It is not easy to run F&B establishment in Singapore.
Especially in a small neighbourhood like Serangoon Garden, where we have witnessed the departure of OG cafés such as Arbite and Little Wimbly Lu.
Hence, it is heartening to see substantial café players venturing to this challenging realm.
From the same team which founded Atlas Coffeehouse at Bukit Timah, Lunar Coffee Brewers at Downtown Gallery and Columbus Coffee Co. at Upper Thomson, Apollo Coffee Bar is their latest expansion located at Serangoon Gardens.
Upon entering the café, you will be greeted with an island coffee bar smack right in the middle of the store.
While the space is not huge, it was efficiently managed with tables of different sizes parked at various corners to cater to different group of diners.
My favourite spot would be the air-conditioned backyard which gave the vibes of al fresco dining. An ideal location to chill over a cup of coffee with soft sunlight pouring in from the glass ceiling.
The team have got their formula quite right with every venture, by coming up with variance of industrial chic dining environment coupled with creative food offerings to satisfy café hopper’s interest.
The food menu at Apollo are mostly new creations and inspired from Mediterranean origins. They are also categorized into SMALL and LARGE plates to promote communal dining.
I took a liking to the recommended Pork & Pear Tartine ($19.50) which came with roasted pears, bacon chunks, caramelized onions and ricotta cheese spread on a bed of fluffy ciabatta bread.
A delightful combination of sweet and savoury taste notes which was further elevated with use of natural herbs and spices.
One of the small plates, Baba Gahanoush ($12.50) also appealed to my taste buds with mashed eggplant and honey roasted squash served as a dipping spread for ciabatta.
Brunch menu is available from 9am till 4pm and serves offering such as Granola, Pears & Yoghurt ($13), Lemon Curd & Hotcakes ($14.50) and Super Nutty Acai bowl ($15).
I had the Wurst Rosti ($23.50) and was presented with a pair of sunny side up egg and cheese sausage shaped in a smiley face.
The potato rosti also left an impression with its golden crisp exterior, though I would still prefer my rosti to go with some sour cream and chives.
The regular coffee suspects such as Atlas and Nautica espresso blends, Cosmos and Milky Way Cold Brew ($7) from the other establishments also made their appearance.
For non-coffee drinkers, the Iced Jasmine Oolong Tea w/ Milkstache Foam ($7.50) would probably appeal to those who usually go for Macchiato bubble tea.
Other familiar desserts such as the Strawberry Maple Pancake ($16.50), Candied Bacon Waffle ($14.50) and The Milky Way Soft Serve ($7) are also available.
Exclusive to Apollo Coffee Bar is the Dark Chocolate and Miso Caramel Softserve ($7). I prefer the latter which has an interesting blend of salty miso and sweet caramel flavour.
I can already foresee myself becoming a regular patron at Apollo Coffee Bar.
My only qualm would be the low ceiling height which will trap the sound of chatty patrons in store and would get slightly unbearable when the café occupancy is at its peak.
Apollo Coffee Bar
65 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555961
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Tue – Sat), 9am – 7pm (Sun), Closed Mon
https://www.facebook.com/apollocoffeebar/
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* Written by Lewis Tan @juicyfingers, a self-proclaimed coffee addict. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
