Spinelli Coffee @ Tampines Hub - Very First Outlet In The Heartland

Spinelli Coffee has opened its very first suburban outlet in the heartland at Tampines Hub. The newest outlet is located near the library side, directly opposite NTUC income. It has both air conditioned and outdoor sitting area.

Ice Mocha, Iced Latte 4/5

Matcha T-Twist 4/5

The weather has been extremely hot lately, and what better way to cold down at the cafe with a cold drink. A few recommend choices would be the Ice Mocha, Ice Latte and Iced Matcha T-Twist. An interesting twist is the matcha t-twist, which is a blend of matcha powder with cranberries. The combination of bitterness and sourness surprisingly works harmoniously together.

Quinoa Salad Bowl 3.5/5

For the health conscious eater. there is a number of salad bowls at Spinelli Coffee. One of these is the Quinoa Salad Bowl ($9.80). The bowl comes filled with fresh crunchy greens, sweet tomatoes and quinoa patties. I love the roasted sesame sauce that is drizzled on top, boosting a flavourful finishing.

Bagel Tomate Olive 3.8/5

I am not a bagel person as I dislike the dense texture of the dough. However the Bagel Tomate Olive ($4.50) turns out pretty good. The open-faced bagel topped with cheesy pizza toppings is soft and fluffy.

Beef Lasagna 3/5

As for the Beef Lasagna ($10.80), I didn't quite enjoy it. While the flavours from the cheese and beef are spot on, I felt that the pasta sheets are too soft, without texture. This doesn't help with the layer of gooey stretchy cheese on top. it just made the whole dish collapsed into a pool of softness.

Devil's Chocolate Cake 4.2/5, Carrot Cake 2.8/5, Strawberry Shortcake 3.8/5

If you are at Spinelli Coffee just to chill, you may want to order some cakes to go along with your drinks. They have a number of cakes such as the Strawberry Shortcake ($6.80), Carrot Cake and Devil's Chocolate Cake ($5.20). If you like something light, then I would recommend the strawberry shortcake, if not my personal favourite the the rich Devil's Chocolate Cake.

Cold Brew Ice Cream 3.8/5

Another first at Spinelli Coffee besides opening its first suburban outlet is the introduction of their freshly churned Cold Brew Ice Cream ($4.20). The ice cream is infused with the rich coffee aroma on top of its smooth creamy swirls.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Spinelli Coffee
Our Tampines Hub
1 Tampines Walk
#01-K8
Singapore 528523
Facebook
Website
Nearest: Tampines (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 8am - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 8am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines MRT station (DT Line). Take Exit F. Walk down Tampines Central 2 road to Tampines Ave 5. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tampines MRT station (EW Line). Take Exit C. Walk down Tampines Central road to Tampines Central 6 road. Walk to NTUC Income Tampines Junction. Walk to traffic junction of Tampines Ave 5 and Tampines Ave 4. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Seow Choon Hua Restaurant @ Sultan Gate (Beach Road) - Handmade Foo Chow Fishball and Yen Pi

Located along Sultan Gate in Beach Road, stepping into Seow Choon Hua Restaurant, you will find oneself stepping into coffeeshop with interior dated back to the early 80s.  As per my understanding, it has been around for more than 70 years. It offers a number of noodle dishes and its known for the handmade Foo Chow fishballs and dumplings.

Foo Chow Style Lor Mee 3/5

First is the Foo Chow Style Lor Mee ($5/$6). I have to admit I do not know what is Foo Chow Style but I find the version is a bit lighter than the usual. The "Lor" or gravy for the noodle is light and not as starchy. Why I didn't quite like the gravy which I find lacking depth, I applauded the lavish offering of ngoh hiang, egg, char siew, fish cake and deep fried dumplings that comes with it.

Red Wine Chicken Mee Sua 3/5

Like the Lor Mee, I find the gravy of the Red Wine Chicken Mee Sua ($5/$6) lacked the robustness and depth. The taste of the red glutinous wine lees was quite mild in the bowl of mee sua. Apart from that, it is a decent bowl with silky mee sua and tender chicken pieces.

Foo Chow Mixed Soup 4.2/5

Our favourite probably is the Foo Chow Mixed Soup ($6 - $10) which comes with an assortment of Foo Chow Fish Ball, Yen Pi, Dumpling and Fish Dumpling. We also ordered a bowl of kway teow soup to go with it.

For those that is used to eating factory made fish ball, you will find the Foo Chow Fish Ball's texture is kind of soft, almost pillowy. It doesn't comes with the bouncy, QQ texture that we usual have. Biting into the huge golf ball size Foo Chow Fish Ball, you will also find marinated minced pork filling in it.

Not forgetting the Foo Chow Yen Pi, which I am really curious as I have never heard or eaten before. The shape looks similar to our wanton dumpling but its puffed up with lots more minced meat and chestnut filling wrapped with wanton skin. The result is more meat less skin, unlike our wanton is more skin less meat. Some people says that it is like eating a crossbreed of wanton and siew mai.

I find the lor mee and red wine mee suace pretty average here. I would recommend the Foo Chow Fish Ball and Yen Pi, which is very uncommon nowadays in Singapore, especially they are hand made some more. Besides what we tried, the restaurant also offers fried nian gao and suan pan zi if you want to try them in your next visit.


Seow Choon Hua Restaurant
33 Sultan Gate
Singapore 198481
Tel: +65 62982720
Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead walkway to Beach Road. Turn left and walk down Beach Road. Turn right onto Sultan Gate. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]