Cafes along Neil Road often come and go in a cycle of new openings and closures.
One of the more recent additions is Chic Coook at 57A Neil Road, and this space previously housed ToMo Café – which has moved to Upper Thomson.
Chic Coook keeps the heritage feel of the neighbourhood with traditional green roof tiles on the exterior.
Inside, you will find simple wooden tables and soft lighting from small wall lamps. The seating area extends deep into the shop and provides a calm environment for diners.
While the space is pleasant, it is difficult to identify a clear focus for the café because the menu covers a very wide range of cuisines.
Food items on the menu include Chic Coook Breakfast ($13.80), Berries French Toast ($12.80), Thai Basil Beef Rice Bowl ($16.80), Chamomile Miso Chicken Rice Bowl ($16.80), Sundried Tomato Ribeye Rice Bowl ($26.80), Mango Prawn Salad Bowl ($18.80), and Avocado Egg Sandwich ($11.80).
There are even Beurre Miso XO au Crabe ($19.80), Polpette al Sugo ($18.80), Gamberetti Alla Cream ($18.80), Grilled Chamomile Miso Chicken ($21.80), and Sous Vide Ribeye with Sundried Tomato Glaze ($28.80).
Chic Coook is best known for its version of quesillo, a Venezuelan caramel custard dessert that has been gaining attention on social media.
This caramel custard is typically richer and denser than a standard crème caramel, with a slightly more porous texture and a stronger sweetness from condensed milk.
Their Caramel Pudding ($13.80) sits on a dark cake base and has a smooth texture. The taste was decent but it did not leave a very strong impression.
A more prominent chocolate flavour in the base would have helped balance the sweetness of the caramel.
I also had the Pistachio Strawberry Milk ($9.80), looking quite similar to the trending Strawberry Matcha Milk.
The milk was very creamy, somehow lacking the clean and subtle finish found in the standard versions. Perhaps a better balance in the proportions would help the nutty pistachio notes stand out more clearly.
The cafe also serves other interesting drinks like the Orange Black Forest Coffee ($8.80) and Strawberry Boba ($9.80).
While the menu feels a bit scattered with its mix of dishes, the environment is quiet and comfortable.
For now, Chic Coook adds another new option to the Neil Road café line-up, and time will tell how it settles into the neighbourhood.
Chic Coook
57A Neil Road, Singapore 088893
Opening Hours: 10am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
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