COCONUTS HOT SPOT — There’s always room for dessert. In our stomachs and in our hearts. So it was with great joy that we discovered a new dessert cafe nestled in the Owen Road neighbourhood. Opened by famous blogger Jessica Loh — who started off baking sweet treats for her family and friends before moving on to creating customised cakes for online orders — Shiberty Bakes is all about shooting you up on a sugar high.
The sun-lit space features white walls, minimalistic furniture and a pretty ‘picture-taking space’ at the bar counter by the glass doors, on which framed inspirational quotes, flowers and potted plants are stacked. With Loh’s sizeable following on social media, she obviously knows what attracts cafe-goers: Gorgeously plated Instagram-worthy food. And that she does tremendously.
Think hulking slices of buttered bread that are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, topped with generous scoops of ice cream and piled high with all your favourite sugary desserts. That’s the Shiberty Toast ($16) for you — her version of the shibuya toast. It’s available in three flavours: Classic, with vanilla and sea salt caramel ice cream, maple honey and berries; Rocher, with hazelnut and vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce and an overload of nine chocolate snacks; and Matcha, with green tea and vanilla ice cream, cookies and white choc drizzle. This crowning jewel of the cafe will likely feed one very hungry person with a huge appetite or two to three friends willing to share the calories with you.
If you’re still chilling out on the waffle bandwagon, try the gourmet offerings here ($14). Choose from buttermilk, which is basically like the classic Shiberty Toast but on waffles, or go for a dash of colour with red velvet or charcoal waffles. The former comes with strawberry cheesecake and vanilla ice cream, cookies and fudge sauce, while the latter is plated with hazelnut and vanilla ice cream, white choc drizzle and a macaron.
Otherwise, get the lovely-looking cakes ($7) on display — options include red velvet, chocolate Baileys, strawberry shortcake and honey — or the cupcakes ($4), which come in flavours like lemon meringue, Kinder Bueno, vanilla bean and cookies and cream. These are subject to change, depending on availability, and the cafe also takes customised cake orders. If you just want something small and sweet to pop into your mouth, we recommend the macarons ($2). Pick from Earl Grey, honey lavender, matcha, salted egg, Ferrero Rocher or red velvet.
On the drinks side, basic teas, sodas, coffees and coffee frappes feature on the menu, alongside strawberry cheesecake, hazelnut chocolate, sea salt caramel and matcha milkshakes. But order these loaded mugs at your own peril, especially if your table is already full of cakes and waffles.
Shiberty Bakes is at #01-277, 46 Owen Rd, 6291-5221. Tues-Sun noon-10pm.
