CRAFT Bakery & CAFE is the latest addition to the growing café scene at Holland Village, joining the likes of Hatched, Park, and d’Good Cafe. They only just opened last month, July 2013, taking over this spot from Cold Rock Creamery.

I was going to wait till I got the chance to visit it during the day to try out their coffee (they use Papa Palheta beans) and have lunch there before writing a post about it, but heck, why not do it while the experience is fresh in my mind (and because I feel like it). Perhaps I will add on again later after a second trip.

But my first impression of this place is pretty positive. CRAFT is not a fancy joint by any means though; on the contrary, it is simple, fresh and cosy.

We went on a Tuesday night, for dinner.

It was fairly empty and quiet, which was pretty chill and conducive for chatting. We enjoyed a house-made fruit cooler drink (S$10.50 for a pitcher) while waiting for the food to arrive.

Prices are generally okay (around S$8 to S$16 for sandwiches, salads, pastas and personal pizzas), though I found the price for a simple dish like Bangers and Mash slightly on the high side (S$17). However, in general the food was pretty good and my friend J and I left happy.

I know, it is a boring choice, but I had the Chicken Wings (S$9 for half a dozen, S$17 for a dozen). These were pretty much the usual; yummy and oily.

J had the Bangers and Mash, which came with Zorro-style slashed sausages (we were not very sure why) and a giant heap of creamed potatoes. He said that the mash tasted a bit like it was made from powder though.

The Truffle Fries with Parmesan (S$8.50) that we ordered for sharing were fairly well executed – they were tossed and coated evenly with finely shaven cheese, infused with just enough truffle oil to taste it but not overpower the dish, and were nicely moist and tasty. We enjoyed this.

But the piece-de-resistance was of course, the Molten Lava Cake (S$9.50 for all flavours including a scoop of ice cream, +$1 for Baileys). How can one not order this when patronising an eatery set up by molten lava cake specialists (3 Inch Sin)?

We opted for the ‘Original’ flavour (as J doesn’t like caramelised bananas; I would’ve loved to try that though), which was served warm with vanilla ice cream. Other flavours available that day were Hazelnut, Mint and Peanut Butter.

My verdict on this? Really enjoyable molten lava cake with a rich, gooey chocolatey centre in a firm, also delicious chocolate casing, that would have been that much more awesome with better quality ice cream.

To me, it was a bit of a pity because the molten chocolate cake was so good, it deserved to be paired with a premium vanilla bean ice cream to do it justice and take the experience to another level.

I would have gladly paid a few more dollars for that! But anyway, these delicious goodies can also be taken away (S$6.50 / S$7.50) and savoured at home with other ice creams or condiments of your choice.

I like this cafe and will probably return. The staff are warm and friendly, and the whole place has a very unpretentious, homely feel.

Would also like to try their signature The Craft Sandwich, which is maple candied bacon and apple slaw between waffle grids.

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CRAFT Bakery & CAFE
Holland Village
24A Lorong Mambong
Tel: +65 6467 7710

CRAFT Bakery & CAFE Facebook Page

Open from 12pm to 11pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and till 12am on Fridays and Saturdays.