The Finest Things in Life: Envy Coffee [Part II]

Envy Coffee is going strong since their opening in May this year. As Christmas is drawing near, the menu has seen new additions like peppermint mocha and honey chicken sandwich in preparation for this lovely season.

Curious to know the story behind that positive quote up there?

Every good thing has a beginning, and it started when the co-founders Chia Hui, her brother Jack, and her ex-colleague Boon Kiat, made the unanimous decision to fulfill their wish of opening a cafe. It wasn't easy, having to sacrifice their full-time jobs in favour of investing their time and effort into Envy Coffee, but it took off and they have never looked back since.

As they explained, it boiled down to not wanting to have regrets, so the quote serves the double purpose of being a reminder of their resolution and encouraging others to pursue their dreams.

I got the Roasted Beef Sandwich ($8.90) and topped up my meal ($3.90 for Soup of the Day and any drink; additional charges apply for certain drinks). Today was Minestrone Soup! Chock-full of onions, garlic and soft vegetables, it had a tangy tomato taste.

Embedded with multi-grains that gave the loaf a wonderful texture, the bread wasn't too hard or crispy and gave way relatively easily. Even when bitten into, the grains remained in place and did not shower the plate.

While the beef, which had a cracked surface resembling the parched ground of a desert, was of a minuscule portion and felt dry, it was thoroughly seasoned with black pepper and had a light meaty flavor. The wasabi mayonnaise also added a lovable zest to the sandwich. It was unevenly distributed though, with one slice of bread having more than the other.

The chips and side salad were ordinary and with the same quantity I've come to expect of most cafes. It would be good if they could increase the proportions.

Being in a holiday mood, I opted for the new Peppermint Mocha (priced at $5.90 for Hot and $6.90 for Iced; 90 cents more if it is the choice of drink for the top-up). The brew was delicately blended with calming peppermint to give it that exotic touch and rejuvenate the senses.

The Red Velvet Cheesecake ($6.00) topping is actually thick, hard frosting and not whipped cream. It held a faint whiff of cream cheese which complimented the cake's sweetness. I appreciated how the alternation between this and the cheesier and stickier second layer prevented the dessert from being sickeningly rich. It was just nice!

The eagle-eyed employees here are helpful and attentive to customers. Chia Hui herself is a friendly individual who diligently mans the counter and always has a ready smile for everyone.