February 14, 2014

Mean Bean & Wicked Grind @ Parkroyal on Beach Road



If you can have your own café, how would it be like? Fellow blogger Kimberly made hers focus on providing really good coffee and desserts with a takeaway concept, found a cozy corner place within The Plaza at Parkroyal hotel on Beach Road to house it, and named it Mean Bean & Wicked Grind (MBWG). I also want. But since I don't have, the next best thing is to visit and give her some support.


I first met Kimberly during the Machicon event last year and she strikes me as rather accomplished for someone her age. Just 23 years old and freshly graduated from NUS, Kimberly is already the co-owner of Eusoffungry, a supper stall at NUS Eusoff Hall and the owner of online clothing store, Clothes Over Bros even before she opened MBWG.

Kimberly knows exactly that she wants. From the red and white brick feature wall on each side of the café, right down to the gorgeous plates, tea cups and cutlery specially sourced during her travels. Everything is a reflection of her love for vintage, rustic and pretty stuff. And if you like any of the items in the shop, you can buy them. Yes, all are for sale, including the clock and wall lamps even!


MBWG's location is not too bad, situated just a short distance away from Haji Lane and Bugis. If I'm working near the surrounding office buildings or staying in the nearby serviced suites, it would be extremely tempting to swing by and pick up some cakes and pastries so very often!

Some of the baked goods suppliers include the popular Kisses Bakery in Tiong Bahru, as well as some indie home-based bakers like The Ugly Cake Shop, All Good Things and The Little Yellow Apron, making MBWG a one-stop heaven for dessert lovers.

The selection rotates every few days so there's always something fresh and exciting to look forward to at MBWG. Do check out their Facebook page for regular updates on what's available.


I never thought I love Éclairs this much until I tried the more interesting ones from The Little Yellow Apron! Salted Caramel ($3) and Mango Passion Fruit ($3) flavors are a welcomed and refreshing change from the usual chocolate. Vanilla Beans ($3) is a fluffy choux pastry full of lovely vanilla fragrance topped with caramelized pecans, a wonderful combination of textures which gives such intense enjoyment in every bite.

Ooh my favorite is undoubtedly the Pierre Hermé inspired Ispahan Éclair ($3.50), which caught my immediate attention among the colorful array of desserts laid before us. A dainty assemble of luscious rose cream, fresh raspberries and crunchy bits of lychee within a light, airy oblong shell, prettified further with a crimson rose petal. So girlish in its blushing shades of pink and red, so subtlety sweet and delicate in flavor. Utterly delightful!

Move over cupcakes! Éclairs are gonna be trending soon!


Oops! Cupcakes supporters, before you wanna throw eggs at me, let's keep calm and eat a cupcake :p

The Cupcakes ($3.50 each) sourced from Kisses Bakery comes in flavors such as Peanut Butter, Mocha Chocolate, Kaya, Salted Caramel, as well as the classic favourite, Red Velvet, certainly enough to keep our mouths busy for awhile. It's the first time I'm trying their cupcakes and I thought it's rather good. Moist and not overdosing on the sugars, just the way I like it. *omnomnom*

One of the best-selling item in MBWG is the Sea Salt Caramel Shortbread ($5.60), an addictive sweet and salty pairing of chocolate and caramel coconut on a crunchy shortbread layer. The cakes did not leave much impression, but tarts such as Lemon Meringue Tart ($5.80), Passion Fruit Raspberry Double Layered Tart ($6) and Belgian Belcolade Chocolate Tart ($6.50) are worth a try.


Kimberly is also very particular about coffee she served and finally decided on Caffè Agust Beans (100% Fairtrade Organic Arabica Beans) from La Ristrettos after trying out various coffee beans. The high quality of the beans is shown evidently in my cup of Latte ($4.50). Not too acidic, with a fragrant lingering aftertaste, and nicely balanced with a right amount of milk. My kind of brew :)

Though good coffee and desserts are reasons enough for dropping by, MBWG also offers a selection of savory bites like sandwiches and salad. Time to give your tummy a treat!

Thank you, Kimberly, for such a lovely evening :)


Mean Bean & Wicked Grind
Address: Parkroyal on Beach Road, The Plaza, 75000A Beach Road, #01-337, Singapore 199591
Contact: +65 92721571
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meanbeanwickedgrind
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm / Sat-Sun 11am-9pm


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