Astons Express Upper Thomson Review

Here's my review of Astons Express Upper Thomson...

Astons Express Upper Thomson is located in a corner coffee shop along Upper Thomson Road. The great thing about this place is that it's super near my home. In fact, my family's favourite zi char shop used to occupy the shop space that Astons Express Upper Thomson now operates in. It's so close that we used to walk to this corner coffee shop almost every weekend to have dinner!

Observing the crowd, Astons Express Upper Thomson is popular with many residents in the area. There's always a good number of people ordering, eating in or taking away lunch and dinner during weekdays and weekends. When it first opened, the queue was very long. And since the coffeeshop doesn't have aircon, waiting for our food can be a sweaty and uncomfortable experience. In addition, since the road is very close by, the sounds can get quite loud, especially during peak hours.  

However, there have been improvements since Astons Express @ Upper Thomson first opened...

• Potted plants have been placed between the road and the tables to minimize road noise.
• The food pick-up system is much more efficient since they implemented the use of a device that blinks when your order is ready. 
• Additional overhead fans have been installed to help patrons stay cool while waiting for our meal.  

In conclusion, if you are craving for Astons, there's no harm parking your car nearby and taking a short walk to eat at Astons Express Upper Thomson. After all, dessert shops - Rocher Beancurd / Tau Huey, Scoopz Ice Cream and Dessert House - are just next door! The Upper Thomson Road night view is quite pretty too, with all the shophouses lighted up. ^_^

Little Part 1 Cafe Review

Though Little Part 1 Cafe has been open since 2008, I just discovered this place exactly 2 days ago. It's in a tucked away corner on Jasmine Lane, which is the next turning after Thomson Plaza carpark.

We sat at the first table next to the door which gave really nice natural light to take photos. Scorching hot sun out today, so we chose to sit indoors. Hope to sit outdoors and enjoy the alfresco feel on my next visit. 

What's on the menu?

Went there for lunch and ordered the Beef Quesadilla, Shepherds Pie and Original Spicy Buffalo Wings. I have to say that the food was really good and I was pleased with our selections. 

For drinks, sis had the strawberry smoothie and i ordered a Summerberry Cider from Cheeky Rascal. Love the quirky name. It's a 100% real fruit blend cider from Mornington Peninsula Australia using fresh fruits. Reminiscent of my time studying University in Melbourne. The makers of Cheeky Rascal own the Sunny Ridge strawberry farm in Mornington Peninsula which I visited quite a few times for strawberry picking. 

other ciders available

Cider is just an awesome drink for a lazy sunny afternoon. Definitely try Cheeky Rascal cider as an alternative to Rekorderlig that we are more familiar with.

Overall Little Part 1 Cafe Review

Food was excellent and price decent. Decor has the just-right laid back feel you would expect from a cafe setting. I like that the place wasn't too crowded on Saturday lunch time (though i noticed more people coming in after we sat down). Mostly, I love that it's on Upper Thomson Road, which means its near home ! No need to travel far away for a unique and memorable afternoon experience.  

Thank you Little Part 1 Cafe for adding to the cafe-scape of Upper Thomson Road Area !! 

Little Part 1 Cafe

15 Jasmine Road 

Opening Hours:

Sunday- Thursday 12 noon - 10pm

Friday & Saturday 12 noon - 12 midnight

Closed on Monday

Rest time 3 pm -  5.30pm Weekdays

Click here for Little Part 1 cafe menu 

Little Part 1 Cafe Menu

Tasting Little Part 1 Cafe Menu

Hoo! I'm still full from my meal at Little Part 1 Cafe... their menu was very enticing, and has LOTS of variety. Here's part of the Little Part 1 Cafe Menu that was interesting to me...

Little Part 1 Cafe Food Menu

BUFFALO WINGS
Original Spicy Buffalo Wings $10.90
Outback BBQ Buffalo Wings $10.90
Mint Miley Buffalo Wings $10.90
Wholegrain Mustard Buffalo Wings $10.90
Smelly Cheese Buffalo Wings $10.90

The first thing I said was "No smelly cheese please..." Mattin smiled and decided on the Original Spicy.  I admit I was a little disappointed because the 'Mint Miley' flavour seemed interesting to me. The Miley Buffalo Wings description reads : sweet and refreshing, but honestly, they got me at 'Mint' (hehe). Still, I surprisingly enjoyed the original spicy buffalo wings more than I thought I would. So I recommend ordering their Buffalo Wings ^_^

APPETIZERS
Mini Chicken Debreziner (mildly spicy and smoked mini german sausages) $8.90
Beef Quesadilla $10.90
Poached Mussels $10.90
Fish Leiste (herb-breaded fish nibbles) $10.90
Chicken Leiste (breaded chicken nibbles) $10.90
Nacho Chips $7.90
Curried Fries $7.90
Plain Fries $6.90

Sister ordered Beef Quesadilla, which we later discovered is very similar to the Shepherd's Pie I ordered.
** NOTE : Just in case you think of ordering 'Nacho Chips' AND Beef Quesadilla, do take note that Beef Quesadilla already comes with a side of Nachos topped with mayonnaise... so you don't "double-order" nachos if you're a small-eater like me.

SALADS
House Salad $13.90
Silken Tofu Salad $15.90
Crispy Chicken Salad $15.90
Smoked Salmon Salad $16.90

I'm not really a salad person (I didn't even finish the side salad that came with my Shepherd's Pie...) So, I didn't bother to read the salad menu. Although at first glance, 'Silken Tofu Salad' seems interesting.

MAINS
Chicken Schnitzel $18.90
Bratwurst Brat $18.90
Fish and Chips $16.90
Shepherd's Pie $16.90
Irish Beef Stew (weekends only) $21.90
Belgian Fish and Mussel Stew $21.90
Honey Roasted Barbeque Ribs Half-$22.90, Full-$32.90

CREPES
Smoked Salmon Crepe $18.90
Classic Italiano Crepe $16.90
Louisiana Crepe $18.90
Pomodoro Chicken $18.90
Scallopini Chicken $18.90
Three Cheese Spinach Crepe $17.90
Four Cheese Crepe $18.90
Mixed Green Crepe $16.90

Now, as I type out the Little Part 1 Cafe Menu, I realize it says 'Don't Waste, Let Us Know If You Don't Eat Salad'... now I know...

5 Upper Thomson Road Food Places People Recommend...

1. Little Part 1 Cafe : Unusual

Want to hang out and eat somewhere UNUSUAL? Little Part 1 Cafe is a cosy, special Upper Thomson Road Food Place people recommend because it's located in a relatively unknown shophouse area off the main Upper Thomson Road. Since its location is rather unusual and 'off-the-beaten-track', I bet even people living in District 20 don't know this place! If you don't drive, you may find it fun and adventurous walking along the (sometimes very busy) Upper Thomson main road before turning into Jasmine Road to get to Little Part 1 Cafe.
[Click here to read Little Part 1 Cafe Review and Little Part 1 Cafe Menu]

2. Old School Delights : Retro

Feeling SENTIMENTAL? Old School Delights is a Upper Thomson Food Place People Recommend because of its retro design and retro good food. Find yourself back in time at Old School Delights where you'll find many reminders of 'Old Singapore'. A real bonus is playing traditional games like 'Five Stones', 'Kuti Kuti' and 'Snakes and Ladders' FOR FREE with your deliciously fulfilling meal or snacks (yummy butter cakes or traditional desserts like Chendol) at Old School Delights.

3. Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant : Satisfy Korean Food Cravings

Can't wait to fly all the way to Korea to enjoy delicious Korean food? Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant is a nice Upper Thomson Road Food Place People Recommend to satisfy your Korean food cravings. Visit Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant for yourself to taste how good the food is.
[Click here to read Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant Reviews and Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant Menu)]

4. Little Pancakes : All Day Breakfast

Hate waking up early to eat breakfast? Who needs to when there's Little Pancakes? This Upper Thomson Road Food Place People Recommend is another 'hidden gem' along the main Upper Thomson Road. The pancakes are mini-sized and suitable for dessert. It works as a dessert place because Little Pancakes only closes at 11pm (except on Sunday). Lots of unusual pancake varieties.

5. Habitat Coffee : Chic

Over time, Habitat Coffee has evolved into a place for 'artistic people' to hang out along Upper Thomson Road. (Perhaps its the growing number of music and dance schools being set up along Upper Thomson Road?) This Upper Thomson Road Food Place People Recommend has a clean, chic feel. Don't be misled into thinking the space is very small. There's additional seating 'hidden' within the shophouse. The food and drinks are decent and reasonably priced. And I hear they serve gourmet coffee.

Looking for a Recommended Upper Thomson Road Food Trail Accessible By Walking?

Just visit in this order...

Little Pancakes -> Old School Delights -> Habitat Coffee -> Auntie Kim's Korean Restaurant -> Little Part 1 Cafe

Woo! That's a lot of food and drink to digest in a day... Have Fun and Good Luck!

Singaporean Motovlogger: Old Upper Thomson Road

Driving Through Old Upper Thomson Road

Stumbled across this video of a motovlogger riding through Old Upper Thomson Road, and really enjoyed the combination of the music, scenery, and 'Monkey Alerts'! Hence, just had to share it here for all to appreciate.
^_^ Hope you enjoy it too! ^_^

Upper Thomson Awfully Chocolate

I finally discovered the location of Upper Thomson Awfully Chocolate !

Wondering what to eat for dinner last night, we decided to drive along Upper Thomson Road. In the car, I said "Let's go to the Springleaf Prata Place". But as we drove past Sembawang Hills Estate, we noticed a hawker centre there and decided to visit it (even though only few stalls looked open at 8+pm).

As we drove to the public carpark (Free after 5pm), I noticed an 'Awfully Chocolate' Shop...

Oh my gosh! This is the Upper Thomson Awfully Chocolate Shop I have been wondering about ever since I realized there was one in the Upper Thomson Area! 

Originally, I thought the shop might be around the Sembawang Shopping Center area. But I now realize my folly. Sembawang Hills Estate Awfully Chocolate is NOT in Sembawang. It is cosily nestled between my beloved Thomson Plaza area and the Springleaf Estate! 

What awesome news! I am definitely inviting a friend to hang out at Upper Thomson Awfully Chocolate since it's a cafe. A cafe is great because at least there's a place for friends to sit down, relax and enjoy our delicious, rich, super unforgettable chocolate cake! This is so much better than travelling all the way to the 'stall' in (crowded) Orchard ION - the first Awfully Chocolate outlet I was introduced to by Godma. I still remember having to find a bench near the food court to sit - before we could enjoy our Awfully Chocolate cupcakes. Memorable but not exactly ideal...

An Awfully Chocolate Cafe in Upper Thomson, just a 10 minute bus-ride from my home is So Much Better!!!

^_^ Happy!

Love,

Rachellimshuling

Awfully Chocolate Sembawang Hills
4 Jalan Kuras Sembawang Hills Estate Singapore 577723
T: (+65) 6451 7104 F: (+65) 6451 7103
 Open 10am - 10pm daily
Welcome to our first Awfully Chocolate dessert café!
http://www.awfullychocolate.com/singapore/storelocations.php

Upper Thomson Ampang Yong Tau Foo

Saturday Lunch @ Upper Thomson Ampang Yong Tau Foo

[ Click here to locate and get directions to this Upper Thomson Yong Tau Foo on Google Maps ]

This afternoon, Mum, Sis and I drove to Upper Thomson Road (Springleaf Area) to eat Ampang Yong Tau Foo. Quite frequently, my mum will crave for Ampang Yong Tau Foo and will request that we come here to eat on weekends.

We have been eating at Ngee Fou (Hakka) Yong Tau Foo for years (even before we moved to Upper Thomson Road), but recently, my dad complains that the food there is expensive. Ever since then, we have been coming here less often.

However, since my dad has a 1pm golf game today, Mum grabs the opportunity to suggest we eat 'Ampang Yong Tau Foo' for lunch! Being good children, Sis and I agree to oblige her. ^_^

To be honest, I do not recall ever eating the original Ampang Yong Tau Foo from Malaysia, so I cannot comment on how authentic the flavour from Ngee Fou is. But my mum has eaten the Ampang YongTauFoo in Malaysia before and still really likes to eat the Ampang Yong Tau Foo here at Upper Thomson Road (Springleaf area, Ngee Fou (Hakka) Yong Tau Foo, 928 Upper Thomson Road). Hence, if you are looking for some yummy Ampang Yong Tau Foo, I would still recommend you give this shop a taste.

Here are my Top 3 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Eat @ Upper Thomson Ampang Yong Tau Foo...

1. Even though my dad complains it is expensive, Mum still insists on driving there to eat. 
2. When we first started coming to Ngee Fou to eat, they only occupied one shop unit. Now, they have expanded to occupy two shop units, plus the additional open-space that corner coffeeshops use. Since the cost of renting a shop in Singapore is so high, it is logical to assume that only shops serving 'good food' can expand their business premises.
3. FREE Parking !  

There are actually two reasons why we eat at Ngee Fou instead of the neighbouring shop. Once, when Ngee Fou had no seats, we went next door to eat. However, Mum said the food at Ngee Fou is still better. Also, something unusual happened when we ate at the neighbouring shop. A customer lost his temper (probably because he was so hungry) and shouted VERY LOUDLY at the shop workers for not serving him. As a result, we didn't enjoy our first experience at the new shop. Hence, our family decided to stick to eating at Ngee Fou Yong Tau Foo.

Secret Tip on Where To Park When Eating At Upper Thomson Ampang Yong Tau Foo...

Being a landed property liver, I hesitate to share my 'secret parking area' for when I drive to eat at Upper Thomson Ampang Yong Tau Foo with the world. However, since I am committed to sharing my 'Upper Thomson Road Singapore Living' insider tips with my readers, here it is...

When I can't find parking in front of the shophouses, I will turn left into Thong Soon Green and park within the landed property area. I have always found space to park along the road there. I choose to park there because I prefer to walk a little instead of waiting for a parking lot in front of the shophouses. (Don't you find it stressful to hold up the traffic while other cars are waiting behind you too?) In addition, since I love viewing landed properties, parking within Thong Soon Green also gives me an opportunity to check out the houses there. Just today, I noticed that number 14 has an interesting porch design. While I wouldn't design my porch that way, it is just fascinating to see how other people choose to construct their dream homes. ^_^

{ P.S. To see more photos and read what another blogger, Bern, Hungry Bunny says about the Ampang Yong Tau Foo at Upper Thomson, visit : http://thehungrybunnie.blogspot.sg/2012/05/ngee-fou-restaurant-hakka-ampang-yong.html <- She has a great description of what makes a yongtaufoo an "Ampang" yong tau foo... }