shared it with my parents, & they were impressed.
The set comes with a drink of choice – any coffee/tea/kombucha. I had a Flat White (U.P. $5 nett), & I honestly don’t need to say anything about their coffee ‘cos I’ve gushed about it so much already. Consistently tasty, strong, & this is why I keep coming back.
Sarnies stash, mm mm yeahhh
💳 Accepts credit cards 🌬 Air-conditioned seats only 🍽 ShopBack GO partner 🙋🏻♀ No service charge 🚫 No GST
Strangers’ Reunion has free delivery for orders >$50, which honestly isn’t too difficult to hit with a couple of dishes. I ordered some of these items while they were on sale, & ended up spending more than double required for free delivery… LOL.
Strangers’ Reunion delivered a feast
Their delivery time slots are in 2-hour brackets; I chose 10AM – 12PM but indicated that I’d prefer as late as possible (“closer to 12PM”) & they actually took note of it.. Very appreciated!
Thanks for taking note of my note
Their Grain Bowl with Seasonal Vegetables caught my eye – with several options available, I went for the Hanger Steak with Chimichurri on a base of Quinoa ($16.00+).
The steak survived the delivery journey well. Even though it wasn’t warm anymore, when I bit into it & decided I didn’t need to heat this up to enjoy it. The hunky pieces of beef were still moist & tender; I wasn’t fighting tooth & nail to bite it into manageable pieces.
Grain Bowl with Seasonal Vegetables – I choose the Hanger Steak with Chimichurri on Quinoa
There was a nice variety of vegetables in the bowl too – various textures & flavours to keep things interesting. The onsen egg being kept separately such that you Add it in just before you eat? Brilliant idea. Mixed it in with the bed of fluffy quinoa & barley tucked right in. Quantity-wise, there were enough grains to pair with all the ingredients; glad they’re not stingy with that.
100% would order this dish again! Undecided if I should stick to this steaky goodie, or choose from their other options:
Grilled Chicken with Citrus Soy
Pan-seared Salmon with Spicy Shoyu
Charred Pork with Hoisin BBQ
Tofu & Tempeh with Ponzu (Vegan; No Egg)
Ps: If quinoa/barley isn’t quite your thing, you can opt for brown rice.
Strange Breakfast
There are many parts to the Strange Breakfast ($20.00+). You can choose eggs done 1 of 3 ways: Scrambled/poached/sunny side up. I chose the former. It had good texture, creamy & not watery or hard despite having roughed out the delivery ride.
However, the taste was WAY off. It was salty beyond belief, & this was unanimous feedback from everyone at the table. I would hope that was a one-off incident & the eggs don’t taste like this for everyone who orders this.
Thankfully, this wasn’t my main dish – if it were, I wouldn’t have eaten any more of the scrambled eggs past the first bite. It was just that salty. It was disappointing especially because it was the most expensive item of the order.
The rest of the brunch was okay – grilled tomato on vine, smashed potatoes, spiced beans, bacon, butcher’s choice sausage, toasted brioche & seasonal salad. The eggs really had potential to be the star of this dish, but I’m a bit afraid to re-order this again.
White Magic coffee is LOVE!
I’ve heard great reviews of White Magic ($6.90+), but even that wasn’t enough to prepare myself for my first sip. Guys, this is freaking amazing. Few other milky coffees can compare to this.
Don’t think that just because it’s “white”, thus it’s gonna be more milky than anything else (although, yes, it has a touch of cream in it)… Um, no.
I took a sip of this before an early morning meeting & this PERKED ME RIGHT UP. The caffeine boost slapped me right in the face. It lifted my mood so amazingly. It is pretty potent & robust. I would order this again in a heartbeat… I think I’m in love. 😍
Unfortunately, this cup of coffee was barely warm when it reached me
In comparison, I’d advise against getting their regular coffee delivered. I had a Coffee: White – Magic/Skinny ($5.50+) delivered, & it was okay… I drank it all, but didn’t impress me as much as the White Magic did. It didn’t have that robustness that I was hoping for in the caffeine department. Perhaps also because it was only lukewarm by the time it reached me.
I mean, it wasn’t terrible, but I’d pay a little bit more & get the White Magic.. Trust me.
It sucks to not be able to chill at a cafe over the weekend to relax & unwind… But during this circuit breaker period, I’ve discovered some pretty delicious food & beverages to keep my tummy happy. &, for some of these, I would like to visit these establishments to dine in, the next time I can. Kins’ Cafe is one of them.
Picking up my order from Kins’ Cafe
They have delivery options, but there was a self pick-up promotion back when I ordered so I went for that. I placed my order via WhatsApp & paid using PayNow. Drove to Bijou Condo where they are located – parking is open to the public. The carpark grace period is 10 mins, which was enough time for me to walk & navigate the elevator to reach the cafe.
Free parking!
When I collected my food, I got a sneak peak of the premises & it looks like a nice space to while my weekend away. I’d probably take the train here – Pasir Panjang MRT is a very short walk away.
Kins’ Cafe looks like a very nice space to chill in
The coffee was full-bodied & impressive; part of the reason why I’d return. I picked the largest size – a 7oz White Coffee ($6). Double shot coffee for the win! (The smaller sizes are, by default, single-shot)
A feast from Kins’ Cafe
The other reason why I’d return: I enjoyed the food that I had. The Tom Yum Pasta ($18) had plenty of fresh seafood ingredients, & the flavours were the right balance of slightly spicy, a little bit sour, & not too salty. I did not try the others – Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Rice Bowl ($20) & Lobster Mac & Cheese ($15) – but received positive feedback about them.
Also, their desserts were bomb. The Kins’ Burnt Cheesecake ($8) was actually the original reason why I placed an order with them. If you’re bringing this home to eat, I suggest putting it in the fridge for a little while to cool down before consuming, for a firmer texture.
This is the first burnt cheesecake I’ve ever tried, so I can’t say it’s the best as I don’t have a basis of comparison. However, I will say this – I enjoyed its light texture, unique (but not offensive, as it is only pleasantly not pungently cheesy) flavour so much that I would want to try other burnt cheesecakes as well.
Oh, & the Carrot Cake with Salted Cream Cheese Frosting ($7.50)? Also pretty good.
Chanced across MJ Coffee Co on an Instagram ad & was curious about this new home-barista coffee option. DM-ed them to order & also let them know approximately what time I’d drive by to pick it up.
PayLah & PayNow are accepted as payment modes, & they currently operate on a pay-as-you-wish basis! I sincerely hope this doesn’t get taken advantage of. (Also worthy to note that until 4th June 2020, 50% of their proceeds go towards a good cause – the Z Initiative campaign that supports the elderly.)
MJ Coffee Co’s Flat White in my trusty Seastainable collapsible cup
They have takeaway cups to serve your drinks in, but I brought my own reusable one & didn’t have to wait long. Not even 5 minutes! My trusty Seastainable cup is large enough to fit a medium-sized portion of bubble tea, so I “squished” it to be shorter for this coffee run. Looks… Funny. But kinda cute.
With the depth of my cup, I didn’t expect much latte art… But the taste. Damn. I licked the top clean.
I was very happy with the Flat White that I ordered. I don’t care so much about latte art (anyway, with such a steep cup is it even possible yo), but taste-wise.. Ooh la la. It’s creamy & toasty nutty, & does not have any lingering acidic aftertaste (acidic taste profiles aren’t to my liking). It was comforting & something I’d return to drink again. This started my weekend on a great note… & yes, I licked all the foam off the lid.
Residents of Hillview Heights condominium are so lucky that this is so accessible to them! But for those who don’t live there & wish to support, don’t worry – detailed (yet simple) instructions will be provided on how to pick up your order before you arrive.
Free the Robot has options for delivery & self pick-ups. You get 15% off online orders (no min. spend) if you opt for self pick-up. It was too good an offer to pass up!
I love the wall art outside Free the Robot
There are a couple of open-air parking lots along Telok Ayer Street. If you’re lucky, you can stop right at the storefront to get your goods. If not, the other lots lining the street are still convenient – just a short, convenient walk away to zip in & out for collection
My first takeaway purchase of coffee & soup
I bought 2 bottles of coffee, good to keep in the fridge for a week:
Robo-one Chilled Vanilla ($14,00+, blue label)
Free the Robot Signature Cold ($14.00+, red label)
Each bottle contains 500ml of coffee & is enough for 3 servings, they say. But I finished half a bottle in one sitting…. Lmaoooo I guess I am a heavy drinker. I kept the other half in my own glass bottle, since they use crown cork bottle caps that aren’t resealable.
Not my first time drinking their coffee – quality is consistent & I will order again. Turns out they also accept returning the empty, washed glass bottles (never hurts to ask if stores do). I did just that when I dropped by to pick up my next order.
Bags of soup
My mum is crazy about their soups, I’ve bought them twice already. They are thicccc & delicious, & “how come i don’t feel thirsty after drinking this ah”.
As I wanted to store them in the fridge for consumption later in the week, I chose the “vacuum pack” option. But if you wanted to have it fresh & hot, just select “hot”. Ordering online with them is pretty intuitive & simple.
Each bag has 350g of soup inside & there are several options – I bought the first 3:
Roasted Tomato Soup ($8+)
Mushroom Medley Soup ($10+)
Broccoli Soup ($8+)
Baby Abalone Chowder ($14+)
Unfortunately the broccoli soup doesn’t qualify for the 15% self pickup discount.. But if the quality of the first 2 soups I’ve tried is anything to go by, I’m not complaining.
Riding on the bubble tea wave/craze, Free the Robot now also offers milk tea or coffee with boba in them. Comes in a plastic bottle with a boba straw (but I rejected the straw as I have my own one at home).
A small bottle of milk tea with boba
Since I was picking up the other items I ordered from them, I thought to add a FTR Original Milk Tea with Boba ($6.00+) to my order, just for fun. It’s somewhat customizable:
Sugar level (0/25/50/100%)
Milk type (full cream milk by default; soy/oat milk additional $1+)
Take note that the 250ml portion is only about half the size of a medium cup at your regular bubble tea places. It isn’t that big! To get the larger (doubled) size of 500ml would set you back an additional $5+.
My thoughts: This is a bit expensive for me for the value & joy it brings to me. I’m not a hardcore bubble tea fan, so I don’t know if you trust my judgement. I would’ve liked the tea taste to be stronger, but I will say that the boba/pearls were sooo good & chewy.
But where are the pearls?
Do check that they remember to put the boba in, btw! They initially forgot & I discovered after I left their store. Looped back & they were super apologetic about it – but ok lah, at least I wasn’t too far away 😂
If you’re picking up your order like I did, try to bring your own bags! Although I must say.. Their cloth bags are pretty cute & aesthetic. Take only what you need – if you’re a repeat customer, I reckon 1 bag is enough so their supplies can go to other customers!
I like their bag! Thanks guys!
I too have one now & will add it to my cloth bag collection. Auntie is like that one, bring cloth bag anywhere & everywhere 😜
💳 Accepts credit cards 🙋🏻♀️ No service charge 🚫 GST chargeable
Sarnies’ coffee always comes up top. They’re popular for a reason; consistent quality, smooth coffee that goes down easily, & every sip makes me happy.
1-for-1 Latte to Go
I redeemed a 1-for-1 coffee deal here thanks to Shopback GO. Pick anything off their extensive coffee menu – I chose a Latte ($5.00). This deal is valid for regular-sized drinks, which is the smallest size, but enough to keep me satisfied.
Even without 1-for-1, I’d pay full price for their coffee as I’ve done all these years. By paying with my Shopback GO linked credit card, I can clock loyalty rewards here each time.. Upon an accumulated spend of $30 (til 30 Jun), I can redeem a free coffee/tea. Can’t wait 😂
Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel with Latte
To make my journey worthwhile (& because I’m a little fatty), I also bought Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagel ($9.50 nett) to go. Bagels generally travel & keep well. Even when biting in at room temperature, it wasn’t stiff or tough. The cream cheese & capers within added creaminess & acidity to this breakfast delight.
Breakfast is available daily 7:30 – 11AM. Sarnies is one of the rare cafés that start their day so early – great for all you early birds who want to catch those worms 🙂
Bring A Clean Container… But Don’t Do This
Pro-tip: Perching your container on the dashboard while you drive home may seem like a good idea to keep your food warm under the sun… But when you make a right turn, your container is gonna slide away & fall to the ground.
Thank God my bagel fit snugly into the container I brought. It emerged from the tumble to the ground unharmed. #saynotobaddriving #strapyourfoodin #seatbeltsplease
💳 Accepts credit cards 🍽 Shopback GO partner 🙋🏻♀️ No service charge 🚫 No GST
Bui Bui Eats 