Someone told me about this interesting place in late January but it’s taken me this long to get here. (Not to mention, this long to update my blog again. It’s not that i haven’t been anywhere. I just have been too busy to blog about it.)

But this place deserves a bit of a mention. And believe me, it’s had a few. Tucked away down an unsuspecting alley in the Lavender area, you would never know it’s there if you were just driving by. I mean, who would really think “coffee” when going past their shopfront (that looks closed). And a name like Chye Seng Huat Hardware! If you weren’t told about it, you would never know. The entry through a metal gate with big tow away sign opens up to a concrete area where the kids can run around if they want to (and if you want to bring them). It’s like a secret, hidden away, which is probably why it’s so popular. Everybody likes a bit of mystique. That and the coffee is fantastic.

You can see through the glass doors that there’s a big line in there, and once inside, the stark, industrial outside contrasts nicely with the cool vibe around the oval bar where you order, they make coffee and display food and coffee making prowess. Yes, there is a long line. Mostly cause they make the coffees while you wait and then you go to your seat where the food is served later. But the coffee is definately worth the wait. It is wonderful. And the staff are all friendly and seem to know their stuff.

I love their saucers with pretty lettering proclaiming that “Capsules are Dead”. I’ve been a big fan of Nespressos before, but truly, you can’t compare it to a really well made coffee. The food is pretty good. i had scrambled eggs and bacon, but really, it’s the coffees that make the place. I got back into the long line to get another cup before deciding that i would instead come back another day for a cup and maybe one of their delicious looking brownies.

They have retail along the walls (i almost got myself a knock box! But i refrained. Maybe another day). They have coffee roasters in another part of the building and in another room, a place where you can learn about the art of coffee. (I think i’ll look into one of their classes) You can also buy beans and take them home with you – another thing that i’ll be doing next time.

It is a bit out of the way (for me, a confirmed east coasty). But worth going to if you like your coffee and interesting places.