Few establishments would dare hail themselves as ‘awesome’ but My Awesome Cafe in Singapore is one nut case where the place is actually more awesome than the word itself.
Creating aching nostalgia that appeals to a Google-oogle generation is not easy and while the frontage of this cafe indeed looks straight out of a leaf from the picturebook of a bygone era, inside it is filled with a lunchtime crowd comprising New-Gen executives who appear so at ease in it as if the venue has been there forever for them. It opened in August last year.
Located in a local neighbourhood in the CBD area, My Awesome Cafe is now ‘the address with the most’ along Telok Ayer Street – the most colourful, the most character, the most patrons.
It’s more than feng shui that pulls them in. First, it’s the charm of a heritage building, Chung Hwa Free Clinic, which used to dispense traditional medicine, and it’s nice that nowhere are there signs of the name My Awesome Cafe on the frontage. Then, it’s the whimsical and personalised decor, a motley collection of vintage knick-knacks and reclaimed furniture like 1980s school desks and classroom fans.
It’s also the simple, no-fuss, delicious and generous-portion food choices – salads and sandwiches, cheeses and freshly-baked savouries and cakes – barista coffee and a good selection of wines.
Fourth, it’s the communal-style eating which appeals to the New-Gen who wants to be ‘alone together’. Fifth it is quirky, crazy and happy. Look at those hanging lanterns by the dozens that are lit even during the day, and that motto on the wall…we clap, share, forgive, celebrate, love…
My Awesome Cafe is open for private events “that are edgy, different, quirky, with a touch of surprise”, said owner Franck Hardy, who signs off his emails with “love and happiness”. It is open daily but is closed for dinner on Sundays.
202 Telok Ayer Street; tel: (+65) 8428-0102; email: franck@myawesomecafe.com; www.MyAwesomeCafe.com – Raini Hamdi
