Part of the Uni life is to undergo the metamorphosis of becoming an 'adult', someone who is able to handle the working world (or teaching world) and all the rubbish that comes along with it. In this process, one has to face the arduous task of having to sit down and study. Many Singaporeans like to study in places which are not meant for studying. Ironically, many popular outlets such as fast food chains and some coffee places will have the "No studying allowed!" sign. Studying is equated to reading notes from paper, but if you studying using your laptop, its not 'studying'.
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| The Mugging Gang |
Anyway, the stress of studying or mugging (terms used interchangeably), alters a person's lifestyle, usually into one who is more consumer oriented. Cost is not so much of a concern or priority but satisfaction and stress-relieving ability of that purchase or activity. This consumer orientated lifestyle is like an addiction because once the exams are over, the lifestyle still remains. This lifestyle which has 'plagued' the developed western world for many decades, has partially fuelled the growth of many coffee places here in Singapore in recent years. And to stand out from the overly franchised Starbucks and the likes, they tend to be called "Artisan Coffee Houses".
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of coffee and love to hunt for new enclaves to try, each place is different; a different ambience, style and mainly food or drink, a complete holistic package, just like what an education should be. :) [But is an increasing consumerist society something to worry about? Are we being coming too 'fake' and blind to the social problems around us that is masked by the polished and highly desired lifestyle of the rich? A discussion for another time.]
Before we can fully embrace the life of a working adult, there many more hours of mugging ahead. Thus what better way to spend time then to mug together right? Ahhh... decreasing productivity.
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| Group Therapy - Interior |
Group Therapy
So my usually school cliché went to try out this place called
Group Therapy at Duxton. Tucked away on the 2nd floor of the row of shop houses, is it a nice relaxing place for a the cuppa and a book. The ambience was welcoming and cosy, layout of the coffee house was seperted into two sections, one where the main counter and some tables are, and the other side with a long high table and tables with sofa.
We ordered a total of 8 drinks (almost 2 per person), to me this is considered quite a lot. According to my friend who is an 'expert', said that usually one cup can last for 3 to 4 hours. I'm not sure why though, could be that the drink was exceptionally exquisite, or that we were thirsty from the walk, or could be that the drinks were smaller than usual. Anyway the menu changes every week to keep the makan experience exciting, a concept that I like very much. The place is bending towards being environmentally friend, with their menu printed on what seems to be recycled paper, and they used egg trays to hold their sugar sachets on each table. A novel idea that saves on cost as well.
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| Weekly Menu |
We ordered:
- Macchiato [$4.5] (Comes in a small cup, not like those in Starbucks.)
- Cappuccino [$5.50]
- Latte [$5.5]
- Peach Nectar [$5.50]
- English Toffee & Rum Frapp [$8]
- Caffe Mocha with Dark Chocolate [Cold - $7.50]
- Mango Passionfruit Frapp [$8]
Caffeine drinks are usually broken into 2 categorised, single and double shot. Under single shots are the basic espresso and macchiato. While double are latte and cappuccino, which are more attuned to the Asian palate, milder due to the combination with milk. There are also speciality drinks, with chocolate added into it or even alcohol. Although the food menu changes, unfortunately the drink menu doesn't.
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| Single Shot Macchiato |
The single shot macchiato, was small in terms of quantity, do not be fouled by those large cups which commercialised Starbucks sells. The traditional macchiato, which means 'marked', was to indicate to the waiter which espresso had milk and which did not. Thus the barista would mark the top of the shot of espresso with some form. So just a word of caution for all those whom like their Macchiato at Starbucks, this is different. A good strong wake up, especially in the morning.
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| Background: Latte, Foreground: Macchiato |
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| English Toffee & Rum Frapp |
The English Toffee & Rum Frapp, it was nice and sweet. Good for those who do not like the strong taste of coffee. The rum adds the extra level of sophistication, although mild, but it's for the fun of it and not for getting drunk. Good for those ending a stressful day.
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| Cappuccino |
My drink was the cappuccino. Served in a shallow broad cup, although I expected it to be bigger, was not bad. The coffee was acceptable and the foam was not too thick. Compared to the Latte which was supposed to be more milky, it was difficult to tell the difference. I would have liked it if the coffee was more aromatic and fuller bodied.
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| Cafe Mocha with Dark Lindt Chocolate |
For the Cafe Mocha, dark Lindt chocolate buttons were used. The drink comes hot but my friends wanted a cold drink and so we paid an extra dollar for it to be cold. However, the reason default 'setting' for it to be hot was so that the chocolate buttons would melt more completely. The ice did prevent the chocolate buttons from melting properly and so gave the drink a powdery texture, which made it taste like old hard clumps of Milo mixed with hot water. Mental note: No ice.
I would recommend that they should advice customers on what goes into the drink and how it is made, so that customers can enjoy it at the rich temperature, texture and consistency. Good ingredients can go wrong if prepared in the 'wrong' manner. (Not that there is a wrong or right way of cooking or making a drink.)
Overall
The visit was memorable due to the fact that I had great company and we were doing our Uni life some justice. In terms of drinks, this place would not be my top choice. But the ambience is good for an afternoon chill-out, there is not much of crowd and there is free wifi. The changing menu might warrant a second visit, looking forward to a surprise, hopefully a pleasant one.
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