Coconuts Hot Spot: AEIOU Cafe

Started by designers Dennis Lau and Joanna Fong, AEIOU Cafe is a lifestyle concept occupying what used to be the Oriental Antique House on King George’s Avenue.

Photo: Dennis Lau and Joanna Fong wanted a gathering spot that celebrated art, food and nature

The name’s a mouthful (and maybe even a little juvenile — check out that intro vid at the bottom of the story), but once you overlook that it’s easily the coolest new kid on the Jalan Besar block.

First of all it’s right in the heart of one of Singapore’s painfully hip ‘hoods. Throw a stone in any direction and you’re likely to hit a buzzy hangout spot, like The Refinery, a coffee and language meetup hub just a few doors down.

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AEIOU’s also a literal hidden gem — it’s retained the original facade including the shop sign, so if you’re a first-timer you’re likely to run into some trouble locating the place. We found it by chance ourselves, after a few minutes of contemplating what it really was from the outside, which is rather pleasant to look at with its tin can toys, “Welcome” flags and green plants.

Photo: AEIOU’s value-for-money stuffed roast chicken

Inside, the diner and furniture spans about 1,800 sq. ft. and is filled with quirky vintage and upcycled furnishings and accessories, such as the abovementioned tin can toys and hot air balloon planters — all ready to be sold. Also on sale is an intriguing selection of artwork showcasing Southeast Asian scenes, including those by Penang knife painter AhKu or Koh Teng Huat, who conducted a demonstration for opening day guests. Fong and Lau’s passion for non-wastage and extravagance seeps into practically every detail of the space — whatever old shop grille that’s not used is integrated into the decor, cold drinks are served in repurposed Absolut Vodka bottles and the menu — a sizeable array of healthy comfort food — is portioned just right to fill you up and is priced with the GST in mind and with no service charge so you don’t ever have to walk away from your relaxing Sunday lunch thinking about hidden costs.

Photo: A plate of sunny side ups with rocket to share

Right now there are three salad options starting at $14.90 and only one soup — the Silky Smooth Mushroom Roomies ($8.90). If you’re in a small group (of say, two or three people), order the Hot Chick from Head to Toe (a whole roast stuffed chicken served with salad, two sides and two condiments at an affordable $22.90) to share. The ricotta lemon cream ravioli in tomato stew ($17.90) is also delicious, but best kept to yourself. Other mains include the pan-seared sea bass in balsamic dressing ($21.90), roast pumpkin with quinoa ($14.90) and Moo-licious Cheeks ($24.90), a tangy beef cheek tagliatelle. If you’re the breakfast sort, AEIOU also serves sunny side eggs ($8.90 for two people, includes rocket and pesto) with the option to add duck confit, smoked salmon, turkey ham. Two sides we liked were the root vegetable fries (potato, sweet potato, yam with chilli and sour cream for $7.90) and the beautifully plated rice wraps, which contained prawn, crunchy greens and edible flowers ($8.90).

Photo: From left: Mushroom soup and beef cheek pasta

Coffee snobs might baulk at the idea of “ice blended fruit coffee”, but this concept seems to sit well with the rest of the cafe-hopping folk. You’re served a thick fruit smoothie in one of their large Absolut Vodka cups on a block along with two shots of espresso, which you can measure out and pour according to your liking. They have three flavours — avocado, blueberry and orange mint — each priced at $8.

Photo: DIY ice blended “fruit coffee” 

If all this info isn’t enough to warrant a couple of posts on your Instagram page, here’s the lowdown on dessert: they have four small cakes — jasmine matcha ($7.90), Varlhona chocolate with Bailey ($8.50), lemon blueberry meringue ($6.90) and lime tart ($6) — plus a variety of Instagrammable plates like avocado cheesecake ($8) and passionfruit chantilly in a glass ($6.90). If you like croissants there are four kinds: plain ($2.50), ham chee peng ($2.90), almond ($4.60) and chocolate au bon pain ($2.90).

AEIOU Cafe is at 111 King George’s Avenue, 6291-2698. Open Tue — Sun 10am — 10pm.