Baristart Coffee Review: New Japanese Cafe With Kawaii Dessert And Pork Cutlet Sandwich

Food at Baristart Kurobuta bacon is used to impart lingering smoky notes that give definition to the Hokkaido Carbonara ($17.80++) . And there was a sacrilegious amount of Biei cream added to the carbonara.

It was as if I was eating pasta doused in milk. For lovers of fish, the Tuna & Avocado Salad with Wasabi Dressing ($14.80++) is a good bet.

There was just enough heat applied to the fish for its Omega-3 goodness to seep through, bringing out its oceanic taste. Doubling up to reinforce the Japanese flavours of the dish were the grated wasabi, which gave a tingly heat.

As I looked at the menu, I chanced upon this monstrous dish: the Tonkatsu Sando ($16.80++) . There was also a thin layer of fat, which accentuated the porky flavours of the tonkatsu and gave a distinct contrast to the crispy texture. I could whiff the tantalising scent of sweet caramelised pork, even as it was being prepared in the kitchen.

What upped the anté were the spikes of char that gave it a satisfying smoky taste. Even so, I felt that it needed more of that delicious buta marinade to enliven the dish.

The adorable Shiro Kuma Shaved Ice ($9.80++) is an amalgamation of cut fruits, Biei ice-cream, shaved ice, and a syrup of your liking. Pouring the syrup over the adorable bear melts the shaved ice and unravels delicately cut fruits. 10 Affordable Bingsu Places You Can Go To For A Bingsu Fix At $10 Or Less In comparison to the other heavy dishes offered here, this dessert is too light for my liking.

The taste of milk and fruits was rather lacklustre. A better choice to cap off your meal is the Cream Puff ($4.50 for one and $12.50 for three pieces) that is larger than your fist. To create the Biei Jersey Milk Coffee ($7.50++) , a shot of freshly brewed ristretto shot is poured into a tall glass of ice cold Biei milk.

It hit me as more of a coffee milk rather than coffee with milk. For instance, the full cream milk coats your mouth in a luxe layer of milk fat.

As an armchair-expert on coffee, I enjoyed the complementing taste nuances of the Latté ($6.70++) . Chocolatey notes harmonise with the nutty body, which is accented by the roasting of coffee beans.