On an island overrun by starbucks and numerous other coffee chains, bombarding us with a staggering array of fancy (and often highly adulterated) coffees, it is sometimes hard to find a place who just wants to serve you a nice cup of cappuccino.
Recently, I've been recommended by a friend to check out Papa Palheta, a coffee tasting bar with a nice environement,located at the lower stretch of Bukit Timah Road, one of those sleepy areas of prime real estate at the edge of the city centre where you have no business there unless you work or live in the area. Having walked around the area quite a few times for a work project in the area, i was surprised, and somewhat embarassed, to have missed a nice coffee joint just a few numbers down from where my project is.
Occupying the back portion of a not-so-old shophouse, Papa Palheta is hidden from the main road, accessible only through the service lane turning in from Hooper Road off Bukit Timah Road. Entrance is only through the back door of the shophouse, unless you work in the interior design office occupying the space in the front of the building, which not so coincidentally is run by the same owner. And through the door, one enters into the backyard of the shophouse. The concrete paved floor and the bare white plaster walls are softened with some plants. Part of the yard is sheltered by clear polycarbinate sheets, almost greenhouse-like. Mismatched chairs, benches and tables are scattered around the yard, forming an informal sitting area. And at the end of the yard, one can see, through the window, the indoor sitting area which is furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture (Chinese style 3 seaters and wicker chairs and glass cabinets stuffed full with bolts of fabric). The overall ambience of the place is akin to the backyard or living room of somebody's home, a stranger's home, but a friendly stranger's home.
Papa Palheta specializes in estate, micro lot and single origin coffee beans which are roasted in-house and packaged for retail. The space is techinically not a cafe but more of a retail space (as we were reminded numerous times by the wait staff) but patrons are able to sample the coffee within the premises, as many cups as they like, after which the patron may pay as muc or as little as they want by dropping money into an unguarded jar within the living room. Or one may choose to buy some of the coffee beans are available for sale on the spot.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, whichever way you see it, the Singaporean buffet mentality didn't quite come over me during my visit and I left having enjoyed only one glass of cafe latte and good conversation with some friends. I'm not sure how well kept a secret Papa Palheta is, but I now know a place for a good cuppa the next time I'm in the area for work, crossing my fingers that a nice bakery will open next door soon.
papa palheta
Recently, I've been recommended by a friend to check out Papa Palheta, a coffee tasting bar with a nice environement,located at the lower stretch of Bukit Timah Road, one of those sleepy areas of prime real estate at the edge of the city centre where you have no business there unless you work or live in the area. Having walked around the area quite a few times for a work project in the area, i was surprised, and somewhat embarassed, to have missed a nice coffee joint just a few numbers down from where my project is.
Occupying the back portion of a not-so-old shophouse, Papa Palheta is hidden from the main road, accessible only through the service lane turning in from Hooper Road off Bukit Timah Road. Entrance is only through the back door of the shophouse, unless you work in the interior design office occupying the space in the front of the building, which not so coincidentally is run by the same owner. And through the door, one enters into the backyard of the shophouse. The concrete paved floor and the bare white plaster walls are softened with some plants. Part of the yard is sheltered by clear polycarbinate sheets, almost greenhouse-like. Mismatched chairs, benches and tables are scattered around the yard, forming an informal sitting area. And at the end of the yard, one can see, through the window, the indoor sitting area which is furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture (Chinese style 3 seaters and wicker chairs and glass cabinets stuffed full with bolts of fabric). The overall ambience of the place is akin to the backyard or living room of somebody's home, a stranger's home, but a friendly stranger's home.
Papa Palheta specializes in estate, micro lot and single origin coffee beans which are roasted in-house and packaged for retail. The space is techinically not a cafe but more of a retail space (as we were reminded numerous times by the wait staff) but patrons are able to sample the coffee within the premises, as many cups as they like, after which the patron may pay as muc or as little as they want by dropping money into an unguarded jar within the living room. Or one may choose to buy some of the coffee beans are available for sale on the spot.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, whichever way you see it, the Singaporean buffet mentality didn't quite come over me during my visit and I left having enjoyed only one glass of cafe latte and good conversation with some friends. I'm not sure how well kept a secret Papa Palheta is, but I now know a place for a good cuppa the next time I'm in the area for work, crossing my fingers that a nice bakery will open next door soon.
papa palheta
140 bukit timah road
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