She is the one who dreamt of a cafe culture in Singapore and made that happen with cafehopping.sg. She walks the streets and go hyper-mode behind her keyboard to discover and share new cafes in Singapore. She adores cafes with intricate interior and would die for divine desserts, droolicious brunch and great coffee. Other than cafes, she loves cats, marketing and ultimate frisbee.
I always thought that semi industrial area like Jalan Besar and Farrer Park are the most unimaginable areas for cafe setups, until I met La Ristrettos at Novena Medical Centre.
The whole building houses nothing but private clinics and this cafe is smacked awkwardly in the maze of clinics.
If you really need a conducive place for reading or work, you will find it perfect here. They serve very decent coffee with super pretty latte art so don’t miss out on that!
LOOK & FEEL
The striking colours go really well with the wooden design and I love the overall look of it. It really reminds me so much of what Aussie cafes would be like.
The view to the garden outside adds a feel of tranquility to the cafe. They have seats in this alfresco garden area, if you need some fresh air in the morning!
Love the mock brick wall which makes the cafe look foreign and interesting.
Since it is so hidden, the traffic is sparse and you will be able to enjoy your coffee and meal comfortably without fear of loud laughters or squealing babies.
FOOD & DRINKS
I ordered a Cafe Latte. It is quite strong and rich but it doesn’t leave behind any bitter aftertaste. I love how it is fragrant and tasty yet really gentle on the tongue! Lovely brew there.
The chicken was fried to perfect crispiness and it was not too salty or oily. The salty mayo and soft avocado on top added on to the moisture and flavour of the dish. The wild garden salad at the side was one of the more decent tasting ones around. No weird bitter taste and the dressing was nice. I would say that the dish was average on the whole and I would be excited to try the other dishes the next time I come by.
IN A NUTSHELL
I really love the interior of La Ristrettos and I would come back any time! The great coffee, good offering of food and great service have made my experience a super good one. It has definitely made the list of my favourite cafes. Moreover, it is a laptop friendly cafe, though the wifi and 3G reception here is quite weak. As it was my first time, the friendly staff gave me a 10% discount. I am also glad to say that this is another tax-free cafe! I strongly urge you to explore this cafe, and I promise that you would love the beauty of its secret location!
