I heard a lot of good things about Forty Hands previously; some of my friends named Forty Hands as one of their favorite places for Eggs Benedict and many of my coffee-loving friends have given the coffee at Forty Hands their seal of approval. As some of you might have heard, the inspiration behind the cafe's name came from how an average of 40 HANDS are required in the production of coffee,from plant to cup. And for all other caffeine monsters considering Forty Hands as a new coffee haunt,you would be glad to know that 40 Hands was named Best Coffee Joint in 2012 by I-S Magazine, not to mention similar titles they garnered over the years.
Bren and I went down on Wednesday for brunch and here's what we thought of the cosy cafe off Yong Siak Street.
We honestly liked what we saw when we reached Forty Hands-unprutentious decorations, brown and wooden accents and warm colors and lighting,thoughtfully put together creating a cosy, welcoming space. We must say that the counter especially caught our eye.
WHAT WE ATE
When we first got to Forty Hands, we were all set to try out the breakfast dishes(including their famous Big Breakfast and Eggs Benedict) but received the pretty disappointing news that breakfast was only served on weekends(Friday, Saturday and Sunday). So a note for everyone reading this and wishing to try breakfast/brunch at Forty Hands: try to go down on a Weekend!
We had to choose from the toasties menu for lunch. I settled for Truffle Mushroom Toasties($11) while Bren went with Salt Cod Mash Toasties($12)
I honestly really really enjoyed the TRUFFLE MUSHROOM TOASTIES. I love truffle oil, and must admit that I enjoyed my virgin truffle fries experience way more than I initially anticipated(even though I really don't like fried stuff)
Back to the Truffle Mushroom Toasties! I found the combination of shitake, button and portebello mushrooms and caesar salad topped off with truffle oil enclosed within warm wholemeal toast slices especially delectable. Needless to say, I couldn't stop and it was a little over 15 minutes before both of my toasties disappeared from sight.
Brendy was pretty neutral about her SALT COD MASH toasties because she felt that salt cod mash, potatoes, caesar and herbs in a toasted sandwich wasn't exactly the most mindblowing combination. In spite of this, she conceded that it was pretty satisfying given the fact that we were absolutely famished before we reached the cafe.
For drinks,Brendy went with Hot Chocolate($5)while I had a cup of Flat White($5)
For a start, we both liked the coffee/drink art that the thoughtful baristas did for us. A special shoutout to the friendly baristas who told us they hoped we liked the coffee art they did for us. Now that was really nice.
Bren really enjoyed her Hot Chocolate(she really likes bears and teddies and stuff like that) and commented that the the velvety texture of the Hot Chocolate was sufficiently decadent without verging on overwhelming.
Now let me get to the cup of Flat White I had. Granted I am probably not the most discerning coffee drinker around, but let me just say that I pride myself to be an honorary caffeine monster. I love a good cup of coffee, and if you've known me for awhile, you would know that coffee keeps me going to say the least.
Our trip to Forty Hands meant that I could finally get my much deserved dose of caffeine that I was barred from having for 5 weeks due to my Chinese Doctor's orders and I honestly was had high expectations for my Flat White.After a pretty filling meal, I didn't want something too heavy so a Flat White was pretty much perfect for me, given how there's less milk and less foam in it.
I loved how the Flat White was aromatic, full of flavor and had a pleasant balance of acidity but did not have an overly heavy texture to the taste. So, it definitely got two thumbs up from me!
Our first visit to 40 Hands was pleasant and we would definitely consider heading down on a weekend to try their much raved about breakfast/brunch menu, and I would definitely love to go back again to have their coffee.
78 Yong Siak Street (Tiong Bahru) #01-12
8.30am – 6.30pm (Tues and Sun) 8.30am-1opm(Wed and Thur) 8.30am-11pm(Fri and Sat)
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +65 6225 8545
We found Forty Hands pretty accessible because we used our trusty Google Maps application to get us there. Following the app directions got us there without much serious difficulty, although we should add that it would be challenging not to get lost without your map app or without checking out the directions.
PLAIN VANILLA BAKERY
The interior of the bakery was really inviting. We liked how spacious it was and how all the rustic touches that made the bakery feel almost like an outdoor backyard, away from the busyness and action that is all too familiar to most.
Out of the wide range of cupcakes, pastries and drinks that were available on the menu, we eventually settled with an Earl Grey Lavender Cupcake($3.50) because it sounded delicious and light enough and Bren tried the Iced Honey and Lemon drink ($5)
WHAT WE THOUGHT OF THE FOOD
The Earl Grey Lavender Cupcake not only looked amazing, but tasted amazing too. We both couldn't stop. It was crumbly, fluffy, moist, light and flavorful with the added floral flavor that the lavender lended to the cupcake but yet light and pleasant enough to keep us eating. It was our first time having lavender in a cupcake or baked treat and we really enjoyed it.
My number one dessert pet peeve is oily baked treats, leaving your fingers oily and the pretty awful oily sensation lingering in your mouth. We are glad to share that Plain Vanilla's cupcakes weren't anything like the oily, overly buttery specimens we were unfortunate to have consumed in the past. We definitely know where to go if we are in need of a cupcake fix and around the area.
Bren's Iced Honey and Lemon drink was really really good. I was initially alittle taken aback by the price of the drink, given how it was pretty small for the price it commanded. The honey was absolutely delicious. We both concluded that the honey in the drink tasted a lot like organic manuka honey given its thicker consistency and richer and fuller flavor. It was a great treat-not too sweet but yet very refreshing, and it was nicely balanced the cupcake we had earlier.
Plain Vanilla Bakery
1D Yong Siak Street (Tiong Bahru) #01-12
11am – 8pm (Tues-Fri) 9am-8pm(Sat) 9am-6pm(Sun)
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +65 6465 5942
Till next time,
Mandy
