Three Hands Coffee @ Binjai Park (Bukit Timah)

Can you catch up with the cafe scene in Singapore? It seems like there is a new cafe popping out somewhere on every other days at some corner of Singapore. I decided to check out Three Hands Coffee at Binjai Park, Bukit Timah. Open by three partners and hence the name of the cafe, the premises is a coffee joint by day and a wine academy by night. Three Hands Coffee shares the space with Taberna Wine Academy that operates from 6pm onwards. It also seems like this is a new trend in Singapore where the same place is run by different business concept in the day and night. Is this a way to relief the high rental cost in Singapore?

Three Hands Coffee is not like any of the hipster cafes. Those brick walls are replaced with empty wine bottles displayed around the cafe.

Mocha and Caffe Latte 4/5

I read that they used Papa Palheta coffee beans for their coffee but during my visit I noticed that they have switched to oriole coffee beans. I am actually glad that they changed their coffee beans because I am not a fan of Papa Palheta. We tried both the Mocha ($6) and Caffe Latte ($5). The coffee was smooth with a bittersweet finishing towards the end. Considering their location I am surprised that their coffee is about fifty cents more expensive than more other cafes.

Lava Cake 4/5

Lava Cake 4/5

We also tried their Lava Cake ($8.90) which turned out to be pretty good. The lave cake was rich but not overly sweet, a well balanced execution.

Among my friends, there are a couple of us that has started to avoid visiting cafes on the weekends as they are always so crowded that it is hard to get a seat. These hipster cafes have been so popular that it has turned cafe into a crowded and noisy place, not a place for one to read a book over a cup of coffee anymore. If you are one who wants to have your own time in a quiet ambience over a cup of good coffee, Three Hands Coffee is one of such cafes.


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Three Hands Coffee
17 Binjai Park
Singapore 589825
Tel: +65 67625570
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threehandscoffee
Website: http://www.threehandscoffee.com/
Nearest MRT: King Albert Park (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 9am - 5pm

Direction:
1) Alight at King Albert Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge connection to Exit B. Walk down Dunearn Road towards Binjai Park. Turn left onto Binjai Park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

GRUB @ Bishan Park 1

The last time I came to GRUB was about 11 months ago for dinner. I am back at GRUB again for the weekend brunch. Located at Bishan Park, it is actually quite rare to have such dining place surrounded by beautiful greenery. GRUB still adopts a non reservation policy and hence one still needs to take their chance and queue up for a seat if you want to dine at GRUB. The good news is GRUB is now opened for lunch Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 3pm.

Truffled Egg Cocotte 3.5/5

Kick starting the weekend brunch is the Truffled Egg Cocotte ($7) which the soft boiled eggs are perfumed with truffle and crispy parma ham served with toasted focaccia at the side. I called it a fancy interpretation of our local favourite of soft boiled eggs and toast.

Mentaiko Fries 4/5

For me truffle fries is already too mainstream. I applauded GRUB for not going down the path but introduced the Mentaiko Fries ($9) on their menu instead. Topped with nori seaweed, the mentaiko aioli sauce goes with the fries very well. This is really addictive.

French Toast 3.8/5

The French Toast ($12) at GRUB comes with in a combination of sweet and savoury. The french toast is drizzled with maple syrup and topped with a garlic thyme pork sausage, freshly cut strawberries and sour cream. I am not a big fan of such combination but it seems like the younger generations are more adventurous with their taste buds.

Grub Double Cheeseburger 4/5

Looking for a more substantial brunch, how about GRUB Double Cheeseburger ($18) with Monterey Jack cheese? The 100% freshly minced beef patty was juicy and flavourful. The melted flowy cheese simply melted my heart as I love my burger to be very cheesy and messy. The beef patty was also juicy, moist and flavoursome.

Slow Cooked Pork Belly 4.5/5

I tried the Slow Cooked Pork Belly ($17) during my previous visit and I have enjoyed it. GRUB has since made some improvement to the dish. Gone is the potato mash drenched in a mango sauce and cherry tomato salsa. This is substituted with sweet potato mash which is cleaner in presentation, better colour contrast and still giving the dish that sweet element to complement the meaty taste. The sou vide pork belly used to be pan fried to a golden brown but now it is lightly seared allowing the flavoursome and succulent pork belly to standout more. By the way, this dish is only available for dinner.

Sakura Ebi Pasta 4.2/5

New in the menu is the Sakura Ebi Pasta ($17). The linguine is served with sakura ebi, prawns and comes with a hint of mentaiko. The new creation is a good change from the classic tomato and cream base sauce. The sakura ebi gave the pasta a lift in both flavour and texture. I actually went back a second time for this dish but it turned out that the garlic taste was a bit stronger than previous covering the sweetness of sakura ebi. I think it lacked a bit of consistency but it still tasted as good. However I still prefer the version that allows the sweetness of the sakura ebi to shine. The Sakura Ebi Pasta is available for both lunch and dinner menu only.

Chocolate Kladkakka 3/5 and Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait 3/5

Churros 3.8/5

Wrapped up the weekend brunch at GRUB on a sweet note with some desserts such as the Chocolate Kladkakka ($8), Strawberry Cheesecake Parfat ($8) and Churros ($9). Among the three my favourite is the Churros. Slightly crispy on the exterior and doughy inside, this is must enjoy with the dark chocolate or tangy creme anglaise dip. Finished it off with a cup of coffee made from liberty coffee beans.

Many patrons have been turned back because of the long waiting queues at GRUB. It is great news that they have finally decided to open for lunch during weekdays. Patrons have more options to dine at GRUB now. I also like the attitude of GRUB. Even though business has been good, they did not feel content and continue striving to improve their food and comes out with new creations.


GRUB
Bishan Park 1
510 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569983
Tel: +65 64595743
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grub.com.sg
Website: http://grub.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Ang Mo Kio (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 9am - 4pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(closed on Mon and last Tue of every mth)

Direction:
1) Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT Station. Take Exit C. Walk to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange (Stop ID 54009). Take bus number 166 or 169. Alight 4 stops later opposite Mayflower Secondary School. Walk to the traffic junction of Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 and Ang Mo Kio Ave 1. Cross the road and walk to the restaurant at Bishan Park 1. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Ang Mo Kio MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange (Stop ID 54009). Take bus number 262. Alight 8 stops later opposite block 223 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1. Walk to the restaurant at Bishan Park 1. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]