Hairloom and Caramel

Tired of the same boring café setting that has chestnut brown tables, audible churning sound of the coffee machine and hellishly long queues that frustrates you? There is in fact, a quiet place to just enjoy a cuppa or a palatable plate of comfort food – Hairloom and Caramel.

Left: Carrot Cake, Right (Clockwise from left) Ham and Cheese Baked Penne, Salmon Spaghetti in Pink Sauce, Black pepper smoked duck Sandwich with Dijon Mustard.

Mind you, Caramel is NOT just a café; it has an adjoining salon and a small space that sells the owner’s very own art creations and some other vintage trinkets (Handmade cards and notebooks, vintage glass and tea set and handbags). The place itself is pretty hard to locate as it is hidden in the Beach Rd precinct – a place where youngsters rarely go. The western food that they offer is by far the most delectable and affordable (considering that GST is waived, while service is charged at 5% and that the most expensive main course is $14.50).

It has been quite a while since I have known this place where I spent most of my fondest memories. The birdcage, the greens, a replica of the flamingo and the Victorian designed chair is placed as the window display that creates a homey feeling to it all. Inside, the exquisite tables, chairs, retro sofas, old school portraits, the airplanes and birds that are suspended from the ceiling bring back memories of an unforgettable childhood. For me, it was the place where I used to celebrate my birthdays, my bad days, my good days and other momentous events.

The food is served on colourful vintage porcelain plates and bowls that add a unique touch to the whole dining experience. Not mentioning the cakes that are hard to resist especially when you are sitting near the glass refrigerator. If you can’t get enough of the place, you could probably mingle around the shelves to get some antique finds from the 80s. Otherwise, Hairloom, led by Elle magazine well-known hairdresser, Calvin, can impress you with one of his highly acclaimed cutting techniques. On rainy days, it would be perfect to tuck yourself in with a book on the sofa, clearly, the owner would not mind.

Unfortunately, they have closed their doors on the 5th November 2011. If you still yearn for their food and cakes however, you can still drop them an email for private orders and catering. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it would still be the place that makes the whole dining and shopping experience worthwhile. There is another way to preserve the place though an intervention, aye? :D

 For Catering and Cake Orders:

http://ifeellikebaking.blogspot.com/