A blissful hideaway to escape from the hustle and bustle of life as one indulges in nibbles and retail therapy.
There is a pleasant sense of peace that guardian angels are watching over you at Tea Cosy, a charming café on the fifth floor of Plaza Singapura. And in a very real way, they are. Customers to this dining-cum-retail outlet can partake of tasty morsels from a wide spread of Western-style fare whilst surrounded by the adorable smiles of a myriad of cherubim figurines.
The heavenly ambience created by retail partner, Tenthousandangels’ merchandise is the perfect setting for the equally divine edibles served up by Tea Cosy owner, Daphne Tan and her team. A not-to-be-missed starter is their Baked Mushrooms (S$9.50). Bite into these shiitake mushroom shells and savor the burst of sundried tomato and parmesan cheese stuffing as it oozes onto your palate. Also noteworthy is the Decadent Salad (S$16.95)—a medley of foie gras chunks, pan-grilled shrimps and a boiled egg on a bed of garden greens, brought together with a light, creamy home-made dressing.
Tan, a journalist by training, bravely ventured into the competitive arena of casual dining a few years ago when an opportunity arose to buy over the food and beverage arm of a previous retail partner. She took on the challenge even though she had absolutely no experience in running an eatery. However, not having a recipe book of proven formulas has turned out to be an advantage. “Because this is not a normal café, sometimes you don’t want to do things normally to leave room for experimentation,” quips Tan.
The café’s selection of main courses reflects this creative exuberance, mixing classics like Bangers and Mash (S$17.95) with more novel East-meets-West fare. Those who enjoy subtle flavors should not pass up the Miso Dory (S$18.95). A perfectly pan-fried fillet of the fish forms an island amidst a pond of translucent miso gravy so tasty it begs to be slurped. A dish with a more robust Asian twist is the Laksa Pasta (S$14.95), which boasts a rich, spicy sauce expertly accented with a chorus of aromatic herbs.
The seamless fluidity of retail space and eating area encourages diners to go with the flow and shop between meal courses. So have a gander, but be warned, one of the many chubby cherubs, like Cupid, is sure to steal your heart. The angels range from the purely decorative to those that function as jewelry cases or bookends, and make ideal gifts for almost any occasion. According to retail manager, Adrian Djong, there are two meanings behind gifting angels. “One is to say ‘I want to be your guardian angel,’ and the other is to thank the recipient for being an angel to you,” he explains.
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| PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEA COSY |
Some patrons have been so enchanted by the extensive collection of angels that they have opted to use the café location as a backdrop for private events, which have ranged from a registry-of-marriage ceremony to a girl’s angel-themed birthday party. And if hosting an event at this delightfully quaint venue is not enough, did we mention that some of the furniture is available for purchase too so you can recreate the look-and-feel of the café in your own pad? Tea Cosy’s other retail partner, A Thousand Tales, will upholster any of the artfully mismatched dining chairs, armchairs or sofas you have been lounging on in a selection of exclusive fabrics.
With your appetite for shopping fully satisfied, settle back down to end your meal on a sweet note. Let the warm, chocolaty, bite-sized brownies and smooth vanilla ice-cream of Ebony and Ivory (S$8.95) melt in your mouth before washing it all down with the café’s signature Minty Chocolate Coffee (S$6.95).
It’s a blissful place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the mall while simultaneously indulging in some delish nibbles and quiet retail therapy. Don’t be surprised if you leave Tea Cosy feeling like you are walking on cloud nine, because assuredly, you have just dined amidst angels.
Tea Cosy
66 Orchard Road
#05-10 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6341 9318
Website: www.teacosy.com.sg
