Henry Congressional is the latest endeavor of the good folks behind Smitten Coffee and Tea Bar. A pop-up café which will only stay until next Febuary. Minimalist décor says it all - naked light bulbs dangled from ceiling, plywood countertop and the long communal table used to sit at the back of Smitten. And that's all it takes to make this space chic and cosy.
Darren (the ex-naval officer) and his Thumper Blend travel together.
A double ristretto latte ($6) using the blend off the Speedster was the same old buttery goodness. The blend just got a little tweak a few weeks back and fared better than the cup I last had at Smitten.
Besides serving coffee and teas, and a good selection of beers, the couple also roped in a partner, who introduced himself as Goh P., to bring in some real decent confections and sandwiches, some only baked on demand. How good? Good enough to justify the two additional trips I made this week.
My Pandan Chiffon Cake ($4) got wiped out while I was distracted by a conversation with Darren. Feedback was that it was very fluffy and rich in pandan fragrance.
The cookies ($3) here are very much to my likings. Soft like the Subway ones but less the clogging sweetness.
El Salvador COE Lot#23 on a Pourover ($8), medium to light-bodied, apple citrus and a clean finish.
Banana Nutella Panini ($5) was very well toasted to give the delightful crisp crust, caramelized banana added an interesting twist.
You've got to try their Rosemary Chicken & Watercress Sandwich ($6). The mild peppery taste of raw watercress worked pretty well with the juicy grilled chicken. How genius.
This temporary space will only be up until Febuary. Drop in before it's too late.
Henry Congressional (Facebook)
44 Holland Grove Road
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
9107 7547
My café hopping interest these years has earned me many bonuses. For one, I get to explore old estates which otherwise I would have never come to know about. While some of these estates like Tiong Bahru have been gentrificated and breathed a new life into recent years, many others are fast disappearing into our rapidly changing landscapes.
Sold in an en-bloc deal last year, the Henry Park Apartments will make way for new property development early next year. If you have a soft spot for these nostalgic/forgotten landscapes like me, come down before time runs out.
