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Oriole Cafe & Bar Turns Milk into Silky Works of Art

Rating:

By Veron Ang

If you love coffee, you would probably like it even more when it comes with a bit of art.

Now, I am by no means a coffee connoisseur, although I do know a good coffee when I taste one. But it doesn’t take a true connoisseur to appreciate coffee art, does it? And that’s exactly what you will get at Oriole Cafe & Bar. This lifestyle café has a flagship store at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites next to 313@Somerset and a second outlet at Republic Plaza.

Coffee art

Cappuccino
S$5++
Rating:

You can get great tasting coffee at many places, but great looking coffee art? Not many. Over here, the coffee art here is done by award-winning baristas. One of them is Keith Low, the owner himself who also runs Whitebait & Kale and the European restaurant, Aerin’s at Raffles City.

Coffee art

If you do get the opportunity, do try to catch the baristas in action. I’m sure watching the way they transform milk into silky works of art would be an eye opening experience!

Coffee art

By itself, the cappuccino tastes pretty good. No need for extra sugar!

Philly cheesesteak

Philly steak & cheese
S$15++
Rating:

Of course, your stomach will not be filled by just drinking coffee alone. Grab quick bites like the Philly cheesesteak, which is interestingly served with a side of potato chips and greens.

Philly cheesesteak

The baguette is filled with pieces of succulent steak, onion, peppers…

Philly cheesesteak

… and loads of melted Swiss cheese! This sandwich is literally packed with flavour!

Prawn spaghetti

Spaghetti prawns
S$15++
Rating:

The prawn spaghetti comes with some sautéed prawns, rocket leaves and tomatoes. Unlike most aglio olio that tend to be milder in taste, this one is chock-full with flavour! Unfortunately, instead of being al dente, the spaghetti is too firm and undercooked.

Oriole Cafe & Bar, Singapore

Have Your Say!

Apart from Oriole, are there any other cafés that offer coffee art? Share with us in the comments!

Oriole
Website

Oriole Cafe & Bar at Pan Pacific Suites

Pan Pacific Suites (next to 313@Somerset)
96 Somerset Road #01-01
Singapore 238163
Tel: +65 6238 8348

Oriole Espresso & Brew Bar at Republic Plaza

Republic Plaza
9 Raffles Place #01-23/23A
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6438 3843

Tags: 313@Somerset, alfresco/outdoor dining, American, brunch, burgers & sandwiches, café/bistro, coffee, dinner, lunch, Raffles Place, Somerset, western

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

Xin Li
6 comments

Been to Oriole before. My friend can’t bare to drink the coffee because he doesn’t want to ruin the coffee art.
Besides just the great looks, the coffee was great too!
Reply
Posted May 10, 2010 at 7:45 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Yup, the coffee looks great and tastes great! When we asked for coffee art, I was expecting it to come in the form of latte. But the guy recommended cappuccino instead, and that turned out to be a yummy choice.
  Reply
  Posted May 12, 2010 at 10:43 am
Hungryepicurean
1 comment

Twice I visited Oriole, and twice, the pasta was overcooked.
Hmm….
Reply
Posted May 10, 2010 at 10:56 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  They probably heard that feedback and grew wary of overcooking it. In the end my pasta was undercooked. To be safe, stay away from the pasta?
  Reply
  Posted May 12, 2010 at 10:46 am
Lester Chan
13 comments

Tried that once, didn’t know that it is open by the guy behind Whitebait & Kale. Cool! Like the ambience there and it is cooling even when sitting outside.
Reply
Posted May 11, 2010 at 8:17 am
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Yup, there’s that very cool and chic, yet casual ambience. It suffices to say that I like the place :)
  Reply
  Posted May 12, 2010 at 10:46 am
jon marc
10 comments

*yawn* coffee art is history.
however, a good philly steak is something droolworthy.
Reply
Posted May 11, 2010 at 10:48 am
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Yup, the Philly cheesesteak is droolworthy. However, I have never had the ‘original’ and wouldn’t know if this one comes close.
  Reply
  Posted May 12, 2010 at 10:47 am
linjie
19 comments

The food seems very reasonably priced.
Reply
Posted May 14, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Carla
5 comments

I envy you Veron xD you get to go to such beautifull places. I wish I had the same luck! (You made me hungry now xD)
Reply
Posted May 17, 2010 at 6:11 am
Jenny
2 comments

Geek Terminal serves pretty good coffee art too.
Reply
Posted May 25, 2010 at 2:28 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Ah yes :) It’s been a while since I last checked out the place. Additional perks: Friendly staff + free wi-fi
  Reply
  Posted May 27, 2010 at 5:03 pm
- BT
  1 comment
  
  i believe geek terminal has closed in 2009.
  the coffee at 40 hands are great
  next one on my to-try list. papa palheta.
  Reply
  Posted January 11, 2011 at 12:27 pm
  - Veron
    3439 comments
    
    Thanks for sharing! My friends and I were wondering whether Geek Terminal is still around. Sad to hear that they have closed.
    40 Hands is already on my list. Just gotta get my lazy bum there one of these days! I like the fact that it’s in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood.
    Papa Palheta is new to me. Thanks for the recommendation!
    Reply
    Posted January 11, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Unimpressed
1 comment

McCafe.
Reply
Posted May 25, 2010 at 2:48 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  They did pretty awesome coffee art for us before: http://sparklette.net/food/mccafe/
  But last we heard, they don’t do it anymore. At least, not at every outlet.
  Reply
  Posted May 27, 2010 at 5:05 pm
EuJzin
26 comments

Heya…I alwis wanted to go there coz my fren claims it’s the best java in singapore. I finally went last fri but wasn;t impressed. It could be 1) it was crowded and noisy and cramp thus detracting the experience 2) I could have ordered the whole drink (Mint Mocha)
Otherwise, it was an expensive meal with so-so pasta. Fish n chips was good. Bread pudding could have been better.
Perhaps I shld just try the coffee recommended in the blog post next time
Reply
Posted June 7, 2010 at 2:01 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Best java in Singapore? That’s a lofty call. I would say that the cappuccino here is pretty decent though. Obviously, the extra bit of eye candy doesn’t hurt.
  If you were to ask me, I still like the 80-cent cup of kopitiam kopi. But that’s probably just me ;)
  Reply
  Posted June 7, 2010 at 3:21 pm
  - eujzin
    26 comments
    
    ya…best java is a bit over the top. hence u can imagine my disappointment. That said, i still am still searching for the best cuppa in the nation. hmm…coffee nation @Bali lane’s not too bad. TCC as well (just a tad bit ex though)
    Reply
    Posted June 8, 2010 at 12:10 am
    - Veron
      3439 comments
      
      I used to go for the Blue Mountain coffee at TCC. It’s really good, but rather pricey at SGD9.90 a cup (or is it 12.90). Happy to hear another recommendation for good coffee. Will check it out, thanks!
      Reply
      Posted June 8, 2010 at 10:08 pm
EuJzin
26 comments

Ya McCafe. Cheap and surprisingly good. Those upmarket cafes wanting to charge so much shld learn from McD
Reply
Posted June 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Many people write them off just because they are McDonald’s, but as you have rightly put it, the coffee is surprisingly good and more affordable than your average coffee house.
  Reply
  Posted June 7, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Kayleigh
3 comments

So have you tried the food at national geographic cafe? Was thinking about going down coming weekend to try it.
Reply
Posted June 21, 2010 at 1:38 pm
eujzin
26 comments

Ya papa palheta is awesome!
they claim to make ANY type of coffee drink u request!
And the best part is, u pay any amt u feel is suitable.
Nice ambiance but can get really crowded. but once u find a nice seat, u can chillax the entire afternoon there.
40 hands is a nice gem @Tiong Bahru area but dun remember much of the coffee but i heard is good.
(Note that the above places close rather early (~7p) but 40 hands told me that they may extend operating times. that was 2 months back)
My next place to try is Espressoul, the supposedly substitute for GT
Reply
Posted January 11, 2011 at 2:16 pm
- Veron
  3439 comments
  
  Pay any amount I want, seriously? I never thought this is possible in Singapore. How bold of the cafe to try out this daring concept!
  Reply
  Posted January 11, 2011 at 3:07 pm
  - eujzin
    26 comments
    
    yup! similar to one of my fave indian makan place – Annalakshmi, pay as you like!
    shld chk it out.
    u just ‘donate’ into the tin coin boxes provided ard the cafe
    a bit out of the way though.
    140 Bukit Timah Road, 229840
    9838 3103 ‎
    papapalheta.com
    Reply
    Posted January 13, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@pushypanda
1 comment

The sad thing about living in Singapore is that you can’t get a Philly Cheesesteak. Or can you… http://t.co/DGH8NIi8
Reply
Posted September 17, 2011 at 11:34 am