milesbuffett Senior Member Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Singapore Expertise: I love coffee
Vac Pot: French Press Drip: Japanese Chemex
Posted Sun Aug 17, 2008, 7:52pm Subject: Re: Searching for good espresso in Singapore
I think it's really hard to find people who want to become professional baristas. Working in a cafe is still seen by most as a temp/holiday job. Anyone who wants to start a proper espresso bar will probably find it challenging to hire a professional barista who takes pride in every single shot he makes.
Probably need people to start thinking of barista work as a profession rather than a temp job before espresso standards get better.
Mark_C Senior Member Joined: 4 Jan 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Singapore Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Marzocco GS3 Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly
Posted Sat Aug 23, 2008, 1:50am Subject: Re: Searching for good espresso in Singapore
Hi all,
I haven't been on the forum for a while but, for those who are looking to try Highlander, I wanted to correct an earlier post about its hours of operation. It is in fact open on Saturdays, which is when I always go because it's a bit out of the way for me. I usually end up going every other Saturday to stock up on beans for home and the office.
I have been a bit lazy lately about trying some of the other cafes that CG's have recommended. It's partly because I invested in a good set-up for home and bought a french press and decent grinder for the office, so, with Highlander, haven't felt the same desperation that I had when I arrived in Singapore last year! But I hope that the Singapore CG crowd will keep posting their reviews of cafes worth trying.
SGDupio Junior Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Singapore Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Sep 14, 2008, 8:28pm Subject: Re: Searching for good espresso in Singapore
Hi all,
There are so many mentions of Highlander and I'd finally given it a try. Splendid indeed. I read that they provide consultation services in helping to setup cafes, and am wonder if there's any of their consultation 'spinoffs' that's worth trying? Is there no other than Highlander in Singapore? Are the Highlander folks reading these? If they are, hopefully they can advise...
Tried that, and not really worth the trip for me. The roast's fine, but the issue lies with who's pulling the espresso. The staffs never seems to stay long to see you another day....
Was wandering about in China Square area and stumbled upon this new little place SOOMA Coffeehouse...With a very catchy (for those in the know) GOD - Grind on Demand sign in the window.
They just opened not long ago but seem to be a close knit crew....keeping some in the family and some local boys pulling the shots. A friendly and welcoming place!
Beans are roasted locally by a Micro Roaster but that was all they would divulge (for now) and offer a number of shot options including Lungo and Ristretto that seem to be very absent in most so called Espresso bars around town.
Just a small 2 head Erocia and a La Scala grinder with the hopper sparsely loaded and doser kept purposefully empty... Just the way it should be 8-)
Open 730 - 1900 M-F and sometimes Saturday...#01-04 3 Pickering St (behind Hans in Nankin Row)
The website needs a bit more detail... well a lot more really, but Angela assured me its coming with online ordering too! http://www.soomacoffeehouse.com/
Nice funky atmosphere with a more chill rear area and up front tall stools and tables for a more transitory cuppa. Nice tunes but no wireless...but the will lend you a USB wireless GSM/CDMA modem...not much use if you have a mac...but I'm a PC guy - anyway I had my own the offer was appreciated...No wireless@sg signal at least not in the back area.
I won't rate the coffee as its a very personal taste and would like everyone to come and try for yourselves, other than to say I cant think of anywhere else in the CBD that comes close and that I will be back...often!...
The review of Sooma Coffeehouse, my 2 cents worth. Finally I am in the vicinity, and managed to popped in for a late afternoon cuppa. Not a difficult place to locate, just behind Hans at Great Eastern Centre as directed. Will say that it's pretty convenient to travel by public transport, drop at either Raffles Place or Chinatown MRT stations.
The setup is small, really smaller than I expected. Not very well ventilated as the staff explained that the centralised air-conditioning is incapable to handle the heat load. Funky place with cheerful staff, which made the heat tolerable. There are always laughter from behind the bar. As mentioned, the local boys are the ones pulling the espresso, and it seems that they have been around for a while, as I observed the customers address them by their names. I too noticed that all the boys behind the counter are capable of pulling and making espresso drinks. I was wondering what magic the owners pull to keep the boys happy in the job, which afterall most took the job as a vacation stint. Then the lady owner, Angela came by to check if my drink's ok, and a brief mention of Highlander, she identified me as an coffee fanatic, and introduced me to the staff (Marc, Jesper and Trevers). That's when I realise that they acknowledge their staff's good effort, and acknowledgement keeps the staff morale high. Many scribbling on the walls with good feedbacks, and the atmosphere is just cheerful, happy and great. For making me feel welcomed, I score them high for the atmosphere.
The menu has a list of espresso drinks, which some I'd not heard of. Had my usual Americano, and in comparison to what I love at Highlander, it's not too far away from what Highlander is serving. Well pulled espresso, very slight aftertaste, but overall a good cup of Americano. I can't comment on the milk based drinks (I am lactose intolerant) but I do see the boys dishing out visually beautifully crowned Caps. The pricing's mid-ranged, from $2.80 for an espresso to $5.00 for a flavoured latte. Hopefully, someone can review them on their milk based drinks.
Overall experience, this is one little coffeehouse that I will head for whenever I'm in the CBD.
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