I love how quaint little eateries such as Carpenter and Cook are popping up all over our island, like hidden gems waiting to be discovered! 🙂
(Spot me in the reflection?)
This is one such cafe that I wish was located nearer to me: Carpenter and Cook is one of the many small eateries that line Lorong Kilat, which is at Upper Bukit Timah. It’s fairly obscure and quite a distance from my home, and getting there is probably gonna be a pain in the ass if you don’t have your own mode of transport ;(
Nonetheless, I was excited to visit this cafe, because I’d heard quite a few friends raving about it! So when it was suggested for a casual lunch meeting, I readily agreed, and immediately tapped on my Comfort Taxi app. HAHAHA. Comfort Taxi to the rescue!
Carpenter and Cook is not just a cafe, but houses both an Artisan Bakery and Vintage Home Store (in their own words). The vintage lovers are probably gonna be running amok with delight in this place, because it’s old-school vintage style from the decor, furniture, display of products, right down to the lovely porcelain tableware!
They have a range of carefully curated vintage furniture, home decor, as well as fresh home-made baked goods and confectionery. Carpenter and Cook also provides dessert tables, styling services, vintage props and decor for weddings, parties, photoshoots and more.. sounds incredible, doesn’t it?
I like how the menu is split into two parts: Hunger, and Thirst! Easy to pick from, and decide what you want, based on your needs.
The display of foods is certainly very enticing, but so are the various knick knacks on display all around the cafe/store, and you know what, most of them are for sale! Ranging from old-school weighing scales, vintage mirrors, old telephones to typewriters. Super cool.
A look at some of the goodies waiting to be ordered! There are different items available everyday, depending on what the cook comes up with 😉 Unfortunately, the selection didn’t seem as varied during my visit, which was a pity! I would have loved to try their other bakes like croissants and other breads.
Three of us got settled down at a table, it’s free seating by the way, so feel free to pick your own table! After which we proceeded to the counter to order our food and drinks.
I’m pretty boring when it comes to tea: I just like English Breakfast tea! Finished two pots of tea all on my own, and my request for a re-fill of hot water was obliged by the staff with no issues. The dainty little teacup sure was a pleasure to sip my hot tea from!
Here I am with a tableful of glorious food 😀
What we ordered: a variety of savory bakes to start off our meal with! Most of them come with accompanying salad! 🙂
The Swirly Brioche $5
Ham, basil and I’m not sure what else: all in a soft bready brioche 🙂 I was pretty amused, because we asked the staff what this brioche contained, and she was like “Ermm… Ham, basil, and… What did you put inside ah today?” to the chef/cook, who had just walked out with another plate of freshly baked goodies! 😀 Which I think makes a refreshing change from the usual eateries with fixed menus/food everyday.
Smashing Savoury Brioche $6.50
Yet another savoury brioche, this one with mushrooms and bacon! I thought that both brioches were okay yummy, but not particularly outstanding. Or maybe I just don’t have a thing for soft savory breads? Nonetheless, I thought they were good, but were incomparable to the quiches, which I really loved!
Cook’s Amazing Quiche $7
We had two of these quiches, one came with spinach and sundried tomatoes, while the other one came with ham and cheese (if i remember rightly). Both were delicious, with buttery and crumbly crusts, and a soft eggy filling! Very smooth, and light at the same time. I’m craving for some right now!
By the way, the portions aren’t too big, which is great, because you’d get to try a greater variety if you share (we ordered 4 items for 3 people), plus it leaves room for dessert!
Spotted these organic sparkling drinks at the counter and we got the Pomegranate & Raspberry, and Elderflower, both tasted deliciously refreshing! I really liked the Elderflower drink, which had a blend of pressed elderflowers and fresh lemon juice in it. It’s my first time trying this drink, so I googled it and found out a little more about them:
Belvoir Fruit Farm Pressés are all made with lots of real fruit juice, blended with sparkling Belvoir spring water. You’ll find no artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners in this or any of our Pressés. Their real taste comes from real fresh ingredients, they’re made from all-natural ingredients and contain nothing artificial so they taste natural, refreshing and delicious: that’s why we say they’re 100% good!
Definitely trying the other flavours next time!
We moved on to the sweets after the savory… Three of us were really excited by all the pretty looking desserts and kind of got carried away with four of them! :X
Passionfruit Meringue Tart $6.50
I had to have this, just cos it looked so cute with its meringue top! And it tasted really good too, the meringue reminded me of soft marshmallows and the passionfruit filling was smooth and rich! I also like how the crust is sort of biscuity and crunchy, it created a nice contrast with the soft tart filling!
Lemon Cream Tart $6.50
The lemon tart was just as good as the passionfruit meringue tart, and the first taste of this made me cringe a little because it really packed a punch on the tastebuds with the strong sour taste of lemon! But shiok 😀 Couldn’t decide if I liked this one better or the passionfruit meringue one better, so do try both! 😛
Chocolate Maldon Sea Salt Caramel Tart $6.50
Another highly recommended sweet is the chocolate caramel tart! You don’t see it in the picture, but it comes with a layer of gooey and delicious caramel under the chocolate ganache, and is pure chocolate heaven!
I didn’t feature the brownie (if you saw it in the photo above) because I felt that it was too dry and was disappointing in comparison to the other desserts. So give the brownie a miss, and make your calories worthwhile with choices like the chocolate caramel tart or passionfruit meringue tart! 🙂
As for the coffee-lovers, I am not personally a coffee person (yes, I prefer my tea!) but my lunch companions ordered cappuccinos and lattes, and said that they were good! 😀 So give it a try and let your tastebuds do the judging!
I had a lovely meal at Carpenter and Cook, and I do wish it was more accessible to me, because I would visit it real often if that were the case! Great place for a tea session with the girlfriends, or just for a laid-back afternoon alone with a good book (and some tea, and a tart… heaven!)
***
Carpenter and Cook
19 Lorong Kilat #01-06
Tel: +65 6463 3648
Opening Hours:
Tue to Fri: 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Sat: 10.00am – 10.00pm
Sun: 10.00am – 7.00pm
(Closed on Mon)
Carpenter and Cook Facebook Page
Carpenter and Cook Website
***
On a side note, how do you like my brows? 😀
The brow-fanatic (that is me) finally went for Brow Resurrection at Browhaus, that I have been wanting to do for some time already! And the results are great! I’d try to see if I can do another post about my experience at Browhaus soon, but because there is a limited time promotion going on, I thought I’d quickly share about it first!
Before and After Brow Resurrection Natural Comparison here!
Quote ‘Yina Goh’ to redeem a Brow Resurrection Natural Trial at $300! (Usual Price $2140)
(Only available at the following outlets: Browhaus Cathay, ION, Katong, Raffles City Basement & Street Level. Valid for new brow resurrection customers til 31 May 2013 only. )
That’s an insanely good deal for the Brow Resurrection Natural Trial, so please grab this opportunity if you’ve been meaning to try the Brow Resurrection Natural, like me! The results are amazing! 🙂
Lastly, I’ve been dressing pretty simple lately, and I love re-working an old piece in a new fashion.. This is my favorite Isabella Maxi Skirt in Black from TheVelvetDolls, worn as a tube midi dress and clinched with a belt 🙂 The floral denim jacket is from Miss Selfridge! 🙂 With Haivanas for dress-down day 😀
TVD’s launching again tonight after a fairly long hiatus, and I’m really excited! Check out TheVelvetDolls Facebook page for more prevvies okay 😀 I adore the skirt, and the dresses, and the blazer, and the bustier top.. In fact I love everything in this collection!
Blessed week ahead to all, and thank you for reading! ❤
xoxo