Jimmy Monkey
I first got to know about this cafe/bar when it first opened in June 2011, because a friend was the head chef there & he pretty much created the menu. I won't go into the details of how & why this cafe started la ti da, because you can find all that on their website.
The Cafe I love the unpretentious grungy rustic decor. The owner, if I remember correctly, tore down the two-storey shop & made it into one huge-ass cafe that sits about 30. Fuss-free, cosy, and that whole gruff manly bachelor pad is how I would describe the interior. It also helps that all the full-time staff are male with their own distinctive personalities. When you walk in, don't expect a waiter to usher you in or hand you a menu & take your orders at your table. Everything here is DIY.
The Coffee The QC is fantastic. They give me the perfect latte every single time. A slightly mocha roast, perfect milk temperature, not too much acidity, just the way I like it. They serve you this little biscotti by the side too; which to me is kinda adorable considering the staff are all straight up skaters/rockers/punks.
The Crowd In the mornings there are a handful of expats from the neighborhoods strolling in with their toddlers, ordering Cinnamon Toast or their breakfast sets. There are plenty of offices nearby, so Jimmy Monkey inevitably attracts the lunch time & dinner crowd. They also serve alcohol so on weekends they are crazy packed! I once went there at 4pm and I couldn't get a seat. I had to take my coffee outside and sit by the pavement, which I didn't mind because I could enjoy my cigarettes & coffee quietly. Sometimes big groups would have gatherings/parties over there.
Last Words A couple of weeks ago I was on leave and I headed down there almost every single day. I would sometimes spend up to 10 hours just working on the laptop in a corner while being fed cranberry juice/lattes/whatever leftovers the nice waiter would give me.
Disclaimer: I may be a little biased, because along the way I have become well-acquainted with the boys.
Jimmy Monkey
9 one-north gateway #01-51 one-north residences singapore 138643
