Another Japanese brand has joined the booming local coffee scene – nope, not Okada Coffee scheduled to open in November but SaintMarc Café with almost 300 branches in Japan. Owned by SaintMarc Singapore whose parent company SaintMarc Holdings has about 700 cafés across 12 brands, Singapore is its 2nd overseas location and the 1st in South-East Asia. A few doors away from Costa Coffee on the 1st floor of VivoCity, the airy and spacious place looked cosy with lots of wood and comfortable armchairs. Using the same colour scheme as its logo, a wall and two columns in orange stood out against the mostly dark palette saved for a few white tables and the tops worn by staff beneath their brown striped aprons. Other than enticing displays typical of Japanese restaurants, there was also a nice aroma of freshly-baked breads reminiscent of a bakery.
Small bites of its signature Choco Cro were available for sampling on its opening day and many, like me, stepped in after trying. A chocolate croissant crispy on the outside with charred and butter aroma, soft and fluffy inside with sweet and rich chocolate centre. In fact, I overheard a customer telling her friend to buy the White Choco Cro since they have tried the original. Tempted as I was by the Almond Sugar Pie, only got myself a freshly brewed coffee as it was too near dinner time. The café was bustling then and service was slow but friendly. Requested for serviette and was given both that and wet tissue. Condiments, cutleries and complimentary iced water are self-service. There was an aroma of roasted beans in the smooth and bitter coffee with muted acidity and medium body. Surprisingly strong for Japanese coffee, it was good enough without adding sugar and creamer.
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