by Hidir Koh and Samantha Lee (and Ah Boon)
Founded by the guys behind fashion label Benjamin Barker, The Assembly Ground is a cosy cafe that is located on the first floor of The Cathay. From the food to decor, the cafe draws much of its inspiration from Melbourne and their bustling cafe and cycling culture, exuding a vibe of cosiness as soon as one steps in.
Food:
We started off with a cup of green tea latte ($6.50) each, and this, we must say, is one cup of awesome. The strong matcha taste present is definitely a delight to every green tea lover – slightly bitter but aromatic nonetheless. When paired with a slice of Tiramisu ($5) and a good read, it brings a great balance not only in terms of taste, but even providing you with a perfect tea break.
While not everyone may be a matcha lover, those who prefer coffee should give their iced coffee a try – topped with a creamy scoop of ice cream just like they do in Australia, it provides a great respite from the heat of Singapore’s afternoon (it’s the best of both worlds if you are an ice cream lover as well – as Ah Boon attests).
Up next were truffle fries ($12) and we must say – we were both in great anticipation of the fries as the aroma of it had found it way to us even before the fries reached our table. The powdered parmesan atop the straight-cut fries gave them a pleasant flavour, and when coupled with the tartar sauce, it provided a delightful pairing as the tastes complemented each other instead of overpowering. We should also highlight that the tartar sauce on it’s own is also something to rave about, as it doesn’t taste too sour and is smoother than normal ones out there. The reason why this is so, is because the chef personally mixes the batches each morning, ensuring both perfect freshness and consistency. Ah Boon loves it.
For those who love brunch, The Assembly Brunch ($19.50) is a hearty platter consisting of velvety scrambled eggs, wiener sausage, thick toast, roasted cherry tomatoes, potato gratin, a side of sauteed mushrooms and your choice of either bacon or smoked salmon. The wide variety of flavours makes this our go-to dish, and we will definitely be back for more when we are craving for it.
Ambience:
The Assembly Ground exudes an eclectic feel and the walls feature an interesting display of bicycles and murals. Situated on the quieter end of Orchard Road, the spacious and dimly-lit cafe makes it an ideal spot to just unwind away from the hustle and bustle of all the activities any time of the day. Or even, as Ah Boon suggests, after a movie.
Price:
The cafe uses quality ingredients which are sourced from all over the world. Although it is not the most inexpensive dining experience, you get the quality you pay for. Good news – they are currently having 1-for-1 promotions on Mondays and Tuesdays. Oh, and did we mention that there is no service charge?
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THE ASSEMBLY GROUND
2 Handy Road #01-21, Singapore 229233
(Nearest train station: Dhoby Ghaut)
Contact: 67333375
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sat – Sun: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
NOTE :
Weekends (4:00pm to 5:30pm): only appetisers, sandwiches, The Assembly Brunch, desserts and drinks are available.
Pizzas are not available on weekdays (3:00pm to 6:00pm).
