Wiener Kaffeehaus; Viennese Cafe ( 6226-3148)

April 30, 2007: I've always wanted to try this cafe out since I read about it last year in a magazine.

This time, I was in a mood to walk around the Chinatown conservation after my dim-sum meal. I had conjured up a strong-body aromatic European coffee- the kind I used to enjoy in Germany, while walking towards Neil Road.

The area is very serene. The very old giant trees are stacked with parasitic plants and layers of buttress roots embracing their trunks. The vegetation indicates the age of this place. I only hope that the new Duxton 40 something-floor apartment project will not kill the landscape of the whole place although I am sure that I'd be hoping in vain.

I walked toward the Au Boon Haw office and then straight on for another few metres before reaching the cafe at the corner.

The interior is dark with dim wall-lights - it reminds me of restaurants in Europe during winter. After studying the coffee list, I picked Einspaenner (SGD 4.10), translated as 'one horse bridle'. It's crowned with a drop of fresh cream in a glass with a large handle (like a bridle), and the other hand of the carriage driver was to be left free to hold on to his rein. The spoon looked antique; inscribed underneath it were "Elizabeth Rose" and "made in Japan". I wondered if it was a Meiji-era product.

After the first sip, I was sure I'd the real thing. The smokiness of the beans lingered in my mouth for the whole day, thank goodness, without any palpitations or headaches. I'd give it five stars!

Address: 148 Neil Road, Singapore