The Broers Cafe

Tucked away on a quiet side street between Jalan Besar and little India, and flanked by a quaint row of shophouses, The Broers cafe is a calm little corner that seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The espresso shot below had a dark crema, and an earthy, sweet aroma. The mouthfeel lacked the syrupy sweet consistency that some shots have, and was lighter and looser, more watery than viscous. My initial impression was of a strong and potent flavour, with tempered bitterness, and an aftertaste that builds after a few seconds. It's a straightforward shot that is ok, but one which lacks the complexity that I see in shots elsewhere, and does not stand out as a result. It may be that the shot is slightly over extracted, which would have an impact on the flavour and consistency. 

The cappuccino had a layer of smooth microbubbles, steamed to the right consistency, and imparts a silky smooth mouthfeel. The latte art is a nice touch, and is always good to see - it means that time and effort has gone into the process. Unfortunately, the underlying coffee character is almost entirely lost, and is drowned out by the milk and foam mixture - I just couldn't taste it. The dominant flavour is that of the milk, rather than the underlying espresso shot. It's fine for anyone who prefers a very light cappuccino, but if your preference is for stronger drinks, it's advisable to ask for an extra shot. 

There are some positives here though. There is a good menu selection for drinks, both hot and cold, as well some interesting brews that the crew have come up with themselves - they definitely score points for trying something new. There is also a very calm atmosphere, with soft, diffused light, and simple white walls contrasted against a dark wood floor - it's definitely a cafe to sit uninterrupted with a book.

It's a good choice for anyone who wants a calm, quiet place to sit uninterrupted with a book, but for complex shots, and  variety of different blends and single origin beans,  there is another well regarded cafe / roastery nearby on Tyrwhitt Road, with some very, very good coffee indeed.