Was pleasantly surprised visiting La Ristrettos for brunch on Saturday. I’ve often heard friends suggest this cafe, however never had the chance to visit as it’s a small place and my Meetups and catch-up with friends are usually in larger groups. I was quite surprised it’s located on the 8th floor of Novena Medical Centre as my friend guided me through the lifts and hallways. The cafe is neatly packed away through a door and it’s small space consists of one communal table (could probably fit 10 pax) and bar seats at the full length windows which look out upon the lush courtyard.
We decided to venture into the courtyard to find seats, but the tables and chairs are limited outdoors too. Thankfully a nice person accepted our polite intrusion upon his table.
Coffee was on order and I had the Panini Uova E Pancetta ($11.00++)—Fried eggs, bacon & provolone cheese on toasted panini and fresh salad. It was a pretty average meal—comfort food, and didn’t disappoint at all. The salad was dressed in vinaigrette and eggs were sunny side up, just how I like it, with runny yolks! The utensils seemed like they popped out of Little House on the Prairie—plastic handled, fading country-like patterns, blunt butter knife and fork. Luckily my dish didn’t need much cutting into. A good, safe brunch at a reasonable price I would say.
My friend had the Grande ($14.00++)—Eggs (scrambled, poached or sunny side), sautéed mushrooms, bacon, spicy Italian sausage, sour dough & baked beans. Looked really good and she seemed like she enjoyed it since she cleared every little scrap of food, apart from her untouched salad—tsk!
I ventured inside to take some photos of the little cafe. Seemed like most people were at the cafe on their own, doing work and there were even tourists planning their itineraries. I love the sunlight coming through the full length windows where you can look out into lush greenery to relax your mind. I can imagine revisiting and sitting at the window dreamily gazing out into the unknown.
Service at the cafe is good, nothing to complain about. The staff seem really friendly as I heard them giving a tourist tips for her visit to Hong Kong. It’s a very relaxing place to chill if you manage to get alfresco seats. Wi-fi can be connected through Wireless@SGX (Wireless@SG couldn’t connect). Wi-fi is a very important factor for me as I’m usually at cafes doing work whilst my friends keep me company by reading books or working on their own projects. It’s a great way to get work done without being confined or hmm… feeling alone.
I must say, it’s great to meet other entrepreneurs at every corner, even in an unlikely place such as this little cafe hidden on the 8th floor of a medical centre. Just so happens our new friend who was very friendly and let us share his table is working on his own projects too. Seems everyone’s working on apps. Not that I’m complaining. I love apps and I wish I knew how to make them, but my plate is too full at the moment. It is great to meet like-minded people who think beyond the 9 to 5 routine.
I guess smaller cafes have that advantage, creating an opportunity for strangers to share tables. Gives you a chance to meet new friends and hear new stories. Saturday definitely didn’t disappoint. I learnt about diving and getting drunk in the sea. More commonly known as Nitrogen poisoning, which has increased my desire to go diving about… 0%. Yay!
I would definitely visit this hidden little gem again, even just for the green environment. Makes me miss the wide open green spaces back home in Brisbane.
La Ristrettos: facebook
La Ristrettos
10 Sinaran Drive, #08-37 Novena Medical Centre
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6397 7165
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
[Originally posted at geekyelephant.com]
