Tai Seng and MacPherson seem to be a location in the spotlight in the cafe scene lately, with the opening of Prodigal Cafe and Ristr8to (within Chef Avenue) recently.
Moving into the Tai Seng neighbourhood recently is Alchemist, which is a name that should be rather familiar with cafe-hoppers and coffee lovers. Operating two hole-in-the-wall kiosks in the Central Business District, Alchemist’s first shop is situated at International Plaza, with its second at Hong Leong Building. The latest establishment is their biggest yet; also their flagship shop which incorporates a dine-in area and a roastery all in one roof. Located in the retro Khong Guan Building, the entrance is hidden behind old-school, light blue metal shutters; the interior features a high ceiling with hanging light bulbs and decorative ornaments, while the counter is directly located at the entrance in a V-shape layout (replicating the shape of the building, which in turn replicates the shape of the plot of land the building is sitting on). Dine-in tables and chairs follow the perimeters, with counter seating by the windows leading towards the couch seatings at the end. The interior is chic and modern, decked in dark blue and marble countertops with wooden furnishings, some of the furnishings also exuding a sense of nostalgia that blends in well with the architecture of the building. The menu here is relatively simple; only carrying baked and pastries with specialty coffee, one can opt for espresso-based coffee and pourover options here.
Having headed to Alchemist early in the morning, we went for their Butter Cinnamon Danish, as well as the White for our choice of coffee. The Butter Cinnamon Danish is a simple pastry that was pretty satisfying — a crisp, flaky and buttery pastry that carries slight hints of cinnamon around the sides; buttery crumbles in the middle providing a bit of texture. The White, which we opted for the blend which consists of 50% Brazilian and 50% Colombian beans, roasted in-house. Not only was the cuppa smooth and creamy, carrying an earthy and nutty taste profile with medium body, but it was also noticeably balanced with a clean finish that leaves no aftertaste.
Being an established name in the cafe scene, there is no doubt that Alchemist serves great specialty coffee especially given their popularity in the Central Business District. That being said, the Khong Guan Industrial Building outlet is a testament to how they have grown over the years, from the small kiosk to the flagship store where operations are all under the same roof. The Khong Guan Building location also carries a vibe that is meant to fit the building it is situated in; a lot of design details placed into emphasis in its interior, all meant to ensure that the cafe compliments its surrounding — pretty much unlike how some cafes end up sticking out like a sore thumb in the neighbourhood. While not offering any hot food options, Alchemist Khong Guan Industrial Building a place we would hit, mainly to soak up some positive vibes and have some quiet time over a well-pulled cuppa any time.
Alchemist 2 MacTaggart Road #01-01 Khong Guan Building Singapore 368078
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