Homies by JWC @Taman Molek

Weeeeeeee, long time no write. 

Just gonna quickly rave about this pretty cafe in JB (one more to add into the JB Cafe Hop List)

Bet you've heard of the JWC Group who are behind many pretty concept cafes in JB. I thought nothing could get better than The Factory 30 with its hipster, industrial style cafe concept. But I've found my new favorite. The cozy, homey yet stylish Homies by JWC at Taman Molek. Hipster cafes with dim lights and dark walls are are like everywhere. If you wanna take a break from those, this bright and warm cafe, with blue and white furniture is just so welcoming and comfy to hang out. Every corner is pretty much instagrammable. 

the signature JWC sign

Menu that reminds me of IKEA

Rose Latte - RM11.50

goshhhh even this powder blue cup looks dreamy

Signature Hot Chocolate - RM12.00

Hot Mocha - RM11.80

Fruit Tea 

Smoked Salmon Bagel - RM29.90

To be honest, was kinda startled by the price. But I was really craving for bagels ever since I got back from Taiwan. This was a good substitute with delicious smoked salmon to add on. Crunchy bagels with the salty smokey tender salmon slices and runny poach eggs. Awesome texture and it's delicious!

Japanese Curry Rice -- RM15.90

This was a simple yet satisfying meal. Crunchy chicken chops and the slightly spicy and sweet curry sauce. Rice disappeared in minutes. 

To those who love taking photos, you don't have to try hard for that Insta-worthy shot. 

best model, looking all natural reading his book haha

checking out guys people outside the floor length windows haha

Awesome natural lighting for pretty selfies

and of course, can't leave without a 做作照

Homies by JWC 

Jalan Molek 1/27

Taman Molek

81100 Johor Bahru

Operating Hours: 12:00PM – 12:00AM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwchomies/

*Prices subject to service 10% charge and GST

Anyways it was a great but short getaway at Granma's house. Found this cute creature at the living room and I can't keep my hands off its big head. 

Thanks to cousins for the awesome company and thanks to uncle and aunty for treating me with yummy food. 

The Coastal Settlement & Chock Full of Beans

I think I've only traveled to the east for like a few times despite being my fourth year here. Hopefully that gives you an idea of how Pulau NTU gets its name haha. But I was doing my internship during the break and I bought the unlimited train pass. Traveling from one end of the green line till the other seems to be the best way to fully utilize it hehe. 

It was a day well spent with the friends back from home, checking out the eastern coasts. But please don't expect like white beaches and blue waters haha. Btw all photos belongs to Vienna and Dan who were our photographers of the day. 

The Coastal Settlement

Started our day with a lunch at The Coastal Settlement, a unique dining place located amidst the quiet neighborhood along Netheravon Road. The restaurant has old school interiors, with loads of furniture and objects from the old times. Give you the down-the-memory-lane sensation when I first stepped in but as you look closer, it has a very homey feeling. Love the vibe and I couldn't just leave without taking some photos haha. But the food was pricey given its taste, so I guess the bulk of the price goes to enjoying the nostalgic ambience. 

Address: 200 Netheravon Rd, Singapore 508529

My favorite photo of the day. Treasure hunting with the girls. 

Rosti with Sausage - S$23 and Hazelnut Latte - S$7

Pulled Pork Sandwich - S$23 and Mocha - S$6

Tender pulled pork strips with a savory sauce, together with soft and runny poached eggs. Quite good but....the price tag... 

Continue Dora the Explorer game.

Found this pretty dressing table with the golden clock and candelabra, immediately thought of Beauty and the Beast!

Changi Boardwalk and Changi Beach 

From TCS, we walked along Netheravon Road and continued into the Changi Boardwalk for a stroll along the coasts. The so call Changi Beach isn't really a beach after all, just a small stretch. We continued to walk, the wind was pretty strong and we could smell of fishy ocean in the air haha. Ignore that, the view was still enjoyable, with planes flying here and there. Turns out Changi Village is much nearer than i expected, in no time I saw the familiar ferry jetty where I took a ride to Pulau Ubin. The waters are much clearer and blue at the Changi Beach Park. 

Changi Boardwalk near Changi Village

Mandatory OOTD shot

Changi Village: Chock Full of Beans Cafe

Upon our discovery of Changi Village, Sheauwen immediately suggested to go CFOB for coffee break and there's a particular reason why -- The cute 3D Latte Art. Anyways Changi Village has loads of eateries and hipster cafes around the area. I suppose it's a great place to hang out during the weekends, a getaway from the busy city, enjoying an afternoon while peeking to the sea. You can even go Ubin i believe. 

Address: 4 Changi Village Road #01-2090, 500004

Portobello Benedict -- S$13

A vegetarian alternative of Eggs Benedict :) Nothing can go wrong with Portobello Mushroom seriously, love the juicy and chewy taste. 

Wasn't expecting much from 3D Latte, but this Baymax made my day. So cutee...

Seriously...how can coffee be so adorable? 

From Olaf (clockwise): Maple Latte - S$5.00, Ice Mocha - S$6.50, Rose Latte - S$5.90, Vanilla Latte - S$6.50

In a nutshell, it was a wallet burning day, but discoveries were great haha. Awesome day to relieve all the stress from a working week. And special thanks to the buddies who are willing to travel with me :D

Astons and The Assembly Ground @ The Cathay

Yum yum, time for some food again hehe....

It just makes me really happy whenever I blog about food, and I don't know why.

Hope this post makes you happy too...

This was right after my exams, decided to meet up with the "Relative".

Glad to have this always-on friend who never says no whenever I asked for a meet up even if it's a weekday and she has classes in the morning in the following day. Thankiuuu so much for accompanying me in my post-exam food therapy. Both of us pretty much just kept on chatting and chatting, complaining every now and then haha, but it was great to catch up. 

We've decided to spend the night with a nice dinner and a soothing cup of coffee at The Cathay. 

Oh well it's almost two years since I came to SG but it was my first time going to Astons, the affordable western restaurant that almost everyone in SG knows about. Yeah I know I'm so Suagu in SG haha

Mushroom Soup -- S$3.50

Crispy Fried Fish -- S$10.50

Mac n Cheese and Pasta Salad as sides

Black Pepper Chicken -- S$9.90

Mac n Cheese and Coleslaw as sides

Tender and juicy, with the mild charred flavor 

The sauce was okay...well I guess the chicken is good enough on its own.

Mac and cheese is super yummy, the macaroni just slides down your throat bringing that smooth and cheesy flavor along haha   

Astons

2 Handy Road
The Cathay Building #04-03/04
Singapore 229233

Tel: 6887 5889

Operating Hours: Open Daily
11.30am - 10pm (Sun - Thurs)
11.30am - 11pm (Fri, Sat & Eve of PH)

Check out Aston's website for the full list of outlets, including the one in NUS which is much cheaper for students!

http://www.astons.com.sg/locations.php?

After the super filling dinner, continued our chatting session at a more laidback and cozy setting:

The Assembly Ground. Just like the name says, the cafe looks kinda like some underground workshop with bright spotlights, steel pipes and wires, and hanging light bulbs. Right next to the Cafe is actually The Assembly Store which is the physical store of the online men's fashion store of the same name. http://www.theassemblystore.com/

The coffee and cakes here are not exactly awesome, but I love the ambience here. 

Lychee Martini Slice -- S$8.50

Love the mild and soothing sweetness from Lychee but I can't tell whether there's Martini or not.

There bits of lychee in the cream and it goes well with the moist and slightly fudgey cake. 

Love this mildly sweet dessert. 

Flat White -- S$ 5.50

The coffee flavor was abit too mild but the texture was quite smooth

Green Tea Latte -- S$ 8.50 (in first photo) 

Beautiful Latte art :) . 

I actually like the sofa's color LOL it's really an odd shade of green but somehow it just looks so cool. 

The Assembly Ground

@ The Cathay

2 Handy Road #01-21

Singapore 229233

Opening hours:

Monday - Friday: 11:00 to 22:00
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 to 22:00

Chilling out with this girl...

Was hanging out at one of the residences nearby

Couldn't let go of a chance to take a photo coz I haven't took a decent photo in dunno how many weeks, thanks to the mugging period. 

Fuhhhh....can't believe I have less than 3 weeks till my holidays end :(
Need to update more often!! See you again soon!

The Sugar Pantry @ Taman Molek, JB

Bon Appetit!

Yoohoo....back to after exam cafehop

Okay not exactly cafehop this time compared to last years'
Lil cousin brother is now in the states :( No one to drive us around for cafehop edi
Miss him...
Anyhow I was only back in JB for one night, just wanted to pay a visit to the elders and of course my cousins.

The Sugar Pantry 菓之堂 @Taman Molek, JB

Met up with the cousins and they decided to take me to a bakery/dessert cafe nearby their house, the ever bustling Taman Molek....This bakery serves French desserts and pastries that are rather unique and rare compared to usual coffee shops and neighbourhood bakery out there. Have been reading reviews about their first outlet in Permas Jaya. With the recent bursts of hipster cafes that majors in specialty coffee, it's been a while since we heard people rave about sweet desserts....unless it's extraordinary of course. I would say the plus point of The Sugar Pantry is their beautiful, special and delicious desserts.

When I first stepped in, it's hard to not have your eyes glued on the display counter. Well there weren't much choices (which I think is because they have just opened recently) as compared to the ones I'd seen from reviews of the Permas Jaya outlet, but the desserts are certainly beautifully decorated with much creativity and precision. Too bad I couldn't try all of them despite my ignorance to diabetes, and to be honest the price is not exactly affordable.  

  

The ground floor is the bakery while the first floor has seats for dine-in customers

We chose a seat right next to the window. 

The interior of the shop doesn't really look like French bakery though, more like Japanese bakery with a lot of light wood tones (like those in Pavillion Tokyo street)

I guess this outlet has a different concept to the one in Permas Jaya which is more western and has a signboard that looks like Tifanny and Co's 

La Pomme -- RM 11.90 (Left)

Instead of a cake, it's more like a bar of fruity sweetness

Pomme is actually apple and this treat has a very fruity taste with slight acidity from the apple which balances the sweet tasting cream...The layers are sort of like mousse with different texture

This something rather unique in my opinion

Paris Brest -- RM11.90 (Right)

This is yummy!!! It's something like fluffy and crunchy croissants stuffed with fresh and smooth chocolate cream!

Love the mild sugarry flavor and the blend of texture
Like Like

Latte -- RM9.50

Flatwhite -- RM9.50

Taste okay, smooth and milky...the coffee used don't really have a bitter aftertaste. 

Specialty Tea: Violet -- RM7.50

This is surprisingly nice...
The tea actually taste sweet and nope there's no sugar provided. Just an aromatic tea with sweet floral notes. But sorry I'm not expert enough to tell what flowers are used in the tea.

LOL what's dat face

The cafe has a lot of earth tones and check out the ceiling covered with draping cloths

the ground floor bakery is really spacious. There weren't much bread and pastries on display on that day... hope there will be more next time. 

In conclusion, I think The Sugar Pantry is a great place to have delicious, music-on-your-tongue kind of dessert. The cafe has a very calm and serene ambience unlike those hipster cafe nowadays, probably a more unique afternoon tea experience. 

The Sugar Pantry 菓之堂

47, Jalan Molek 1/9, 

Taman Molek

Johor Bahru

Check out more updates and location of the outlets on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/thesugarpantry.tsp

After having our afternoon tea, cousin brother had swimming class and we decided why not following him and become 陪游

Of course I don't mean follow him into the waters la...

Instead we just hang out and wander around the atas-looking clubhouse

and did some photoshoot haha...

Pretty right my cousin

No filter de lerrr

with the sister...
I had a badskin day emooo

The little cousin/dolphin

Macam yes...

So dats pretty much part 1 for my short stay at JB
Went dinner with the granma and aunt at night where they took us to the musical fountain that I mentioned in previous post...
Went back home, enjoyed TV in granma's room
and went to bed at 12am... 12 A.M I can't believe it haha....I forgot when was the last time I slept so early
Thanks to cousin brother's comfy bed, I had a really good sleep and it's like heaven really...
Grateful for this short escape.

Anyways small 插曲 here...skip this paragraph if you just wanna read about the food haha...
I left rather early in the morning, thinking I could reach earlier and spend more time at cousins home :Yes watching TV and lying down on a comfy bed in cousin's house is like heaven to me haha
So I took the bus, eager to cross the border. But FML I left my MY SIMcard in my room... well I was still in Pioneer when I realize it and I thought it wouldn't kill too much time to go back and grab it coz usually it takes at most half an hour for me to reach my room from Pioneer MRT. Staying positive, I took the bus back and as usual, I went down at the Hall 1 busstop, where I will walk from there instead of taking the bus for one whole loop to reach my hall's bus stop. and the moment I came down, FML it started raining, oops sorry POURING! So heavily raining that you really just can't walk through it plus the last thing I want is to fall sick while I'm at JB. Well the positive me told myself no worries, there should be a covered walkway to reach my hall. So I started walking and when I'm halfway through, FML again, the covered walkway was closed as there was renovations going on. Desperate to find a solution I was lucky to meet a friend and he too was heading out. I asked to borrow an umbrella from him but he can't lend me as he needs to go to his exam as well. haizzzz sadd....I tried to look around and see if I have any friends staying around the area but well with the limited amt of friends i have haha....luck is not on my side. What to do, FML I walked all the way back to the busstop and went through the stations in a loop to reach my hall. "fuhhh finally reach my hall, ok it's over...", My positive me reminded myself, and the moment I said this, FML the rain got smaller, like much MUCH SMALLER. Small enough for me to walk through it without any fuss... Yep all this...wasted around 2 hours of my life...But at least, some lessons learnt haha
Haizzz if I hasn't be so cheapskate to alight at the first bus stop but chose to stay in the bus until it reaches my hall.... I would have saved all the time and would have remained barely soaked. Alright I think the main lesson is....when luck is not on your side, things can get worse than you could ever expect. But hey, you just gotta stay positive coz there will always be an end to it. When it's over, you gonna think to yourself I actually survived it and it's not a big deal after all despite the constant urge to curse during the whole process.