Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse

A four-storey building in Orchard, opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT, has been beautifully restored and named Temasek Shophouse. Level 1 of Temasek Shophouse (TSH), which has black and white art deco façade and geometric floor-to-ceiling glass panels, is open to the public. The elegant space can be a calm oasis in busy Orchard Road and tired shoppers can drop by for a drink and light bites at Foreword Coffee @ Temasek Shophouse.

The Temasek Shophouse

Temasek Shophouse (TSH) is the new home to the philanthropic arms of Temasek Holdings: Temasek Trust, Temasek Foundation and the Stewardship Asia Centre. The TSH Facebook Page explains that the refurbished heritage building also serves as a “social impact hub that seeks to encourage, enhance and elevate initiatives and activities that contribute towards the common good”.

The ground floor gallery of TSH is a beautiful space with a vertical garden on one side and glass panels at the rear which give a view of lush greenery in a small outdoor garden. There is a funky piano and colourful stools in the spacious atrium. The place is elegant but very welcoming.

Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse

Located in the main lobby of TSH is Foreword Coffee, a social enterprise café with a mission to empower persons with disabilities and special needs by providing employment and skills training in the F&B industry.

The cafe is mainly for takeaways but there are a few small tables scattered around the common space. Take one of the tables at the rear facing the garden and you will soon forget that you are in busy Orchard Road.

Coffee & Snacks at Foreword Coffee @ TSH

Foreword Coffee serves coffee that is ethically sourced from Asia, importing beans from producers directly and roasting the coffee locally in Singapore. The cafe also offers pastries and a limited selection of sandwiches.

Below are pictures of the menus of Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse.

Brunch at Foreword Coffee

We visited Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse on a recent weekend. As it had just started operations, the Tuna May Toast listed on the menu was not available yet. So we ordered the Ham & Cheese Toast ($4), a Ham & Cheese Croissant ($5) and an Orange Scone ($3.50). We also had a black coffee ($4) and the specialty Ouyang Latte ($5.50).

We made the order and payment at the counter. The food and beverages were served to us.

The orange scone was good. It was dense and slightly crumbly and at the same time soft. It was just slightly sweet and had discernible citrus flavours which were not overwhelming.

Ham & Cheese Croissant was exactly as the name suggested – nothing less and nothing more. It was a croissant with two slices of ham and a slice of cheese with some mayo sauce – basic but not bad. The same could be said of the Ham & Cheese Toast. They were like toasts we make for ourselves at home.

The coffee was good. The black coffee was smooth with a nice aroma. Ouyang Latte was a double ristretto  shot of Yunnna Ouyang (a single-origin coffee from Yunnan roasted specially by Foreword Coffee) topped with steamed milk. It was rich and smooth with fruity notes and scent similar to Earl Grey tea. It was an interesting and delightful latte.

Exhibitions at The Temasek Shophouse

Level 1 of Temsaek Shophouse is also an exhibition space. Currently, there is a [Not-so] Convenience Store – an exhibition which aims to raise awareness about the world’s growing waste problem and how our culture of convenience would add to the problem

There is also a Trash to Fash exhibition featuring the competition entries of budding fashion designers who were challenged to create fashionable clothing from recycled materials.

Calm Oasis in Orchard Road

TSH is a pleasant tranquil oasis in busy Orchard Road and Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse in a great spot for coffee and light bites. Enjoying coffee there is quite unlike an experience in one of the cafes in a bustling crowded mall.

Ratings:
Food: 3.5
Service: 3
Value: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Foreword Coffee at Temasek Shophouse
28 Orchard Road
Singapore 238832

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:15AM to 6:30PM
Saturday & Sunday 11:15AM to 4:15PM
Public Holiday 11:15AM to 4:15PM

Nearby MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Website

The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog