There’s a brand new coffee bar in town and this time round, it isn’t all plastered in white. Housed in a monochromatic glasshouse at South Beach Tower, the stylish joint gives off a sleek futuristic chashitsu (tea ceremony space) vibe that is perfect for your Instagram feed. Co-owner Sam Chua of Black Carvery Group drew inspiration from her travels in Japan, and matched with a deep respect for the culture, she took it upon herself to offer respite to anyone in want of escaping the daily grind.
Speaking of grind, this joint is serious about its in-house coffee blends. They work with local roasters (2º North Coffee Co.) to procure its beans, which are lightly roasted on the day they arrive to lock in peak freshness. As a third-wave coffee bar, they also honour fair trade with coffee farmers. “We strongly believe a farm-to-table approach is the best way to increase and improve on the yield and quality of the beans we use,” Chua shares.
The coffee here is smooth. Teeming with chocolate, malt and apple notes, it's balanced with a touch of acidity – thanks to the careful blend of single-origin Brazilian and Guatemalan beans. Highlights include the Waga Waga Espresso ($4), Dirty Oat Matcha ($9) and the highly Instagramable Cloud Coffee Iced Cappuccino ($8). But for true javaphiles, pick from the seasonal pour-over selection and marvel at the calm and steady hands of the baristas as they brew.
The den's snacks are a reflection of minimal-waste philosophy inspired by the Japanese philosophy of “mottainai” – loosely translated into the regret one feels by being wasteful. Chua’s efforts, in an industry where food wastage is rampant, see her utilising “less than good ingredients” among sister restaurants in the group.
Take the Waga Cheesecake ($15) where the creamy decadence is made fresh daily using existing ingredients – eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla pods – from sister concept Black Cow’s Truffle Monaka. There’s also a handmade warabi mochi ($9) and an airy charcoal brioche with homemade Hokkaido azuki paste and a slab of Echire butter ($5) that we shamelessly finished in one bite.
While the snacks are a delight to pair with the coffees, Chua also hopes to build and serve a community of like-minded consumers, friends, suppliers and vendors. “Without them, we would not be here,” she adds. In months to come, the den’s 12-seater patio will also be pet-friendly with the installation of a pet water fountain and a thoughtfully curated menu for your furry pals. For that, we eagerly await.